I watched as a man with blurred features stood in front of a door that began opening, and turning I could see a group of five. Two were blurred, I couldn’t see any of their features, while three I knew. A girl with black hair with a silver glow to it, a woman with red hair and an elf with blonde hair, it looked like all three had just gone through a fight.

Suddenly the surroundings changed as a swamp spread out from the doors and turning I saw a red mist emerge from it. The man in front of the doors gestured to it, his words not reaching me, but as I watched I saw the red mist plunge a part of itself into the man. The man froze before he ended up collapsing and the red mist looked towards the group as it started moving towards them.

I saw the red mist approaching the black haired girl but before it could plunge a part of itself into it, the red haired woman threw the girl back as the red mist plunged into her instead. The black and blonde hair girls looked terrified, but then the black haired girl started to whisper, and I heard her words.

“O Mother Moon, hear my plea and save my friend from that which holds her.”

A second after the prayer finished, the red mist was blown away as two people appeared before the red mist. One was an older lady while the other was…Tessa.

***

Waking up, I looked at the ceiling of my new room as I clutched my head. Another memory, this time of the moment that…someone opened those doors. That was when Elizabeth had lost part of her soul, when she had saved me. When the Moon Goddess answered my prayer and saved Elizabeth who had nearly lost her life.

Feeling relieved that Celestia had heard my call at that time, I sat up and just as I’m about to get out of bed, I frowned slightly. Within my mind I felt something wasn’t right with that memory, like the last one. Is it because once again I had witnessed it as another person, and now I remember it from both perspectives? Is that why I found these dreams so strange?

Shaking my head, I get out of bed and look down at my body. On my left hip is a permanent scar, something that could never heal because it had been left open for two days, a reminder of the day The Blade attacked. In three days we would be inviting everyone over for a large feast, a celebration of sorts and a thank you to those that I had come to know. I had invited Roland, Floof and others, but they had declined, saying that they were rather busy because of either the war or blizzard.

Pursing my lips, I stood still for a moment as my mind wondered for a moment before looking at Coffee who laid asleep on the end of my bed. He didn’t have much of a presence, mainly walking by my side or sleeping in my mana realm, but he loved playing with Alice and me. My gaze turned to the obsidian key on my desk and I wondered about what the trial would contain.

I wasn’t worried though, if danger came I could pray to Her. She has aided me in some form many times now, even sending Tessa twice to save me. I found it strange though, why did I not worship Her? Is it because Her Church had once wanted to take my life? No, that wasn’t the reason anymore, I had found the truth to be because the Archbishop had wanted the Blessing of Celestia, she had even tried to take my memories in order to steal my identity.

Sighing, I got dressed and put the black dress that I had received from somewhere on. Before it hadn’t fit me since my evolution but now thanks to Olivia it was snug. Luring Coffee off the bed, we went downstairs and upon hearing a noise from the crafting room I went in there to find Olivia. She sat at a wheel, a tool that assisted her in weaving, holding onto an unfinished piece of cloth.

“Get a bit too excited, Olivia?”

“Oh, morning Alisha. I woke up early and got a bit too excited to try everything out. I’m making a scarf for Alice, how are you?”

“Mm, good. I spent the entire night and day yesterday gardening, but now all of the seeds are planted and the magic circles will take care of the rest. I think I’ll invite Aubrey over and see if she can work her magic on them as well.”

“We’re having them all over the dinner tonight, right? Should ask her tonight.”

“Mm, I will. Also Olivia, I’ll be heading to the Guild to look at requests and let Elise know about the dinner in three days. Do you want to come and invite Jasmine?”

Olivia looked unsure for a moment before nodding. “S-sure. I’m meeting Willow today, should I invite her too?”

“Only if you want.” Willow is an evolved monster, one who would be apart of Olivia’s team if she were to join them

“Are we going shopping afterwards?”

“Mm, I plan to find some high quality stuff for the feast. I’ve managed to get us some money so I plan to get some rather expensive drinks as well.”

“Oh, could you make that Heartily Stuffed Egg? It tastes amazing!”

“Sure, anything else you’d like?”

“That meat on a stick you made the other night, that tasted so good.”

“Alright, I’ll do that. I think I might pop into the courthouse and look at asking them to make a shrine for the Moon Goddess here.”

I heard a clutter as Olivia dropped the scarf and she looked at me in shock. “A-Alisha, are you okay?”

“Hm? I’m fine, I’ve just been wondering why I don’t worship Her, she’s saved me a lot you know, and I’m Her Chosen. I’ve been dreaming recently and remembering some of my memories…” I told Olivia of the memories I had gotten back and told her how I had been saved by the Moon Goddess recently. Strangely, Olivia started to look scared. “Olivia, what’s wrong?”

Olivia looked at me with some hesitation. “Alisha, I don’t remember you telling me about the Moon Goddess in the Depths of Crater Hell.”

Tilting my head, I frown. “Didn’t I? It was a while ago, perhaps you forgot?” Strange, didn’t I tell them about the time I had been trapped in there?

