Battle in the Cathedral Gardens…
The quartet of Lightsworn raise their blazing staves high, arcs of Holy Fire cascading over the Dullahan’s massive shoulders like meteors raining from a vengeful sky. The flames surge with unrelenting fury… their heat palpable even from a distance.
“Get behind me, Anna!”
I extend a hand and conjure a Spell Ward, its protective runes flaring white and blue. The oncoming barrage of Holy Fire crashes against the barrier with deafening explosions, the radiant flames splashing harmlessly onto the scorched grass. For now, we’re safe… but the air hums with tension as the Lightsworn, protected by the Dullahan, charge up their staves anew.
Another wave of Holy Fire descends, then another. Each time, I hold firm, my Spell Ward absorbing the onslaught. And between the barrages… I notice the faintest of delays – the Lightsworn need time to recharge their Mana after each coordinated volley.
“Stay close. We’re advancing,” I instruct, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. “When we get close… feint the big guy. We’ll take those mages out first.”
Anna nods, gripping Ascalon tightly. “Understood.”
We advance cautiously, my Spell Ward deflecting each fiery assault. The once-serene garden is now a radiant inferno, blessed flames licking at the grass and casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls. As we near the Dullahan, it shifts, raising its massive shield with a sound like grinding metal. It plants itself in our path, an unyielding wall of holy steel.
“Now, Anna!”
I whisper a prayer, bestowing my Divine Blessing upon her. She lunges forward with lightning speed, Ascalon poised to strike a killing blow.
The Dullahan braces itself, hoisting its shield high to block our advance – but at the last possible moment…we veer sharply to its flank, slipping past it while it sluggishly re-orientates itself. The burning grass crackles underfoot, embers flying as I swiftly raise a Spell Ward. Its protective glow shields us from the searing heat of our surroundings. And with the Dullahan momentarily outmanoeuvred… we charge straight for our true targets – the Lightsworn quartet.
Anna’s eyes narrow, her voice a reverent murmur as she lifts Ascalon, its blade gleaming with holy purpose. “In you I trust, Rinnah. Blessed is your wisdom, teaching me to fight…”
The Lightsworn retaliate, their golden staves unleashing a massive torrent of Holy Fire. I summon one more Spell Ward, and as I weave lots of Mana into it… my barrier holds firm as we charge. Anna's movements are a blur of precision and power, Ascalon carving through those spectral mages in wide, devastating arcs. Each one shatters into fragments of light as they perish… their forms dissolving into the ether.
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But the fight isn’t over. Behind us, the Dullahan discards its shield with a resounding crash, gripping its warhammer with both hands. It glows golden and white as it moves with renewed purpose… its massive weapon arcing towards Anna in a blow meant to crush her utterly.
“Let me not be ashamed, Rinnah…” Anna whispers, meeting its attack head-on with Ascalon as the silver light of her Sanctuary forms brightly beneath her feet. “Let not my enemies triumph over me…”
The clash of weapons echoes like thunder, holy sparks raining down around them. She holds her ground… but the Dullahan’s sheer force drives her back, inch by inch.
But not if I can help it! Drawing a deep breath, I muster the last vestiges of my Mana, shaping a blazing bolt of concentrated Holy Fire in my hand. With precision born from desperation… I launch it at the Dullahan’s leg, and it strikes true, the impact staggering the towering figure. It falters, just for a heartbeat – but that’s all Anna needs!
“You are my goodness, my high tower of strength…”
Seizing the opening, Anna pivots with fluid grace, circling to its exposed flank. With a roar of determination, she swings Ascalon in a devastating arc. The blade cleaves through enchanted steel like parchment, shattering the Dullahan’s armoured form into a cascade of twisted metal and crumbling fragments of light.
“And in you… I trust.”
The battlefield falls into an almost reverent hush, the faint echo of her mighty, sundering strike lingering in the air. For a brief, glorious moment… she stands tall, triumphant and respectful over the shattered remains of a worthy foe. But then, without warning, her strength falters. She drops to one knee as her breathing grows laboured… crimson streaks of blood trailing from her lips as her body betrays the toll from moments prior.
“Anna!” I yell as I rush to her side, my hands glowing white and blue as I tend to her with Heal. “You’re gonna be fine. Just stay still….”
She grimaces but manages a wry smile. “Was the Trial of this First Saint this hard in your timeline, Arisa? Those glowing mages weren’t part of the original test, were they? Or the Dullahan, using its warhammer with such power…”
“Not even close,” I reply, shaking my head. “It was just the Dullahan and its stupid shield. Looks like they’ve ramped up the difficulty, eh?”
Her smile widens slightly, though it’s tinged with exhaustion. “Regardless, we passed… didn’t we?”
“With flying colours,” I say warmly, watching as the light of my Heal erases her pain, closing her wounds and returning her strength to her… even as the bloodstains remain as a reminder of the battle we just fought. “You were incredible, by the way! When you stood your ground against that Dullahan, that was seriously… badass.”
Her cheeks flush, though whether it’s from exertion or embarrassment, I can’t tell. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Arisa.”
“Hey, what can I say?” I say with a grin, helping her to her feet. “Teamwork makes the dream work. We’re gonna kick so much more ass together in the rooms ahead, I’m sure of it!”
We take a moment to regroup, sharing some mana draughts and water from our supplies. Anna downs hers quickly, ignoring my warnings to pace herself… and I can’t help but laugh as she coughs lightly.
“You’re hopeless,” I tease, handing her a napkin to clean her chin. “Slow down, won’t ya?”
Her blush deepens, but she smiles all the same. “I’m glad you’re here, Arisa.”
“Me too…” I reply, my voice soft. “Always.”
With our strength restored and our gear in hand, we press onward toward the Cathedral’s imposing interior. The first trial was undeniably gruelling, I’ll say… and it’s only the beginning. But it’s okay – together, we’ll make it through!