Work Text:
“You remember."
Through the empty silence of the night, the sister's voice called out to her.
Roa did not turn to face her. She refused to move, sitting still on the ground, leaning her head on the stone grave… the grave of her late wife…
“… go away…”
The panther growled, but still unable to hide the shakiness in her voice.
Shiori did not follow her request, only stepping closer.
“And you still have your wits about you… well.. mostly at least.”
She let out a small giggle, one that made Roa’s fur stand on edge.
“You’ve got enough of your mind intact. That’s better than most.”
“… go away…”
Raora repeated, shutting her eyes tightly.
Her head pounded, and her throat still ached from when she was suffocated.
She wanted to scream out into the night, but she had already screamed so much her voice was beginning to give out.
She thought she had known the truth.
But she knew only part of the whole picture.
It was only when Nerissa held her down, using her magic to force her to speak the words from the book, that she had acquired full understanding.
The words she read stuck to her brain like glue, unable to forget, unable to ignore. Unable to escape the madness planted there.
And she wasn’t even given the mercy of forgetting what had happened.
She took a shaky breath, wishing more than anything her beloved wife would somehow rise from the ashes, and scoop her into her arms, carrying her away from this place.
Away from this fake world, from the traitors she once thought were her friends, from the horrible words she was forced to read… she missed her… Roa missed her so much that her heart ached and screamed in pain, a pain that shone so clearly in her dull, golden eyes…
“You wish for me to leave?” Shiori teased, coming closer still.
“But then… how can I help you if I leave, hm~?”
“… Help…? Help…?!” The panther grit her teeth with a wince.
“After ALL THAT?! You really think I want your help?!”
Her voice rasped and scratched painfully in her throat, but she was too angry to care.
“You traitors! You knew! You knew that Bijou-! You knew she-! You didn’t-! I-I… I-I…!”
Roa had thought she had emptied all her tears, and yet, more began to escape her, dripping onto the grave below.
“N-No one believed me… Bijou lied… Nerissa lied… and you… you knew the truth, and yet you still lied!”
She clenched her fist, rage and fury building up inside her, threatening to burst out at any moment.
“… w-why…? What was the point of all this…?! WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?!”
The grave shook slightly as Roa brought down her fist in rage. Her voice cracked as she looked up into the sky, tears streaming down her face.
“Why did I have to find the gap?! Why did I have to follow you down that hole?! Why did I have to read that stupid book!?!”
She threw her head back, screaming with all her might into the empty, dark sky.
“TELL ME SHIORI! TELL ME!! WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?!?”
She slammed her fists into the cold stone of the grave, gasping for air. The grave shook slightly, but otherwise had no response…
She sobbed, taking shuddered breaths. The pain was almost too much to bear… she was alone again… all alone…
She felt a hand under her chin and her head was tilted upwards to look up at the sister.
“Awww there, there…” Shiori cooed, cradling her face gently.
“You don’t have to cry… after all, this is all just a dream…”
Roa scoffed, narrowing her eyes.
“N-No! I-I remember! It w-wasn't a dream!” She gnashed her teeth, glaring at the sister with unadulterated fury.
“It was real! It wasn’t a dream!”
Shiori stroked the panther's face softly, a smirk creeping onto her face.
“… But it can be.”
Roa glanced up at her, tilting her head slightly.
“… w-what…? What do you mean…?” She asked, cautious.
“I mean, that I can take it away.”
Shiori hummed softly, kneeling in front of the panther.
“The pain you feel now… the sadness, the hurt, the memories… I can take them away…”
Shiori leaned forward, whispering into the panther's ear.
“…And I can give her back to you.”
Roa’s head snapped to attention, eyes wide.
“What?! H-how-?!”
“Oh it’s rather simple actually.” Shiori nodded.
“Here, I’ll give you a demonstration.”
All at once, a warm, comforting feeling sprouted from Shiori’s hands as she rubbed the panther's face gently.
The thumping in her head began to dull… and even her grief and anger felt like it was washing away… she gasped, an overwhelming feeling of relief overtaking her.
“See? Just like that.” Shiori’s eyes glowed eerily in the pitch black of the night, still sending a sense of unease through Roa.
“See, you are bound to us now. You are the chosen one, and we need you to complete our plan.”
She leaned closer, and Roa felt as though the sister's eyes were boring into her soul.
“However… I can give you some solace. I can send you away into the depths of your mind, where you won’t have to deal with reality anymore… and this will all feel like a bad dream.”
Shiori chuckled, bringing her hand to scratch under the panther's chin lightly. Roa stiffened at the touch.
“No more illumination. No more liars or traitors. No more concern about the truth of this world. Just you, and her.”
