Author's notes: Of all the things to come of this revision project, I certainly didn't expect an entirely new chapter to be among them. I've got some 'splainin' to do. Simply put, I saw the opportunity and jumped on it. After how satisfied I was with my rewrite of Ilia's introductory chapter, I saw the perfect chance to give Melanie that same treatment; a decidedly shorter chapter entirely focused on her backstory. Given how this fic is already so transparently a pastiche of shounen tropes, what would it be without the signature flashback episode, especially on the moment I chose to end chapter 5 on? Just to get it out of the way, this is entirely a one-time thing; I won't be adding any entirely new chapters in between here and the end. On top of that, you can skip this one if you're not all that interested, it won't make or break your experience. Otherwise, enjoy.
Chapter 5.5
Arise From Grace
Given that its very history was shaped by war waged by the gods, the Age of Fire saw the birth of many forms of organized religion. It was, to be sure, an intriguing point of contention in this realm. Some looked to the gods for guidance, and a select few even brushed shoulders with one, and lived to tell the tale. Some sought to bring them down with their own hands. Others denied them outright, never straying from the dark path of humanity.
Among the largest of the theocracies was that of Lindeldt, a neighboring province to Drangleic. In more prosperous times, the two lands enjoyed fruitful trade ventures; even Vendrick's elite utilized Lindeldt's potent miracles to turn the tide in battle. The Archdrake Sect in particular was instrumental in their final push against the fearsome Giants. Communications halted after Drangleic fell under the curse, its denizens left to wonder if Lindeldt had succumbed to the same fate.
Wrought in opulent pearl and gleaming gold, Lindeldt prided itself in its appearance as the promised land of sorts, whatever that meant. Its buildings – from its cathedrals to its market to the living quarters – all manifested as great, slender towers. Connected by suspended walkways, one certainly wouldn't see the bottom if they looked down. Perhaps Lindeldt's architects believed that they could commune better with the gods if they were closer to the heavens themselves.
Even before the Undead Curse began its cycle anew, Lindeldt would regularly find itself at odds with the undead. Fearing the calamity that would befall them if their sacred treasures were taken by the undead, the theocracy began to enlist anyone willing to take up the mace and drive the scourge back with the wrath of the gods, as a provisional army of clerics and paladins.
Among those willing to fight was a woman named Melanie. Quiet and reserved in her youth, little was known about her, even by her closest relatives. Regardless, she proved to be a natural, adept with her mace and quick to flow from one strike to the next without losing her rhythm. Her faith, too, appeared deep – she was able to cast most of the miracles the abbey had for public use by the time of her early teens.
For better or worse, these are often the years when many start to come into themselves, and Melanie was no exception. While she was content in her youth to follow the tenets instructed upon her unquestionably, the girl became increasingly curious regarding the nature of all those things she was told were forbidden. Not only that, but she was among the first to come to resent that such things were ever forbidden in the first place. She'd begin to realize that the girl she was becoming didn't entirely line up with the standards she had been so adamantly raised to meet.
Indeed, by the time of her early twenties, Melanie scarcely resembled the proper lady everyone hoped she'd grow to be, in spite of it all. Her once proper, formal manner of speech had become coarse, vulgar, and laden with profanities that would make the very gods blush. Having had her fill of the strict bans on all the things she found exciting, she had clearly gone this direction as something of a rebellion. Gone was the slim, svelte, reserved young lady, having foregone her strict diet a few years ago, and discovered the joys of that forbidden elixir known as alcohol after accidentally swallowing communion during service. This lifestyle, alongside the addition of an obscene number of squats to her training regimen, made Melanie considerably curvaceous, and breathtakingly bottom-heavy. Her thin frame of yesteryear had filled out into a symphony of succulent, thick curves. Her unique body was something she took great pride in, regularly boasting of her beauty, and her dresses often had to be custom-sewn. Public opinions varied; some sisters found her look becoming, others dismissed her as a fatass who was full of herself. Not that anyone's opinion but her own mattered to her.
Naturally, this crude behavior and overwhelming sense of pride raised more than a few eyebrows, including those of the church. Indeed, one wouldn't be wrong to wonder just how someone like Melanie could even be allowed to exist in a society as deeply rooted in faith as Lindeldt was. To answer this, one needn't look further than her remarkable skill as a warrior. She wasn't a mere prodigy – she was the best Lindeldt had to offer. It was no contest. Wielding the divine lightning of the gods in one hand and her mace in the other, the blonde was a force of divine retribution on the battlefield. Her curvier frame did naught to impede her movement – she seemed to have grown even faster through the years. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, Lindeldt needed Melanie.
