The soft glow of the lantern flickered gently in the room, casting shadows that danced along the wooden beams above. Gus leaned over Brigid, tucking the blanket snugly under her chin as the chill of the Bryn Massan evening settled in.

  “It’s going to be a long day tomorrow, Brigid,” he said, his voice low and comforting as he gently patted her head.

  “I know, Father,” Brigid whispered back, her eyes heavy but her heart lightened by his presence. “All this is just… so much to take in. I’m so glad I have you with me.”

  “A guard knight must never leave his lady’s side,” Gus replied with a soft smile, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “I will be with you always.”

  Brigid’s eyes twinkled in the dim light as she squeezed his hand tenderly. “I don’t want you to be my guard knight. I want you to be my father, just as you have always been.”

  Gus chuckled, his heart swelling with pride. “I know.” He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, Brigid.”

  “Goodnight, Father.”

  As the room fell into silence and Gus’s footsteps faded down the corridor, I whispered into the shared space of our mind.

  “Are you really that tired? Would you like to unwind a little?”

  Even though her body lay still under the covers, I could feel the jolt of excitement ripple through her.

  “Oh, Lucas! I thought you’d never ask!” Brigid practically vibrated with enthusiasm. “It’s been so boring today without Ennie, and there was that long ride and the meeting—I’m bored stiff, Lucas! Let’s do something fun!”

  I chuckled, “How about an amusement park? Remember when you asked me about that beautiful castle we use to enter our Memory Palace?”

  “Oh yes, please! Yes! Take me there, hurry!”

  The familiar gates of our Memory Palace swung open, but instead of the serene dojo that usually greeted us, we were immediately plunked down into the middle of Tokyo Disneyland.

  Brigid’s eyes widened as she took in the fantastical scene before her. The iconic castle towered in the distance over the dizzying sea of rides. She let out a delighted gasp, grabbing my hand and dragging me around the park.

  For someone like me, who had grown up with the mundanity of theme parks, it was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. But for Brigid, a girl from a medieval world, it was as if she had stepped into a realm of pure magic.

  She bounced from one attraction to another, the tea cup ride, the Small World boat cruise—each one eliciting squeals of joy and wonder.

  The best part about this being our Memory Palace? No queues. With a simple thought, the lines vanished, and we were whisked to the front of every ride. The only limitation? I could only take her on rides I had actually experienced myself. Luckily, my past visit to Tokyo Disneyland with my friend’s daughters—who were right about Brigid’s age—meant I had covered almost every child-friendly ride in the park.

  Back then, I thought I’d be getting a free pass to the roller coasters and thrill rides, but my friend’s daughters had other plans. They latched onto me like I was their personal ojisan chaperone, dragging me from the teacup ride to the Winnie the Pooh honey hunt, squealing every time I pretended to be scared on the Peter Pan flight. When they finally took a break with their mum at one of the cafés, my friend and I dashed for the roller coasters like two prisoners breaking out of Alcatraz.

  And now here I am, I thought, watching Brigid’s face light up as she pulled me towards the carousel. Back on ojisan duty I go!

  Brigid’s favourites were the gentle, whimsical rides, but she gave the roller coasters a wide berth, her nervous smiles betraying her fear even as I tried to coax her onto one.

  Still, her radiant joy as she hopped from one ride to the next was infectious. It blew away any fatigue I felt, healing a part of me I hadn’t realised needed mending. ‘Kawaii Musume Power’ level up!

  At some point, I noticed her attire—a noble lady’s outfit, the same one she had worn on our journey to Bryn Massan. In the modern setting of Disneyland, she resembled a cosplayer, perhaps an Ersean take on Anna from Frozen. It made me chuckle.

  “Would you like to try on some clothes from my world?” I asked, watching her eyes light up with excitement.

  “YES!” Her response was so enthusiastic I half expected her to lift off the ground like a helium balloon. “Let’s go right now!”

  We found ourselves in the pastel-coloured wonderland of a children’s clothing store, the walls adorned with racks of frilly dresses, sparkly accessories, and shelves lined with Minnie Mouse ears in every imaginable colour.

  Brigid stood wide-eyed, her medieval sensibilities overwhelmed by the sheer kawaii aesthetic surrounding her. She traced her fingers along a sequined Elsa dress, her expression a mix of fascination and confusion.

  “What ARE these?” she whispered, picking up a pair of Mickey Mouse ears that lit up when tilted.

  A Japanese shop assistant approached, initially trying to speak in halting English due to Brigid’s auburn braids. But I quickly informed her that we could understand Japanese, and soon the assistant was explaining each item with the enthusiasm only a Disney store employee could muster.

  Brigid tried on various outfits, her medieval attire clashing hilariously with the hyper-modern, cartoon-themed clothes. Despite my earlier excitement, I suddenly remembered how bored I had been waiting for my friend’s wife and daughters to finish shopping during our visit. The same dread crept in now.

