A/N - So I've been playing Darkest Dungeon for the past few days, and hoo-boy it's been a very punishing but fun experience.
Disclaimer - I own nothing. Darkest Dungeon belongs to Red Hook Studios while Trails in the Sky belongs to Nihon Falcom.
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Joshua Bright breathed in sharply as he regained consciousness. Instead of opening his eyes right away, he kept them shut and listened. His senses, honed by both his assassin training from his shameful former life and years of Bracer work, had gone beyond normal human levels. From hearing alone, Joshua discovered he was holed up in some kind of attic, there were at least four people in the house, an argument was brewing in the dining room downstairs, and there were footsteps coming up to the attic. Joshua's eyes shot wide open and first surveyed the ceiling before slowly turning his head towards where the sound was coming from. The trap door to the sparsely-furnished attic opened as an old woman wearing a simple hooded tunic carrying a basket came up.
"Oh dear, you're finally awake!" The old lady smiled as she approached Joshua's bedside. "You must be famished and thirsty after sleeping for so long."
"How long was I out for?" Joshua grunted. His throat felt dry, and it seemed he was wearing bandages at several places on his body. More bandages than necessary, in fact.
"One of the farmhands found you a couple of days ago," The old woman said. "Wait right here, I'll be back in a moment."
As the old woman went back downstairs, Joshua surveyed the attic again. The space was littered with cobwebs and wooden boxes of varying sizes, and the only sources of light were a crude oil lantern dangling from the ceiling and a window that let in moonlight. What concerned Joshua the most was the fact Estelle is nowhere to be seen. His clothes and gear were gathered in a neat pile by the bed he was in, and he was able to make out more words from the argument below.
One voice was deep and rough, probably belonging to an old man. "I didn't ... any of this! ... third one this month!"
"I don't give a shit!" The second voice belonged to a younger man and had a more malicious tone than the first. "…fella you found…will do…as soon as he heals."
Guess that's me, Joshua thought as he sat up. What am I doing on a farm anyway? Last time I checked, I was in those Ruins with Estelle. Where is she?
Joshua crept out of bed to look around, but there was no discernible trace of his girlfriend ever being in the attic. A creak on the stairs alerted him to the return of the old lady, so he swiftly climbed back into the bed.
"Oh my, did something spook you?" she asked. "Getting all worked up like that is bad for your health."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Joshua said as the old woman set down the tray on a box lying beside the bed. "Did that farmhand pick up anyone else, by any chance? I'm looking for my girlfriend. She's got long auburn hair tied up in twin tails, red eyes, wears orange and white, wields a staff, and…and has a smile as bright as the sun itself."
"Ah, young love. That doe-eyed look reminds me of my husband when we first met. What I wouldn't give to be young again," the old woman said, chuckling. "But no, you were the only person we found in the fields. And you were so beat up too! What happened?"
Seeing in no harm in telling an old woman his story, Joshua told her about how he and Estelle were investigating some strange ruins for an artifact when they were attacked by a large group of monsters.
"Oh my? A 'Bracer'? Is that one of those 'gangs' young people are joining these days?" the old lady asked. "That damn lord, preying on young people who lost their way for his sick plans."
"You're mistaken, ma'am. Bracers simply help keep people safe. We're as fat from a gang as you can get," Joshua said politely. "Funny you should mention a 'lord'. I take it I am currently somewhere in Erebonia and no longer in the Calvard Republic? How did I get here?"
"Oh, please don't be so formal with me, dear," the old lady said. "Just call me Mildred. And I'm afraid I haven't heard of either of these places I've mentioned. As for your second question, the farmhand told me you weren't there one moment then just appeared after a bright flash."
"Thanks anyway, Mildred. My name is Joshua Bright," Joshua said, his brain trying to process the information Mildred she had given him. If she hadn't heard of the two biggest nations in Zemuria nor the Bracer Guild, it could only mean he and Estelle were sent to somewhere else entirely! His heart raced and worrying thoughts surfaced in his mind about Estelle's possible whereabouts condition.