Her staggering level of skill combined with her lewd acts of vulgarity made Melanie something of a local celebrity. Indeed, many were curious to meet her for themselves, whether to get to know her better, or just to confirm some whispered rumor. The church was more or less forced – however begrudgingly – to give the blonde cleric special treatment. This included her own living quarters, where she could spend her days as she saw fit, with only a minimal fee so long as she continued to pledge her loyalty to Lindeldt. It was certainly spacious enough – especially for just herself – and came with most of the amenities she could ask for. The décor was a similar white and gold motif as seen on the outside of the tower, with patterns of fluer de lis throughout. Her bed was a plush four-poster draped in velvet crimson, with silken sheets and drapes for privacy. The wallpaper near her bed was curiously peeling off in one section. She'd actually been offered the place the moment she became of age, and didn't think twice about the chance to truly blossom into her own, away from the judging eyes of her family.
Though some saw this as special treatment, Melanie was, for all her lack of refinement, fairly amicable when it came to visitors. Those that didn't mind her unique brand of charm found her outlook on life interesting and for some, even worth considering.
The calm tranquility of Melanie's home was broken, however briefly, by the hefty clanking of metal against the floor, muffled only slightly by the soft carpet beneath.
"...and two-hundred! Mmf! Lovely!" the deep, heavily-accented voice of another woman came from the room next to Melanie's. "Goodness, I believe I've just worked a miracle.~" she'd say, toweling herself off as she returned to greet Melanie in her bedroom. "I must say, it was a wonderful idea repurposing the spare room like that. The gyms back at camp don't have anything near as good!"
Of the sisters she trained with at the academy, it was Licia with whom Melanie shared the most storied friendship over the years. Not only was the girl among the top of her class – unquestionably second only to Melanie herself – she backed the blonde's unholy ideals with every shred of faith she had. It was no wonder that the pair hit it off so well, both having grown tired of the strict nature of their nation's lifestyle. It wasn't uncommon for them to partake in their daily training together, and today was no exception.
"I do believe I'm finished, Miss Melanie." said the brunette, slipping back into her dress. She was certainly alluring in her own right, the caramel tone of her skin contrasting Melanie's fairer complexion. She was indeed curvy like her companion, similarly pear-bodied, though to a slightly lesser extent. Unsurprising, given that she'd taken up Melanie's tried-and-true workout regimen. The two women even wore their hair similarly; elegantly sideswept into an arc in the front and neatly tied in the back. Licia's light brown locks were a bit shinier and more straightened, whereas Melanie's own bright blonde was worn a bit more loose, a strand or two occasionally hanging to her forehead.
That said, their manners of speech couldn't have been more different. Licia's words carried a refined, English-style accent and a low, almost soothing tone to them. The girl wasn't nearly as vulgar as her friend, but it always sounded that much more hilarious when she did say something a bit more coarse. That said, even despite her far more refined exterior, it wasn't for no reason that Licia was besties with Melanie. The curvy brunette was something of a swindler, a trickster, a charlatan. It was rather frightening how easy it was for her to scam the unsuspecting simpletons of their wares, as though it were second nature to her. The woman kept a cool, amicable demeanor the entire time – a particular skillset Melanie held great respect for. For countless years now, Licia had perfectly maintained her facade as a kind sister only interested in spreading her faith, but it was with Melanie that she shared the truth.
Melanie, meanwhile, was relaxing on her bed and very lightly rubbing herself, a sight Licia greeted with the same casual disposition as seeing her neighbor tend to their garden. "You're just now finished? Tch." taunted the blonde cleric playfully before seeing her look of mild surprise and backing it up a bit. "Shit, I'm just playin' with you, girl! You were in there longer than me! Get it!~" she cheered, momentarily rising from the bed to perform her... well, one could call it a secret handshake in a loose sense, with Licia. In perfectly fluid sync, the two curvaceous gals would begin with a double high-five, before facing parallel and giving each other a generous booty-bump, their hips swaying like water. They'd slap hands a few more times before leaping forward, ending the complex ritual with a rather hearty chestbump. "Shit!" Licia cursed, blowing on her chest.
"Fuck! We're really gonna have to work on a new handshake, girl. I uhh... did not take into account how sensitive we are up here." Melanie chimed, doing the same.
