Returning to the Chamber of the Lightsworn…

Lady Mezalune leaps from her holy throne when I enter the room, rushing towards me like a whirlwind. Her servants scramble to keep up.

“Hey there,” I say, flashing a grin and a bit of swagger. “I know what you’re about to ask. “Eris is doing better. She remembers, and she’s on the road to healing.”

“Indeed! The Hero of the hour!” Lady Mezalune exclaims enthusiastically, her jagged teeth sparkling beautifully. “So, Little Miss Anna did what she needed to do?”

“Yeah. Eris needed to mourn, and Anna eased her into it. And uh… hey! What the…!?”

Before I can get away, Lady Mezalune throws herself into me, her arms squeezing tight around my waist as she hugs me tightly. Very, very tightly! And I… it’s…

I don’t mind it too much. But yes, it’s been a while since I’ve had her do that to me! Despite myself, I wrap my arms around her, giving her the best hug I can manage while the scent of roses and lavender from luxury soaps and bubble baths wafts over me.

“I feared the worst, I’ll admit!” Lady Mezalune exclaims joyfully, eyes gleaming with starlight as she looks up at me. “In my heart of hearts… I was very, very worried!”

“You? Worried!?” I tease, letting out a playful scoff that prompts her toothy grin to become even more mischievous. “I’m hurt! And here I thought you had more faith in Anna and me.”

“Hmph! I suppose my worries were unfounded in the end! But, between you and me…”

Lady Mezalune glances around theatrically, lowering her voice as though sharing a great secret.

“I’m glad Anna could do what I couldn’t for Little Miss Eris.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve seen the state of her room. No one from the Sacred Shield nor the Order of Selene could get through to her the way Anna did. They tried, believe me, but they all failed miserably!” Lady Mezalune answers as she steps away from me, crossing her arms with a playful huff. “Hmph! Your Paladin has quite a way with words, don’t you think so? Even now, I can see it in your eyes when I say her name!”

“She got me good with her honeyed words,” I answer with a warm smile as I chuckle, bowing my head slightly. “I’m proud of her, my Lady. She’s come so far in such little time.”

Lady Mezalune nods eagerly.

“Indeed! That passion in her voice… that’s someone I’d trust with my life! But don’t be modest, my dearest Little Miss! I suspect she’s grown into who she is because of you!”

“Oho! You think so?”

“I do, Little Miss! Your wisdom shines brightly even in this dazzlingly bright room of holiness!”

“Right…” I answer dryly, rolling my eyes as Lady Mezalune’s smile turns cheeky. “Takes one to know one, huh?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Indeed! It’s been quite the journey for you, hasn’t it? Going from the end of one timeline to the beginning of another, reliving a life you’ve lived before. As someone who has pierced the veil between worlds… I’d say we’re kindred spirits in more ways than one!”

“Heh. It is what it is.”

“Oh! Before I forget! I don’t know if I apologised in the previous timeline, but I’m sorry about the circumstances of your summoning! That whole ordeal with that Giant Spider was a total accident, I swear!”

I’m rolling my eyes again as Lady Mezalune giggles, her hand scratching at the back of her head as she maintains her silly smile. In turn, I can’t help but smile a little.

Looking back, it feels like a joke, but I was really about to die back then and there. If Anna hadn’t shown up when she did… I’d rather not think about it.

It’s irresponsible, summoning someone like that and dragging them into another world with no warning. Little to no warning, anyhow. That portal of hers… its light was so tempting, so alluring. I couldn’t resist! And yet, if that didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have met Anna, Lady Iris, or Lady Mezalune. I wouldn’t have become a Healer, a Hero... for better or worse.

“I like to think it’s all fated!” Lady Mezalune declares with a playful wink, as though reading my thoughts. “Heroes don’t die that easily, after all!”

“You’re damn right about that!”

“Despite everything, you’ve handled yourself with grace,” Lady Mezalune adds, her tone more sincere, her expression softening. “I’m proud of you for that, Little Miss!”

“Thanks! Speaking of being a good Hero…” I rub my fingers together, grinning like a fool. “Now that Eris is safe with Anna…”

“Hmph! Ah, yes, of course!” Lady Mezalune exclaims, smiling sweetly. “Here you go! You and Anna have earned this. Behold… behold!”

With a playful curtsy and a shimmer of her sleeve, the Lesser Shard of the Oracle appears in her hand, glowing a deep, mystical purple beneath the chandelier’s light. It’s the first of the six that form the Runestone, the key to Arcadia. And it’s mine once again.

Huh, that’s weird. Did I say that it’s gleaming beautifully? Because it is! But it wasn’t this vibrant in the previous timeline. Back then, it was dull and stained with what looked like blood.

“Something wrong, Little Miss?” Lady Mezalune asks sweetly, her eyelashes fluttering innocently as she holds out the Lesser Shard. “Hey now! Don’t be shy!”

“Heh. Of course!” I answer confidently, playing it cool as best I can. “Thanks!”

I take the Lesser Shard of the Oracle into my hands, staring into its gleaming surface. I know what I saw last time, and I know damn well what I’m seeing right now. This Lesser Shard and the others afterwards weren’t like this.

Hmm. Could Eris’ survival have something to do with it? In the previous timeline, she died as the Demon’s Voice. But in this new one, she lives on as Eris Aintree. As herself. She’s alive and on the road to healing, wading through hell and nothingness, to smile again someday. And it’ll happen eventually… because time is possible. That’s what Anna said.

Oh my! Could that be it? I’d say so, but this is just the first of six. We’ll see, I suppose. I should talk to Anna about this! Lady Mezalune as well! But for now…

“So, how can I help?” Lady Mezalune chirps, clapping her hands, snapping me from my thoughts. “With Eris, with you – with everything! Just say the word!”

“Hmm…”

I cup my chin as I consider my options. There’s so much to ask – about this world, my role as a Hero, and the Demon Lord that haunts my dreams. She’d have answers if anyone in this world does. But that’s best saved for later. For now, my thoughts are with Eris. After all that’s happened, I think I know what we need!

“I’m going to head back to Eris’ suite to be with her and Anna,” I tell Lady Mezalune sincerely, bowing my head. “We’ll keep her company. For that… I’ll take a bucket of ice-cold beers to go!”

“Consider it done!” Lady Mezalune exclaims cheerfully before instructing her servants to rush to the palace kitchens. “Good luck! We’ll talk later! You’ve got plenty on your mind for me, don’t you? But I suppose that can wait!”

“I do. But right now, this is more important. You get me, don’t ya?”

“I very much do! Run along now, Little Miss Hero!”

“Thank you, my Lady.”

With that, I head for the door, a spring in my step. As I reach the door, I glance back. Lady Mezalune waves, smiling brightly at me.

Good grief. It’s been quite a day, huh? But we're doing good. As much good as we can.