Unmasking the Executor of the Order of Selene…

Once again, Claire winced. It was not that she hated Iris’ presence or her touch, but it felt wrong to let someone as pure as her be so close to her diseased, ruined body.

If anything, she feared she might pass on this blighted curse of hers to an innocent soul. It was certainly possible, with enough exposure and time, however brief. It was why she kept herself isolated from others, quarantining herself whenever she camped with other adventurers on the mainland. Only her blessed claymore, Ascalon, could she ever trust to remain unphased and unharmed by her aspect.

She was not well, after all. Never was. The Nameless Girl was not someone she could stay away from, however. And so, she had painstakingly handled her with great care, never letting her flesh touch hers without layers of cloth or bandages between them. It had to be done.

On the other hand…, this was a luxury, an unnecessary risk for a moment’s comfort. And yet…

“I am prepared and willing…” Iris said solemnly, her eyes gazing unflinchingly through the eye slits of Claire’s mask. “Do not worry for my sake.”

“But…”

“Do you remember what the Codex Rinnah says about the Ecclesiarch?”

“I do, Iris.”

“Recite the verse, then.”

“May the Ecclesiarch be a reflection of me… like moon on water…” Claire said, her voice a hoarse whisper, tears forming in her eyes, slowing flowing down her cheeks, still covered by tarnished silver. “When she tries to be good… may those under her care see me…”

“I am not afraid of anything. And I care for you, Claire. Always.”

“Oh! You’re persistent, aren’t you? And did you call me…?”

“I am. I did,” Iris answered innocently, carefully concealing the playfulness of a smile. “What of it?”

“Hah! As you wish, then,” Claire answered, shaking her head as she too, allowed herself a smile. “But remember, please be careful. For your own safety, of course.”

“Always.”

Carefully, with both hands, Iris gently removed the silver mask covering Claire’s face. Just as gently, she pulled back the bloody shroud covering the rest of her Executor’s visage, letting her long golden hair fall to her waist.

“I hope I’m not scaring you, Iris…” Claire remarked anxiously. “My face…”

“Not at all.”

“Is that right, Iris? The Ecclesiarch is forbidden to ever tell a lie.”

“I have not broken any rules. And I do not intend to do so.”

“Thought I saw you wince.”

Iris shook her head. Once, her friend had been beautiful. The most beautiful of all. They were a match made in heaven, many proclaimed. They were Paladin and Healer. Executor and Ecclesiarch. Twin Heroes with golden eyes, whose fate it was to preserve and expand the Akashic Record that held within it, the knowledge of Healers and Paladins since time immemorial.

The changes came slowly to Claire, the taint almost unnoticeable at first. But soon enough, it let itself be known to all as it wreaked havoc upon body and spirit alike. Her fellow Paladins and Healers could not help her. Not even Iris, despite her best efforts.

Her days were numbered. They were but years countable by the fingers on her hand. And for that, she had enough of everything. Wanting to make the best of her remaining years, she left behind the Isle of Spirits, the Chantry, and the Order. She left it all behind despite Iris’ wishes, despite her pleas that a cure was possible, in time. To venture out into the wider world with her strength, to make a difference.

“Do you remember? The people of Light’s Hope showered rose petals in your wake when you left,” Iris remarked wistfully. “They were heartbroken to see you go.”

“I do. It was the first day I donned the mask,” Claire answered, smiling wryly as she eyed the gleam of tarnished silver resting on the coffee table. “They didn’t know what I was becoming.”

“You judge them too harshly.”

“Am I wrong to assume? It’s been quite an eye-opener, wandering the land as a stranger. But I did what I wanted to do. I made a difference. I…”

Claire smiled wistfully as she gazed upon the Nameless Girl’s sleep. The Demon-worshipping cultists of the so-called Demon Cult never stood a chance. And as they fell, they proclaimed madly with their dying breaths, the return of their Lord from its dark exile in Arcadia, the Land of Demons. And with it, the end of Nisha and all creation. Unfortunately, they were in her way and would not live to see the day of their dark rapture, should it ever come.

Stolen story; please report.

“She’s one of the many innocents I’ve saved with these hands of mine, Iris.”

“And who is she?” Iris asked curiously, her eyes fixated upon the Nameless Girl as she slumbered. “I sense that her soul is blank, little more than an empty tome.”

“Nobody. Not anymore, at least…” Claire answered weakly, nodding grimly. “If she had a family, friends, anyone… they’re long gone to those I’ve slain. I was too late for them.”

“Not too late for her. By your hand and your courage, she lives on.”

“Your wisdom as well, Iris. But as you said… she’s an empty tome. And I want her to…”

Frowning slightly, Claire looked away.

“If I am to do this, she shall be ours,” Iris stated thoughtfully as she looked Claire in the eye. “For that honour belongs to us equally.”

“You’re willing to take her in?” Claire asked cautiously. “It was what I wanted to ask of you. But I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if it was my place to ask.”

“And yet, you are here before me.”

“I couldn’t think of anyone else who’d do a better job for her.”

“Then I shall. We shall. Do you accept my terms, Claire?”

“I do, Iris. But my time is running out…”

“Your half shall be to name her. And my half shall be to raise her as ours.”

“Alright.”

“What shall her name be, then?”