"Oh, rest assured, I'll get it all right... Oh!" Licia piped up, remembering their plans for the evening. "Do we still plan to visit the grand cathedral after hours tonight? I've prepared a most wonderful meal for us all, it would be a shame to waste."
Melanie stretched, looking up at her like-minded friend with a smile. "...the fuck do I look like missing out on that? You already told Lammy, didn't cha?"
"Of course, well in advance." Licia said with a nod. "We'd never hear the end of it if she were to miss out. Now, let's see here, I've already got the-"
Before Licia could go over her list of goodies, the two girls would be jolted out of their conversation by a knock at the door. Wordlessly, Melanie would shrug and reluctantly get her fat ass off the bed to answer. "Yeah... whozis?"
It was one of the emissaries from the Royal House of Osteria, his white gold helm obscuring his face as he delivered his missive. "This is a message from the Archdeacon. Miss Melanie, you are hereby invited to this evening's formal dinner to discuss the nature of Lindeldt's future. Miss Licia is free to accompany you if you wish. That is all."
He'd hand her a written copy of the note signed by House Osteria, proving its authenticity. He was out of sight before Melanie could even think to ask anything pertinent. She'd shoot Licia a puzzled look and a shrug, to which she mirrored the gesture. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary for Melanie to be allowed attendance to various events and gatherings, owing to her status as one of the finest warriors in Lindeldt.
"Hey, why not?" Melanie proposed, pocketing the note. She'd give her body a generous stretch, already rummaging through her wardrobe for something nice to slip into for the occasion. "...if nothin' else... it's free food, girl! We listen to the oldheads ramble for an hour or so, and get our pre-gaming done all at once, hm?~"
"You drive a hard bargain, dear sister.~" said Licia with a playful smirk, still toweling herself off from the intense exercise she'd completed. Gazing down upon her glistening caramel curves, beautifully toned as they were generously filled out, she'd pull back the waistband of her preferred workout shorts and let it snap back, admiring the feedback it produced against her love handles. "Granted, it'll all go to my hips, as per usual."
"Nonsense, there ain't any room left there, Liss! When I talked about surpassing me one day, I didn't mean like that! Now, let's wash away our hard day of work in the bath! I like to think we've still got some sense of self-respect!" Melanie quipped to her friend, laying out her favorite red dress and placing underwear and shoes at the foot of the bed. The luscious pair of ladies tied their bathrobes around their waists and departed to freshen up.
The perky pair would turn more than a few heads as they arrived at the formal dinner, among the earliest guests in attendance. Melanie's ensemble struck the perfect balance between formality and allure; a gorgeous dress of deep, dark crimson, so long and wavering that it brushed against the floor and obscured her shoes entirely. The top half was secured by her favorite matching corset, accentuating her pear-shaped frame to great effect; each step of her elegant gait gave way to the hypnotic bounce of her prominent, pronounced butt. Her rounded face had its cutest features brought to the forefront thanks to her perfectly applied makeup; a heavy dose of black eye shadow that contrasted her light pink blusher and matching lipgloss. She looked downright kissable to anyone unaware of her reputation.
Perhaps to seize the opportunity to dazzle her peers, Licia opted for a more bold approach to her evening ensemble; borrowing one of Melanie's favorite pieces. She thought to forego her usual dresses of silken brown and ivory for one of striking vermilion red. It was actually the less conservative of the two, its off-the-shoulder design and lacy white trim accentuating the fruits of Licia's labour. Its length was broken by a modest slit cut halfway down, giving just enough of a view of her plump thighs that it didn't violate any sort of dress codes. One of the rarest finds in Melanie's collection, the vivacious blonde thought it a shame for this gorgeous top to go to waste, having never worn it herself. She was more than happy to let her closest companion slip into it, and so she did – pulling it off with the explosive allure that only she could. Her gorgeous brown locks, as neatly tied and sideswept as ever, were adorned by a matching hairband that brought it all together beautifully.
Indeed, both women looked as though their dresses were sewn on, caressing their figures without tarnishing their opulence one bit. Their steps in perfect sync, Melanie and Licia would take their seats next to one another, jesting that they may end up needing two the way they spilled over the sides, but taking solace in the fact that they had comfortable seats no matter where they were. They relaxed for the moment, savouring the rich atmosphere. Neither of them were particularly enthused about formalities, but they couldn't deny that the higher-ups had put together an incredible banquet. The pear-shaped pair paid little attention to the archbishop's droning on about the usual politics – it didn't concern them anyway. They had not a second thought about seizing the opportunity to indulge in the finest food and drink Lindeldt had to offer.
