A New Issue Emerges

(Note: For those of you confused, 'Sapphire' is Amaya's fake identity.)

It was like Sapphire had only blinked. Once she opened her eyes, her body quickly sat up. Sapphire was in a bed in a room she did not recognize. She still had her previous memories, so she came to the conclusion of being somewhere in the church.

A voice came from the side , asking "Are you feeling better?"

It was the Blue-haired nun from yesterday.

"Yes, I am. How long was I out?" Sapphire asked.

"Only two days."

"Only two days??!"

Two days was not a small amount on time in any world. Sapphire found it to be strange. Before losing consciousness, she was met with an overwhelming pain which resulted in her passing out. But what had caused it? She wasn't sure but she had a feeling it was something to do with the priest.

'What did he do? I mean, he didn't even touch me? A spell, maybe?'

The blue-haired nun noticed that Sapphire was in a deep trance of thought.

The nun coughed to get Sapphire's attention before speaking.

"Everything aside, I'm glad to see that you're doing okay, Miss Sapphire. When you arrived in the middle of the night, you were talking a lot about a little girl who was taken from you. Do you want to talk about it? I won't be able to do much but at least you can vent to someone."

It was kind of a stranger to lend an ear, but Sapphire didn't feel like talking about it with anyone other than the priest. So, Sapphire shook her head.

"It's fine. It's not something I'd want to bother you with. Also, I don't think you've told me your name yet."

"Yes, that wasn't very kind of me. I should've told you my name before I started speaking with you. Please forgive me, I am Mary. Mary Fletcher. Since you're awake, you must be starving. Would you like to come donwstairs to eat?"

Sapphire nodded and smiled, replying "Yes, that would be nice. Thank you so much."

Mary led Sapphire into a big-spaced dining room. In it where other nuns and churhc people seated at the large wooden table.

"Just have a seat and we'll be sure to serve you." said Mary.

Sapphire nodded before walking over and getting seated. As she got comfortabel in her seat, she could sense a few mena stares from some of the church people. However, Sapphire made the decicion to ingore it instead of accidentlly coming off as rude by adressing it.

'Maybe they don't trust new comers?'

Mary came back and placed a warm plate of steak and potatoes in front of Sapphire.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You're a guest." Mary replied.

Sapphire made sure to say her grace before picking up the fork and taking a bite of the food. She couldn't help but close her eyes and admire the tatsyness. The warmth along with the ingrediants was like an angel had prepared the dish.

'Were steak and potatoes always this good?'

She continued chowing down on the food as the presit come in ti talk to Mary.

"I need you to go into the village again. This time, tell the shop keeper I sent you for the rare item. Can you do it?"

"Yes, Father. I'll be sure to go right away, just let me put on my shoes." Mary replied.

"Be carful and do not stray from the path in the forest. Monster lurk around."

Sapphire couldn't help it, but she was easedropping the entire time. She stood up from her seat and asked Mary to wait.

"Wait! I'll go with you."

Mary shook her head as she didn't want to trouble Sapphire.

"I'll be fine. After all, you still need to finish eating."

"I already finished." Sapphire stated.

She then stepped aside, revealing the clear plate on the table. Yes, Marry was suprised that all the food had been eaten withing a minute.

"Well...I guess you can come with me if you want."

"It's a deal. Let's go."

_________

Walking through the foggy, eerie forest, Mary still felt guilty at the fact Sapphire was walking her to the village.

"You know, you didn't have to do this?"

"It's quite alright. I'm an adventurer, it's my job to do stuff like this." Sapphire stated.

"Really? I had no idea." Mary replied in suprised.

Sapphire bit done on her lip as she realized the mistake she made. In her current indentity, she was supposed to say that she was magic instructor if anyone asked.

"Uhm, yeah. Let's keep it a secret between us."

"If you insist. I'm not sure you want it hidden but don't worry, I won't say a word."

Sapphire lost herself in thought as she continued to walked next to Marry.

Whenever she was done making sure Marry was safe, Sapphire was going to see what the priest knew about the dark mages. After that, she needed to find them ASAP and get Emi back.

'Poor Emi. She must be scared right now. I hope their taking care of her. If they hurt her, I'll make sure to break all of their bones.'

Marry suddenly stopped and froze. Her face wore the expression of utter fear. Amaya stopped as well and asked "What's wrong."

Marry tried to talk but her words kept stuttering.

"M..m..m-"

"Huh?"

"M-monster."

