Heliopsis (Unfinished version)

Chapter 2 - The Divine Champion

When Flaria woke, soaking cold wetness greeted her burnt arm. The familiar gray brick walls of her bedroom surrounded her. It was a rustic but humble room, containing a dresser and bed both cheaply made. A window opened in the wall to the right of her bed, welcoming in the morning light.

Raising her arm out, she saw the burns were still there, but less severe. A stinging sensation fired into her arm, so she sank it back into the water.

"That water's enchanted to help burns. Better leave it in there." Kane sat in a chair beside her. His smile was that of relief but also worry.

"My arm's gonna look like a raisin after this," said Flaria.

"I think a wrinkly arm for a few hours is better than being charcoal."

"Yeah, I guess. How long have I been out?"

"About two days."

She didn't say it, but she knew in her heart that Kane had been by her side the entire time. He was always overprotective. Hell, he didn't even let her go out hunting monsters on her own. She couldn't imagine how devastated he had been these past two days seeing her like this.

"Glad you're alright, Flaria," he said.

"Heh, me too."

There was a knock on the door, and in came an old man. He was dressed in yellow and white robes, and atop his silver hair was a jewel-shaped cap. His beard was thick and fluffy, almost concealing his lips.

"I see you've awakened, that's good," he said.

"Uncle Phineas?" said Flaria.

"Father was waiting for you," explained Kane.

"Indeed! Indeed I have! For I have come to talk to you about something."

He gestured his head at Kane, who then excused himself and left the room. Flaria's heart sank. Phineas was one of the priests of Lestoria's Sun Temple. It wasn't hard to connect the dots why he would be here.

Phineas took a seat where Kane had been sitting. "My good lass, would you mind showing me your arm?"

Flaria raised her arm out of the water and tried to endure the returning stinging sensation. Phineas stroked his beard curiously at the sight.

"Hmm, hmm, you are lucky to be alive. You bonded with the solar shield Ikarus without Iestrel choosing you. Doing such a thing usually leaves people's bodies in ashes.''

"What's gonna happen to me?" asked Flaria nervously, "Am I going to be punished?"

"Ah yes, excellent question. The other temple priests and I have decided to pardon you."

Flaria breathed a sigh of relief.

"However!"

Flaria unbreathed her sigh.

"You must come to the temple every day to train your body and mind. This will help perfect your unstable powers."

"Oh, that's not that bad."

"However!!!"

What now, old man??

"It will be intense and tedious. I estimate it will take you ten years or more to perfect your abilities."

"Ten years??" Flaria exclaimed, "isn't there something shorter I could do?"

Phineas only shook his head. "I am afraid not. You must form a stable connection with Iestrel so that your abilities do not result in more disasters. The only way to do that is through religious rituals and techniques."

Flaria groaned. Ten years of intense training? She felt like she'd almost rather have all her limbs explode instead!

"Come see me when you have recovered. I shall enlighten you in the ways of our great sun god!"

Phineas stood up and gave a little bow before departing.

Kane reentered the room. He smirked and Flaria rolled her eyes in return.

"So you're becoming a priestess, huh?" he said.

"Shut up, that's not what it is," retorted Flaria.

Kane eyed the solar shield, which lay against the side of Flaria's bed. "I never thought you'd be the one to become a Champion."

"Kane, do you think I did the right thing?" Flaria asked.

"What you did almost killed you." said Kane, "but in the end you saved everyone's lives from that golem."

"Not everyone's, though."

"Divine Champions give their lives to protect what they love. I think it's what Isa would've wanted."

"Heh, she'd probably scold the hell out of me for it if she were still here."

Kane averted his eyes. They were suddenly full of thought and worry.

"That golem that attacked our village...," he said, "someone must be behind it."

"What do you mean?" Flaria asked.

"Didn't you see the runes that appeared on it? Someone animated that thing."

Flaria hadn't thought about this at the time, but now the realization made her chest tighten. She could sense the exact emotions dwelling in cousin as well.

"Maybe someone tried making one and it accidentally went berserk?" she suggested, hoping to ease the anxiety.

Kane went quiet, then shook his head.

"I'm sorry," he said, "you woke up to a lot just now."

Flaria thought back to her uncle. She'll have to do an annoying amount of training, but maybe...just maybe...

A boost of confidence sprung her back to life. She got out of her bed and picked up her shield.

"Whoa, what's with the sudden change in mood?" asked a surprised Kane.

"If it's the work of some bad guy, then I gotta improve so I can take them down!" Flaria proudly declared.

Kane raised an eyebrow.

"Alright then, I guess I'm off to train with your crazy dad!" continued Flaria.

"Hold on, you're still in that dress!"

"Oh right! Get out!"

And so, with revitalized determination in her veins and the solar shield on her arm, Flaria Copernicus left her house and departed for the Lestoria Sun Temple. Look out, Thera, a new Divine Champion is on the rise!