"Joshua? Are you all right? You look like you had seen a ghost," Mildred called out to him, a look of concern on her face.
"Thank you for your hospitality, but I have to go. I need to find my girlfriend," Joshua said as he sat up and started to get off the bed. The fact he could freely move around confirming his early suspicion about the bandages being superfluous.
"No! Absolutely not! You'll just hurt yourself!" Mildred suddenly shouted as she summoned what little strength she had in her elderly body to try to keep Joshua down.
"We are prisoners on our own farm, and the lord's foremen are our jailers. He has hijacked our farm and repurposed it for something sinister, and the foremen will put you to work as soon as they see you are well," Mildred whispered in Joshua's ear. "Please stay here for a while longer. My husband and I are coming up with a plan for your escape."
"I see. Thank you for your warning," Joshua said, finally understanding what that argument downstairs was about. "If you don't mind, I would like to meet your husband in person to help refine the plan. I'm something of an expert in stealth..."
Joshua trailed off, his eyes fixed on the window and the moonlight that filtered in. It was becoming brighter, and the hue slowly changing to an otherworldly shade somewhere between blue and green.
"Mildred, the window. Something is terribly wrong," Joshua spoke up again, his instincts screaming about imminent unknown dangers.
Mildred let go of Joshua and walked over to the window, the moonlight far brighter and greener than it should be. She quickly glanced out of the window before turning to face Joshua.
"Light have mercy," Mildred said, a look of absolute terror on her face. "Take some crutches. We need to get you to the root cellar."
Near the Ruins…
The Heir's task for the week was by no means simple. There was a particularly bothersome 'Prophet' leading a local cult that was harassing travellers and kidnapping people for unspeakable sacrifices. Estelle's companions were part of a previous team sent to deal with the prophet, which resulted in a bloody fight and the mad seer's apparent demise, but they clearly weren't as thorough as they thought. Provisions were gathered, supplementing Estelle's own supplies, and the team made their way to the ancient Ruins.
All right, I can do this. My job is to protect the people of this Hamlet, Estelle thought to herself as the team made their way down a forest path. Even if this 'Prophet' is a human being, I'll put them down if I have to.
Estelle reflected back on the first time she had taken a human life, how that jaeger had left her with very few options that didn't include the deaths of herself, Joshua, or the innocents the Guild had charged them with protecting. She was shaken after the fact, but she managed to overcome that episode of her life within a couple of days with Joshua's help as well as a phone call to her dad.
Trying to distract her self from thinking about blood and death, she glanced up at the night sky, which was full of stars she didn't recognize. It was a good reminder she wasn't in Zemuria anymore.
Come on, Estelle. This isn't too bad! New place means new enemies means new ways to test my skill! Estelle thought as she looked at the gradually brightening sky. I'll find Joshua and we'll go home together sooner or later.
Wait, it should be night time! Why's the sky…
As if they all thought the same thing, the team of four all turned their heads towards the skies above the Hamlet, where the light was apparently coming from. A bright red streak cut through the sky at dizzying speed towards a location a ways off from the Hamlet.
"Wow! A meteor!" Estelle beamed. "Now that's something you don't see every day! Come on, make a wish!"
While Estelle wished for a swift reunion with Joshua, Paracelsus scoffed at Estelle's superstitious childish outburst. Reynauld gave a small sad smile under his helmet as he reflected on the young son he left behind to campaign in distant lands. Dismas simply gave a small cough to catch the crusader's attention.
"Heh, the lass sure is spirited," Estelle overheard Dismas whispering to Reynauld. "Ah, the joys of youth. Wish I was like that again."
Estelle's amazement soon turned to horror when she realized the Comet was going to land dangerously close to the Hamlet. It crashed with a resounding explosion, sending out a massive shock wave from the crash site. Even with the Hamlet between the Comet's landing spot and them, Estelle's team still felt the ground tremble.
"People could be seriously hurt by that crash! We have to help!" Estelle tried to go back, but her path was quickly blocked by Reynauld and Dismas.
