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She didn’t want to think about the chance that someone might be getting burnt alive, only to be healed and made to suffer even more while they waited to be rescued. She tried her best to instinctively command her aether to ease the pain receptors of those it healed.

“You’re amazing,” Serena whispered, pulling Amelia into a quick hug. “I’ll be back!”

“I know you will!” Amelia replied with a smile. “Follow the ribbons! Both of you!” she gave Serena and Mel an enthusiastic thumbs up and told them to hurry up.

Once they had left, Highlord Yasuda gave her a deep bow. “Truly, you are becoming a Saint before my very eyes, Lord-Prospect.” Before Amelia could answer, he continued, “Now, I must return to Greatlord Oshiro and coordinate the efforts near the lifts. I will mention your deed to him!”

“Mmm! Thank you!” Amelia chirped. “My Sphere of Convalescence should cover even the station itself, so if you bring any injured within range, it will greatly aid their recovery!” According to the lore of the game, as long as someone was still alive when brought into the healing sphere, they would eventually make a full recovery, even if it took longer than Aseco’s normal divine healing.

“Your generosity will not go unrewarded! I promise this, on my name and honour!” Yasuda declared, flapping his wings and soaring to the sky. Through the aetherfield, Amelia watched him travel to the south.

She spent the next few minutes keeping track of the warriors through her aetherflows, making sure their wards were strong and that none of them had stopped moving. She couldn’t do much other than wait and pump out aether.

Eventually, they started to return, carrying crying men, women, and children. Amelia was told the citizens were hiding in basements and wells, desperately trying to escape the inferno that consumed the homes above them. They had all been healed recently, but some carried burns gained from just the short trip to the square. Amelia quickly healed those with a targeted cast of Divine Healing of Aseco.

Every time a handful of warriors returned, Amelia would cast Heavenly Mending again, and the warriors would race out, following the ribbons of healing to their targets. Every time she cast the spell, fewer ribbons would manifest. This was the best she could hope for, as it meant the amount of people still getting hurt was reducing. The spell wouldn’t reveal anyone who wasn’t injured, but the keen senses of the aura and ward-enhanced warriors made it easy to find them.

“How bad is it out there?” Amelia asked Serena when she returned from one run with a particularly grim expression.

“...Bad. Bodies burned beyond recognition,” Serena answered. “The smell is… unpleasant.”

“Ah,” Amelia uttered. She cleaned her girlfriend with healing magic, wiping the sweat and ash. It would only keep her clean for a few seconds, but it gave her something else to do than just sit there and pump out aether.

After another cast of Heavenly Mending, Serena ran off.

An hour passed like this.

Over time, the freshly-healed had started to gather at the entrance of the guardhouse. They watched Amelia with reverence and awe, muttering prayers of gratitude.

“Praise the Empress for sending her to us!”

“The Moons have blessed us!”

“She’s as radiant as the Yellow Moon!”

“My child lives because of her!”

Amelia swallowed nervously as she heard these. A part of her was so happy to be able to make such a positive difference, but another part of her was angry that it had to be done in the first place. Why did these people have to suffer this cruelty? What did they do to deserve it?

And how did the fire start?

She pushed those thoughts down, focusing on maintaining her spells. She cast Heavenly Mending again, pleased to see only two ribbons fly from her body, meaning only two injured people were left in the fire. Mel, covered in ash and stains, brought back one of them, and another warrior she didn’t know the name of got the other. Serena soon appeared with a third. It was someone who wasn’t injured yet was rescued anyway.

“The rest are refusing to leave their basements,” a warrior said as the group gathered around Amelia for a short respite. “They won’t risk the fire. They might be okay staying where they are. I think we’ve saved everyone that needs to be saved.”

“That’s right,” Serena agreed. “I’m not hearing any cries anymore, and even though the fire keeps spreading, it looks like everyone else was able to evacuate in time.” She looked up. “At least the moonrain has stopped. People will be able to come out of their homes and help. All these people have lost their homes; they need food and shelter. It’s winter, after all.”

“Hang on! Did you say the fire is still spreading!?” Amelia felt her eyes widen. They hadn’t got it under control!?

“I don’t know the details,” Serena explained. “I’m only relying on my senses, but it seems to be spreading.”

The atmosphere grew sombre.

Amelia cast Heavenly Mending once more; this time, a single ribbon manifested, flying straight up into the sky.

Where it slammed into a figure that was flying down to meet them.

“Greatlord!” The group exclaimed, bowing deeply.

“One of the most unexpected but pleasant greetings I’ve experienced in a long time, Lord-Prospect Thornheart,” Greatlord Oshiro intoned, landing. Judging from the scales on his arms, he was under an invocation of Bayle, the same Word Korvus Spoke all those months ago. “Although,” he continued, “Perhaps I should begin calling you what the lowlanders have begun to call you? Lady Thornheart of the Lowlands.”

“There’s no need, Greatlord,” Amelia muttered, trying to smile.

“I’ve been busy coordinating my Highlords, but I see Yasuda has given you some guidance,” he looked around the group and beyond, taking in the hundreds of healthy men, women and children. “Lord Halen, your report?”