Roa sat there, listening to her in disbelief.
“… w-why…?” She gulped, unsure.
“Why would you…?”
“I am a sister of the cloth.” Shiori hummed.
“Is it not my duty to bring the lost to salvation…?”
Shiori chuckled slightly, tilting the panthers head up.
“So, how about it…? Do we have a deal?”
Roa hesitated, thinking. She suddenly shook her head with a growl.
“N-No! I can’t!” She shuddered.
“I can’t trust you! Y-You could be lying again! I won’t let you get in my head!”
She grimaced, a determined look in her eyes.
“I don’t want to help with whatever you have planned! You can’t make me!!”
Shiori clicked her tongue, sounding disappointed.
“Alright then… you asked for it.”
The second she pulled away, Roa was immediately flooded with the pain. It was so sudden, and she collapsed to the ground, writhing and sobbing.
She choked for air, as the awful words from the book echoed again and again and again in her mind. She clutched herself tightly, her heart so heavy with grief and fear that she felt it might explode! She threw her head back, screams tearing through her throat.
“GASP! I-IT HURTS! I-I! GASP! C-CAN’T! GASP! B-BREATHE!” She screamed, not towards anyone, but to the emptiness of the night.
She rasped and coughed, and trembled, muttering incoherently through her sobs. She could barely move. She could barely think. She was sure the pain wasn’t this bad before! Why was it so much worse?!
“Awww… see? I told you. I am the only one who can give you this salvation.”
Roa felt as Shiori placed a hand on her head, patting it gently.
“Now. Just relax. You will be much happier playing along.”
Again, at Shiori's touch, the horrible pain began to fade, letting Roa catch her breath… she let out a whimper of fear.
She knew she should try and move away. She knew she should fight back. She knew she couldn’t let Shiori mess with her head! She couldn't trust her! She couldn’t!
… and yet… it hurt… it hurt so much… the agony, the grief, the despair, the fear, the anger… it was too much… she was all alone…
… what was the point of fighting back anymore…
Roa nuzzled her head into Shiori’s hand with a shaky breath. In response, the sister twirled her hand in her hair, gripping it tightly.
“I’m glad we could come to an agreement.”
Shiori picked up her head and set it down in her lap, running her fingers through the panther's hair with a hum.
“It’ll aaaaaall be okay, Roa… just go to sleep now… This is nothing but a dream~”
Roa didn’t fight back. She simply let Shiori break down her walls, slowly dulling her pain, her grief, her anger, and her memory…
Her eyes began to flicker closed, Shiori’s warm touch lulling her into a kind of sleep… a safe kind… one without pain and sadness…
“Good girl… just sleep now… you will meet her soon enough.”
Roa blinked sluggishly… who…?
“Roa…”
Rao’s eyes shot open. That voice…
“Roa!”
Rao turned her head, choking back a sob.
“S… Shakira…?”
Her voice was weak and shaky, but there was no mistaking it.
Crouched by her side was, no doubt, her wife... She glowed a soft orange, lighting up the darkness around her. Fiery warmth emanated from her… familer… comfortable… beautiful…
“Y-You…” Roa stuttered.
“A-Are you… here…? Are you… r-real?!”
Was this Bijou trying to trick her once more?! Was she hallucinating?! Or… was it… real…?
Shakira held her open hand out to her, giving her a warm, beautiful smile.
“… I could be.”
Roa stared at her for a moment.
She slowly lifted her arm up.
She took her wife’s hand.
Suddenly Shikira pulled her up, and the world around Roa melted away into nothingness, as she was brought into her wife’s arms. She choked back a sob, tears of joy rushing down her face.
Her wife, the love of her life, her beloved partner leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her mouth. Roa leaned in, kissing her back. Nothing else existed anymore, everything around her fading into obscurity. All that mattered, was that Shakira was here…
It was wonderful.
Finally, after what felt like too short a time, Shakira pulled away.
“Awww my pretty kitty…” She stroked her hair softly with a hum.
“Why are you crying?”
Roa blinked. She reached up to feel warm, wet tears flooding her eyes. She paused.
“… I… I don’t…” She looked up at her wife.
“… I don’t know…”
Shakira cupped her cheek, stroking her face gently.
“Aawww I’m so sorry my pretty kitty…” Roa leaned into her touch with a hum.
“You must’ve had a bad dream.”
Roa glanced up at her with a thoughtful expression.
“… yeah… I guess I did…”
Her brain felt foggy, and she couldn’t really remember what was happening… but she didn’t care.
“Come on Roa…” Shakira threw her arm around her, holding the panther close.
“Let’s go.”
Roa nodded, leaning her head on her wife’s shoulder.