Absorbed as they were in their own world, everything else seemed to melt around them as they engaged in their playfully drunken banter, already planning for the night of savagery ahead of them. "...and we've arranged for Lamretta, too?" asked Licia gleefully between sips of wine.
"Mhm!" mumbled Melanie with a mouthful of meat. "...and Lammy, and Rammy, and Red..." she'd list off, making sure she wasn't forgetting anyone.
Licia put an arm around her bestie and laughed. "You... you do know those are all the same person, don't you? A shame we weren't able to procure any... well, any of the boys."
"Girl, I'm, tryin' to get messed up, not exiled from the whole city. We'll find a nice young man to tag team one of these days, bet.~" said Melanie with a tone of playful reassurance. "If we get 'em in trouble now, they won't be around for us in the long run, you know?" she added, illiciting a laugh from Licia.
The ladies continued to stuff themselves with delicious delicacies to their hearts' content, cleaning up and sharing one last drink to wash it all down. Still absorbed in the elegant atmosphere and warm candlelight, they'd both begin to zone out into their own worlds. The hearty meal coupled with the Archbishop's monotone droning had just about lulled them to sleep, Melanie dozing off before her Licia, laying her head on her shoulder. Licia gave a light laugh, tilting back in her seat until she too enjoyed an impromptu nap.
Both were mere moments from dreamland when they were snapped out of their slumber by the all too familiar voice of the Archbishop. "Ahem! Miss Melanie! Miss Licia! Eyes up! You dare sleep through my sermon?! Such insolence! Is this how you repay us for inviting you to such an exclusive event?!"
"...mmhyou're the one puttin' us to sleep with that dry ass voice of yours, guy..." said Melanie through a yawn as she slowly awoke with a casual stretch. "Put some life into it, maybe..."
"Miss Melanie!" he roared back at her from across the table. "The lot of us have had just about enough of your mouthing off! You WILL show some respect!"
A smile crept across Melanie's face as she shot Licia a knowing look, which she returned, as though the two girls had just formed a psychic connection. "Oh, get over yourself, guy. If anything, I'm the one who deserves all the respect around here, saving your asses and all. Come to think of it, I don't think you've given me a single accolade for all my hard work, so, like... How 'bout this for a burst of inspiration... mmm.~" said the curvy blonde, her words dripping with poison. As she lifted her shapely leg ever so slightly, a deep, otherworldly growl gave way to the thunderous rippling of her unbelievably lengthy fart. The explosive girl's flatulating echoed all throughout the dining hall, commanding the attention of every attendant within as they were assailed by its... unique ambiance. All the while, her face was adorned with a decidedly smug smirk as her massive rear vibrated her seat beneath her.
Naturally, each and every guest glared at her with gazes of absolute disgust, a few reaching for napkins with which to wipe their watery eyes. All except for Licia, who watched with amazement, looking at Melanie as though she'd just performed an elegant solo, giving her a high-five as the display concluded. Absolutely red in the face, the Archbishop stood up with such intensity that he toppled his seat. His scowling mouth quivered, at a complete loss for words to reprimand such an uncouth act.
"Why, of all the... Miss Melanie, you... you're...!"
"Oh, hush. From here on out, you may call me... Melanie the Graceful! It's only fitting for someone of my refined elegance and class, dontcha think?~" she'd announce, rising from her seat as her knee hit the table, the blonde met his exasperation with a confident smirk. She raised her goblet aloft, its contents no doubt being the catalyst for her sudden surge of confidence. "Now... I'm what? Come on, take the filters off, archie! Lay it on me, dammit! You've still got a pair of balls down there, don't cha?" taunted Melanie, raising her leg and placing her boot on the table. "Wanna call me a disgusting, low-bred bitch? Guess what?" she'd continue her rant, holding her pointed finger above her head. "I'm also the only thing holding your bitch boys together! Like it or not, sweetie... you need me, and you know it."
Her words were met with a collection of gasps from the other attendees, hushed murmurs between them filling the room. None dared to speak up. Hearing no signs of protest, she continued her smug tirade even as the gathering stared daggers in her direction. "Yeah... nothin' to say, huh? 'Cuz you know I'm right. Your silence is all the admission I need. Get rid of me if you want, but... well, let's just say it'll hurt you more than it'll hurt me.~" she'd taunt further, each and every word steeped in pure poison. Rolling her eyes at the Archbishop's increasingly disgusted look, she'd wave her hand dismissively. "Oh, pull the stick outta your ass and relax. That goes for all of you... seriously, go... get a massage or jerk off or something..." she'd say to the silent crowd. "...'kay then."
