Mastering the Heal spell with Anna Silverlight…
It's going well so far! Nothing’s on fire or broken to bits. Yet. No angry Orcs yelling either! And so… the stage is set, and our little study room falls silent. Lights… Camera… Action!
“Ready?” I say as I smile brightly at Anna. “Hit me with your best Heal.”
“Umm… yes! Hold on…”
As I said before, the Heal spell that paladins like Anna use is faster but less powerful – a quick cast to give a second wind in the thick of combat. It's pretty handy since, unlike a Healer who’s usually protected by their party and Paladin (sometimes both!), a Paladin’s always on the front lines, taking the hits as they come.
“Arisa, I…” Anna utters, her palm trembling with barely a glimmer of light. “Umm…”
“You got this. Take a deep breath and focus on me, your target.”
“Ahh…”
The silver light in her palm glows brightly for a moment but fizzles out soon after. No dice, I’m afraid. Fuck.
“It’s still not working…”
“Lower your hand, Anna,” I instruct calmly and gently as she shudders. “Let’s sit down for a bit. Catch your breath.”
“Okay…”
We do exactly that, planting our asses on those chairs. It’s a much needed break after all that standing and casting. No one else is watching, but I did hype it up and put all that pressure on her. And uh… I really shouldn’t have done that. Fuck me.
“Feeling better?” I ask as Anna gives me a forlorn look. “You looked like you’re having a little stage fright just now.”
“Just a little…”
“Oh. Damn. My bad.”
“It’s alright. I’ll do better, Arisa.”
I know you will, Anna. I really do. And I feel ya! I’ve had similar issues with stage fright back at St Elicia’s, memorising speeches for school assembly. Most days, I just wing it, but even then, I still need an idea of what I have to say and when to say it. And I know a little something that might help you out right about now… as it did for me back in my world.
“Sit tight for a bit, alright?” I say to her as I get outta my chair. “I know just the thing that might help you out. Be back soon!”
“Umm… sure!”
Briskly, I head outta the study room towards the many aisles of ornate and antique shelves with the library’s catalogue. Amid rows upon rows of books on Monster lore… records of dungeons known and plundered… romance novels on paperback… I reach my destination – Librams for Paladins and Healers! And from that section of bookshelves…
“Gotcha.”
Red and gold like a scarlet dawn, the Libram of Redemption feels warm and cosy on my hands like a nice, steaming mug of hot cocoa. Back in the previous timeline, I read its contents from cover to cover many times while under Lady Iris’ guidance, committing the words within to memory. And now, I’ll help Anna do the same.
Stolen story; please report.
“Umm… is that what I think it is?” Anna asks hesitantly as I return triumphantly to our study room with my scarlet prize in hand. “The Libram of Redemption…”
“Yup,” I answer with a smile as I sit by her side with the Libram of Redemption. “Let’s read it again together, shall we? Little revision never hurt nobody! C’mon!”
“Okay. Let’s do this, Arisa!”
Slowly, gently, carefully… Anna lifts the red and gold cover of the Libram of Redemption, her gaze focusing on the holy words enshrined within, one page a time. I do the same, and I gotta say, these words feel rather… nostalgic. Yeah. That’s the word I’d use.
Each Libram contains a divine chronicle that binds within sacred words, knowledge of a Healer or Paladin’s spell. Or a spell for both classes. In this case, Heal! Like the back of my hand, I know this Libram’s story by heart. It’s the tale of an Elven Mage blinded by mad ambitions to become all-powerful. Seeking the eternal life and vast power of lichdom, she offered her people's and her brother's souls to the abyss. And she was rewarded with a slow and painful death by the dark talons of a Shadowlord born from the dark magics of the Grimoire, her soul to be consumed by the very power she sought to claim.
But then, she didn’t get what was coming to her. Her brother – his name now lost and forgotten to time, sacrificed himself to save her life. He changed her fate with his life, using the last of his Mana to Heal her wounds. And when she asked him why… he said he loved her as any brother would their sister. It brought clarity to her eyes, and for the first time in years, she could finally understand the evil she had wrought upon others.
She wanted to join him in death, but he forbade it. He wanted her to exist and keep existing, to earn this second chance at life as a Lich. To do good with her power. And so, for the rest of her days, to the end of the world and the end of time, she seeks eternal penance with her newfound power. Even now. It was his final request in his dying breath as she held him in bloody hands. That one day, she would be happy, and love again and be loved.
Good grief. That’s quite a mouthful! But yes, that selfless, unconditional love embodies the soul of the Healer – to offer respite and succour to all in need. As a Healer of the Order of Selene, I try to live by that mantra. Sure, some days are harder than others, but it is what it is. And there’s always plenty of room for improvement!
“Feeling better now?” I ask Anna as she puts the Libram of Redemption aside, having read it all from cover to cover. “Ready for another go?”
“I am, Arisa. Okay, let’s try this again!”
There’s a calm serenity in Anna’s eyes as she gets outta her chair. It’s a good omen, I’ll say! And this time, her arm’s a lot steadier as silver light manifests within the palm of her hand, Mana radiating warmth like the morning sun. It’s got all the makings of a proper Paladin’s Heal! And she’s able to maintain it too!
“Hey, that’s really good!” I say as Anna smiles at me while maintaining her focus to keep her Heal spell pulsating within her grasp. “Now, lay it on me. Don’t be shy!”
With a slight flourish of her hand, the energies of her Heal spell fall upon me in a flash of silver light, bestowing rejuvenating warmth unto me. It feels good. Really good! Ain’t much to tell!
“Nicely done!” I exclaim with a big, wide smile. “Can you do it again!?”
“Of course! Just let me focus up again…”
For a moment, I worry that her spell’s gonna fizzle out. But no! It didn’t! Once more, a silvery Heal illuminates and restores me. I’m not injured, but I can still feel and appreciate the relief and warmth of a good Heal!
“Oh, oh! And one more for yourself!” I add cheekily as Anna smiles sweetly at me, her hands still glowing radiantly. “You deserve it!”
“Okay… coming right up!”
Silver light, warm and pure and true, falls upon Anna. I’d say third time’s the charm… but she hasn’t missed! And she knows it, because her face is glowing with joy!
“I knew you could do it with a little focus and confidence!” I exclaim enthusiastically as Anna lowers her hand and rushes up to me. “Good job!”
“Thank you, Arisa.”
Warmly, I gently pat her on the head. Like last time, she can’t resist! Neither can I, really – her hair’s so damn soft and comfy to touch!
“Ahh…”
“For a job well done!” I declare happily. “Keep at it and there’ll be more in it for ya!”
“Will do!” Anna exclaims energetically. “Shall we keep going? I still have some Mana left…”
“Like I said earlier… lay it on me!”
Once more, Anna’s hands glow silver like the moon, warm with Mana. Like before, her hands are steady, and her breathing is focused. Once again, I smile as that Heal of hers falls upon me in a flash of light.
It’ll take a while to become the Paladin I know you can be, Anna. But we’re off to a great start! And also… I’m just glad you’re here with me again, timelines be damned.