Lyrei found herself walking along a shabby stone path. Night was approaching, but there was just enough light in the sky for her to see.
But, not enough for her to avoid tripping against a misplaced rock.
"Ack!"
The frail elf tumbled to the ground, rolling against abrasive rocks, her skin tearing off her knee and elbow. She cried out for a moment, before biting her lip, yelling out. Her fist waved into the air.
"Are you alright?"
A voice spoke. It was much softer than her own.
"Yeah… I'm fine."
The dark environment was lit up by a warm green essence, at her knee and elbow. With this new enlightenment, Lyrei saw the woman in front of her, the one who healed her. It was a woman in harsh clothing, which greatly contrasted her pleasant face. Big eyes, with light blue pupils, and somewhat kept black hair. There was a nervous smile on her face.
"Wow, thank you. It would be childish for me to ask anyone to heal me over such a little scratch, but you're really a life saver."
Then, reality settled in.
Healing me that, quickly, from that distance, and appearing to have lost no mana?
This girl is an adept healer, and she probably doesn't even realize it!
"Have you ever thought about joining the church? What's your name?" Lyrei smiled.
"A-Arlene..?"
Lyrei held her wrist.
"Your healing potential, it's insane. It could only be a gift from Ogthos! What do you think?"
"Ah… uh.."
"It's fine if you don't want to right now. I can take you to the capital, and we can begin the process."
"…"
"What's with the hesitation? Perhaps you believe in another god? If so, that's fine. But I think your skill shouldn't go to waste-"
"Lyrei!" Faraine called out to Lyrei. Lyrei quickly turned around. She began walking toward Lyrei, before continuing to speak.
"What are you doing over here?" Faraine asked.
"I just found this young woman. She's incredibly gifted when it comes to healing! I think we should take-"
"Come on. It's getting dark," Faraine said, grabbing Lyrei's wrist. Instinctively, Lyrei yanked away.
"L-Let go of me!"
Why did I do that? she thought. It was too late, though.
Faraine was sent tumbling. To her complete unluck, she fell upon a sharp, jagged stone, at a force so fast that it impaled through her chest.
Huh?
The sound of bones breaking and fleshing being torn through was loud. Blood splashed forward, painting the faces of Lyrei and the young healer woman besides her.
This isn't happening, right?
I-I didn't do this.
Instinctively, Lyrei picked up a rock, the same rock that she had tripped over previously. Seeing the malicious intent in her eyes, Arlene instantly began to run. Lyrei chased after her, gripping the rock with white knuckles.
"Stop running!" she called out. Of course, Arlene didn't listen.
Lyrei felt that she should be sad, and she was a little sad. She had directly caused the death of her sister.
It… must've had to happen, right? Ogthos, I'm not a bad person. You wanted her to die, so she died. Nothing is in my hands, right? I think I'm understanding a little bit of it. Piece by piece, you're trying to tell me something!
Lyrei's face was plastered with a sinister grin.
She could no longer contain the joy that she felt, chasing down this woman, holding a rock, knowing that at any moment, she would swing down and cave her skull in. But she thought for a moment, about that young woman, Arlene, and her healing capabilities.
They ran, and ran. Lyrei was getting tired, so she hurled the rock toward Arlene. It collided with the back of her head. Naturally, Arlene collapsed.
The first thing that Lyrei did was drag the two bodies, putting them in close proximity to each other.
I have no choice but to do this… It's not that I'm a bad person, but an unlucky one. Lyrei sighed.
My first course of action is to pin this onto someone. But who?
Her worries disappeared, as she heard the soft humming of someone nearby. She was looking around the dense forest to see if she could find anyone, and that was just her luck.
Great!
I'll have to hide this girl, since she's still alive. Maybe I can get something out of her.
But Faraine…
I'm sorry it had to be you.
. . .
. .
The next morning came by, and Keon woke up to a strange scene. Several spears were pointed at his neck. But there was only thought that was on his mind.
Where's Arlene? He wondered.
"Do not move! You are under arrest for the murder of Sister Faraine!" a voice in heavy armor yelled out. This was what finally woke him up for. A soft "huh?" left his mouth, rather a mumble than anything. Chains and shackles were slapped on his neck and wrists, and he was roughly pulled out of the makeshift tent.