"Well said, Miss Melanie." Licia said with a content smile. "Erm, pardon me... Melanie the Graceful. I do believe our friends here could do with a bit of loosening up. Truly, they should be thankful it wasn't me going in on you all... my choice words are far more scathing."
Melanie smiled at her bestie's reassurance and added, "Credit where it's due, she's right. This gal woulda cleared the whole hall if she were in my position. Seriously... girl, I felt those aftershocks from the other room earlier!"
Feeling flattered, Licia put her palm on her chest and laughed a little at Melanie's comment. "Well... what can I say? I become rather... immersed when I'm hitting my squats... ehem. My utmost gratitude for the meal, speaking of which. If that's all, then we'll adjourn for now. I'd say this was a very enriching experience for everyone!" insisted the curvy brunette, neatly stacking her plates and glasses and rising from her seat with a stretch.
"I agree!" Melanie said, following suit. "We should get going then; can't keep those ladies waiting!~"
With that, the pear-bodied pair made their exit, the rest of the guests left to ponder over the display they'd just witnessed. Nothing Melanie said or did hurt them directly, but they couldn't help but wonder how far she could push this act of self-importance.
Late into the night, the two ladies had opted to slip into some more casual wear and meet up in the abbey's main hall, accompanied by Lamretta and her bounty of beautiful booze. The cute, stocky Draph girl had already begun pre-gaming, as she was known to do with wild abandon on nights like these. With the vast church all to themselves, the ladies wasted no time drinking the night away as they regaled each other with fantastical tales of their adventures over the years. A beat tome lay open amidst the array of spirits, livening up the atmosphere with a sultry bass beat.
Woe betide the fool who would dare to light a match in the presence of these uniquely refined ladies on a night of indulgence such as this one.
The night of revelry went on without much incident, as the trio found themselves joined by a few of the other Lindeldtian ladies, whether bold or merely curious. They'd gather around the small table and join in on the jovial conversations, each one having their own intriguing stories to tell. With no one else around this late into the night, they'd have free reign of the opulent cathedral until the sun rose once again.
In the midst of all the celebration, Melanie would spy Lamretta opening several bottles at once and shaking one of them up with intense vigor. "Whatcha doing over there, Lam?" she'd ask the drunken Draph. "You packin' that stuff like a twilight herb? I don't get it."
Swaying her aqua blue braids side to side, she'd greet the blonde with a warm, yet determined smile and an intense look in her eyes. "What does it look like, girl? Ah'm makin' a dank-ass drink combo! I call this one... the Lam Goes Wham! All we gotta do is add one lil' splash of the Divine Blessing... some Code Yellow, a lil' bit of the Whale Tail, and..." she rambled on, shuffling through her array of bottles as they clinked about. "...the main ingredient is..." she began before clumsily fumbling the dark liquid, tipping it over and shattering it. The contents spilled onto the floor, much to the chagrin of the blue-haired Draph. "...god DAMMIIIIIIT! That was THE LAST PIECE of the drink combination I..."
"HAAAAAAAAD!" she screamed to the very heavens.
Melanie and Licia both winced a little at her cacophonous cry, the former doing her best to subdue her woes. "Oh, Lam... be so for real, would ya? Relax, we should still have one somewhere around here..." Melanie reassured her, rifling through the bottles until she found something suitable for the unusual concoction. "It just needed dark rum, right? ...yeah, try this one! It's the one-fifty-one stuff, buuuuut... knowing your fortitude, it'll have the same flavor and everything! Just gotta pop it off nice and easy, so as not to loosen the..."
Pop
Just then, a thick metallic ring would loosen itself from the bottle's neck, rocketing out with a resounding metallic clink against the ornate stone floor. "...flame arrester. Well, shit."
The tiniest of sparks was all it took to set off a series of uncontrollable flames that began to engulf the entire building with an unstoppable blaze of flickering embers. Lamretta's ill-fated attempt to make a dank drink combo had spelled doom for all who attended the gathering! "Well, girls... we got it open... but at what cost? Serves me right for trying EVERYTHING to prevent this, ya know?!" she'd cry out in frustration. "Well, time to cut our losses and get the hell outta here!" she'd concede, leaving her precious booze behind as she darted toward the nearest door! "Exit stage left!"
