The next day, late morning at the Chantry courtyard…

Dew clings coldly to the grass and leaves, glinting like scattered jewels in the sunlight. Elizabeth and Ascalon rest nearby, rays of warmth dancing off enchanted metal.

Good grief. Anna and I… we’ve just finished running laps around the courtyard. Don’t ask me how many – I lost count ages ago!

Sweat trickles down my brow, my muscles are aching, and my legs feel like jelly… and it feels fucking fantastic! The cool air fills my lungs… and I drink it up like booze! Being here after what felt like an eternity is like slipping back into a cherished dream.

Lady Iris asked me to honour the Order’s traditions. So here I am, keeping my promise – the first of many things I want and must do in this new timeline. Sorta? It’s been ages since I had to run in Nisha for a reason that didn’t involve some Monster trying to kill Anna and me. Can’t say I miss that too much… but I certainly miss the simple joy of hanging out here!

I used to hate exercise, though. Hated sweating because it made me uncomfortable in my clothes, hated the sun when it was too hot. And I’d make up any excuse to avoid it. Back at St Elicia’s, even after becoming President of the Student Council, the most athletic thing I did was pose for the school paper to promote “school spirit” (the Photography Club is very persistent, I swear!). And after the photoshoot? Straight to the vending machines for an orange soda! Most days – I think I sometimes press lemon-lime by mistake, unfortunately.

Oh well. That’s all behind me now. I’ve come to enjoy exercise ever since I was summoned to Nisha in the previous timeline, oddly enough. Sure, it still leaves me sweaty and sore, but there’s something liberating about it all. Afterwards, lying in the shade with my breath steady and my muscles strained, taking the cool and clean air into my lungs… the world feels… right.

Hmm. I wonder if Anna feels the same. She’s sprawled beside me under the vast canopy of an ancient tree, its branches sprawling heavenward. Despite her petite frame, she’s tougher than she looks! I’m sure she could easily get up and run another handful of laps without falling over if she wanted to. In the previous timeline, I’ve seen her swing Ascalon with such force it makes the ground shudder and the air stand still. You’d have to be utterly insane to stand in her way!

Outside battle, though? Anna’s as soft as spring rain. Demure like the soft glow of the moon – gentle yet unwavering, casting light without demanding attention. She’s kind, almost to a fault, and carries her brute strength with grace and humility. Lady Iris taught her always to be mindful of herself and those around her… and that power is a tool to help others in need, not a weapon to oppress. Anna told me as much in the previous timeline, and it’s heartening to see that part of her hasn’t changed.

“Umm… how are you feeling, Arisa?” Anna asks, her voice as soft as the breeze, a shy smile gracing her lips as she presses a hand to her cheek, avoiding my gaze. “Silver coin for your thoughts?”

“I’m good,” I reply with a serene smile. “Just a bit overwhelmed.”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“I’ve missed this place so fucking much. It’s good to be back.”

“Umm…” Anna answers, hesitating momentarily, her smile turning tentative. “We could come here every morning after prayers and exercise as much as you like! Umm… if that’s what you want to do!”

“If that’s what I want…? What do you mean?”

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Anna fidgets, struggling with her words. “Miss Ishii… umm, I mean, Arisa…”

Her nervousness is endearing. She’s always been like this, blushing and stumbling over her words. It’s one of the many things I adore about her.

“Something wrong?” I ask, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You look pale.”

She nods weakly but doesn’t speak, the gaze of her eyes forlorn.

“Would you like to talk about it?” I press, my tone warm and patient. “I’m here for ya, Anna.”

“Umm… we said we’d be friends again, right?” Anna stammers, her blush deepening. “But… I feel like I’m not who you want me to be.”

“Anna…”

Fucking hell. Her words hit me harder than I’d like to admit. Forcing the weight of my memories – an entire year’s worth from another timeline – onto her… wasn’t fair for her at all.

“You’re my Paladin,” I say, steadying my voice. “You’ll always be my Paladin, Anna. And I’m sorry if all this has been overwhelming.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be yours…” Anna answers, her voice trembling. “But sometimes… I feel unsure. Not just about this… but so many other things as well.”

Her eyes, green like sunlit meadows, meet mine. There’s a flicker of uncertainty in them.

“I feel that feeling every day, Anna… ” I confess, bowing my head solemnly. “Some days are harder than others. But it is what it is, right? We keep going, no matter what. Won’t you?”

Anna’s lips curve into a soft smile. “You’ve got such a good heart, Arisa. Even if I don’t share your memories, I feel… connected to you. You’re my Healer, and I’m your Paladin. But it’s more than that! It’s… special. Perhaps it’s why I believed your story, as did Mom.”

“You’re damn right about that!” I declare with a cheeky grin. “We’ve got a bond between us that’s both strong and unique. Ain’t nothing else like it!”

“Yes, that’s it! And I’m honoured to be your Paladin!”

“Like I said before… it’s my honour to be your Healer! With this badass Healer by your side, you’ll be a mighty Paladin in no time!”

“Arisa…”

Smiling warmly, I ruffle her purple hair. It’s soft as silk, and I make a mental note to get her to spill the beans on what she uses to get it like this. I reckon it’s gotta be some kinda luxury alchemical conditioner from Sharmarli!

“So, to begin… how’s your magic coming along?” I ask sweetly, pulling back my hand. “What’ve you got right now, Anna?”

“Umm…”

Anna concentrates, slowly summoning a soft glow to her palm. The silvery light pulses faintly – a rudimentary Heal for a Paladin that’s both quick and practical to cast in the heat of battle.

“Nice! Anything else?”

Nodding enthusiastically, Anna concentrates anew, conjuring a small orb of Candlelight that hovers around us, illuminating the grass with silvery hues.

“Brilliant! Okay… how about Sanctuary?” I ask enthusiastically. “You were working on deciphering the Libram of the First Saint yesterday, yeah?”

“Oh! Umm… about that…”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get to that soon!” I assure her. “But first – are you comfortable with casting Heal in combat? It needs to be second nature before we work on anything else.

“I could use some practice…”

“Okay. We’ll work on that first, alright?”

Anna nods eagerly, her determination shining through.

“We’ll start right after lunch!” I exclaim with a grin. “Once we’ve nailed the basics, we’ll head out on some Adventurer’s Guild missions – perfect for sharpening those spells in combat!”

“Sounds like a plan!”

Good grief. Just mentioning the Adventurer’s Guild brings back memories! Going on Guild missions, learning to cast spells under pressure, trusting each other in the heat of battle… it eased Anna and me into our roles as Paladin and Healer, day by day! Sure, we had our clumsy moments starting out, but by the end… we fought in near-perfect sync.

Back then, it was simpler times before the weight of my role as a summoned Hero bore down on me. For all that time, I was just another Adventurer with Anna on the Isle of Spirits, living the dream with her. Even then, some nights I’d wake up teary-eyed, longing for the world I had left behind.

“So, umm… what shall we do now, Arisa?” Anna asks, pulling me from my thoughts. “Lunch is still an hour away.”

“Oh, fuck! Really? I haven’t planned that far ahead,” I admit with a sheepish laugh. “What would you like to do?”

“How about three more laps around the courtyard?” Anna suggests, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You were lagging behind earlier… and umm… I’d like you to prove me wrong!”

I smirk. “You’re on! And if I catch ya…”

“Don’t even finish that sentence!” Anna exclaims, bolting upright and taking off with a defiant grin. “Because you won’t!”

Laughing, I chase after her. And so… round and round we go, our laughter echoing through the courtyard, she and I living our best lives once more in the world of Nisha.