Mid-afternoon, on the way to the Sepulchre of God…
Stairs are cold and winding as Anna and I ascend to the highest floor. For it’s there that the Ecclesiarch of the Order of Selene resides. And her Paladin, the Executor. But the Executor’s been gone for a long time. Long before I ever got here.
I’m in my school uniform, all of it nicely done up like I’m about to address all of St. Elicia’s in the auditorium. Anna’s dressed formally as well, clad from head to toe in her battle regalia – a tight, form-fitting leotard of silk and honed metal, complete with thigh-high greaves and a black cloak trimmed white with fur. It’s equal parts protection and elegance, and really, a feast for the eyes!
Bit dark and edgy for a Paladin, though! But I remember Lady Iris telling me in confidence, that she wanted Anna’s gear to make her appear a bit more regal and intimidating. First impressions matter, after all! Especially against Monsters.
Good grief, though. I miss my Healer robes! Made me look like I knew what the hell I was doing, and the hood and thick fur linings kept me nice and snug and warm on cold winter nights. I swear, it really fit the whole ‘Healer’ vibe! Hell, I dare say I would’ve made a pretty good cosplayer if I wore that outfit to a convention back in my world. Oh, but I digress!
Oh, right. Where was I? Ah, yes! The Ecclesiarch, Lady Iris Escaflowne herself! Most residing in the Chantry only get a glimpse of Lady Iris when morning and evening prayers are in session. She spends most of her time away from everyone else, honing the Healer’s art. The Akashic Record – the living memory containing the Order’s knowledge of both Healer and Paladin alike, is hers to keep and maintain.
It’s her Prophecy as a Hero, as it has been as well for the Eccelsiarchs preceding her. Her eyes are just like mine, you see. Golden, like the eyes of a God. And she wields a weapon worthy of one as well, another relic like Elizabeth sacred to the Order of Selene. From the days of the First Saint, the Order dubs it Apocalypse – an enchanted magical tome of white and gold embellished with holy chains, summoned from the near-infinite power of the Akashic Record itself. And I learned this later on, that its name doesn’t mean the end of the world. But rather, revelation.
On the top floor, we enter a luxurious antechamber furnished to the nines. The air is light with perfume and elegance. Up ahead, across fancy fur carpets, past jewelled armchairs and masked servants in waiting, a large, beautiful ornate door awaits.
“Nervous?” Anna asks me, smiling sweetly as she places a hand upon her cheek. “I always get a little jittery coming here…”
I smile at Anna and nod. Everything up here feels so clean, so sterile. Don’t get me wrong, this place is beautiful, but also… so cold. Stings of loneliness, odd as it sounds. It’s exactly how I remember it to be, having spent so many hours up here in the previous timeline.
“I hope she’ll hear me out like you did…” I answer hesitantly, my words a whisper. “Honestly, I am a little nervous. Just a little!”
“Don’t worry. You’ll convince her for sure!” Anna responds enthusiastically as she pumps a fist into the air. “Umm… because, you know… I’m actually quite difficult to persuade! But you succeeded!”
My nervousness breaks into a grin.
“I’m serious, I swear!” Anna exclaims, puffing up her chest as she crosses her arms. “It’s true!”
“Heh!”
For a moment we forget ourselves, giggling ourselves silly like we’re just hanging out in some kind of locker room in a high school. Despite the need for decorum, I gotta say, that feels good. Whole lotta relief welling up in me, right about now. And when that’s over, Anna looks me in the eye and gives me a firm nod, her poise exuding strength and confidence.
“Good luck in there, Arisa.”
Thank you, Anna. I’ll do my best!
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In the Sepulchre of God…
Enchanting apparatuses and antique bookcases hum faintly with Mana, carrying the harmony of an aria’s tune. It’s a neat and tidy place, its furnishings simple and spartan compared to antechamber before where guests are typically entertained.
Being here again after so much time spent in Arcadia feels very pleasant, to say the least of it. Nostalgic, even! I’ve spent so much time in here mastering the Healer’s craft. Reading the vast catalogue of librams and tomes, taking in all the knowledge like a sponge. Like I’m studying for an exam. But it was a lot of fun! Surprisingly so.
