A Nun's Return

On the seventh morning after the chaos throughout the capital had settled, Maria sat on an oak bench in the quiet antehall of the Royal Citadel’s High Audience Chamber. She wore her simple tunic and a fluttery, see-through veil that a kind local nun spared her.

Elisheba and Thomas remained with Celeste, waiting outside the outer entrance. During a formal audience before the King two days prior, the young knight had tripped in rigid, trembling nervousness and nearly destroyed a hanging, fragile ceremonial scabbard against the marble steps.

Kaelan didn’t let her through this time.

He leaned against a carved stone pillar, watching a pair of armored royal guards march past.

“If we have to do another debriefing today… would running off be considered treason?”

“I'm hoping this is the last one,” Maria said. “I want to get back to the children, and I’m sure the chapel needs a bit of repair.”

Kaelan raised an eyebrow. “A bit?”

In the days that followed the battle, after Maria recovered, she found herself caught in stuffy formal audiences. She ran constantly between the grand halls of the Cathedral and the Crown’s Royal Citadel.

Only her and Kaelan had witnessed High Inquisitor Vane’s true face as Demon General Malakor, but eventually they confirmed the dark reality to Pope Adrian, the King, and the high ministers. When Maria's companions were informed behind closed doors, Thomas seemed only momentarily surprised upon learning the truth, while Celeste fiercely proclaimed he was just a small test before they took down the Demon Lord. As for the Great Dragon Elisheba, she questioned how they didn’t see past such a flimsy disguise.

For Pope Adrian, who had spent weeks imprisoned, the news merely confirmed his suspicions. Armed with the truth, the leaders worked tirelessly behind closed doors to dismantle the lingering threads of the corrupt network Vane had constructed over decades.

Word naturally slipped through the cracks and out into the city streets.

Whispers spread from tavern to chapel that a demon had secretly infiltrated the highest ranks of the Church. Some citizens firmly believed Vane had been the true monster pulling the strings, while others viewed his sudden disappearance as just another victim swept away in the Capital’s collapse.

By night, the city roared alive in celebration, its miraculous survival all thanks to “Saint Maria,” and the group found themselves at fancy banquets held in her name. But amidst the endless speeches, court debated decrees, and toasts to her name—Maria felt entirely out of place. All she had wished for was to return home.

The massive bronze double doors of the High Audience Chamber groaned open.

"The assembly awaits, Sister Maria," a royal attendant announced with a deep bow.

Maria gave a small sigh and smoothed her veil before proceeding. Kaelan joined her side. Together, the two of them stepped through the threshold into the great hall.

***

Sunlight streamed through towering stained-glass windows, illuminating an assembly of the realm's highest authorities. Bishops, royal advisors, high ministers, and commanders. Pope Adrian himself stood in front, along with the King, who remained seated on a throne.

Maria stood in the center of the vast marble floor, with Kaelan silently at her shoulder.

The royal herald stepped forward. His voice boomed off the vaulted ceiling as he read from a golden scroll. He recounted her deeds atop the spire that cleansed the city of miasmic creatures and saved countless lives. Even her companions and those who assisted did not remain unrecognized.

He declared titles the kingdom wished to officially bestow upon her: “Mythic Saint Maria, Conquer of Dragons, Cleanser of Fear, and Savior of the Holy Capital.”

Maria just held a blank stare with Kaelan.

When the echo of the trumpet faded, Pope Adrian walked toward her down the steps.

"Sister Maria," he said. "The Crown and the Holy Church stand forever in your debt. But we do not wish merely to offer empty titles and praise. The kingdom needs your light."

Maria listened with clear, amber eyes.

The King spoke as well. "We formally request that you remain here in the Capital as the official Mythic-Ranked Saint of the Realm.” His voice carried a soothing calm. “You would have the full backing of the Orthodoxy and the Crown to bring healing and aid to thousands across the continent.”

No doubt Maria would gladly help anyone she could, but she remained hesitant.

“And you need not be parted from those you love,” Pope Adrian added. “Anyone you wish is free to live with you in the grandest quarters of the Grand Cathedral."

They were genuine words from figures larger than life; she didn’t take them for granted. But Maria couldn’t lie to herself. She glanced at Kaelan, and his subtle smile reassured her not to doubt her heart.

A quiet hush fell over the assembled court once the Pope and the King had finished. Ministers and bishops nodded in agreement, as if convinced that no provincial nun could refuse such an offer.

Maria gave them a humble bow.

"I am deeply grateful... and honored by your trust," she said softly before looking up with a warm smile. "But I'm already a Sister. And find being just Sister Maria."

The Pope and the King blinked at one another. Kaelan’s eyes narrowed, but Maria knew these men were nothing like the lie of Vane.

"My place is not in a palace or a grand cathedral," Maria continued. "My heart belongs to Bellmere Village, to my friends.” She glanced at Kaelan, reassuring him with a smile before facing forward once more. “It belongs to Mother Martha and the children waiting for me to come home, and it belongs to our burnt-down chapel that I need to help rebuild.”

Pope Adrian and the King’s faces softened as they listened.

“I’ll still help in any way I can from my home. I do not need a throne to care for people, nor do I need a title to do what is right.”

A soft murmur rippled through the court.

