"Dark elf…"
Claire's cold words echoed through the empty alleyway and sent a shiver of fear down Elisa's spine.
How did she know?
When did she find out?
If her identity was ever revealed, then the only logical course of action would be to kill the one who exposed her.
Elisa curled up her fingers into a fist so tightly that blood dripped down her palms as her nails dug into her flesh.
Do it… do it… do it…
A thin thread of black magic flowed into the palm of her right hand, but Elisa quickly dispelled the negative energy.
No.
She couldn't.
The holy knight chuckled darkly as she saw a confused and terrified expression flash across the former saintess' face.
"Did you think that your disguise was enough? I have long seen your true form… dark elf…" Claire softly whispered.
"It was truly…"
"Sickening."
"Beautiful."
Two words flowed out of her mouth at the same time and the holy knight furrowed her brows in disbelief.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Elisa's heart started to race when she heard Claire call her beautiful.
The former saintess gently exhaled and stared at the gorgeous female knight who resembled an angel.
Meanwhile, Claire's mind was in a mess as the mysterious power continued to whisper poisonous words in her ear.
She was nothing but a tool… she was the will of Lord Varion.
The executioner sent to cleanse the world from sin so that it may be reborn in righteousness.
The guilty deserved death.
Claire's golden eyes shone with religious fervor as she touched a certain golden thread and Elisa's true appearance flashed across her mind.
Sinner… she was also a sinner… sinner…
The longsword in Claire's hand slowly buzzed as holy aura enveloped the blade in a soft dull glow of light.
"Claire… this… this isn't you…" Elisa quietly spoke as she bravely stepped forward.
For once the dark elf princess had no clever plan.
She did not know what had happened to her loyal guardian knight but somehow looking at Claire now made her feel an unpleasant feeling in her chest.
"Lies and deception…" Claire hoarsely growled as the wings on her back unfurled and the sounds of trumpets could be heard in the distance.
"You're right. I did lie…" Elisa readily admitted.
She raised up her palms and made a series of complicated movements.
Black magic circled around her hands and Elisa smiled as she whispered the words, "Nerium Berran Volantis!"
A wave of black magic pulsated outwards from her body and formed a magic circle around the two of them.
This was not a trapping formation or a foul curse that would cause harm to Claire.
It was a simple illusion spell so that Elisa could for once have a face-to-face conversation with the person whom she had gradually come to love.
The former saintess took a deep breath and then dispelled the enchantment surrounding her body.
A frail and slender dark elf girl appeared where Elisa once stood. Her skin was a light brown colour and two pointed ears twitched slightly as she walked.
Her eyes were a deep crimson colour and there was an aura of nobility surrounding her body.
"Nice to meet you… my real name is Keya Liadi… I am the princess of the dark elves," Elisa warmly spoke.
The fear in her eyes disappeared even as the killing intent leaking out of Claire's body did not change.
Elisa knew that Claire would not harm her.
It was a belief that was more akin to lunacy but the dark elf princess believed it with every fibre of her body.
Claire's hand on her longsword slightly trembled as she swung her blade in the direction of the former saintess.
A burst of holy light erupted from the tip of her blade and flew directly at the dark elf princess' location.
Elisa remained perfectly still as the wave of light passed mere inches away from the top of her head.
An animalistic growl escaped Claire's mouth as she once again pulled back her arm and swung out using the full force of her holy aura.
Boom!
This time the beam of light was shot several feet away from Elisa's body and slammed against a nearby building.
The fragile wooden shack instantly collapsed but fortunately there was no one inside.
The mysterious power inside Claire's body raged in fury.
Why can't we kill? Kill? KILL THE SINNERS!
A fierce burst of pain erupted in Claire's mind, and she fell to the ground while shrieking in agony.
She was the will of Lord Varion.
She was the original Claire.
She was the tasker named Sui Li.
Three conflicting identities meshed together violently as Claire struggled to breathe amidst the terrible pain ravaging her body.
A soft pair of warm hands gently wrapped themselves around her body. Claire opened her eyes and saw Elisa's concerned face right next to her.
The dark elf princess was within striking distance, but the holy knight loosened her grip on her sword instead.
The blade fell to the ground with a dull thump as Claire stared at the beautiful face of the former saintess.
The voices in her mind were briefly silenced as Elisa gave her a warm hug. The holy knight could not move but her heart began to beat frantically.
"I hated humans…" Elisa confessed as she gently stroked Claire's soft cheek.
"My village… my home… was destroyed by your kind. I wanted nothing more than to kill every single last one of you loathsome creatures."
"But over the last few months… you have made me see that some of your people are good."
"You gave up wealth, power and your future at the church to follow an abandoned high priestess to the most dangerous area on the continent."
"I suppose the fates must enjoy playing cruel tricks…. making me fall in love with such a powerful threat to my plans…"
Claire's eyes itched fiercely as the golden glow slowly disappeared. The holy knight could see darkness creeping up from the corners of her vision.
A wave of exhaustion crashed against Claire's body and the holy knight could feel her eyes begin to close.
The last thing that she heard before slipping into a deep slumber was Elisa's soft voice whispering in her ear.
"Rest now… my brave knight."
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