"As much as I want to head there myself to investigate, we cannot afford to dally," Paracelsus said. "We need to continue our journey. If there is a need, his lordship will send others."
The team finally reached the Ruins some time later. They found the entrance to the particular section the mad prophet was holed up inside, lit a torch, and skulked in. Even with the torch, the corridors felt narrow and oppressive, debris of all kinds casting unsettling shadows.
"Watch your feet for traps," Dismas instructed Estelle. "Any time you see one, let me know."
The group slowly and carefully made their way through the stone halls, looking for any enemies or anything of value. After salvaging a torch and scrounging some gems, they saw a motley group of skeletons guarding a door. Estelle saw two skeletons wielding swords and wearing only bandanas and half-rotted trousers, a large skeleton wielding a wicked-looking mace and wearing plate mail, and a fourth skeleton holding some kind of goblet and wearing fancy court clothes not unlike what the nobles in Erebonia wore.
"Can't make a shot from this far," Dismas whispered as he crept between fallen columns, motioning the others to do the same. "We're going to have close in."
Reminds me of those skeletons I fought in Phantasma. Estelle thought as she peeked at the skeleton crew from behind a stone statue. All right, I think I'm close enough. Let's see how tough these guys are.
She looked to her left and saw Reynauld with his sword at the ready. He noticed Estelle and gave her a quick nod. She gripped her Bo staff with both hands and took off on a sprint towards the enemy group.
"Here I go!" Estelle grinned as she swung her staff, pulverizing the head of one of the bone soldiers. The re-killed corpse clattered to the floor in pieces as Estelle jumped back and avoided a blow from a bone commander's mace.
"Onwards!" Reynauld shouted, producing a sacred scroll filled with all sorts of zealous accusations. "Behold the weight of thine sins!"
A wave of holy energy erupted from Reynauld's scroll and scorched the surface of the bone commander's armor, causing it to melt in several places with a sizzling noise and producing a smell that reminded Estelle of an orbal welder. Seizing an opening, the bone courtier scurried around its leader and splashed wine all over Estelle.
"What the hell is this? Gross!" Estelle yelped as she tried to wipe the foul mixture off her clothes. The scent of the badly-aged wine filled her nostrils and was making breathing difficult. "That's it! No more holding back! Dismas, cover me! ARCUS, activate!"
Dismas simply nodded, firing a volley of grapeshot from his pistol while Estelle concentrated, summoning the orbal energies from her ARCUS.
"Reynauld, Para, keep these bastards occupied!" Dismas barked. He slid to the side, dodging a mace strike from the bone commander that could have shattered his skull, and countered with a slash of his knife. "I don't know what our new friend is planning, but we need to buy her some time!"
Reynauld let out a roar of triumph as he lopped the head off the second bone soldier.
"Very well," he said, waving his crusading standard at the large, mace-wielding skeleton. "Unholy fiend, thy quarrel is with me!"
Meanwhile, Paracelsus produced a delicate glass globe filled with corrosive blight and threw it at the two remaining skeletons. The projectile shattered against the bone commander's armor and splashed the green liquid all over it and the bone courtier. The two undead creatures hissed in what must have been a mix of pain and anger.
"Eyahh!" Estelle thrust her ARCUS forward, causing a wave of fire to erupt between the skeletal commander and courtier. The Heatwave completely consumed the two undead creatures, turning the courtier into ash and the commander's armor into molten slag.
"All right, we rule!" Estelle grinned and happily twirled her staff while Dismas looted the enemy's remains for valuables. Reynauld and Paracelsus looked at her with puzzlement and curiosity respectively as the group started moving through the dimly-lit hallways again.
"Hey doc, will this wine hurt me or anything?" Estelle asked Paracelsus, pointing at the purple stain on her outfit.
"It is rancid wine, nothing more and nothing less," Paracelsus replied. "The acidity may burn a little, and being splashed will produce quite a fright, but there will be no other consequences."
Satisfied with the answer she got, Estelle thanked the plague doctor and continued walking.