Now, I’ve returned for afternoon tea. Assorted fruits, scones, cupcakes and tarts sit upon gleaming silver stands. Tea, piping hot in little porcelain cups set upon polished jewelled saucers, beckons to me. There, Lady Iris herself awaits, sitting regally in white and golden robes radiating lightly with powerful enchantments, Apocalypse set upon the table.
Oh my! She’s beautiful. Tall and beautiful and radiant, that I find myself feeling a little jealous looking at her as I stare down my own chest for the briefest of moments. And that feeling's not even getting into that long hair of hers, silver like snow and ice, adorned with an ornate hairpin. She’s been in charge for a long time, lived for even longer, but she doesn’t look her age at all. And her eyes… they’re as they’ve always been. The eyes of a God, golden like the sun, yet always staring into a thousand yards beyond.
In the previous timeline, this was our first meeting in this world. Now, here I am again. And I feel a little weird. Déjà vu, I’ll say!
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Lady Arisa Ishii, are you not?” Lady Iris asks serenely, her posture full of grace and poise as I approach her. “We have not been properly introduced. And yet…”
There’s a great sorrow in her eyes as she gazes into mine. Good fucking grief. Am I…? No, I’m not. I’m just… I dunno.
“There is something that is bothering me, as I lay eyes on you. Echoes of something… warm. Do I know you from before, Lady Ishii? I feel like I do. But when I search my memories… there is nothing. Why is that?”
“That’s because…” I answer, my voice cracking as Lady Iris looks upon me with those eyes filled with wistful sorrow. “Nevermind. We’ve yet to be introduced. You’re right about that.”
Lady Iris nods. I feel myself quiver slightly, thinking that she thinks I'm full of shit. But it's not at all like that. Not in the slightest. If anything, she looks... interested to hear me out.
“I trust that Anna has kept you well. You are an honoured guest here, after all.”
“She has,” I answer solemnly, bowing my head. “I’d ask for nothing more.”
“That staff of yours…” Lady Iris adds, her eyes looking past my shoulder, at the angelic visage of Elizabeth. “It is Frozen Light, a sacred relic of the Order of Selene. And its true name is…”
“Elizabeth, Frozen Light.”
“It is. And you were on the brink of death last night,” Lady Iris states, eyeing me carefully. “But now, you stand before me with such power, your presence exuding an extraordinary level of Mana. I dare say that you are as powerful as I am.”
Gently, gracefully, Lady Iris picks up her teacup with her right hand, carefully sipping its piping hot contents with the grace of a swan and a proper lady. Her left hand, scarred and mutilated, rests peacefully at her side. I remember it was just like that in previous timeline, like a blemish on a wedding dress. There are rumours abound in the Chantry on the how and why behind it, but nobody really knows. Just hearsay and rumour, leavened heavily with conjecture.
“But why is that the case, Lady Ishii?”
“I’ve learned from the best,” I answer firmly, cracking a small smile. “From you.”
“Is that so? Do explain this.”
Think, Arisa! How do I put this forward without sounding like a lunatic? Anna’s nice and kind and patient, and so is Lady Iris. But then… it’s awkward, y’know? Trying to explain so seriously, something so fucking weird and insane. Didn’t feel that way with Anna, but then… Lady Iris has always been my mentor, and I’ve always felt a little… intimidated. I mean, she’s so… radiant! And pretty. I do find myself feeling rather inadequate before her, I’ll admit.
“You have something to say, Lady Ishii. Please do. You have my undivided attention.”
“Well, uh… I…”
Maybe my voice cracked as I said that. Maybe there are tears in my eyes giving it all away so easily. But before I can embarrass myself any further, I feel Lady Iris’ arms wrapped around me, gently yet tightly. She’s warm, she smells lovely, and her touch is soft like silk as she eases out of me, so gently, my emotions.
Fucking hell. I’ve been holding it in for too damn long, eh? Maybe. I had to be strong for Anna, after all. Nobody told me to, least of all her, but it just felt right… you know? And as I look into the radiant, lustrous gold of Lady Iris’ eyes, I guess I just feel a little different.