“I love you…” she mumbled, nuzzling closer to her. Shakira giggled, a sound that made Roa’s heart flutter.
“I love you too, pretty kitty~”
Shakira started leading her forward, towards a pathway in the distance… a crossroad. One to the left and one to the right…
Shakira started pulling her to the left.
Roa did not object.
“It was a dream…” Roa muttered to herself, as she was led down the path, towards a bright blinding light at the end.
“It was all just a dream…”
She smiled.
…
Lady Bloodflame marched into the church building, a look of determination on her face.
“Go to Sister Shiori’s church and wait for me. I’ll be right there.”
Her Juliet had asked of her, and so she did. Making her way there as quickly as possible.
The morning sunlight shimmered through the church, lighting up the room with warming rays.
As the Knight passed by a window, she caught her reflection glancing back at her. She paused, bringing her hand up to her face…
It still surprised her every time she saw her appearance. Both of her eyes colored a dull blue, instead of the crimson red they shone before… It was… strange.
“Blue is my favorite color after all~!”
Nerissa Juliet’s words rang in her mind. Lady Bloodflame shook her head, shaking out her concerns.
“It is fine…” She muttered to herself. Nerissa had told her not to worry. So she wouldn’t.
She turned, looking down the aisle and to the pews along it-
Oh?
A pair of familiar, pink cat ears caught her eye. Lady Bloodflame looked on in curiosity.
“Roa?” She walked over to her, giving her a friendly smile.
“Lovely to see you Roa! What are you doing here?”
A pause… no answer.
Lady Bloodflame blinked.
“Roa…?” She hummed.
“… Pretty Kitty?”
When she, again, did not receive an answer, Lady Bloodflame kneeled in front of her, giving her a look of concern.
Roa was staring forward, unblinking. Her eyes were halfway closed, and her usually shiny golden eyes appeared to glow more yellow now… she did not move. She did not even acknowledge Bloodflame's existence. It didn’t even look like she was breathing much… she was just just staring forward at nothing.
Bloodflame’s brow furrowed.
“Hey.” She grabbed the panther's shoulder, shaking her slightly.
“Roa? Roa what’s wrong?”
Still no response.
A chill ran down Bloodflame’s spine.
“ROA! Are you ill? Are you hurt?” She shook her harder, gritting her teeth. What should she do?! Was she sick?! Was there a doctor in Libestal somewhere? She should take her to one right away-!
“Go to Sister Shiori’s church and wait for me. I’ll be right there.”
Nerissa’s voice rang in her head. She blinked. Right. She had to wait for her. But then… What could she do…?
“You know pets aren’t allowed in the church, right?”
Bloodflame turned quickly to see Sister Shiori, arms crossed and glancing up at her. Lady Bloodflame blinked, pulling herself up from her knees.
“I…” she glanced below her, with a puzzled expression.
“But I didn’t bring Jack with me…?” She glanced over to Shiori’s side, where her fluffy black sheep stood by her.
“And you have your pet with you-?”
“I’m not talking about them, Lady Bloodflame.” The sister retorted teasingly, her eyes shimmering with mischief.
Oh.
Lady Bloodflame rolled her eyes. She wasn't going to play along with Shiori’s nonsense today.
“You should probably put the sheep away.”
Bloodflame turned back to the panther, studying her face carefully. “Roa is afraid. Remember?"
Surprisingly, the panther had no reaction to the sheep before her… strange…
“Oh, her?” Shiori waved her hand with disinterest.
“She’s fine. Don’t worry. She no longer has the capacity to be afraid.”
Lady Bloodflame paused.
“… what?” She slowly turned to Shiori, narrowing her eyes.
“What do you mean by that?!”
Shiori hummed, turning away.
“My, my… what do I mean, I wonder…?” She gave her a smug smirk, before taking a few steps away.
Lady Bloodflame grabbed her by the arm before she could get too far.
“Shiori.”
The knight growled, glaring at the sister, her flame burning brighter.
“Did you… do something to her?”
Shiori chuckled.
“Oh? Are you accusing me of something, Lady Bloodflame?”
Shiori's eyes glowed softly, taunting her. Bloodflame grit her teeth.
“… Then what did you mean by that?” She asked again, unwavering.
“Careful.” Shiori causally pulled Bloodflame’s hand off her arm.
“You don't want to get in trouble with your Juliet now, hm?”
Bloodflame paused, but then shook her head.
“Shiori, stop avoiding the question!” She growled.
“What. Did. You. Do.”
Silence. Shiori glared back at her.
“… I helped her.”
She stepped forward, her smile fading completely, replaced with a serious expression.
“And now, she is going to help us.”
Lady Bloodflame was taken aback.
“What are you-?”
