Running a Tavern as a Former Witch!

Her eyes scanned my face. The saintess seemed to be searching her memory for any clue regarding what she's now seeing. She wouldn't fully remember yet, but that's what I wanted. And, if what she'll still desire is a fight regardless of the current conditions, then there's nothing else I can do. I must take the orb. It's nothing but a killing weapon against witches and warlocks.

She cautiously stepped back, her eyes still scanning me intricately. After a while, she seemed to have relaxed.

She smiled, it looked as if the sun was rising before me. “Are you here to become a devout, dear?”

I felt a cold chill on my spine knowing the fate of what they called "devout.” It's horrid.

Azel and the old lady shared a look before talking to the saintess. Their gaze felt as if they were criticizing the saintess.

"Are you talking to us?" Azel's forehead scrunched in confusion. Well… this is the saintess's memory, so only she would have the ability to see me.

The saintess looked at me, then sighed.

She must be thinking that I'm a spirit. Or, not. She should be aware after all. She knows what is happening.

“My apologies. Let's continue talking about earlier's matter some other time. You may leave,” she declared. The two hesitantly left.

As the huge doors shut, the saintess turned around to face me. Her gaze lingered for a while before a sigh escaped her lips. She waved, beckoning me into taking a seat.

“Why are you in my memories?"

Surprised, I stared for a while. I shook my head slightly and spoke. I knew that she would be conscious of reality despite the timeline we are in her memory, but it still caught me off guard.

“I’m here for you,” I held out a hand. “Give up the orb. It will kill you. I'll find a way to liberate you and your twin."

She frowned and opened her mouth to speak, but held back for a moment. Her gaze felt intense, no longer was the gentle warmth that I felt earlier.

"You must be talking about its effects,” she paused briefly. Her gaze was firm determination. “It doesn't bother me."

Anger burned my insides. I may have not been that fond of my own kind, but how could she be so selfish? She isn't the only one that could be affected by this!

“You're aware… yet it doesn't bother you? Are you aware that it does not only affect you, but also our kin?"

"Of course, I have been serving as a saintess for years. I have a mission, and it's for our people. They shouldn't fear what cost may come. Haven't we been born for this sentiment? You, as one of us, should accept that your soul is bound to crave for power. It's our instinct.”

She stood up and went to her study table by the towering shelves. Her back was facing me as silence occupied the air around us.

“Was it necessary to invade my memory?"

Ah…

I shook my head. "Yes, I wouldn't have the chance to talk with you otherwise. The orb had been draining your sanity. Its power is too much for you to wield any longer. It's only through the memory could I reach you.”

"I wanted to see my sister. Thank you,” she turned around with a sad smile. "I haven't seen her, but I've been keeping my end of our agreement. Unfortunately, I won't be beside her when it's done."

She approached me with a firm gaze. "I won't give it to you. I have to keep going. I'm sorry. Please, take your leave.”

Unwillingly, I was exiled from her memory. I found myself back in the chaos of reality. The saintess stirred back into consciousness in front of me.

For a moment, I grieved for what could've been changed if I was capable enough.

I shook my head. Now is not the time to feel vulnerable.

Ominous fog swallowed the saintess's shadow. She stood up and looked at me with no emotion. No doubt, the orb has taken her.

The dark fog turned into a void sea under us. I felt my feet and legs lose their strength for a brief moment from the sudden exposure.

I must take the orb.

Within the memory, I felt for the string that connected mine to the saintess. With the power I have, it may be possible for me to possess her for a few seconds. It may not be ethical, but if I wish to prevent her death, I must hold on to any chance that could provide us with the ideal results.

As I delved into the memory, voices tried to stray me from my concentration. The voices cried and howled in pain, begging for their lives as if they were about to be slaughtered mercilessly. As I desperately steeled myself, even more tormented voices screamed at me. I felt blood trickle from my nose then my eyes, but I continued despite the pain.

These poor souls may be projecting their pain onto me. I admit, I felt fearful and baffled. I'm uncertain why they're doing this, but a reason lurked in the corner of my mind.

“I will do what I can to settle your grievances," I whispered, my voice raspy from the effort. The cacophony of screams intensified, a tide of anguish threatening to pull me under. “I am the Heart. I swear to all of you once I've settled the order among the living.”

The screams momentarily subsided, replaced by a low, keening wail that vibrated in my bones. It was a sound of profound, ancient sorrow, a collective grief that stretched back through years. Then, as if responding to my oath, a single, clear voice cut through the din.

“We will help you."

A sudden burst of warmth, like stepping into a sunbeam on a spring day, enveloped me. Tiny, shimmering specks of light, each one a miniature sun, swirled through the air, their movement echoing the delicate dance of falling blossom petals—a flurry of rose and cherry, their scent faint but sweet. Before me, pulsating with a gentle rhythm, was the light, a beacon of pure, ethereal energy, symbolizing my connection to the saintess; it hummed with a low, resonant thrum that vibrated in my chest.

I reached it with my hand, it burned the glove, exposing the markings that swallowed my skin.

Before I merged into the saintess's body, the markings glowed in golden light, similar to what I've seen from Alpheratz.

Regaining consciousness, I saw the Saintess's face mirrored in the black ocean below her. The reflection was unsettlingly serene.

With a raised hand, I summoned the orb. It burst forth from her skin, a swift, almost violent emergence.

The light from my skin traveled towards the orb. It's power felt denser. Small flower-like patterns of a golden color began blooming within the orb.