These halls sure remind me of that creepy cult base in Crossbell, Estelle thought as the group made their way deeper into the ruins. The enemies are just as freaky too. Speaking of Crossbell, I wonder how Lloyd and his friends are doing…
The group soon arrived at a dimly lit corner. Dismas signalled the group to crouch and slowly make their way forward. Shuffling footsteps were heard from around the corner before they suddenly quickened. Seeing no places to hide, Estelle and company stood back up and readied their weapons. A green-hooded heavy-set figure wielding a wicked-looking cat o' nine tails charged around the corner, flanked by two normal-sized humans wielding blunderbusses.
"Oi boys! Lookie what we got here!" the large brigand bloodletter bellowed. "More of that puny new lord's lackeys."
"They got a real beauty with them too." One of the brigand fusiliers grinned as he pointed his weapon at Estelle. "What say we off the rest and keep her for ourselves?"
The brigand bloodletter laughed as he cracked his whip. "My thoughts exactly - I call first dibs! Get 'em, boys!"
"Damn creep! I'll teach you a lesson!" Estelle yelled back at the brigands. But these were real, living people, not corpses animated by some occult magic, and that meant she had to at least give them a chance to surrender peacefully. Even the worst villains deserved a chance at mercy, though nobody ever seemed to take her up on the offer. "Give up while you still can!"
The brigand bloodletter simply laughed and let loose a rain of whips, causing the entire group to yelp in pain as fresh cuts opened across their bodies.
"All right, we'll do it the hard way!" Estelle yelled as bleeding wounds opened up over her body. A glowing halo appeared at her feet as she held her ARCUS close to her, concentrating on casting the next Art. "Reynauld, Dismas, stick close to me and attack them from a distance! I got something in mind!"
Reynauld kept his objections to himself as he and Dismas stuck close to Estelle. Seizing what seemed to be a moment of hesitation and cowardice, the bloodletter laughed as he charged forward, ready to whip the party once again.
"Sinners, prepare to receive thy judgement!" Reynauld whipped out his scroll of zealous accusation, the burst of holy light singing the three brigands, but not before both fusiliers let loose with their blunderbusses, peppering the entire party with grapeshot.
"What the hell are you doing, Bracer?" Dismas yelled angrily as he fired off a shot that struck the bloodletter's barrel-like chest. "Trying to get us killed?"
Estelle said nothing and grunted as she thrusted her ARCUS-holding hand upwards, a phantom clock appearing above the entire party. The other three adventurers briefly looked up in wonder as the hands sped up and clockwork noises echoed throughout the cavern. While Estelle was used to the familiar effects of Chrono Drive, the others yelped in surprise as they felt their bodies and minds suddenly speeding up and the world slowing down around them.
"Have at it, guys!" Estelle said. "Give them hell!"
"Huh, I think I get what you're doing now," Dismas said as he nimbly charged towards the bloodletter with his knife. He deftly dodged the slow-motion whip strikes before carving a deep gash across the large criminal's chest. Paracelsus held a bottle of vapors in front of Reynauld's helm and had him take a deep breath, strengthening the Crusader.
"For the Light!" Reynauld yelled as he charged towards a fusilier and swung his sword downwards. The bandit held up his weapon in a futile attempt to block the sword as the strengthened strike struck singularly, cutting through his firearm and chopping him in half from head to groin. The surviving fusilier backpedalled as he frantically tried to reload his weapon. Suddenly, a phantom clock appeared above him and the bloodletter. As much as he tried to move back, the fusilier grew yet more sluggish. He desperately shoved the ramrod down the blunderbuss' muzzle to pack down grapeshot with powder, but Paracelsus charged towards him with a knife and made a precise incision on his neck. The bandit collapsed to his knees in a desperate and futile attempt to staunch the blood flow before he fell forward, unconscious and never to wake again.
"Damn you, damn you!" The bloodletter swatted Dismas into a wall with his beefy arm and charged towards Estelle with his whip, a trail of blood appearing behind him. "Gonna have me some fun!"
