The Temple of Lumina towered over the cliffs like a monument of glass and gold, its white spires piercing the sky. As Evelyne and Zayne approached on horseback, the morning sun cast a divine glow over the marble steps.
It looked peaceful.
But Evelyne's instincts whispered otherwise.
---
Arrival of the Saintess' Envoy
They were greeted by a young girl—barefoot, dressed in light-blue priestess robes. Her golden eyes shimmered unnaturally, like she could see the truth in one glance.
"I welcome the Crimson Sky Sect's chosen," she said softly. "The Saintess has been waiting for you."
Zayne tensed. Evelyne subtly stepped in front of him.
The girl tilted her head. "You don't trust us."
"No," Evelyne said. "But I'm here anyway."
---
Reunion with the Heroine
Within the temple halls, standing before a stained-glass mural, was Elisse—the heroine of the sacred prophecy.
She turned, eyes widening as she saw Evelyne.
"...You?" Her voice cracked with recognition.
"You know her?" the envoy asked.
Elisse slowly nodded. "She saved me when no one else would."
Their eyes locked. Not as enemies. Not as rivals.
As girls who remembered a moment of kindness.
---
The Divine Test
High Priest Alvaron summoned the group to the inner sanctum. The walls glowed faintly as ancient glyphs swirled around them.
"To confirm the Saintess," the priest said, "one must step into the pool of divinity. The false shall burn. The true shall glow."
Elisse trembled.
Evelyne placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You've got this."
And Elisse stepped in.
The waters turned gold.
A sign undeniable.
She was the Saintess.
---
Zayne's Unease
That night, as the temple celebrated, Zayne stood alone at the balcony.
Evelyne joined him, silent.
"You think she's dangerous," she said.
"She's too perfect," Zayne murmured. "People like that… are rarely what they seem."
Evelyne looked down at the crowd cheering Elisse's name.
"I'm more worried they'll break her," she whispered.
---