The air in the temple shifted after Elisse's awakening.
Though she now bore the glow of divinity, her nights were restless. Whispers clawed at her mind. Visions flickered in her dreams.
And in every dream… one face remained.
Evelyne.
---
A Fractured Prophecy
The High Priest summoned Elisse at dawn.
"You've seen something," he said, his ancient eyes flickering with unease. "What did the light show you?"
She hesitated, gripping the edge of her robe.
"I saw a throne soaked in blood."
"A throne…?"
"And a woman sitting on it. Wearing a crown… her eyes full of sorrow. Not hate. Just pain."
The priest stiffened. "Describe her."
"She looked like Evelyne."
---
Secrets in the Temple Library
Meanwhile, Evelyne roamed the restricted wing of the temple under the pretense of curiosity—but truly to investigate.
She found an ancient book tucked between newer tomes. One no one had touched for centuries.
> "The Crowned Curse: When the Villainess Ascends."
Her fingers froze.
Flipping through it revealed artwork eerily resembling her—holding a sword made of light and shadow, and standing over broken kingdoms.
But in the margins were handwritten notes.
> "The one known as the Villainess… may be the only one who can kill the false god."
Evelyne closed the book slowly.
> Kill… a god?
---
Elisse's Decision
Elisse found Evelyne that evening, clutching a small vial of glowing liquid.
"I saw something… about you," she whispered.
Evelyne turned to her, expression unreadable. "I'm not surprised."
"You're not the villain they think you are," Elisse said quietly. "But something terrible is coming."
The Saintess extended the vial.
"This will reveal the truth to you. But once you drink it—there's no going back."
Evelyne took it with a steady hand.
"No one ever warned me when they pushed me to the flames," she said softly. "Why should this be any different?"
And she drank.
---