Olivia frowned before shaking her head. “You did say it was terrifying being in there. I can’t remember anything when that red mist appeared though, my mind was just filled with terror. So perhaps it might have slipped my mind.” Olivia looks at me and smiles. “Do the shrine later, Alisha. We’ve just had the house built after all, let's get used to the new place and settle down first.”

“That makes sense. Okay, I’ll leave it for a few weeks. It’s a shame the Church is still shut down.” Smiling, I look away from Olivia, who still had a troubled expression on her face. “I’ll get breakfast sorted and we’ll head out, okay?”

“Okay.”

***

Stepping out of the teleport hub, Olivia and I walked towards the Guild. Xia stayed at the house intending to test out the training hall with Alice, though Alice would likely consider it playing rather than training. Arriving at the Guild, we ran into Elizabeth and having a chat with her, I told her about the feast in three days.

“Oh? Count me in then. I take it you’re here to meet with Elise?”

“Mm, and so Olivia can see Willow. I’m also planning to see if there are any requests to do.”

“Got it.”

“Elizabeth, can I talk to you?” I turn to Olivia as she smiles at me. “Remember the scarf I’m making, I wanted to talk to Elizabeth about making her something, plus I want to catch up since it’s been a while.”

“Oh, I see. Do you mind, Elizabeth?”

“Free clothing is hard to turn down. Sure, let's find somewhere a bit quieter to speak, I can walk her back home Alisha, so don’t mind us.”

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After speaking with them a bit more, I went to see if Elise was free and found she was in a meeting so I left a message with an attendant. After checking the notice board on the Gold Grade floor, I found no requests so I decided to head home. Elizabeth would go with Olivia to attend the meeting which meant I had nothing to really do.

Heading home through the teleport hub, I walked through my house and entered my bedroom. I felt like sleeping once again, even though I had only really just woken up. I felt excited though, if I sleep I could perhaps see more memories. See more of Her guiding me. Laying down on the bed, a sleepiness overcame me.

***

I found myself in a dark room with dozens of cages. Children of all ages surrounded me, kept in these cages, all of their faces blurred but one. As I looked at the black haired girl, I saw her looking sad and depressed. After some time, she looked around before making the symbol of a moon and placing it around her chest.

“O Mother Moon, hear my plea. Please save me from my cage.”

As I watched, a transparent figure appeared, and looking at it I saw it was Astraea who had a gentle smile while looking at the young black haired girl. None of the other children reacted, only she did. Astraea approached the cage and started talking to the black hair girl, a face of love on her face.

***

Waking up, I saw the ceiling above my bed, a soft smile on my face. I remembered another memory, this time when I had been stuck in that awful cage in Crater. I used to pray and Astraea would appear to tell me stories of the outside world, telling me one day I too would be able to see it. She couldn’t save me because she wasn’t allowed to, but she gave me comfort in those dark times. Not only her, but the Moon Goddess.

I see, when Astraea had appeared at the temple I must’ve already forgotten her. Something felt strange once again about this memory, but this feeling was far stronger than it had been then the last two times. Ignoring it, instead being happy that I had remembered more memories, I sat up and I could see the sun from my window. Knowing I had only slept for a few more hours I got out of bed I wondered if I should try and sleep again. Discarding the idea for now, mainly because I wanted to read more about spellcasting, I got out of bed and walked downstairs.

Hearing voices from the living room, I entered it and found Olivia, Elizabeth and strangely Elise. Tilting my head as I greeted them, they looked at me with concern while also smiling.

“Is everything okay?” Sitting down as well, I looked towards Elise while frowning slightly. Coffee had been in my mana realm this entire time.

“I thought to come and tell you that Olivia’s meeting with Willow went well. Next week she’ll be meeting with Roman.”

“Oh, okay.” Nodding, I strangely didn’t have much interest in the matter, even though I did before.

“There is another matter I wish to discuss with you privately.” Elise looks at Elizabeth who nodded and with Olivia, they both left the room as Elise leaned forward.

“I heard you had some of your memories returned?”

“Oh! Yes, let me tell you.” With some excitement, I leaned forward as well and told Elise about the memories I had, as well as the memory I had just remembered. Strangely, the more I talked, the more Elise paled as she went from worry to…fear? Shouldn’t she be happy for me?

As I finished speaking, Elise stared at me deeply, still with that face of fear on her face. “Alisha, I’ve spoken to Elizabeth and Olivia. Your memories don’t line up at all with what you’re telling me. Those memories you’re remembering, they…they seem to be fake.”

Frowning, I look at Elise. “They simply don’t remember, Elise. I’ve always had Her with me, and though I doubted for a few months, it’s because I had forgotten.”

“Alisha, you never once spoke fondly of the Moon Goddess before you lost your memories of Crater. You should remember you didn’t trust Her at all, yet you sit here saying she’s always been with you.”

“Then I simply had doubts before because the Church started attacking me, but now I believe She wanted to test my faith.” Shrugging as I leaned back, I saw Elise shake her head, causing me to feel irritated.

