The Chosen

Alva's brandings, her innermost prayers, were one of the most impressive pieces of miracle conceived. They approached the domain of a genuine Miracle, something truly touched by the will and flesh of the Goddess. By limiting her day-to-day strength and crippling her potential, it condensed what she would normally have and normally earn. By fulfilling the word and spirit of the oaths, she could access them all at once and be blessed by the power of the Goddess in a way second only to the Saintess.

'To fight evil' was nearly always active, and 'to fight by the Will of the Goddess' was easy for a woman of faith to achieve. But to go beyond that, to be touched by the Goddess in such away, required commitment and it came with a cost.

How long can I keep this up? Alva's eyes passed Vhalnic and lingered on his victims. If I can sever their connection, maybe they can be saved?

But, can I risk it?

Alva's eyes narrowed, her marked eye flaring up. The aura around the Chosen was powerful and connected to Vhalnich, but there was something odd about the shape of it. There was an odd concentration around their heads, as if something was there. As if a piece of him were there.

Alva tightened her grip on Absolution, realizing she'd wasted precious time.

She'd have to move fast to make up for it, and hope the waste was a temporary sacrifice.

Alva flew past the chosen, moving with a speed no human could follow. She infused Absolution with all the holy light she could and swung. Dozens of tendrils smashed into her blade, slowing it and robbing fractions of a second from her attack. Vhalnich and his throne vanished, and her attack sunk into the trunk of the shroud. The structure shook and a wail pierced her mind, coming from everywhere at once. The Chosen screamed too, an unsettling harmony that shook the soul.

The shroud spiraled and drew to a point at it's far reach. Alva cursed, a wetness to her eyes, and pivoted towards the Chosen. They would have power, odd and esoteric abilities that Alva couldn't imagine. They would have superior coordination, all of Vhalnich's knowledge and intelligence, and strong powers of corruption; it was obvious once the connection was assumed.

But they were no match for a champion of the Goddess. With a speed they couldn't follow Alva struck Nadia in the heart, a brilliant light reducing her to dust. With a strength they couldn't hope to defend, Absolution passed through three of them in a single swing. With a resolve a thrall could never comprehend, Alva decimated the Chosen in moments.

She heard a cry of indignation that filled her with dread as the light inside her flickered and started to fade.

"My Goddess. . ." Alva wet her lips, her body screaming in pain. Her soul trembled, everything drawn out and hollow. But there were more brandings on her back, and her heart still shone with resolve. "I fear this is a battle with the world on the line."

The candle, so close to blinking out, roared with fire though only little of the wax remained.

Will it be enough?

Alva put her hand to her heart, and thought of her final oath.