Sapphire quickly turned and saw a large creature blocking the path. It's fur was grey and it's teeth were razor sharp as drool fell form it's mouth. But, Sapphire had seen something like this before. From Earth, there were movies with these kind of monsters. They were called werewolves.

Sapphire patted Marry on the head before moving her back.

"It's ok. Just stay behind me, I'll take care of that thing quick."

But of course, Sapphire had to look at it's stats in curiosity.

[You have used 'Analyze']

{Werewolf: HP: 7,789 | MP: 234 | Atk: 395 | Speed 267 | Endurance: 581}

'Yeah, I'll be able to kill it, no problem.' Sapphire thought to herself.

She then dashed forward and smashed her fist against the monster's face.

Slam!

But her attack only made the Werewolff slightly tilt it's head.

'What?!' Her punch should've been more than enough to blow the monster's body apart, so, why did it do almost no damdge.

{Werewolf: HP: 7,594\7,789}

What was going? Sapphire became to distracted by thought and was caught off gaurd, giving the werewolf a chance to attack. The monster lifted it's hand and slashed down across Sapphire's chest, knocking her back. She greatly felt the pain as her blood flew across the air.

Thump.

Falling on her back, she looked at the sky above.

{Amaya: HP: 604/999}

What was going? What was happening? Why was she so weak? Why were her stats so low? Where did all her power go? There wasn't enough time to think these questions through. Her and Marry's life were on the line.

"Are you okay?" Marry asked in a panik.

Sapphire jumped back on balance and replied "I'm okay, just stay back!"

A long silver katana apearred into her hand as she sprinted forward.

['Speed Boost' has been set active]

With one firm slash, the blade cut through the werewolf's neck, sending it's head flying into the air before landing over in a bush.

"You killed it. You beat it." said Marry, Celebrating the win.

Even though Sapphire should've been relived as well, she wasn't. Not one bit. She was still completley clueless as to what was happening with her stats.

She then pulled up the menu to double check her stats.

{Amaya: HP: 999 | MP: 345 | Atk: 195 | Speed: 389 | Endurance: 971| Exp: 0/0}

Each of her stats had been greatly nerfed. The only thing even remotely still good was her speed.

'What happened to my stats?'

Marry ran over and examined the wound's on Sapphire's chest.

"Woah! Are you okay?!"

Sapphire turned away and nodded.

"I'm ok. Let's keep going."

"If you insist. But you're wound doesn't look to good."

_________

They had arrived outside a shop in the village.

"I'll be back. " said Marry.

"Okay. I'll be right here, waiting."

"Don't worry. It will only take a second." Marry then oppened the door and went inside the shop.

Now, Sapphire had time to think on the question she asked herself many times on the way here. What had happend to her stats? That's when she remembered yesterday. When she was talking to the priest, she couldn't help but feel that he was up to something. Then before they could get to the topic of the dark mages, Sapphire collapsed in pain and passed out. She had a good hunch that whatever was happening had something to do with the priest.

'That preist. What did he do? When I see him, I'm going to look at his skills and see which one reduced my stats. Then when I confront him.'

The door to the shop opened and Marry walked out,carrying a small pouch.

"Well that was fast." said Sapphire.

"I told you it would only take a second. Are you ready to head back now"

"Yeah. Let's go."

_________

They were finally close to being back at the church, being near the exit of the forest.

"Yay. We're almost back. I've done enough walking for today." said Marry.

"I bet. It took us all day and now the sun's going down." Sapphire replied, looking at the sunset.

She was going to ask Marry "So, what is it you guys learn at the church" but Sapphire stopped as the smell of smoke trickled it's way up her nose.

Smoke? But where's it coming from?

"Do you smell that?" Sapphire asked.

"Yes. It looks like it's coming from the church. Hurry, let's go." Marry replied in a hurry.

The two of them ran and ran, until they were completley out of the forest and in front of the church which was now in flames. Laying upon the grass were the motionless bodies of some of the church people.

'What's going on?'

Sapphire followed behind Marry in a hurry and grabbed her arm, stopping her from entering the burning church.

"No. Let go!" She shouted.

"Don't be dumb. You'll burn down if you go in there."

"But my sister is in there!"

From behind, came to voice of Father Ammiel.

"Don't...go in. You'll die too."

Sapphire and Marry ran to the priest's side as he appeared to be injured.

"What happened?" Sapphire asked.

"A fire monster showed up. It began slaughtering us mercilessly. I believe it's still in there."