“Alisha, none of that happened. I remember Alisha, I remember you were scared, terrified and wanted nothing more than to kill those from the Church. You spoke of the Moon Goddess's name with hatred and always rejected Her. You slowly started opening up to the idea of being Her chosen, but recently you’ve changed. Ever since that night you met with Her, you’ve steadily changed. Even no-”

“Shut up.” My irritation grew as I stood up. “Why are you trying to fool me into thinking my memories are fake? I know these memories, I lived them, Elise. She has done so much for me yet I spoke so foul of her in the past. No longer will I do so, I am Her Chosen, I will worship Her for what she’s done.”

“Don’t you hear yourself!? Please, Alisha. Trust me! Your memories are not true! I want to help you, I’m scared for you. Please, jus-”

“Get out.” I found myself angry. “All three of you, leave. If you can only think to try and fool me into believing that my memories aren’t true, then I don’t want to hear from any of you again.”

Elise looked at me as tears started to fall from her eyes. I felt something in my chest, a pain, guilt about those tears. In my mind, a seed of doubt appeared, perhaps…she is telling the truth? But aren’t these my memories?

“Alisha, come and see Alexander with us at least, talk to him.”

My vision swam for a moment as I heard a voice calling out to me, somewhere deep within me. I couldn’t make out what it said, but it quickly faded. Who is calling out to me? My head started to hurt, as I remembered those times in Vale, where I had been terrified of the Moon Goddess, angry at Her, believing she wanted nothing more than to kill me. But She had helped me before…didn’t She?

“Please, Alisha. Please listen to us, we care for you and don’t want to see you get hurt. There is something terribly wrong, you’re not yourself!” Elise grabbed my hand, tears continuing to fall. “Think of those memories, of what Elizabeth has told you of your past. Surely you see that there is something not right with those memories you’re suddenly remembering!”

Doubt grew in my mind. Hadn’t I too questioned those memories? But I remember, she had come to my aid! Hadn’t She? I felt the doubt fighting within me, trying to tell me that there is something wrong with those memories. Shaking my head to try and clear my mind, I saw a quest that sent my mind into confusion.

Celestia has sent you a quest:

Kill Elise. She who is doubting you can not live any longer.

You will be rewarded.

Looking at Elise, my first thought was to plunge my hand into her chest, but as that thought came to my mind I felt guilt at even thinking of it. An instinct told me if I killed her, I would only live to regret it, yet my mind was screaming at me to do as the Moon Goddess says, to help repay Her. I didn’t know what to listen to, my head pounding with pain as I tried to recall my memories.

“Alish-”

“Elise, leave, take everyone with you and leave me here. Please.”

Looking at her, the urge to kill her grew. Elise stared at me as fear flicked behind her eyes before she nodded and turned. I heard her in the lobby, yelling to the others. I closed my eyes as I tried to organise my thoughts. I knew if I opened my eyes and went out now, I may very well kill Elise. Balling up my fists as my nails dug into my hands, I tried to think of what to do.

The quest only made the doubt stronger. Why would I need to kill Elise? Because she doubted my memories? Part of me knew she only cared for me, yet why does another part of me have such an urge to kill her. Soon, a silence rang in my ears, and I knew I was the only person here.

Moving to my bedroom, I thought of returning to sleep, perhaps my dreams would reveal more memories? No, but what if those memories were false, like Elise had said? Breathing out, I looked towards the desk, at that obsidian key. I didn’t know what an Underworld is, but I had received it since I needed it. Did it mean I needed it to remember my memories?

Reaching out to the key, I flinched as part of me protested, saying that the key wouldn’t help me, but another part urged me to use it, like it only wanted to do the opposite of what the other wanted to do.

Biting my lip until it bled, I suddenly felt a powerful aura cover the house, and looking out the window I saw a dark energy covering the land of my house. I knew from the energy it was Alexander. Have I been sealed in here? Just as I thought of it, I saw a black mist creep into the room as he stepped from it.

“I’ve sealed you in here until you figure yourself out. I can not allow you into Vale in your unstable condition. Just yell out my name when you have sorted yourself out, or if you need me.”

Unstable condition? Ah, right. Elise would have informed him of my killing intent, I didn’t even try to hide it. Mixed with me telling her to leave I must’ve seemed unstable.

Alexander left as I stood there, confused about what was happening. I doubted these memories I had, Elise had reminded me of my hatred for the Moon Goddess, yet in my mind those past memories really happened. Looking at the key once more, those two urges once again pushed against each other. Use it or not?

I felt worry suddenly, not from me but…Alice? I see, she must be worried about me. Alexander won’t let her enter, I didn’t know what was happening out there. Elizabeth and Olivia, they too knew something was wrong, and they’ve been by my side since Crater, wouldn’t they know best? Yet they too had been worried.

The urge to use the key grew stronger at that thought. Grabbing the key, I injected some mana into it as a door appeared in front of me. Putting the key into the keyhole of the door, I opened the door and walked through. With a flash of light, I found myself in a dark circular room with green torches along the walls, the sound of fire reaching my ears.

Welcome to the Underworld, mortal. The dead are laid to rest, their souls at an everlasting peace. Not even the Gods themselves can see into this realm.

Your very soul will be tested to see if you’re worthy of its power.

The first trial will begin in five minutes.