Without a heartbeat of hesitation

Alva took Absolution with both hands and charged Vhalnich. She moved faster than sound, fast as lightning, fast as thought, and was met with a storm of tendrils. But, the moment she saw them, they became empty threats. She obliterated them without dropping pace and cut Vhalnich in half.

Like a lizard abandoning its tail, Vhalnich separated from infused area and struck back, sending tendril after tendril after her. He was ready for her speed at the second charge and sank into the shadows, using them to keep pace. Alva felt herself smiling, and for a moment there a question in her soul. The question took the form of countless memories, of words spoken, of actions and aspirations. A light, brighter than the grace of the Goddess, burbled up and Alva let out a laugh.

The sound was high and pure as a bell, filled with something nearly indescribable.

Alva's power faded, leaving her small and pale and weak.

Still, she laughed and sheathed Absolution.

Her cloak burned away, her armor a ruin, her body broken, Alva closed her eyes.

Ikarus Vhalnich, the nascent god, roared and his voice was filled with an irresistible power. It washed over Alva, sticking to her and filling every inch of her with its corruption. Then it left her, passing through without purchase, and she spoke her final oath.

"There will be no second strike."

She had given herself to the Goddess, to fighting evil. She had sworn to fight to her limit, for the Goddess. She had sworn to protect the world, for the Goddess. She had served the church from her first steps, dedicated to the Goddess from the moment of her birth. It had made her a Nephilim, child born of an angel and a virgin. It was everything Alva had known.

And yet, her final oath was something she'd kept for herself. A simple thing, with a simple meaning, and so powerful with it. Her only rebellion, her only wish for herself. Her only oath, amidst four prayers. Her first real choice.

If defeating evil wasn't enough, if following the Will of the Goddess wasn't enough, if fighting to her limits wasn't enough, if defending the world wasn't enough, then once; only once, let her swing her sword for her own sake.

She opened her eyes, amber light trailing from them, and felt the hand of the Goddess on her back,

Thank you.

"I'm sorry."

Thank you.

She ran forward, sluggish in comparison to before. She had already exhausted everything else, and only had enough left in her for a single strike.

Countless tendril shot towards her, each accurately targeting her vitals. They each missed, as if by chance, as Alva the Exciser put her hand on her sword. She could see a pair of hands in front of her, giving Sanctuary; giving only the chance to make her choice.

"By the Light of the Goddess, by her benevolence and grace, I ask for intercession on behalf of this soul. . ."

Vhalnich grew frenzied as his tendrils missed their mark, growing confused and frustrated by the unfairness of it. Alva, her marked eye shining red, could see something at the heart of the black mass; something that looked like a child. It was turning about and raging, betrayed and alone, and she felt a peculiar kinship.

It had never been his choice, just as being an Exciser had never been hers. If she had been born in his place, if he had been born in hers, would their choices have been different?

". . .Grant him mercy, judge him kindly, and forgive him. . ."

So, even if it were wrong. Even if he deserved every punishment. Even if every person in the world called her a fool for her wish.

". . .And if it should come that I am struck down. . ."

The Sanctuary broke and Alva dodged a pair of tendrils, adrenaline coursing through her battered body. She ducked and put her hand on the hilt of Absolution.

". . .I bid you good travels, as one pilgrim to another. . ."

A final tendril pierced forward, too fast to dodge.

". . .may we meet again in another life. . ."

She drew, all her training, all her skill, all her prayers, and a single choice, coming together in a moment of perfect harmony. The tendril met the pommel of Absolution and deflected into her hip. She drew her arm back, smoothly transitioning into a thrust.

". . .Veritas!. . ."

And, with a single word of prayer, Absolution reached the heart of Ikarus Vhalnich and consumed the world with light.