"Last chance, buddy!" Estelle readied her staff.
The bandit bloodletter swung his whip, only for Estelle to intercept it with her staff. With a quick twirl, she wrapped the lashes around the staff and pulled the whip out of his hand.
The bloodletter gaped at her. "Huh? How?"
Reynauld jumped him from behind and struck the back of the bandit's head with the pommel of his sword, causing the bandit to collapse to his knees.
Paracelsus quickly stepped in front of the fallen bandit and placed her knife on his throat, getting ready to put an end to his misery.
"Wait!" Estelle cried out as she shoved the plague doctor aside. She then placed one end of the staff directly over the brigand bloodletter's head, ready to finish him with a downward strike.
"All right, we got you fair and square. Why are you doing this?" Estelle demanded angrily while her three companions recovered and gathered behind her. "This place is full creepy crawlies and skeletons, and here you are skulking around padding your wallets by murdering and robbing instead of actually doing some good."
"Stupid girl, do you think we care about 'doing good'? The original lord only hired us to teach that pissant Hamlet to know its place, and we took the contract because he paid well." The bandit chuckled weakly as the bloody puddle underneath him slowly grew. "When those damn hicks got uppity after that insane geezer put one right through his own mouth, we decided to pack up and find other ways to live like kings. The Hamlet and everyone travelling to it are just meat for the picking."
"You can still redeem yourself, you know," Estelle said, pleading the brigand to see some sense. There was already enough evil in the world. "We're on our way to hunt down an insane cult leader who's been terrorizing the Hamlet, and you get to use your skills for good."
"Don't make me laugh, girlie." The bandit's voice grew weaker. "We have no…reason to…help…"
The bandit bloodletter's hoarse voice trailed off as blood loss finally caught up to him, and he slumped to the ground, dead. Estelle fell to her knees panting, exhausted and injured. As her own blood trickled to the floor and mixed with those of the dead brigands, Estelle felt nauseous and she gagged at the carnage that surrounded her. A new battle began to rage in her mind. One between her rational side, which told her that she did everything she could to warn them, and her emotional side, which lamented and recoiled at the deaths she was responsible for.
"Your desire to grant them absolution is admirable in every sense, Estelle, yet some men are beyond salvation." Reynauld clasped an armored hand over Estelle's shoulder. "Other adherents of the Light and myself have attempted to grant these foul men clemency in the past, yet they were all met with rejection and failure. Do not blame yourself for their demise, for they have chosen the path of perdition long ago."
"You…you're right. I've dealt with these kinds of people before. It doesn't get any easier, and I hope it never does." Estelle used her staff to push herself back to her feet, her mind calm once more. "A Bracer's most important duty is to protect civilians. If we need to take down a few dangerous people to keep ourselves and innocent people safe, then that's a price I'm willing to pay. A dead Bracer can't do her job, after all. Let's get patched up and get going."
Estelle pulled out her ARCUS once more and activated it, causing a glowing halo of runes to appear at her feet. Soon after, a refreshing breeze filled the dim hall and blew over the four. Wounds closed and bones mended and settled back to their proper places. While her companions were surprised by the efficacy of Estelle's healing Art, Paracelsus was shocked the most. Muffled hypotheses and questions were heard from under her mask as the group continued their journey, providing some much-needed distraction from the silent monotony.
After settling on a comfortable pace and the return of silence, Dismas pulled ahead and came up next to Reynauld, gaining a little distance between him and Estelle.
"The new girl sure is strange, don't you think?" Dismas asked. "It doesn't seem like anything here can faze her, and that strange device she's carrying is capable of sorcery not even an Occultist can dream of."
"I concur, and while her sorcery does raise some questions, it also appears she is a heathen." Reynauld said. "I understand neither you nor the fine Doctor care about the specifics of theology, but I have noticed her invoking the name of some being called 'Aidios' in the same way laymen call on the Light."
