In the shadow of the Radiant Colossus…

Only a few steps separate us from those colossal arms that could effortlessly turn us to paste with a single, unguarded hit, even with the protection of a Paladin’s Sanctuary. And to make matters worse… the door behind us slams shut with an ominous finality.

“NO ESCAPE.”

The Radiant Colossus wastes no time. From above, a massive holy fist descends like a divine hammer, shattering the ground where we’d stood moments before. Anna and I barely dodge in time – and as I glance at the freshly-formed crater… I count my blessings.

Shit. If this thing lands a hit, we won’t just wake up outside the Cathedral nursing headaches – assuming we even wake up afterwards. The words it’s been saying to us thus far haven’t been the most… encouraging. It doesn’t look like it’s here to test us. But instead, kill.

But why? I murmur a quick prayer under my breath, waving my hand to infuse Anna with my Divine Blessing. This brute of a Monster could quickly level an entire army without breaking a sweat. But it’s also a Monster created by merging many lesser ones, so…

“Arisa, look out!”

Anna barrels into me, knocking us both to the side as another titanic fist smashes down, obliterating the spot we just vacated.

Ah, I get it now! This towering monstrosity isn’t just a brute force construct; it’s a fusion of countless Lightspawn, its massive form held together by an immense reservoir of Mana. I reckon that’s what caused the supernova of light just now!

So, Dispel Magic might be our answer to beating it. But if I start channelling right here and now… it’ll notice and squash me like a bug.

“Oh my... that was far too close for comfort…” Anna gasps, her eyes wide with alarm as she hauls me to my feet, her gaze locked on the Radiant Colossus, tracking its every ominous shift. “Are you alright, Arisa?”

“Yeah!” I gasp, dodging another ground-shaking blow alongside her. “I think I’ve got an idea. But I need you to…”

“Yes, I’ll keep it busy!” Anna cuts me off as she tosses Ascalon and her cloak aside, grabbing a chunk of rubble the size of her hand. “Do what you have to do!”

Wait… can she read my mind? No time to ask. She hurls that chunk of rubble at the Radiant Colossus, striking one of its many glowering eyes. That impromptu missile catches the Monster’s ire… and she sprints away while she grabs another piece of rubble.

“CRUSH YOU… KILL YOU!”

While Anna dodges the Radiant Colossus’ unrelenting fury… I seize the moment. Planting Elizabeth into the ground, I channel Dispel Magic, focusing on that enormous construct Monster. Dust and debris swirl around me as red and black magic circles, inscribed with glowing Enochian runes, materialise beneath my feet.

The air crackles with energy as Elizabeth’s bladed wings blaze with radiant white and blue light, serving as my steadfast grounding rod as I unbind the potent holy magic keeping this titanic Monster together. But even with all my power concentrated on this… the strain is almost too much for me. My head pounds, and my vision blurs. And I…

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“Arisa? Arisa!”

Anna’s voice cuts through the haze enveloping my thoughts. I blink, shaking myself back to reality. The magic circles are long gone… the Radiant Colossus as well. In its place, radiant wisps dissipate rapidly into the settling dust.

I glance around cautiously, taking in the scene. The Cathedral still stands – just barely – its grandeur marred by destruction. Rubble and debris are strewn across the shattered remains of the once-pristine dining hall, a stark testament to the chaos that unfolded here.

Good grief. Did we… win? I slump to my knees, struggling to catch my breath. My hand glows faintly as I cast Heal, my soothing, restorative magic washing over me like a cool breeze. And as I do that… a second glow joins mine – Anna’s Heal.

“Thanks…”

“Feeling better?” Anna asks, her warm smile like sunlight piercing through storm clouds as she extends a hand to help me up. “That was a very intense encounter…”

“Eh, it’s nothing we can’t handle.”

She pulls me to my feet with surprising strength. Despite everything, she’s mostly unscathed – just a few minor scrapes and a layer of dust on her armour. With renewed vigour, I extend my hand toward her, using Heal to gently mend the small cuts and blemishes etched across her skin. It’s the least I can do.

“You knew what I was planning, didn’t you?” I tease as my hand pulses warmly with white and blue light. “Read my mind, eh?”

“Well… yes!” she replies sheepishly, her cheeks tinged red. “You explained Dispel Magic to me in the library, remember? You said it drains any magic it’s focused on.”

“I did say that, yeah!”

“So, I figured if I distracted the Colossus… you’d have enough time to work your magic.”

“Heh. Great minds think alike, eh?”

Anna grins. “Of course! I trust you. And you trusted me.”

I laugh, the sound bubbling up from sheer relief. It feels good – we feel good. Against all odds, we pulled it off. We’re still here… and we’re still going strong!

But amid the laughter, an uneasy thought lingers in my head – the Radiant Colossus’ words. What exactly was it shouting about – a ‘tainted one’? Was it referring to me? Could that explain why the Dullahan and the Lightsworn fought so fiercely? Just what the fuck is going on here?

Arisa?” Anna asks, her voice soft and laden with concern as she studies my face. “You’re looking awfully pale… are you alright?”

I shake my head, a deep frown forming as unease settles over me. “Lady Iris said nothing about this. This was supposed to be a test of your mettle as a proper Paladin. But that Radiant Colossus wasn’t testing us; it was trying to kill us! So were the monsters before it. And I think… I think it’s because of me.”

Anna’s brow furrows. “Because of your dreams about the Demon Lord?”

“Yeah,” I mutter, the weight of my thoughts dragging my voice lower. “Am I truly tainted, Anna? I…”

The words catch in my throat as I glance down at the sandwich and waterskin now placed in my hands. Blinking away my surprise, I look up to meet Anna’s warm, steady smile.

“Anna…”

“I don’t know what’s happening either,” she says, her voice calm yet resolute, even as the fatigue in her eyes betrays the toll of the ordeal. “But I do know one thing – Mom always has a reason for what she does, and she always acts with our best interests at heart. You studied under her in your timeline, didn’t you? Deep down, you know that too.”

I manage a small smile. “Yeah. She does have a… unique way of doing things.”

“I believe this Trial isn’t just a test for me, Arisa…” Anna adds, her expression turning thoughtful. “It’s a test for you as well.”

“Hmph. If that’s the case…” I say, squaring my shoulders, determination hardening my voice. “I won’t be found wanting.”

Her eyes spark with resolve. “Neither will I! And so…”

A low, mournful growl interrupts her badass declaration, breaking the moment. It’s not a Monster this time, thank goodness – it’s her stomach!

“Oh!” Anna exclaims, her face flushing red. She places a hand on her cheek and looks away awkwardly. “Umm…”

“You’re right. We’ve earned this,” I say with a grin as I sit down amid the rubble and take a bite of my sandwich. “Let’s eat. We’ll need all of our strength to make it to the end.”