“Yes, Greatlord!” Serena saluted before giving Greatlord Oshiro a rundown of their work.

“Then we’ve saved who we can,” he said while nodding. “Stay here until the fire burns out. Keep this group safe. Lord-Prospect Thornheart, can you maintain this… healing field for much longer?”

“As long as you need, Greatlord,” Amelia answered. She wasn’t bragging, just stating the truth. However, it didn’t stop a few people from murmuring the word saint. “Are you sure I’m not needed elsewhere? Isn’t the fire still spreading?”

“It is, but we’ve focused on protecting the plateau lifts. We’ve evacuated who we need. There is no choice but to let it burn itself out.”

“The station?” Serena asked.

The greatlord’s expression darkened. “It will be lost. We cannot contend against the southerly wind. The station is too large, and the terrain is too disadvantageous for them to work. Too much rock underfoot to build high enough walls.”

Amelia swallowed. She knew enough to understand that the Asamaywa Station was the biggest rail hub in the East, carrying people and connecting the industries of multiple cities. How much would be lost? The cost would be millions of denarii, if not tens of millions!

Amelia’s mind raced.

Should she?

She should, shouldn’t she?

Thinking back, Chesterfield had indicated that she would be welcome to speak one or two demonic Words at the academy. He suggested this would play into the international politics they were engaged in with the human nations.

But… he didn’t place any restrictions on whether they were First-Words or Second-Words, did he? And… even if she was planning to stretch his words a little, Amelia was her own person. She’d made the decision after healing the slums; she wouldn’t let petty politics stop her from preventing so much suffering!

“Greatlord,” Amelia said, turning the man's attention to her. “Lord Halen,” she continued, also taking Serena’s attention. “A moment… in private?”

A few awkward moments later, the three of them moved to the side, encompassed by Amelia’s sound-blocking wards.

“Now that we’ve saved those that we can save…” she began nervously, looking between Serena and the Greatlord. “If there was a way to put the fire out, should we not take it?”

“If you’re talking about invoking Asclepius, I cannot allow it,” Greatlord Oshiro replied. “Besides, my understanding of that god is it wouldn’t be suited for such a task. What would you attempt to do? Heal the buildings back together? Is such a thing possible?”

Was such a thing possible? Now he mentioned it, Amelia thought it might be likely. Asclepius’s healing was more about restoring order than repairing injuries. Would it be able to unburn wood and reconstruct destroyed buildings?

Maybe it could, but that wasn’t what Amelia planned to suggest.

“Actually,” she was getting nervous now. “I was going to suggest I try another Word.”

“You know Yemaya?” he asked, frowning.

“No,” Amelia shook her head. “I mean…” She sighed. She might as well come out and say it.

“Suijin,” she declared, trying to sound confident.

A long silence developed between the three of them. With every passing second, Greatlord Oshiro’s expression darkened further.

“You lie,” he finally said.

“I’m not,” Amelia said, her protest sounding weaker than she hoped. “I just-”

“It is not possible.”

“Greatlord…” Serena interrupted, speaking quietly and softly. Her girlfriend turned the Greatlord’s attention upon herself, and instead of withering from his darkened expression, she faced him with confidence. “If it’s her… it is possible.”

The man was deathly quiet. For a moment, Amelia thought he would never reply, but he eventually responded with a simple, “How?”

“I don’t fully understand it myself,” Serena replied, her voice even. “I just know… she could call upon him. With your permission, of course, Greatlord.”

Greatlord Oshiro turned towards Amelia. He stepped forward with an expression she’d never seen him wear before. “Tell me!” he demanded. “Who are you, really!? The Overlord of my Overlord!? Are you the one I pray to!? The one I fight for? Answer me! If you are not her, then who are you!?”

“I… I’m not!” Amelia spluttered, putting her hands up. “I’m not! I’m only me! Amelia!”

The greatlord glared at her for a dozen seconds. Amelia couldn’t begin to guess his thoughts. How could she? She felt guilt for causing him such turmoil, but… she only wanted to help!

“Tsk! Then I will see this power for myself!” Greatlord Oshiro suddenly declared, all traces of conflict in his face evaporating. “You have my permission, Lord-Prospect Thornheart. Invoke Suijin, and I shall be the judge of your sincerity.”

“Is… is it okay?” Amelia asked hesitantly.

“...Yes.”

Amelia looked towards Serena, who gave her a small smile and a nod. “Save that station,” her girlfriend said encouragingly. Somehow, despite the pressure and unease from Greatlord Oshiro, Serena’s small smile brought back all of Amelia’s confidence.

“Sure!” Amelia nodded. “Only… I cannot guarantee I won’t become a little…”

Manic, she thought. I need to find a better word.

“Manic,” Serena explained to the greatlord. “She’s still new to invoking the Second-Word. I had to spend time calming her when she invoked Asclepius.”