The two grand figures in front nodded to each other, and Pope Adrian turned to Maria with a kind smile.

"Then the doors of the Holy Church and Crown will always remain open to you, Sister Maria," he said. "We just ask that you humbly accept our offering.”

“Offering?”

The King continued where Pope Adrian had left off. “We wish to provide the timber, stone, food, and supplies needed for the rebuilding of your home.”

Maria’s eyes welled up. “Of course!”

***

Golden ‌rays of dawn filtered through the tall trees that rustled softly in the courtyard near the guest quarters. Maria had prepared for departure with a heavy heart. She had met so many and faced so much on the journey to the Holy Capital; she’d almost forgotten that her companions who stood nearby weren’t permanent.

But their shared journey had reached its end. They stuck with her far longer than they should have; she understood that. Even going so far as to rescue her, pulling her out of despair. Maria couldn’t possibly be selfish enough to ask for more. If only she could thank them properly.

Once I’ve helped rebuild the chapel, I hope they’ll come to visit…

She walked over to Kaelan, Thomas, and Celeste as they gathered their belongings under the cool breeze. Elisheba yawned, lounged against the trunk of a tree.

"Thank you… for coming this for with me. For coming so far for me." Maria clenched the ends of her tunic. Though her friends just glanced at each other in question.

Elisheba peeked through one eye but remained silent with a subtle grin.

"I know you each have your own lives to return to…" Maria’s words trailed off.

Thomas exaggerated a sigh. “Such a long journey just to end up with nothing…”

Celeste shook her head, though a faint smile settled underneath. “And here you had me thinking you had truly formed a Hero’s Party.”

“I’m… sorry if I disappointed everyone.”

Kaelan avoided her eyes, simply muttering, “You were such a handful…”

Maria remained with a downcast gaze. “…I’d like to thank you all properly someday. I truly hope that our paths cross again.”

Her companions exchanged a final, amused glance. Thomas snorted, covering his mouth with a hand, while Celeste tried to hide her own smirk.

Kaelan sighed softly before turning to Maria.

"I have unfinished business in ‌Bellmere," he said. "I owe Leo a rematch… so I’ll have to put up with you for a while longer."

Maria’s eyes went wide.

"And I couldn't possibly abandon our Hero’s party. Our grand journey has only just begun." Celeste puffed out her chest. “First, we shall rebuild your sanctuary, Maria, and then we shall march forth together to conquer the Demon Lord!"

Maria covered her mouth, but giggles still escaped.

"And someone has to oversee the supply shipments,” Thomas added. “If I let you travel back alone, you'll get taken advantage of before a single beam reaches the village." He flashed a grin.

“Don’t shy away from a truth you already knew, little Saint.” Elisheba stood in a stretch. “It seems we’ll be by your side for the foreseeable future.”

Kaelan glanced at the Grand Dragon, who remained in her human form. “You too?”

Elisheba nodded. “I haven’t been this amused in centuries.”

Maria’s amber eyes glistened with tears as a radiant smile filled her face. Her chuckles filled the breeze with a subtle warmth.

"I see," she whispered. "Then... I'm very glad to have you with me!”

***

A surprising sight awaited by the city gates upon their departure. Pope Adrian, the King, and a fleet of royal stewards stood beside a large gold-trimmed royal carriage drawn by fine steeds.

"Allow us at least to provide this for the five of you,” Pope Adrian said. “It is a long, tedious road."

Before Maria could reply, Elisheba did.

"There's really no need for that.” Elisheba’s silky black hair swayed as she backed into the surrounding fields.

The golden-eyed woman drew a breath, and a heavy pressure erupted from her frame. In a flash of golden light, Elisheba's human form gave way to a massive dragon silhouette. Her magnificent violet scales came to light and glistened in the morning sun, and her massive wings unfurled to cast a shadow over the entire group.

The Pope, the King, and the entire assembly of court officials stood frozen like statues. Their jaws dropped in absolute shock. Thomas and Kaelan chuckled dryly while Maria looked in awe, admiring Elisheba’s beauty in her true form.

Celeste broke the silence before it lingered. She hopped in pure excitement. "I call riding in the front!"

Maria simply laughed as her group climbed onto the dragon’s back. 

“I-is this safe?” Thomas muttered while Celeste reluctantly let Kaelan prop her up. This time, he didn’t tease her.

Maria soon joined and waved goodbye to the wide-eyed men who waved back weakly. Elisheba launched into the morning sky, blasting scrolls and velvet hats around like autumn leaves.

High above the realm, the wind whipped around them in a glorious blur. Up at Elisheba's neck, Celeste sat cheering wildly; behind her, Maria held on with a radiant smile. Kaelan sat right behind Maria, keeping a firm grip around her waist to hold her steady, while at the very back sat Thomas. He frantically held onto Kaelan, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Thomas, you’re choking me!" Kaelan shouted back over the roar of the wind, but the ex-court mage wouldn’t listen.

"I'm going to die! We're all going to die!"

Maria’s joyful laughter rang out across the heavens under warmth and brightness. The recovering Capital below them soon faded as they passed through sunlit clouds.

Finally, Maria headed back home to Bellmere, this time with more company than when she’d left. Mother Martha, Leo, and the children awaited. She couldn’t wait to meet them with a joyous smile.