>> [Flashback: Earlier That Day]
Rainclouds threatened above Cindres as the hero's party roamed the muddy roads, eyes sharp, searching.
Hero: "We've been circling this district for hours. If they're here, we'll find them."
Just as the sun broke through the clouds, a group of silver-robed figures rounded the bend. The paladins. At the center, the Grand Luminarch's sigil gleamed.
Hero: "By chance or grace… we've found them."
The parties met.
Hero (bowing): "Your Holiness, we beg your aid. One of ours is dying... cursed. Beyond our reach."
Grand Luminarch (soft but sharp): "The Light hears all pleas. Show us the way."
As they mounted their horses, a sudden wave of brilliance lit the sky behind them. A radiant beam burst from the east, splitting clouds like paper. Golden-white light spread across miles.
Paladin: "Look!"
Hero (stunned): "The sky… it's tearing open."
Kaira (voice shaking): "That light… It's like when they spoke of the miracle in the capital."
Paladin: "A sign. We're too late. She's healed again."
Luminarch (stern): "Riders! With me! Now!"
The two parties rushed toward the guild, dust flying behind their gallop. The light faded as they approached the city gates.
[Guild, Recovery Chamber – Moments Later]
The hero leapt from his mount, landing in a sprint. The Grand Luminarch followed, ignoring his aides' cries.
Luminarch Aide: "Your Holiness, slow down!"
Grand Luminarch (glaring): "If you value breath, don't delay me."
Later at cindres guild...
Inside the chamber, the cursed woman lay asleep, peaceful, flawless. Rafa stood by with Veinrad and Lavirra.
Luminarch (breath caught): "Appraisal. Now."
Paladin (after casting): "No injuries. No disease. No lingering curse. Her tissues… are flawless."
Luminarch (frowning): "Impossible. Chronic pain? Degeneration? Where?"
Veinrad (quiet): "She's had a toothache for years… even that's gone?"
Paladin: "Gone. Her body reads… reformed. New."
The Luminarch turned to Rafa, eyes sharp.
Luminarch: "Are you the one who healed her?"
Rafa froze. Staff shaking slightly, she opened her mouth.
Rafa: "I… I…"
Grand Luminarch (studying her): "No glasses. Wavy hair. Brown eyes… not her." (inner voice)
Grand Luminarch (coldly): "She's not the one."
Grand Luminarch (to Lavirra): "You told us the girl was on leave. Why is she still performing miracles?"
Lavirra (firm): "Your Holiness, we've cooperated. You've searched every hall. Yet you barge in, accusing? You've no proof."
Luminarch (turning away): "She's gone. But not far. Luminarchs, we leave."
[Moments Later – Outside the Chamber]
Hero (to Veinrad): "You saw her. Who is she?"
Veinrad stayed silent.
Hero (firm): "Veinrad, I asked you something."
Veinrad (looking away): "I left. When I returned, she was healed. I thought Rafa did it."
Hero turned to Rafa.
Hero: "So it was you?"
Rafa (stammering): "Th-th-that's… I…"
Lavirra stepped in.
Lavirra: "That's enough. Mr. Hero, Rafa needs rest. She's not the one. And no one here knows who that healer truly is. Rafa, have a rest now."
Rafa: "Y-yes, ma'am."
Hero (sighing): "We just need to know what she looks like. Maybe..."
Veinrad (interrupting): "Kaelion, enough. She saved her. That's what matters."
Kaelion: "…Maybe the guild's protecting her. I won't force it."
Veinrad: "Thank you."
[Later – Rafa's Room]
Lavirra (quiet): "Tell me. I already know she's being hunted. Only you saw what happened."
Rafa (resisting): "I promised…"
Lavirra: "I'm not asking for gossip. I'm asking because her life is in danger."
Rafa (sighing): "…She healed the curse. Soul-level magic. That light? That wasn't just healing. It was divine."
Lavirra (sharp): "Twice now. Healing, then curse-cleansing. That's enough for the Church to brand her the next Saintess."
Rafa: "The Saintess ran away… didn't she?"
Lavirra: "Yes. No one knows why. But now they want a replacement. And they think they've found her."
Rafa (whispers): "So they'll keep chasing her."
Lavirra (looking out): "She's off duty. I'll warn her tomorrow. No more miracles."
[That Afternoon – Jinn's Backyard]
Mrs. Kirn waited in the backyard while tidying up, her face troubled. She already knew Jinn was being hunted by the Luminarchs. It tore at her, because she was sure she was the reason.
Mrs. Kirn (teary): "I… I'm sorry. I gave them your description. I didn't know they'd hunt you."
Jinn: "No, it's fine. Just a coincidence. My hands glowed, sure… but there was no light from above, right?
The rumors say the miracle healer makes the heavens crack open with light from the sky."
Mrs. Kirn (hesitant): "…Right."
Jinn (thinking): Maybe if I make it sound normal, she'll feel less guilty.
She glanced around. Mrs. Kirn… middle-aged, hard worker. Probably has minor pain.
Jinn (smiling): "Let me test something. Just to ease your mind."
She raised her hand lazily and muttered a chant she made up on the spot:
Jinn: "By light restore, by breath renew. Flesh mend, pain undo. HEAL!"
The heavens split with blinding light. Radiance poured from the sky. Clouds parted. Rays focused into their tiny home.
Jinn (panicked): "Stop! Stop!!"
The light vanished.
Jinn (trembling): "Oh no. If the Luminarchs saw that!!"
Mrs. Kirn: "Don't worry. I heard they're traveling to the next kingdom. You're safe for now."
Jinn: "Thank the gods…"
Mrs. Kirn: "And you're not in your usual look. If anyone asks, I'll say someone else healed me."
Jinn: "Perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Kirn."
They embraced quietly.
Outside, villagers whispered again. But in the shadows stood a lone figure. Civilian clothes. But his hat bore a faint Church crest—barely visible in the dark.
The hunt hadn't ended. It had only begun.