  “Clothes shopping bores you?” Brigid’s voice echoed in my head, her surprise palpable.

  I sighed. “Don’t worry, Brigid. I’ll manage. I’m really glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

  She beamed at me through our shared consciousness. “You’re the best, Lucas!”

  My heart warmed. Gus was truly lucky to have a daughter like her.

  After a whirlwind of trying on outfits, Brigid settled on a pair of glowing Mickey Mouse ears and a simple, frilly dress that made her look like she had stepped out of a fairytale. We left the shop and wandered to an Alice in Wonderland-themed café, where the Brigid immediately got hooked on the desserts that looked to her like they’d been conjured from dreams.

  Brigid devoured cakes and ice cream with the kind of enthusiasm only a child could muster. By the time she finished her fifth plate of cakes and sipped the last of her melon soda float, I wondered how she would ever return to the simple medieval fare of her world.

  “Slow down, Brigid. We can come here as often as you like,” I teased. “You don’t need to eat the store out of business.”

  She giggled, spooning more strawberry mousse into her mouth. “I’m sure our Goddess gets to eat food as heavenly as this every day!”

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  Her words made me pause. “Come to think of it,” I mused aloud, “I wonder if she’d mind us paying her a visit.”

  Brigid’s laughter softened into a thoughtful sigh. “Considering everything that’s happened… I really could use some advice too. It feels like my world has been flipped upside down—and this is only the beginning.”

  “And I would also like to have a word with my cute little saint-to-be as well!”

  Merchecna’s familiar voice echoed out of nowhere, cutting through the cosy hum of the café. Both Brigid and I froze mid-bite, eyes widening in unison.

  Oh no, I thought, how is she here?

  Before either of us could react, the entire Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant vanished around us. The whimsical colours and cartoonish décor melted away, replaced in an instant by an elegant, sun-dappled garden.

  We now found ourselves seated at a pristine tea table set for high tea, nestled under a white Victorian-style gazebo. A meticulously manicured maze garden stretched out around us, its hedges perfectly trimmed and symmetrical. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the branches of a towering elm tree, casting intricate shadows across the tablecloth, while the gentle rustling of leaves filled the air.

  And then she appeared.

  Merchecna sauntered in gracefully from the labyrinth, her presence commanding yet ethereal. She was dressed in resplendent robes of pure, virginal white, her blond hair cascading down her back like a silken river. The soft glow of divinity surrounded her, making her look every bit the goddess she was supposed to be.

  Both Brigid and I were struck dumb, staring at her as if we had just seen the morning star descend to Earth.

  Brigid immediately dropped to her knees, clasping her hands in pious reverence. “My Lady!” she whispered, her voice trembling with awe.

  I… wasn’t sure what to do. This wasn’t the cheeky, teasing Merchecna I’d come to know. But sensing that she didn’t want me to ruin Brigid’s moment of devout worship, I followed suit and genuflected beside her.

  Man, I thought, how would Brigid react if she saw Merchecna knocking back beers with me over an all-night anime marathon?

  Knowing Merchecna, probably not too long before that happens.

  The goddess reached out and touched Brigid gently on the shoulder, her expression softening. “Please, rise and be seated, Brigid,” she said kindly. “I am not one who enjoys standing on ceremony, especially not when I am the cause of it.”

  Brigid rose slowly, her cheeks flushed, and we both took our seats again, our gazes fixed respectfully on Merchecna.

  “Goddess, I am overjoyed to be graced with an opportunity to meet you,” Brigid said earnestly, her voice steady despite the awe still clinging to her.

  But Merchecna waved her hand dismissively, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “You don’t have to be so formal with me, Brigid. Regard me as you would a friend.”

  She shot me a knowing glance. “Lucas here was irreverent right from the start,” she chuckled. “And while I wouldn’t suggest using him as a role model, I do prefer casual conversation over stiff prayers and flowery supplications.”

  With a flick of her wrist, Merchecna materialized a chair and settled herself gracefully at the table under the gazebo. She poured herself a cup of tea, then gestured for us to do the same.

  “I’m sorry to whisk you away from your little holiday,” she continued, lifting her teacup delicately. “But I felt a twitch in my eyebrow when you mentioned my name. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that I intend to make you my saint, Brigid. But I must admit—it wasn’t my original intention.”

  Brigid’s eyes widened in shock. “Please forgive me if I have fallen short of your expectations, my lady,” she whispered, bowing her head.

  But Merchecna only laughed softly, shaking her head. “Oh, no, don’t get me wrong, Brigid. You have a heart of gold, pure and selfless. But saints aren’t chosen just for their kindness.”

  She leaned forward slightly, her gaze gentle yet piercing. “You know that I was born to divine parents who are polar opposites. And my choice of saints reflects that balance. Before you met Lucas, you would’ve easily qualified to be a saint under my mother, Ecna, whom most women pray to. But for me… fulfilling the mission I would grant you is a different matter entirely.”