"Not how I'd hoped the night would end, but... yeah, I don't exactly feel like stickin' around! You gals follow Lam! Hey Liss, how about we-" was all Melanie could manage to get out before a loose chunk of stone freed itself from the flames high above and found its mark square on her head, relieving the curvaceous cleric of her consciousness for a spell.
"...use to get rid of her for good. Better late than never, isn't it?"
"She's just not worth it anymore. So be it, we'll finally have peace of mind."
...when Melanie awoke, she'd find herself entirely bound by a set of magic rings, planted firmly against a wall right outside the smoldering remains of what was once the Grand Cathedral. The painful ringing in her ears gave way to the overwhelming scent of black smoke. Just opposite of her stood the Archbishop, the hooded figure striking his palm out from his enrobed form, a shimmering chime grasped in his palm. "Ah, so you've finally come to? Well then Miss Melanie, I shall spare you the preamble and formalities. I haven't the time nor the patience to entertain your theatrics any longer, anyhow. Considering that you were the only one present after the burning of our Lindeldtian Grand Cathedral..."
"...the whuh now...?" she'd mumble with an air of grogginess, "...oh, yeah. Shit. That did happen, huh? Sorry 'bout it." she said with an unusually casual tone. "So what's gonna happen to me now? Your call, archie."
"You've committed an unforgivable transgression on our holy land..." the Archbishop declared, steadying his right arm and keeping a sharp focus on the blonde woman. "The Grand Cathedral of Lindeldt was a historic treasure of ours, and you've reduced it to nothing. Furthermore, the most sacred of all our miracles has gone missing... and so, we've no choice any longer. Miss Melanie... ehem, Melanie the Graceful, as you might prefer... as punishment for your insolence and heresy... you are hereby exiled from the land of Lindeldt for the foreseeable future. I do hope your night of debauchery was worth your life."
"All I've gotta say to you is... good luck. You tight-asses won't last a week without me, but I've already said as much. No sense wasting time with the formalities. Go right ahead, if you've got the balls for it. I'll be sure to make time to come back and haunt ya." taunted the pear-shaped woman, seemingly accepting her final fate without protest. She'd feel a sudden, searing heat building on her back, coursing up her spine with a burn of intensity, and yet she did not react. "See ya never, big guy."
The Archbishop scoffed, drawing energy into his shining catalyst and keeping his aim steady. "If that is all, then... neither do I have any further words for you. Begone from our presence, foul woman. Umbasa!" he'd declare, the shimmering energy that gathered around his palm manifested into a white-hot beam of purity!
Melanie flashed the Archbishop one last grin as she was vaporized into the aether, erased from this plane of existence and never to return to the realm of Lindeldt.
…
...and there was no telling how much time had passed, as for Melanie, it was nary a minute before she awoke to the faint sounds of waves crashing against a towering cliff, the warmth of a crackling bonfire being her only respite as she came to, curiously clothed in the white robes of the Archdrake sect. She'd push herself up for a moment and sit crosslegged, her mind awash with murky thoughts that she struggled to fully comprehend. The searing pain on her back had subsided for the time, at the very least.
"To be cast out for an innocent mistake... such tragedy. Might I offer you some respite in these trying times?" spoke the soft voice of another woman. Cracking her neck, Melanie would turn around to see its source – a slender lady clad in a curious cloak of emerald green. "The curse of the undead knows no mercy, it seems. Perhaps I could be of assistance."
"...mmmh how so?" mumbled the dazed blonde as she took in her new surroundings.
"It just so happens that I could benefit greatly from someone of your unique set of skills and talents. If you wish to shed your old life and take on a greater, more fulfilling purpose... then listen well to what I have to say." the mysterious herald spoke.
With a long, drawn out sigh, Melanie steeled her mind for the worst, knowing she had no other choice in such an unusual situation. After all, there was nowhere to go from here but up.
"Go on..."
Hey, you! It's me, Ilia! Remember? Alright, we've all had just about enough of you! Now that that nasty bitch finally shuts up... ahem! Our impromptu nap notwithstanding, we're getting closer to the first Great Soul that Emerald lady was talking about! All we've gotta do is make our way through the old prison complex... man, how many undead did they manage to stuff in here? What's that, the ancient Sentinels won't let us through? We'll just see about that! Next time – The Moonlit Prison! I'm gonna kick your ass, you hear me?!