She was interrupted when she heard the sound of the door open. She spun around as fast as possible, snapping to attention.
“Ah! Princess!”
Nerissa stepped into the church, giving her knight a sweet smile.
“Ah, Lady Bloodflame! Good to see you made it!” Nerissa walked over, holding onto Bloodflame’s arm. The knight took her arm as well, completely forgetting about the conversation from before.
“Are we all here?” Nerissa asked, leaning on her knight. Shiori scoffed, looking annoyed at the two’s behavior.
“Not quite. We’re still waiting for Bijou.”
Nerissa glanced over to the side, eyes falling onto the panther sitting still on the pew. Her smile faltered slightly, but it was barely noticeable.
“Ah… I see Roa will be joining us…”
Lady Bloodflame blinked. Roa was here…?
Oh right!
She pulled her arm away from Nerissa.
“Ah right! I almost forgot!” She shook her head, motioning to the panther in question.
“Roa seems unwell! She’s unresponsive. I’m not quite sure what’s wrong…”
Nerissa paused, seemingly unsure of what to say.
“Lady Bloodflame, I already told you.” Shiori cut in with a sigh.
“She will be helping us. That’s all you need to know.”
“You-!” Bloodflame started, but Nerissa interrupted her.
“Lady Bloodflame!” She grabbed her hand.
“She… she is fine.”
Lady Bloodflame turned to her, eyes wide.
“Hm? Do you know what’s wrong?”
“It’s… it’s a lot to explain.” She squeezed her knight's hand gently.
“But I promise, she will be ok.
“But… but what happened?” The knight asked again, desperate for an answer.
“Why is she like this? And what kind of “help” do you mean?”
“Ah yes… the Chosen one with eyes from a god…” Shiori muttered.
“The only other to see this world for what it truly is… she is the missing piece, our key to escape this… this prison…”
Bloodflame stared at her, confusion sprawled on her face.
“… what…?”
Shiori scoffed.
“Nevermind. Clearly it’s too advanced for a dog to understand…”
Lady Bloodflame gnashed her teeth in anger.
“You-! You do not get to say such things!” She began marching towards her, flame flickering out of control.
“You-!”
“Lady Bloodflame!” She Neirssa tug on her hand. The knight turned to look at her.
“I… I want you to trust Shiori on this.” Neirssa squeezed her hand softly, looking into her knight's now blue eyes.
“Roa is fine. She will be ok. You can trust me. Right?”
Bloodflame paused. The flame on her chest dulled a bit.
“… Of course, Princess.” She gave her a slight bow.
“I will always trust you.”
Shiori mumbled something else about “dogs” under her breath before letting out a deep sigh. Lady Bloodflame chose to ignore her.
“Rissa. Can we talk real quick?” Shiori motioned to the back door.
“Outside.”
“Of course.” Nerissa gave a quick nod, and followed Shiori to the door. Lady Bloodflame took a few steps forward as well until-
“No. Just Rissa.” Shiori pointed at the knight.
“You, stay.”
Lady Bloodflame’s face fell.
“But I must stay by her side!” She insisted. Nerissa gave a slight giggle.
“Oh, it’s ok Lady Bloodflame.” She patted her shoulder with a soft smile.
“Just stay here for a minute, m’kay?”
Lady Bloodflame paused. Then nodded.
“Oh. Okay.”
Shiori rolled her eyes.
“Tsk… c’mon…”
The two closed the door behind them, leaving both Lady Bloodflame and Roa all alone in the church.
Bloodflame let out a sigh… she didn’t like being away from Nerissa… it made her feel anxious for reasons she didn’t even understand…
She made her way to the pew and sat beside Roa, waiting…
“… um… hey…” She turned to Roa, attempting to give her a smile.
“… You wanted to show me something yesterday right? I think you called it… a “fourth wall”…?”
She nudged her slightly.
“Perhaps after this, you can show me? Hm?”
Roa didn’t acknowledge her at all, unmoving. Unblinking. Just… staring…
Lady Bloodflame winced… just what on earth happened-?
“Roa is fine. She will be ok. You can trust me. Right?”
Lady Bloodflame took a deep breath. Right. She would be fine. Nerissa assured her that it would be fine.
And yet… she still felt an unnerving feeling creeping up her spine… a small voice that told her something was wrong… she tried to shake it away, tried to ignore it. But still…
She reached over, taking Rao and leaning her on her shoulder.
“Here… I don’t know how long you’ve been sitting up. You can rest on my shoulder for a bit…”
She patted her head gently.
“… You’ll be ok… you’re gonna be fine…” Lady Bloodflame said it more for herself than for Roa…
She hummed a soft tune, stroking behind the panther's ears gently…
Roa didn’t respond.