In the inner sanctum of the Cathedral of the First Saint…

This is it – our final destination. This place is the spitting image of the Ecclesiarch’s grand abode, luxury and all. Fancy, comfy living… but Anna and I feel like we’re treading on thin ice with every step.

Even when holding back, a Devata’s dance is perilous. In the previous timeline, Anna and I barely survived that final challenge. Just barely. Now, I doubt Saint Alyssa will be so merciful. Especially not with me… considering all that’s happened since we entered the Cathedral.

Past the crimson and gold carpet before us, the Holy Grail and the Blessed Rosary rest side by side upon a gilded altar – right where Lady Iris’ desk would be. The Grail is a simple cup that befits a hardworking soul, while the Rosary is far more extravagant, adorned with gold and precious jewels. They look as though they’re free for the taking… but I know better.

In a brilliant flash of white and red light, she appears before us, draped head to toe in shimmering, ethereal robes. Delicate elven ears and flowing strands of hair, glowing like resplendent threads of light, slip from beneath her hooded visage.

It’s her. The Devata who, in life, was Alyssa Alcadeias, the First Saint of the Order of Selene. Now, all that lingers is the undying fragment of her soul, tethered to the world of Nisha. With an air of ethereal grace, she turns her gaze to Anna and inclines her head in a solemn bow.

“You have persevered in the face of adversity. I am impressed and proud of you, young Paladin, who is worthy of the name Silverlight.”

Her voice rests on an even keel – calm like falling petals, like rain in the forest, like the gentle warmth of summer before fall. It’s like music to my ears.

“Oh my! Really!?” Anna’s face lights up, and she places a hand on her cheek, grinning from ear to ear as Saint Alyssa nods. “Umm… I was doing my best! Like I always do!”

“Indeed. It would be a joyous occasion and an honour to administer your final challenge – just as I have for so many before you. However...”

She turns to face me, her movements still graceful – effortless, even. But there’s a new weight to them now… a steely seriousness. Like she’s moments away from striking me down.

“Now that we stand face to face, I can sense what the constructs were afraid of – an overwhelming darkness seeping from your soul, Hero.”

If she’s pissed… her tone betrays none of it. Her voice remains as calm as ever – perhaps too calm – making it all the more chilling. And uh… it’s not looking too good right now.

“But that’s why the Ecclesiarch sought my aid. It’s why you’re here.”

I let out a heavy sigh, my frown deepening. “Look, there’s been a serious misunderstanding. I’m not a Demon. Despite those dreams... I’m still me. I know I damn well am.”

“Yeah!” Anna echoes as she steps forward, her voice firm and her eyes blazing with conviction. “In all the time I’ve known her, Arisa’s been nothing but kind, patient, and good. And I won’t let you – First Saint or not – say otherwise.”

“Is that so?”

Saint Alyssa’s gaze lingers on Anna momentarily before shifting back to me, unreadable and unwavering. In an instant, two fiery claymores – each as formidable as Ascalon – manifest in her hands. She wields those massive blades with an effortless grace as if they were mere shortswords, slipping into a battle stance with a fluidity that exudes power and poise.

Wait. Two!? That’s... one more than usual. Oh boy.

Her ethereal gaze locks onto us. “Here and now, with your lives at stake… prove it.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

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The Dance of Death…

Saint Alyssa’s voice rings out, cold and final. “This shall be a fight to the death.”

Nothing more. Nothing less. This is the end. Hers, or ours.

We lock eyes, measuring each other as I take a cautious step back, granting Anna a Divine Blessing with a whispered prayer and a sweep of my hand.

It’s all the time we have.

In an instant, Saint Alyssa surges forward with inhuman speed, twin claymores gleaming with sanctified fire as they arc toward me. Anna meets her head-on, Ascalon’s edge intercepting the brutal onslaught. Their blades clash in a dazzling spectacle of silver and red, Sanctuary glowing beneath their feet as radiant sparks and holy flames fall upon them with divine fury.

