The new beginning of the Healer Hero’s tale…

The calendar on the wall confirms what Anna told me. I saw it for myself. It really is the second day of First Seed in the fifty-fifth year of the Oracle’s Advent.

Good grief. Have I really been sent back to the start of my adventure in Nisha? Back when I first met Anna in the Chantry of Eternal Light, one year ago? But if so, how? Could it be the Runestone’s magic? And if this is indeed the beginning, and I’m here again… what does it mean for me? For Anna? For us?

I’m still trying to make sense of things as I get outta bed. I look out the window, and the skies are bright and cheerful. Uncorrupted and pristine. Slightly sunny. Gotta say… it’s a stark contrast to the Nisha we left behind when we entered Arcadia, and it’s a sight for sore eyes. It really is.

“Umm… Miss Ishii?” Anna asks gently with her hand pressed against her cheek, her voice pulling me from my thoughts once more. “May I help you out of the bandages?”

“Uh… sure. Please do,” I answer, nodding absent-mindedly. “I don’t need them anymore.”

Standing still with my arms outstretched like a martyr, I let Anna work on me. With gentle hands, the bandages unravel at my feet in delicate spirals of white stained in red, still faintly shimmering golden with residual Mana from the Ecclesiarch’s Heal spell.

“Oh my!” Anna exclaims with delight, her smile bright. “Mom did such an amazing job!”

I nod, unable to hide my admiration as I think of the Giant Spider that nearly killed me. Lady Iris Escaflowne (or ‘Mom’, as Anna calls her) is the Ecclesiarch of the Order of Selene – the sacred order that trains the paladins and healers of Nisha in the name of the holy God Rinnah, goddess of life and light and dare I say it… all that’s good and shiny in the world.

Among even the best of us, Lady Iris is a Healer beyond compare, and she’s the one who taught me everything I know of our Order’s sacred art. One timeline ago, at least. Now, if I’ve yet to meet her despite knowing what I know, it’s gonna be a little… complicated.

Complications aside, Lady Iris saved me from those mortal wounds. Thanks to her, I wanted to become a Healer, just like her. Hero or not, becoming one felt like the right thing to do. Feels that way, even now. Besides, being a Healer ain’t that much different from being Student Council President – both roles involve healthy amounts of babysitting and crisis management! So really, it’s just more of the same! Kinda.

“Oh, right!” Anna adds, her voice breaking through to me again, her cheeks red as she places one hand on them, the other gesturing toward my school uniform on a nearby clothes hanger. “Would you like me to… umm…”

“Nah, I’m good!” I cut in, striding past her in nothing but slightly bloodied frilly pink bloomers. “I’ve kept you waiting long enough. Let’s eat!”

“Umm… but you’re…”

“Yup. Shall we?” I offer nonchalantly, flashing a grin, not sparing a second thought for my state of undress. “I’m starving!”

Anna looks flustered to hell and back, but I barely pay attention. My stomach growls at the sight of all this delicious food from the Chantry’s continental breakfast, but despite my earlier bravado, I find myself too dazed to dig in. Everything feels surreal… like I’m floating through a dream. I guess Arcadia and time travel really did a number on my head. And I’m still feeling it, even now…

“Umm… thank you for this meal, immortal Rinnah…” Anna murmurs as she bows her head and clasps her hands in prayer, her cheeks glowing crimson. “We thank you for this day, for us, and for you. Through you, may we…”

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“May we find salvation and peace,” I add softly, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. “May we embrace the light of hope. So be it.”

Hmm. I feel better now. Saying those words feels like grounding myself. Back in my world, I’ve said many a prayer as part of my duties as Student Council President of St Elicia’s… but it was all mostly for show. Professional obligations, y’know?

But here in Nisha, as Healer of the Order of Selene… it’s different. These holy words carry weight with every breath, with every syllable uttered. As a Healer, I’ve said them countless times, and they bring a sense of peace and comfort. That hasn’t changed, even now.

“Okay. Let’s eat, Anna!” I declare triumphantly. “Love me some breakfast.”

“Me too, Miss Ishii! Umm…”

Anna’s cheeks are still red like roses. Now that I’ve gotten my head and my thoughts back together… I realise my folly. Especially so, considering that right now, Anna doesn’t even remember… well, us.

