Morning, in the antechamber to the Sepulchre of God…

Luxury surrounds me, gleaming and polished at every turn. It’s beautiful, and honestly… a little sleep-inducing.

But I’ve got no time for a nap. Focus, Arisa! Eyes forward, small steps. One foot before the other. Stay calm. Easy-peasy. I got this!

“My, my! You’re getting better with every step!” Anna’s voice rings out, bright with enthusiasm. She grips my hand firmly, steadying me as I move forward. “Look at you go!”

“Obviously!” I declare with a proud grin. “Would you expect anything less from your Healer?”

“Of course not, silly!”

Good grief. We spent so much time last night pacing back and forth, holding hands… that Anna can finally stand beside me without turning crimson or getting a nosebleed! Progress!

On my end, though… well, let’s just say I’m still ironing out a few kinks. Like, uh… keeping myself balanced when I speed up, for one. But at least these shoes are comfier than they look! Oh, and I haven’t collided with any doorways yet! That’s gotta count for something.

Little by little, step by step, I’m getting the hang of walking in these accursed heels. My stride is – mostly – steady, and I feel amazing! And I daresay we look amazing together – a Healer and a Paladin, side by side… a perfect pair of black and white.

But now… something feels off. My hand feels lighter. My fingers twitch slightly, searching for the warmth that was there just moments ago. Huh. That’s weird, I…

“Over here, Arisa!” Anna calls playfully. She’s standing a few steps back, hands clasped behind her, grinning from ear to ear. “You’re doing great!”

I blink. “Hey, I don’t think I can…”

“Yes, you can!” Anna insists, her tone turning firm. She steps forward, placing herself a short distance ahead of me. “Come over to me!”

Oh, Rinnah… I don’t like this at all. Being stranded in the middle of a room isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. But I get it – she’s doing this for my sake. I can’t cling to training wheels forever. And so… here goes nothing!

Wait! What were her tips again? Oh, right! Roll the weight of your foot from your heels. Small steps. Don’t rush. Lean back a little for balance. Walk heel to toe.

Easy enough. I got this!

“Get a move on, won’t you?” Anna chirps playfully. “Don’t keep me waiting!”

“When I get to you…” I answer, my gaze sweeping over the dreaded expanse of floor between us. “You’ll owe me a kiss.”

“Deal! But you’ll have to come over to get what’s yours!”

Slowly, carefully, I step forward, heels clicking softly against the plush carpet. One small step at a time. I roll my weight from my heels, keeping my back straight, steadying myself as I move. The first step is the hardest. The second is a little easier. The next, smoother still. One after another… I close the distance between us… and before I know it…

I’m here. Made the trip all by myself. Damn, I’m good!

“Oh, Arisa…” Anna murmurs, her eyes warm with admiration. “That stride of yours was so cool and so graceful…”

I tap my lips with a playful smirk. “Hey now, aren’t you forgetting something?”

Anna’s smile softens as she reaches for my face, cupping my cheeks with the gentlest touch. She rises onto her toes, tilting her head ever so slightly before pressing a soft, lingering kiss against my lips.

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“You earned it,” she whispers, her voice laced with pride. “I’m proud of you, Arisa.”

I chuckle. “I’m proud of you too. You overcame your fear of my new outfit last night, remember?”

“I wouldn’t call it ‘fear’. It’s more of… umm… admiration!”

“Either way, we’re both winners!” I declare triumphantly, my gaze drifting towards the grand double doors ahead – the Ecclesiarch’s chambers. “Anyway… it’s nearly time. Ready to become a fully-fledged Paladin?”

Anna takes a deep breath, then beams at me, determination shining in her eyes. “Yup! Let’s go meet Mom, Arisa!”

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In the Sepulchre of God…

Lady Iris stands before us, her discerning gaze sweeping over Anna and me before she nods in quiet approval at our arrival.

This will be a private ceremony – just the three of us and divine Rinnah, our witness.

“You have returned triumphant, Lady Ishii. Anna.”

Paladins and healers who complete the Trial of the First Saint are usually honoured during morning prayers the following day. It’s quite a grand affair!

