AWAKENED BELINDA

"Have you made your mind up, Belinda?" In a lava-filled cave deep within the volcanic wasteland of the western Lightbearer Empire, the Fire Elemental Guardian asks the young woman for her final answer. Belinda raises her head, exhaustion written on her fair face. Her features are blackened with ash, while her pure white dress is singed and charred by the oppressive heat. Her journey in search of the Fire Guardian had been long and torturous, but her arrival here does not signify an end to her ordeal. The choice she now faced could very well make things even harder, but her steady eyes shone bright with determination: "You are not the first to ask me this. Moreover, I've known the answer for a very long time already."

A dozen days previously, Belinda had walked hesitantly around the cloisters of the temple, Bishop Palmer's questions still ringing in her ears. "Have you made your mind up, Belinda?" The peace of the Lightbearer Empire had recently been shattered, when monsters known as Corruptors suddenly appeared in every corner of the land. Even General Rayne had been injured, slipping into a coma from which she could not be awakened. Belinda had tried nonetheless, only to find that the healing power of the Light had no effect on Estrilda or other comatose patients. To make matters worse, the frequency of Corruptor incursions was increasing, with ever more civilians falling before their foul talons. The Temple of Light, always before a place of healing, was now powerless in the face of the comas wrought by Corruptors. A spark of hope soon flared, however. The next time Belinda visited Rayne Manor to see how Estrilda fared, a letter from the housekeeper Thane explained the cause behind the current disaster: a catastrophic elemental imbalance, which could only be rectified by finding the five Elemental Guardians. She raced back to the Temple and told all this to her mentor, Bishop Palmer. She hoped they might dispatch someone to help scour the volcanic west of the Empire for the Fire Guardian. But Palmer did not immediately grant her request, instead asking if she was sure about her plan, and encouraging her to look deep within herself. Belinda understood the Temple's misgivings. To seek salvation anywhere other than the Light would, in the eyes of the laity, be tantamount to admitting the Light's impotence. Insisting on seeking out the Elemental Guardian would also be seen as heresy, and she would be branded an apostate. Distraught, she wondered what else she could do if the Temple refused to help. Suddenly, without even realizing it, she found herself before the door to the Temple, where a commotion brought her back to the present. There was a crowd of those afflicted by the disaster, their clothes torn and shabby. Some still clutched small children in their arms as the sisters and brothers of the clergy went among them, handing out bread. When Belinda approached, they noticed her clerical apparel and surged towards her, fervent hope filling their tired eyes. A young mother held her child up in front of Belinda, another young victim of the Corruptors. Sadly, this was all too common these days. Belinda knew that the Light had no effect on the afflictions caused by the Corruptors, but also knew that she could not sit idly by as mothers like this looked at her as if she was their final hope. Belinda stretched out her hands, letting the Light envelop the child's body. But nothing happened, just like the many other times she had tried and failed. The mother fell to her knees, sobbing, as the hope faded from her eyes. Her tears carved two shining paths as they cut through the grime that coated her face: "Is it... Is it because we are not devout enough? I'll dedicate the rest of my life to the Light just please, I beg you... Save my child..." Behind her were countless others, whose gaze swept by the kneeling woman to fall on Belinda. She couldn't bear the hope and helplessness in the eyes of the supplicants and made up her mind there and then. There could be no more delay. The Elemental Guardian must be found, and the root cause of this crisis put right. "The Light shall protect you." Belinda bowed slightly to the despairing crowd, then turned and walked back to the Temple.

She burst into his study to find Bishop Palmer sitting with his head in one hand, the other on the desk. He appeared to be examining some important documents. "I ask you to let me go to the volcano and find the Elemental Guardian." Belinda broke the silence first. "The elemental imbalance is destroying Esperia's peace. As the priestess of the Temple, I am responsible for thousands of the Empire's citizens." Palmer didn't raise his head, but continued staring at the documents before him: "The Light will protect this land, as always." "The Light... is not omnipotent." Palmer finally looked up, his tone grave as he spoke: "You're treading on dangerous ground, priestess." Belinda took a deep breath, aware that she had never before known so clearly what she was going to do. Determined, she speaks resolutely to Palmer: "The elemental chaos must be traced back to its source, and I'm sure the Light will tolerate our pressing need to save people. Please, Bishop, allow me to go at once." "The Temple has its own ways to save people. Remember your vows to the Light, priestess." "I'm living up to those vows right now." Belinda took a step forward and stood right in front of the desk, looking the Bishop square in the eye, "By the Light above, I will return with hope!" Palmer was silent. Ignoring Belinda, he got up without a word and left the study, leaving on his desk what appeared to be an old map. A route was traced on the map, a route which led to the legendary volcano. "The Light has always shown me the way," Belinda murmured to herself as she looked towards where Palmer had left. Then, grasping the map tightly, she set out on her journey to the volcano.

In the searing heat of the volcano, the Fire Guardian watches the young woman carefully. He saw her perseverance and her faith, but inheriting the Elemental Emblem meant responsibility, and a high price for it: to become the target of the Corruptors, chased endlessly. It was not a decision to be taken lightly. "The Light has already written the answer in my heart." Facing the figure in the flames, Belinda seemed to be answering her mentor. "The instant I was ordained, I swore to the Light that I would devote my whole being to my calling, and never abandon anyone who could be saved!" The Fire Guardian nodded. "Then it shall be as you wish." A mystical rune landed in Belinda's palm, which suddenly burst into violent, surging flames and merged with the pure light that emanated from her. The sacred, golden flames enveloped her, making her seem like a blazing torch that dispelled the darkness and illuminated the dawn. Her hand emerged from the fire, grasping a newly transformed staff. The power to save souls was now hers, and she would return bearing renewed hope.

"Thank you for your hospitality. May the Divine Light bless you. Here's a small gift as a token of my gratitude for the pleasant stay."