“Oh, right. Let me just put that on real quick…” I say as I get up from my chair and retrieve my uniform, putting it on as quickly as I can. “Sorry about that.”

“Thank you, Miss Ishii. I appreciate it.”

“Right! Now then…” I declare again as I straighten my tie. “Let’s eat!”

“Yay!”

My appetite returns with a vengeance! Even so, I find myself slowing down to watch Anna. he eats with surprising speed, her fork and knife a blur, yet somehow, she manages to maintain an air of elegance. Like a proper lady. Like how I probably oughta act, given my title and uniform back at St Elicia’s, ever since I won the Student Council election. Oh well.

“Umm… Miss Ishii?”

“My friends call me Arisa,” I reply warmly, noticing the hand pressed against Anna’s cheek. “Will ya?”

“Alright. Miss…”

Anna quickly coughs to clear her throat, cutting herself off. She takes a steadying breath, her cheeks slightly flushed, before attempting to speak again with newfound composure.

“Arisa. There – that was a mouthful!”

“Thank you.”

“Oh! I just remembered!” Anna exclaims, her eyes lighting up as if struck by sudden inspiration. “Umm… you mentioned fighting the Demon Lord in Arcadia… and something about today’s date being a year ago?”

“Yeah, I said that,” I reply, frowning slightly at the memory of her reaction. “It really is the past right now, eh?”

“It’s today for me,” Anna says, her voice laced with concern. “Unless, umm… somehow…”

“Shit. I think I might be from the future.”

“What!?”

“I’m serious! I was here in this exact place, at this exact moment, one year ago! It all began here when I met you in this room.”

“But Mom said…”

“I can prove that I ain’t crazy! Just ask me anything!”

“Umm…”

Anna looks at me like I’ve completely lost my marbles. And uh… I do sound like I have. But maybe she sees something in my conviction, the way I cling to my words like they’re the only truth I know. Oh, but isn’t that what nutcases do as well? Uh oh.

“Alright…” Anna says cautiously. “You said we’re best friends, right?”

“The best of the best!”

It’s true! We didn’t start that way – arguments and misunderstandings were our bread and butter. But we grew past that! We grew into something more… that in the end, you gave your life to save mine in the Land of Demons.

“Okay, umm… if you know me well – tell me what you know of me, Arisa!”

“Let’s see…” I wonder out loud, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “You wield a massive claymore called Ascalon, and you love sugar-cane milk even though Lady Iris forbids it. Oh! And you’re a big fan of that elven Bard from Sharmarli who sings all those sappy songs about love and happiness! Y’know… Eris Aintree!”

“Oh my! Umm…”

“Hey now,” I state with a cheeky grin as Anna stares at me with eyes wide open, her mouth agape with shock and awe. “Told ya I ain’t bluffing.”

“Arisa, I’m honestly…”

“Yes, actually! If you know all that despite being summoned here one day ago, that’s…”

“Amazing?”

“Yes! And umm… I didn’t notice this before, but your eyes, they’re…”

I glance toward a nearby mirror on the dressing table. My reflection stares back, golden irises gleaming like sunlight. And in this world of Nisha, golden like the eyes of a God.

“They’re the same as always,” I say quietly. “Had them like this since the day I was born.”

“Really? They seem… brighter. And you’re different too. Yesterday, when I found you in the forest, you were so… afraid.”

“I was afraid, back then and there. Not anymore. Thanks to you, Anna.”

“And your confidence – it’s like Mom’s, but more fiery!”

“Well, what can I say? Lady Iris taught me everything I know of the Healer’s art.”

“I see! Umm… I don’t know what to make of this…” Anna muses thoughtfully before standing up and extending her hand with a radiant smile. “But if what you’re saying is true, if we’re the best of friends in the future that you say you’re from… let’s be friends in the present as well! My name is Anna Silverlight, and umm… it’s my honour to be your Paladin!”

“And I’m Arisa Ishii!” I reply with matching enthusiasm, taking her hand firmly. “Nice to meet ya! And I’m blessed to be your Healer again.”