In the previous timeline, I knelt alongside Anna in the grand prayer hall, bathed in the first light of dawn, as tradition dictated for the Order of Selene. Back then – one timeline ago – no demons prowled the Isle of Spirits. But now, even with nothing more than that Shadow Fiend and its minions lurking in memory… no one’s willing to take chances. No one can afford to.

“We went in there and did our best,” I answer with quiet confidence. “Despite everything.”

“You rose well above the darkness within you,” Lady Iris says, her expression softening into a rare, warm smile. “However, asking Lady Alcadeias to put you and Anna through such an ordeal was not entirely fair nor honourable… and for that, I apologise.”

I nod solemnly. “It’s all good, my Lady. I needed that. Knowing I could stand by Anna and protect her when she needed me most… that’s what truly matters.”

“Keep this memory close to your heart, Lady Ishii. Let it be your beacon of light, even in your darkest hour,” Lady Iris adds, her gaze steady yet filled with warmth, willing her conviction into me. “As for you, Anna…”

“I kept Arisa in my thoughts and actions – that’s what gave me strength,” Anna answers resolutely before turning to me, her lips curling into a soft, affectionate smile. “I promised I’d keep her out of trouble… and I did!”

Lady Iris nods approvingly, her eyes shining with quiet pride. “Indeed. You faced odds far beyond your station and held firm. Lady Claire would be proud.”

Anna’s eyes widen slightly, her breath hitching. “Second Mom…”

“She would be proud of you if she were here today,” Lady Iris states, her voice carrying faith and grief. But she moves forward with grace as she always has. “And now, we make this official. The Holy Grail, please.”

Pride swells in my chest as Anna steps forward. Her movements are measured and steady. Her black cloak shifts with each step, trailing behind her like a shadow as she kneels, head bowed… both hands reverently offering the Holy Grail to Lady Iris.

“By my divine right as reigning Ecclesiarch of the Order of Selene…”

Lady Iris accepts the Holy Grail, her hands steady and practised. Her voice carries through the still air as she lets the sacred vessel crumble into shimmering dust. With those same hands, she gathers the remnants and anoints Anna’s forehead.

“I name you Paladin of Selene. By these holy words older than my bones… I will it so.”

Lady Iris begins to chant softly in Enochian. The words resonate, vibrating through the air, and as her hands come together in prayer… a golden radiance blooms between them. That light, pure and overwhelming, spreads outward, enveloping mother and daughter in a halo of divinity.

I press my lips into a thin line as I watch it unfold. I know what’s happening – this ritual, this anointment, the bestowal of Divine Intervention upon a worthy Paladin. It’s tradition. It’s expected. And after what happened between Anna and I after the Trial… I should be okay with it. I made my peace with that inevitability, after all. I thought I did. As did she, for me.

Even so, I…

Quietly, I look away, forcing down the weight in my chest. It is what it is.

There’s still one more spell for Anna to learn as a fully-fledged Paladin, though. It’s a silver lining amid my sea of doom and gloom… and I’ll focus on that instead!

“Arise anew, Paladin.”

Lady Iris steps back as the radiant wings of light dissolve into fading embers. Her gaze lingers on Anna, awaiting her response.

“I feel stronger. I feel… amazing!” Anna exclaims, blinking in awe as she rises to her feet. Mom, I…”

She doesn’t finish. Instead, she stumbles forward, throwing her arms around Lady Iris in a tight embrace.

“I love you, Mom! Thank you for everything.”

“Life has not always been kind to you,” Lady Iris murmurs, closing her eyes momentarily as she returns the embrace with unshaken warmth. “But now, with everything you have achieved, you stand before Lady Ishii and me as an equal. Congratulations.”

Anna pulls back just enough to smile at her, then turns that same brilliant smile towards me. “I did my best, like you always said to! I’ve done well and right by my family… and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Lady Iris chuckles softly, then straightens, adopting the air of the Ecclesiarch once more. “Excellent. And now, as a fully-fledged Paladin of our Order, you are ready to learn one final spell. May it serve you well in the days ahead.”

“Yeah!” I add, shaking off the last of my melancholy. “Anna – you’re ready to learn Exorcism!”