  Brigid’s hands trembled slightly as she clutched her teacup. “Please… enlighten me, and I shall strive—”

  But Merchecna cut her off with a gentle wave of her hand. “No, my child. Striving alone isn’t enough.” Her voice was soft, but there was an undeniable weight behind it.

  “Saints are chosen for their affinity to their divine patron. A soul’s nature is sculpted over many lifetimes on Tellusia—it can’t simply be changed through diligence alone. Though…” she smiled thoughtfully, “souls in childhood are more pliable. I’m curious to see how things might unfold for you in the future.”

  Merchecna poured us both tea, gently refusing my attempt to help. “I’m the host here, after all. I interrupted your wonderful time at Disneyland, so let me make it up to you. Please, help yourselves.”

  The rich aroma of the tea wafted between us, but Brigid seemed too tense to enjoy it.

  Merchecna leaned back in her chair and continued, her voice light but steady. “I embody Knowledge. Knowledge in both war and peace. Unlike wisdom, knowledge is neutral. From my mother, I inherited altruism and open-heartedness. I value invention and open collaboration to elevate humanity. But from my father, I inherited the warrior’s ethos—cunning, strategy, and the ideals of a conqueror who safeguards peace through strength.”

  She reached out and gently touched Brigid’s hand. “My child, your heart is too tender for war. You embrace the nurturing light of day, but you shy away from the shadows of night. To serve me fully, you must learn to walk in the borderlands of dawn and twilight.”

  A heavy silence fell over the table as Merchecna’s words sank in. Brigid stared down into her tea, her thoughts swirling like the steam rising from her cup.

  I could feel her mind racing—her memories flashing back to the moment she defended her mother and Ennie from that deserter’s sword. That desperate, terrifying moment when she faced the cold, unreasoning steel.

  And now, with the Horde looming on the horizon—burning cities to the ground and slaughtering entire populations—she was beginning to realise a hard truth: mercy and kindness alone wouldn’t be enough to protect the ones she loved. Only by balancing her compassion with tactical knowledge and martial strength could she hope to stand against the coming storm.

  I felt a flicker of pride. Maybe teaching her Aikido was the right move after all.

  Merchecna spoke again, her tone shifting slightly. “You should give more credit to Lucas,” she said, her gaze softening. “I know you respect him as the one who saved your life—your friend and teacher. But I must clarify something important: I didn’t send him down to save you.”

  Brigid’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock.

  “I had intended for you to depart this life and be guided to a kinder era through rebirth,” Merchecna said bluntly. “I won’t defend my decision to let you die. Had you been reborn, it would have been under blessed circumstances. And though you’re saddened by the thought of leaving your family now… you’ve done so countless times before. After all, you don’t remember your previous family, do you?”

  The words hit Brigid like a cold wind, and I felt her heart ache in our shared consciousness.

  “Lucas saved you against my intentions,” Merchecna admitted, her voice softening slightly. “But I didn’t stop him. I was curious to see how it might work out. And I’m glad it paid off in the end. He truly provides the balance your soul needs.”

  She reached out, clasping both Brigid’s hand and mine. “The conditions for allied victory have now been set in the game,” she said with a playful smile. “He’s your better half now, Brigid! Congratulations!”

  “Wha…WHAT?!” Brigid’s face blushed furiously, her eyes darting nervously to mine.

  Even I gulped at the implications. Better half?! Oh, come on, Merchecna!

  But the goddess just burst into laughter. “I’m kidding! I’m kidding!” she waved her hands dismissively. “The two of you have not made an oath before Danu, right? What are you guys thinking?”

  Brigid’s face remained flushed, and I could only sigh, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

  Merchecna’s laughter eventually faded, and her expression turned serious once more. “On a more serious note, the two of you are going to make history. Focus on stopping the Horde. Make yourselves worthy of being my saint. I wholeheartedly wish you success in your mission.”

  With that, the garden began to fade, and we found ourselves back in bed, the weight of the covers pressing down on us once again.

  We stared at the ceiling in silence for a few moments, the echoes of Merchecna’s words lingering in the quiet.

  Then, I felt tears welling up in Brigid’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry if she upset you…” I began gently.

  But Brigid shook her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “No… no, not that. Thank you, Lucas. Thank you again for saving me, for saving Ennie, and Mother. I just suddenly feel really happy and grateful to still be alive.”

  Her words filled me with warmth. “Don’t mention it,” I said softly. “It’s been my greatest pleasure to live these past few months through your eyes. I feel like I’m part of your family now. So thank you too, Brigid.”

  She giggled, wiping away a stray tear. “Goodnight to us?”

  I smiled back, my heart full. “Goodnight to us.”

  And with that, we drifted into a peaceful, shared slumber.