"You think she's a mole? Of the local cult or whatever the hell the boss's damned ancestor dug up? Maybe this 'Aidios' is the thing the cultists worship," Dismas said. "Her attitude and her skills are all too good to be true."
"We have no proof save for her heathen religion, which I do admit I am somewhat curious about," Reynauld said. "My own judgement decrees her spirit and intentions to be genuine. Let us pray to the Light for wisdom over this matter."
"Sure, whatever you say." Dismas rolled his eyes and fell back in line.
Estelle had overheard the entire conversation thanks in no small part to her senses which were honed by years of Bracer work. She felt irritated about how little trust her teammates seemed to have for her. While her sixteen-year-old self would have started whacking the two with her staff, Joshua had taught her the importance of subtlety and nuance over the years. She made a mental note to talk to Reynauld later. Estelle was no missionary, but she figured she could at least cover the basics and convince the Septian Church wasn't some devil-worshipping death cult.
After dealing with a couple more rooms which were full of skeletons, Estelle looked at the other members of the group. She wasn't as good as reading people's expressions as Joshua, but Estelle could still tell Dismas was feeling the strain judging from the way his eyes were darting through the halls and his slouched stance, looking for anything suspicious. Although Reynauld and Paracelsus' faces were hidden, their fatigue were reflected in the way they composed themselves. Her healing Arts could mend most injuries, but they couldn't cure afflictions of the mind nor fatigue. Estelle knew full-well the dungeon's oppressive atmosphere was weighing down on her as well. She had lost track of how long they were down there, only that they had been exploring and fighting for quite some time. They made their way into an empty room when Dismas suddenly told them to stay put and made his way to an exit on the other side. After a few minutes, the highwayman returned.
"Good news: the prophet is holed up in an abandoned chapel down the hallway.," Dismas said. "Bad news: we're tired, and even the most brain-dead bone grunt can see it."
"We might as well set up camp in here when we have the chance." Estelle said, stifling a yawn while making a half-hearted attempt to wring out additional wine stains on her outfit. "We've been on our feet for ages."
"I agree with the Bracer's assessment," Paracelsus said. "Heading into the fight with bodies and minds unburdened by fatigue will greatly increase our odds of victory."
"Guess that's settled," Dismas said. "Break out the firewood. We're camping."
After the group set up their modest camp and huddled together in uneasy fellowship, Estelle pulled out a notebook and some ingredients she had brought with her as well as scrounged together in the ruins. After going through some entries in her recipe book, a light went on inside her head. Estelle took over the campfire and followed a particular recipe that had stood out to her. The end results did wonders in filling stomachs and raising spirits.
As the campfire burned on, Dismas decided to set up tripwires with bells attached to deter any unwanted night-time visitors. Paracelsus approached Estelle with a jar full of leeches.
"Pardon my intrusion, but it appears you have caught a sickness over the course of our expedition." She said to the long-haired Bracer as she took out some leeches and put them on Estelle's bare thighs. "Let them do their work, and you shall feel better upon waking."
"So I wasn't just tired? Thanks!" Estelle smiled at the plague doctor before turning towards Reynauld, eager to get her planned conversation over with. "Hey Reynauld, got a moment?"
"Of course. Is something the matter?" the crusader asked. "Ask, and I shall endeavor to answer."
"Can you tell me about the Light?" Estelle asked. "I've never heard of anyone who worships it in any of the countries Joshua and I have been to."
Reynauld was obviously taken aback by how upfront Estelle was about religion, but she didn't know why — she was upfront about everything. "Of course, that would not be an issue. In return, I would like to find out more about this 'Aidios' you worship."
"Well, I only know the basics from Sunday School, but you have yourself a deal!" Estelle replied, allowing Reynauld to begin with an overview of the Church of the Light before getting down to the details such as their holy book, various hymns, different commandments, and the wars he had fought in the Light's name. Estelle listened on with genuine interest as he wrapped up with a story about his homecoming.
"…and so, the Light gave me a vision that an evil growing here is far more threatening than any heathen army could ever be," Reynauld said, concluded his story. Estelle only then noticed that Dismas and Paracelsus were listening in as well. "Until that evil is revealed and defeated, I shall not return to my family."