Sapphire stared at the burning church, trying to think of a way to put the fire out and save whoever is stuck in there.

'I don't have enough Mp to stop the fire, but if I used attack amplifier, I might be able to.'

She aimed her palm in the direction of the church and shouted.

"Winter Breeze!"

[You have used 'Attack Amplifie']

An icy firm gust of wind moved forward, hitting the church, putting out the fire instantly. As the flames vannished. Only the smoke was rising.

'I did it!'

Sapphire tuned back to look at Marry and the preist.

"Okay. I'll go in and check for survivo-"

'No…' Sapphire stopped in a cold sweat as her pupils shrinked and trembled.

'No..why.'

Standing there was father Ammeil who had used his hand as a knife and stabbed it through Marry's chest.

The preist pulled his hand back, letting Marry fall to the floor as she muttered "Father...why?"

Thump.

Father Ammiel looked at Sapphire with a twisted, angered look of disgust.

"YOU! This is your FAULT! I TRIED so HARD to hold back from the urge. Anyone who had made contact with the dark mages is FILTHY. And here and here and here you came and SPREAD your FILTH here on my beloved church and along my beloved members. All of it had to GO."

Sapphire rushed over to Marry who was bleeding out.

'No. I'm all out of MP. But I can still heal her by using my heath as magic.'

Sapphire then placed her hands over Marry's chest.

'Come on! Heal!'

A green light started to glow on Marry's wound, but the blood wasn't stopping.

'No..I need more.'

Father Ammeil shook his head in dissapointment before begining to shout.

"YOU! Why do you IGNORE me! Considering this is YOUR FAULT, you IGNORE my and try to save MARRY"S life like your'e some sort of HERO. YOU'RE not! YOU ARE FILTH."

Imesurable pain pulsed through Sapphire's chest and head as she continued to heal Marry without stop.

{Marry: HP: 56/89}

'I need more..'

Blood slowly leaked from below Sapphire eyes and blood even started to fall from her nose. Still, she wasn't stopping.

More….more...more...more...more...more...more and more. Sapphire sacrificed HP to keep MArry alive.

Amaya: HP: 639/999

More….more...more...MORE...MORE...MORE

Father Ammiel stomped his foot on the ground in anger that he was still being ignored.

"Are you DEAF all of a SUDDEN!! IGNORING ME isn't going to reverse all the LIVES I had to Take because of you."

Still, Sapphire paid no mind and kept healing Marry.

More...more...more...more...more..more more more more more more more more more more.

Marry's wound had been completly healed and the bleeding stopped. Even if Sapphire lost a lot of heath from doing so, but saving Marry's life was worth it.

{Amaya: HP: 110/999}

Sapphire stood up, glaring at the priest.

"You go on and on about filth, but your the one who's actually filthy." Saphire stated.

Father Ammiel gasped at hearing her words.

"You would DARE to say I'm filthy? As a leader of the council of light, I am the farthest thing form FILTH!"

A long silver katana appeared into Sapphire's hands as she replied.

"I don't care. Filth or not, I'll put you down."

"You know, I would be scared if I hand't sealed away your stats. So, NO, I do NOt FEAR.. Your as weak as they come! So DIE!"

A fast beam of light shot across the air, cutting right through Sapphire's chest. On impact, she was killed and her lifless body slowly fell to the floor.

Thump!

"SEE?! Filth will be DEALT with!" Father Ammiel shouted.

['Second Chance' has activated]

Sapphire stood back up as the wound on her chest had already healed.

[You have used 'Analyze']

{Ammiel: HP: 34,000 | MP: 11,000 | Atk: 3,456 | Speed: 678 | Endurance: 1,273}

Even though Sapphire wanted to get her stats back, her opponent was just too strong to beat without help or the right equipment. The only thing to do was to run.

"OH? You're still ALIVE?!" The priest shouted.

Sapphire nodded.

"I am. And I won'd die here!"

"Let's ee about that!"

Spikes of light staryed to form in the sky and rapidly rain down.

Swoosh. Swoosh. Boom Boom.

Sapphire lifted Marry over he should and sprinted across the field of grass.

['Gate' has been activated]

A glowing portal appeared as Sapphire quickly dived though it.

['Gate' has been deactivated]

Just as fast at it came, the portal then vanished without a trace.

Amaya/Sapphire along with Marry were now in the town of Buryantson. Luckily, no body was around to see them come in through the portal.

"Now. I guess I should find an Inn."