“Hmm…”

Claire stood, slowly stepping away from Iris and the Nameless Girl. She looked towards the window past the Ecclesiarch’s desk and its grand overlooking view of the courtyard, staring quietly at falling snow and ice-stained glass as she gathered her thoughts. And then, with her mind made up, she faced Iris once more, smiling brightly with all the confidence and swagger she once had in better years long past.

“Her name shall be Anna,” Claire said confidently. “Rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. She shall henceforth be known as Anna Silverlight,” Iris declared warmly, nodding affirmatively. “Congratulations. May she grow up to be worthy of your noble name.”

“You’ll see to it, surely! You'll raise her right.”

“I will. Consider it a promise from me to you.”

“Then I’m relieved, knowing that she’s in good hands.”

“But with these hands of mine…” Iris stated forlornly, shaking her head. “I could not save you.”

“Iris…”

Wrapping up her hands and her body carefully, Claire embraced Iris, holding her close. She tried to envision the warmth of her body and the softness of her skin, and smiled. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, the memories of such sensations existed. They were nothing but the best.

“You’ve done right by me, Iris. That’s all I’ve ever asked for.”

“Despite all my strength… my mastery of our Order’s knowledge… I could not…”

“I love you, Iris.”

“Claire…”

“There’s one more thing I’d like to do, if you’d allow it…” Claire added wistfully. “I’d like to visit the courtyard downstairs and watch the sunrise with you. For old times’ sake.”

“I would like that very much,” Iris answered, her voice quavering as she stood in place, back turned to her as she stared dead ahead at the window, her entire body shivering controllably. “I would. But I…”

For a moment, Claire watched her in silence. She nodded solemnly and retrieved her silver mask from the coffee table, putting it back on her face.

“Promise me, Iris. Please.”

“I will be with you shortly, Claire. This, I promise. This I swear.”

When the doors closed shut behind her, and the sound of footsteps leaving turned faint, Iris moved towards the window in silence, eyes fixated on its frost-stained surface.

“A frail oath was interwoven into my birth. Binding me always… to chase the light…”

Her blood was boiling. It had been burning inside of her, viciously reminding her of her failure and her weakness. Of what she could not do for the one she loved. And it spilt over with a thundering crescendo as she let out a furious scream she had suppressed for far too long, her fist punching the window with all her might.

“To chase the light.”

The ancient glass cracked upon her knuckle, parts of it splintering into shards that cut into skin and flesh alike. With eyes wide and lucid, she raised that bloody hand up to her face, gazing at the lines of blood running scarlet down her wrist. It burned with pain and adrenaline, and she fell to her knees, tears rolling down her eyes.

“Mom…? Mom…”

Iris turned to look at Anna Silverlight, who trembled in her slumber as her hand reached out for something… or someone. She was still recovering, and it was unlikely she was even aware of her surroundings, let alone what she was uttering. And yet…

“Anna.”

Placing her left hand behind her back, Iris walked over to Anna’s side while her servants rushed into the room. She waved them away, sending them off to patch up the damaged window.

With her right hand, she gently tucked Anna in, easing her shivers. As she did this, her gaze fell upon Ascalon, its ornate hilt resting against Claire’s armchair. Silver like the moon, it would survive this long night alongside the one meant to wield it into battle, in time. The blade was damaged… but it could be repaired, honed to serve anew.

“Thank you for this blessing, Claire. Thank you, truly.”

For what once was, could once again be.

----------------------------------------

Back in Anna’s room in the present…

The light slowly fades away from both Elizabeth and Ascalon. It’s as though it never happened. But I know what I’ve seen. So does Anna.

“Damn…”

“I never got to see Second Mom and thank her for what she did for me…” Anna tells me, her head bowed solemnly. “Mom said she passed on in the courtyard when the sun rose.”

She looks me in the eye wistfully, her expression melancholic. Tears are on the edges of her eyes, but they aren’t falling. She’s feeling… bittersweet. Looks like it.

“I’m grateful for what she did for me, Arisa. She’s a Hero, just like you! Just like Mom! And I do wonder – would she be proud of me, if she saw what I’ve become?”

“She’d be for sure, Anna. You’re a badass! Just like her.”

“Arisa…”

We embrace, and I hold her close and tight. I feel those tears in her eyes, wetting my nightgown. But I don’t mind. I’m glad she’s here. I’m glad I’m here for her. It’s all good.

“I also do wonder sometimes… about my past…” Anna adds wistfully, her smile bittersweet as she looks me in the eye. “I don’t remember anything of my life before waking up here. There are nights when I try to remember, as hard as I can… and I don’t. I can’t.”

“Do you want to?”

“I’m not sure, to be honest. I’m happy being who I am. And yet…”

“You still want to know. You still want to remember. For the record.”

“Yes. If I had the chance to remember, I would. Do you also…?

“I feel ya. But my situation’s a bit different. I have it in reverse. I remember and know memories that don’t exist anymore. But uh… it hurts too.”

“We’re different in that sense, huh? But you know”

“Two sides of the same coin,” I offer with a smile, as Anna smiles back. “White and black.”

“Black and white!”

We embrace again, holding each other close. We sit down on her bed together, holding hands. For the rest of the long night, we remain like this. Together, as Healer and Paladin. Like Lady Iris and Lady Claire.