"Wow, that was amazing, Reynauld!" Estelle said, beaming at him. "All right, I guess it's my turn. I'm sorry I can't get into any details. A friend of mine knows far more than I do, being a priest and all that, but I'll tell you what I know."
Estelle gave a quick rundown of the Septian church and their role in everyday life including education and medicine, what she learned about Aidios, and a history lesson about how the church brought humanity from her own world out of a period of darkness.
"…and yeah, that's pretty much all I know." Estelle scratched her head sheepishly. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you that much, but if my friend Kevin shows up, I'll send him your way."
"Do not be troubled by your lack of knowledge, Estelle. I must admit, I was initially suspicious when I realized you are a heathen by my Church's standards," Reynauld said. "But upon hearing your explanation, however limited it is, I realize this goddess you worship is nothing like the foul heathen gods I campaigned against in the past. As long as you walk the path of righteousness, you are always welcome to fight by my side."
"Thanks, Reynauld! I'm glad to hear you say that." Estelle smiled before opening her ARCUS and fishing out an EP charge to plug into it, refilling the device's orbal energy. She then laid down on her bedroll, allowing fatigue to swiftly overtake her and carry her off to the realm of dreams.
Estelle found herself back at home in the bedroom she shared with Joshua, his former room had been given to Renne when she moved in. Under thick blankets, their pyjama-clad bodies huddled close together in the bed they shared. After the run-in with Luciola the Bewitching Bell, Estelle became more adept at distinguishing dreams from reality. Even though she knew Joshua wasn't actually there, Estelle decided to enjoy the dream while it lasted.
"Estelle..." Joshua gently muttered her name as he cupped her face with a calloused hand.
"Joshua..." Estelled snuggled closer for a kiss.
"Estelle..." Joshua sounded more urgent.
"Joshua?"
"Estelle!" Joshua suddenly called out, except his voice was replaced by the deep gravelly voice of Dismas.
Estelle's sat up as her eyes snapped open, the ancient stone room coming into view once more. She blinked tears out of her eyes and turned to face Dismas.
"That boyfriend of yours must have done a good job stealing your heart." Dismas chuckled before continuing. "You were saying his name the entire time I tried to wake you up."
"Yeah, Joshua is something all right. Guess it's time to be on our way?" Estelle said before standing up and stretching. Her inquiry was answered by a simple nod from Dismas.
The group packed up their belongings and put out the last remnants of the campfire before continuing on their way. They made good progress down the hallway which was decided of enemies before stopping at the door.
"Hey guys, mind if we wait a bit?" Estelle got down on one knee and took out a case filled with gleaming spheres of seven different colors. "I need to adjust my orbment."
"That 'orbment'...such a curious device..." Paracelsius mumbled under her mask as Estelle hummed a tune while sorting through her quartz before settling on a combination that emphasized healing and buffing her teammates. "The old fools at the university would all die of a stroke if they witnessed it in action!"
"All right, let's do this," Estelle said after packing up. She kicked the door aside and rushed in along with the others and found themselves in a ruined chapel with three rows of broken wooden pews which were stacked several feet high to act as barricades. A ragged man with pallid skin and wearing a pillory stood at the far end, rambling about the return of the old gods who would snuff out the Light for all eternity. What disturbed Estelle the most was the fact he held two eyeballs in one hand, the bloodied blindfold he wore a clear indicator as to where the eyes came from. Shaking her head and knowing full well she may need to be the one to deal the killing blow, Estelle readied her ARCUS and got ready to cast. Soon after, flames caused by Estelle's La Forte art enveloped the entire party, filling them with vigor and strength for the battle to come. Paracelus then gave Reynauld another sniff of her emboldening vapours, allowing the crusader to strike with a strength far beyond what his limits would ordinarily allow.
"So we meet again, heretic," Reynauld said coldly as he drew his sword. "Your ramblings will not save you, for I decree today to be the day of thy death!"