Later in the afternoon, at the Chantry courtyard after lunch…

Butterflies with colourful wings dance gracefully above blooming flowers, their colours vivid against the afternoon sun. The light is warm on our skin, bright and golden.

Oho! Is it just me, or does the air feel fresher than usual today? There’s something different about it, something crisp and clean that makes my heart feel… light. The birds, the flowers, the shrubs… everything is so damn beautiful!

Good grief. I’ve been feeling like this ever since Anna and I had our little private ceremony with Lady Iris. Even on the way to lunch, I felt it – the lightness in my stride, as if my body had shed something heavy. There’s a skip in my step now, a spring to my movements, and honestly? It’s wonderful! Even in these ridiculous heels!

Under the shade of our favourite tree, I set those heels aside and let out a contented sigh. Anna is stretched out on the grass, her head resting on my lap, the soft strands of her hair spilling over my thighs. She gazes up at me, her lips curved in the faintest of smiles… and I can't help but smile back.

We could be studying in the library right now, heads buried in a Libram or two. Honing our spells. We usually are at this hour. But not today! We’re savouring this place while we still can. The ship that will carry us across the Silent Sea to the Holy City leaves at dawn tomorrow. It’ll be a long time before we sit under this tree again – if we ever do.

In the last timeline, we didn’t. But this time, we’ll see my Prophecy through. We’ll survive, and we’ll find a way back to Nisha, back to the Chantry, back to Lady Iris. And after that… I’ll find a way back to my world. There, Anna and I… we can hang out!

Meh. Don’t mind me! Just ruminating, I guess. I’m feeling a little restless beneath my smile. If I could leave right now, I would. The mainland of Nisha awaits, and we’re stronger now. Smarter. Wiser. Whatever’s waiting for us, we’ll handle it!

“Arisa! Your eyes…”

Anna raises a hand to my cheek, fingertips brushing softly over my skin. I exhale as I lean into her touch, my body instinctively responding to the warmth of her palm.

“You didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Kinda, yeah.”

“Oh. Did you dream of the Demon Lord again?”

“I did,” I answer as I try to play it cool, but I can feel the weight of the dream still lingering at the edges of my mind. “It was rough. Just a bit.”

“Did my suggestion help?” Anna asks, her voice hesitant, almost shy, as a faint blush tints her cheeks. “You know, umm… thinking of me while you confronted him? Oh my! That sounds so strange when spoken out loud…”

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I chuckle. “It worked. It really did. Kept me grounded.” I squeeze her hand. “Thanks for that.”

Anna beams, her entire face lighting up like a sunrise. “I’m always happy to help!”

“Heh. What can I say? That sweet smile of yours…” I murmur. “It does wonders.”

“Arisa…”

“I mean it!” I say, lifting her hand from my cheek and bringing it to my lips. I press a slow, deliberate kiss to her knuckles, holding them against my mouth a moment longer than necessary. “I’m glad you’re here, Anna. I love you so fucking much.”

She lets out a soft breath. “I love you too, Arisa…”

We hold each other’s gaze, the world around us momentarily fading into the background. I kiss her fingers again, lingering just to see the way her breath hitches, the way her lips part ever so slightly. Maybe we really are in our own sappy little love story. If so, I don’t mind.

“But how about you?” I grin, breaking the moment with playful mischief. “Hey, it’s my turn to do an eye inspection! Let me see those gorgeous green eyes of yours!”

“Oh! Umm…”

She blinks, her long lashes fluttering as she looks up at me, and I lean in closer, studying her intently. Her eyes are a little weary, just like mine. I think I know why.

“Well… I think I only slept for an hour or two…” Anna admits, a hand against her cheek. “I was just too excited about the ceremony. I kept tossing and turning all night.”

“I get that. I’ve been there.”

“But what about you?” she asks. “Participating in the ceremony again – how did it feel?”

“Not excitement or anticipation… but pride,” I answer, my voice warm with affection. “You’re my ace student, Anna. My pride and joy. Under my guidance, you kicked so much ass. I couldn’t be prouder of ya even if I tried!”

She grins. “It’s all thanks to you, Arisa!”

“And thanks to you as well, for listening. It’s been real, Anna…” I say, exhaling slowly, running my fingers through her hair. “Being here with you again, in the Chantry… doing everything again, even with all the changes… I’m happy. I really am.”

Anna hums contentedly, her head shifting slightly in my lap. “I’m happy you’re here, Arisa.”

“Me too,” I say with a smile, brushing my thumb over her cheek. I lift my hand and press it to my chest in declaration. “We’re gonna take the mainland by storm, just you and me! You’re my Paladin, so you better keep me safe!”

Anna giggles. “I’m honoured to be yours.” Then she pauses. “But umm…”

“Yeah?”

“What’s our plan for the Lesser Shards? Mom said there are six – one in the Holy City and five more scattered across the mainland.”

“She’s right. We need all six to enter Arcadia.”

“Where do we go after the Holy City?”

“Hmm…”

I tap my chin thoughtfully while Anna watches me, her expression patient, her smile warm. I’ve thought about this – mostly at night when I can’t sleep. Maybe I should change things up this time. Take a different route! But… with everything else changing, I think I’d rather stick to what I know. The first two dungeons after Sharmarli – Castle Ferrous and Dagon – hold unfinished threads I must face again, to do them right in this new timeline.

“I was thinking I’d retrace my steps from my timeline,” I say at last. “Northwest from Sharmarli to Castle Ferrous. Then Dagon, further north. That’s what Lady Iris recommended back then.”

Anna’s expression brightens. “That sounds like something Mom would plan! One task at a time, until everything’s done.”

“So, you’re good with it?”

“Yup! It sounds solid to me!” Anna states confidently. Then her expression softens. “Oh! Before I forget – I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Anything for you.”

She hesitates for a moment, then smiles softly. “Since we’re heading to Sharmarli first… what’s it like?”

I chuckle, tilting my head with a playful grin as I look down at her, my eyes brimming with warmth. “Oh, where do I even begin? It’s an incredible place, and I’ll do my best to paint the perfect picture… just for you.”