“Tell me everything, Lady Ishii. Perhaps it will help me understand why I feel this way about you.”
“Sure, I…”
And so, I tell her. Everything. About myself. About my world. About St Elicia’s. About my own Prophecy, as foretold by the Oracle. And then, my failure, and Anna’s death in Arcadia.
“Fascinating…” Lady Iris states, cupping her chin as I look away. “You are not of this world, and if your claims are true, you are not even of this timeline. And yet, you have mastered our Order’s art. Most impressive.”
“Like I said…” I add warmly. “You taught me everything.”
“I should be proud. My apologies, Lady Ishii.”
I shake my head ruefully.
“Please don’t apologise, Lady Iris. I’m the one making all these wild claims. To be honest, I don’t know how or why I’m back here. Been a while, but it still feels a little… crazy.”
“If it helps you feel any better, I believe you.”
“You don’t think I’m crazy?”
Lady Iris shakes her head.
“Why’s that?” I ask carefully. “Sometimes I feel like I’m losing it.”
“There is a sense of… conviction in your words,” Lady Iris answers firmly. “From that alone, I can tell that you have spoken truly. Call it an instinct. And for that, I trust you.”
“Thank you. This time, I want to do everything right,” I state, my words sure as steel. “And I want to remember everything. For the record.”
“As you should. It is our fate as Heroes to persist,” Lady Iris states serenely, placing a hand upon my shoulder. “Our Prophecies are always there to follow, no matter what happens. Even if we fall. Even if some days are harder than others.”
“Yeah. It hurts sometimes,” I state coldly, eyes staring at the floor. “But I’ll never give up.”
“Indeed. We should speak often, you and I,” Lady Iris adds, smiling a small smile at me until I too, smile as well. “It is rare to have another Healer of such… power. Prophecy aside, I would ask that you share your knowledge with me, that we might improve the Akashic Record.”
I nod. I’m aware of the two spells she’s currently working on divining. Clairvoyance is the first of them – astral projection of one’s consciousness outward into the realm of light, achieving omniscient sight with all the clarity afforded to a God. Where there’s even the slightest sliver of illumination, even in blackest night, a Healer’s vision can enter and see what the light sees. Lotta trial and error and itchy, teary eyes, but Lady Iris and I figured it out back then!
The other spell, however, less so. Resurrection beckons the souls of the newly dead back to the mortal plane, should they willingly answer. It is preservation of life, claiming it even from beyond the grasp of death. Never figured this one out, unfortunately. I had already left the Chantry with Anna, answering the Oracle’s call to fulfil my Prophecy in the Holy City.
Things may be different this time, though! I’m just as powerful as Lady Iris now, right? Not tooting my own horn, but she said so herself! And I’d be honoured, truly, to work with you, Lady Iris… as you once did with me.
“I’d love to, Lady Iris.”
“Excellent. I will have my servants make the necessary arrangements. But for now, in the coming days…” Lady Iris states gracefully. “Honour our traditions, fellow Healer of the Order of Selene. Guide Anna with your knowledge and power, for she shall be your Paladin once more to fulfil your Prophecy as a Hero.”
“I will, Lady Iris. Thank you.”
“For now, please return to Anna’s side,” Lady Iris adds, gesturing to the door behind me. “There is much to do in the days to come.”
“Sure. See you around, Lady Iris.”
I turn to leave, my eyes set upon the door. And Anna. She’s waiting outside, after all. For me. And together, we’ll…
“Wait.”
Wordlessly, I turn around in the midst of leaving, facing Lady Iris as she looks me dead in the eye. Piercing and fiery like a burning blade’s edge, it’s unlike her at all. And as I stand before her gaze… I feel my heart beating harder and harder, like it’s gonna burst outta my chest as she stands up, walking up to me with the intensity of a thousand suns.
“Promise me this, Lady Ishii. Promise me that you’ll keep her safe,” Lady Iris says, her tone as intense as her gaze and those footsteps of hers. “With all of your strength, with all of your power.”
I nod once, and turn to leave once more. It’s the only answer I can give. For my word in this matter, for all I cherish, bears the weight of the world.