“...I see.” Greatlord Oshiro took a step back and drew his sword. “Very well then. Then here I take this vow.” He covered his sword in a brilliant indigo aura before driving it into the stone. “Should you lose control of Suijin, then I…” He narrowed his eyes, his clothes billowing under some unseen wind as the ash was stirred up around him. “...I, Takahiro Oshiro, shall suppress you!”

Amelia swallowed.

He was so cool! So ridiculously cool!

“I will help,” Serena added, her voice firm. “I will bring you back, no matter what.”

“T-thank you!” Amelia said, pushing away the urge to giggle. “Then… I’ll go up a little and, um, begin…”

She took a few steps back and, feeling tremendously awkward, cycled her aether to float up above. When she reached the height of the earthen wall, she began forming the Word.

Suijin.

It was slow progress, slower than it took with Asclepius. Her aether was moving like it was pushing through sludge.

Yet it was moving. It was forming the Word. Without question or doubt in her mind, Amelia knew this; she was capable of calling for his embodiment.

A minute passed, and it was finally complete. It was an enormous Word; the formation was even more complex than Asclepius. It took up her entire body, so much space that she had to drop the Sphere of Convalescence.

But it was finished.

And it felt oddly familiar.

Was it because it was a demonic Word? Because she was a demon in the game?

She cast one final look at Serena, gave her a small wave and said softly, “See you in a bit.”

She Spoke the Word. She didn’t shout it like she did with Asclepius.

No. She just said it.

“Suijin,” Amelia Spoke.

The world slowed. The Shimmer opened to her, and her request snaked through the layered planes of reality, seeking its distant recipient.

It hit resistance.

Amelia’s request didn’t give up. It fought. It burrowed its way through the resistance until the pathway was clear, and it could finally deliver the request to the waiting deity. Then, without warning, the answer came.

“Who dares?” Suijin replied.

Suijin swam through the endless ocean. This planet was his favourite, mainly because he was rarely bothered by his peers here. He had peace, and while enjoying that peace, Suijin kept swimming. He changed his form as he went, switching from small fish to massive sea-born predators pulled from thousands of memories.

Then, he changed his form to water itself, merging with the planet's natural currents. He let nature take its course, bringing him to the frigid poles and then back down to the warm waters around the equator.

Some small tropical landmasses offered sandy beaches and delicious fruits. Every few years, he would make landfall, but there wouldn’t be many rotations of the planet about its axis before he felt the pull of the water again.

In the water, he could resonate more easily with the mists.

In the water, he could get stronger.

And Suijin desired strength.

As all gods did.

After his third trip around the planet, his divine intuition told him something was coming.

A visitor?

Suijin pulled his mass together and headed to the nearest landmass. He forced his body to change until it resembled the form he possessed before he ascended.

He sat on the sandy beach, awaiting his visitor.

Strangely, they were coming from an unusual place. Did he not know this deity?

As they got closer, he realised an awful truth.

It was not a they; it was an it.

And that it was a request.

A request for his embodiment!

Who would have the audacity!?

No, who would have the means?

He had abandoned such things long ago. Raising a hand, he expelled some of his divinity, throwing a shield around the planet.

The request slammed into it with an unfathomable amount of force. His celestial ward held. For a brief moment, Suijin thought that would be the end of it.

Then, the request continued. Slowly but surely, it burrowed through his protection.

The god gritted his teeth. Who, from that realm, had such power!? He was bound by the accord, unable to use his true strength to fight what he had previously agreed to. Still, for two centuries, it had been enough. He had withdrawn his presence from that world, refusing to commune with anyone else.

Staying there was too painful.

He watched as the request broke through his ward, searing down through the planet's atmosphere.

The moment it collided with him, he opened the channel.

“Who dares?” he asked, pushing as much anger as he could into the channel.

A few seconds passed, and there was no answer. He hoped his reply would scare off or even kill whoever was on the other end, but he didn’t expect his hopes to bear fruit. The connection was strong. He would have to sacrifice years of strength to break it.

“Umm, hello!” came a sudden reply. A voice. A woman. Young? Could it be that terrible demigod? “I’m Amelia! It’s nice to meet you!” The voice continued. It wasn’t her. It was someone else. “Look, I’m really sorry about this, but I need-”

“I refuse.” Suijin sent his angry reply. He cared little for what this woman wanted.

“Wait! Let me explain! There’s this massive fire, and your embodiment is what-”

“I refuse.”

“Now…” the voice paused. “Listen here, you bloody-”

Anger. Frustration. Annoyance. All these emotions came through the channel. The strength of the connection intensified, and he caught a glimpse of the person on the other end.

Beyond the superficial structure of her body, he could see her soul.

Suijin opened his eyes wide, stretching his divine perception to the limit. Was he mistaken? He peeled away the layers of reality between him and this requestee, using the connection to move his perception closer and get a better look at the woman’s soul.

It was.

There was no mistake.

Alone on that planet, there was no one to see Suijin smile.

But smile he did.

“I accept,” he said, sending his answer down the channel.

Shortly after, he sent his embodiment.

He would watch this closely.

To think… this is how I would see you again, Esmeralda, Suijin thought.

It would be an honour to aid you, even if only in part.