“Rinnah preserve me…” Anna rasps, sweat beading her brow as she strains against the relentless force of the First Saint. “Blessed is your strength, which tempers my will…”

With a swift gesture, I channel Heal on Anna, wrapping her in a soothing aura of white and blue light. It bolsters her strength enough to hold the line. But even with my support… Saint Alyssa presses forward, driving Anna back with each precise strike.

Fucking hell. She’s forcing the fight closer. Too close. The heat of battle sears through my Mage Armour, errant sparks slicing my skin. I grit my teeth, pouring more and more Mana into my Heal, keeping Anna on her feet as well as myself… but it’s a losing battle.

We can’t keep this up. I gotta force her back… if only for a moment’s reprieve.

I gather Mana, Holy Fire crackling in my palm… to unleash upon Saint Alyssa – but she’s faster. The moment Anna falters, she seizes the opportunity. A devastating snap kick slams into her stomach, sending her sprawling across the stone floor, where she lies motionless.

“Anna!”

Desperation fuels me as I rush to her side, but Saint Alyssa is already upon me. Her twin claymores flash in a deadly arc, poised to cleave me in two. In that instant… as time itself slows down around me… I take a deep breath, channelling every ounce of my remaining strength into Elizabeth. To cast, to imbue within my blessed staff… Aura Blade.

With a desperate cry, Elizabeth’s silver and blue brilliance meets the fiery steel of Saint Alyssa’s claymores, and the force of the impact sends tremors through my entire being. My chest tightens, blood rising in my throat, but I push back with everything I have.

It’s… just enough. Just barely. I stagger, barely remaining on my feet, my vision swimming. I wipe the blood from my lips with a trembling hand and Heal myself.

Saint Alyssa takes a step back, studying me with narrowed eyes. “That spell…”

“Yeah…” I manage through ragged breaths, “It is.”

“Intriguing.”

I smirk despite the pain. “Heh. I’m just… full of surprises.”

“But will it save you? We’ll see.”

She raises her claymores once more. She closes in faster than before, and I barely manage to parry her strikes. Left, right, overhead… each swing heavier and sharper than the last. My arms scream in protest; the very clash of our weapons sends shockwaves through my body… and it feels like I’m gonna…

Suddenly, Saint Alyssa switches tactics, releasing a massive explosion of Holy Fire all around her. The blast sends me hurtling backwards, crashing against the cold stone. Before I can recover, she’s already closing in for the kill.

This is it, then. My final bow. Anna and I gave it our best, and yet…

“Arisa!”

A voice cuts through the haze – familiar… brave. Anna! She’s… not giving up.

Before I can react, she throws herself between me and Saint Alyssa, Ascalon flashing in a desperate arc to deflect the incoming strike. Their blades clash anew, festering sparks falling in all directions.

“Anna...” I gasp, my heart lurching. “I…”

“Rinnah… you are my goodness. My sword and shield…” she murmurs wearily, grounding herself with her Sanctuary as she meets Saint Alyssa head-on once again. “I trust in you… to see this through.”

Anna stands firm, Ascalon’s edge singing with every clash, but I can see it – she’s struggling. The force behind Saint Alyssa’s strikes is overwhelming… and her strength falters. A sudden feint catches her off guard, and with a brutal swing, Saint Alyssa knocks Ascalon aside.

“No!”

I watch in horror as Anna collapses to one knee, gasping for breath. Saint Alyssa looms over her, twin claymores raised high… ready to end it.

And then, something snaps inside me. With a roar, I push off the ground, pouring every ounce of strength and Mana left in me into Elizabeth. My staff pulses with white and blue radiance, its light a blinding supernova as I invoke Aura Blade again.

I dive between them, intercepting Saint Alyssa’s descending blades with my empowered Elizabeth. The sheer force of our clash reverberates through the hall, and for the first time, both in this timeline and the previous one… the Devata hesitates.

She gazes at me, her expression unreadable. “You… would risk everything for her?”

I don’t waver. “Every damn time.”

Saint Alyssa stands frozen, the weight of my words – and my resolve – hanging heavy in the air. Then, wordlessly… she nods and lowers her weapons, the fire in her eyes dimming.

Our dance is over.