Florence/Memories

## Chapter 1

I owe her my life.

As a child, I was infected by a terrible disease that left me hanging between life and death.

No one thought there was any hope for me to survive, so everyone gave up...Even me.

But, there was one person who didn't— Fortina.

She kept my spirits up as I suffered through nightmares, sacrificing her own sleep to nurse me.

"Stop! You're going to get yourself infected, too. Just leave me alone..."

I rejected her help, but that didn't dissuade her at all. She looked like an angel...praying to God day after day...

## Chapter 2

Thanks to Fortina's exhaustive efforts in nursing me, I managed to survived.

The plague is potent enough to wipe out an entire village...It's nothing short of a miracle that I was saved.

And the one who performed that miracle was Fortina. I'm here today only because she persisted against the odds that were stacked against her.

If this is the "will of God," as she often says, then that must mean I was kept alive to protect her.

So I made a vow—not to God, but to myself...Fortina saved me, so I'll devote this life of mine to her.

I will protect Fortina...This I swear...with unbending resolve.

## Chapter 3

Many years since then...the village was once again devastated by a plague—the same one that infected me as a child.

With each passing day, more and more people die...But, what's more concerning is how much of an emotional strain it all has been for Fortina.

She's apparently been praying at the Church ever since the plague started spreading...I just hope she's eating properly this time.

Feeling uneasy, I go to the Church to check on her...but what I found there was Fortina—transformed into a witch.

She looked pale with fear, so I embraced her as strongly as I could.

It's going to be okay, Fortina...I'm sorry for not noticing what happened to you.

It must've been so terrifying...

If this is one of "God's trials" that you usually talk about, then I'll face it alongside you.

I won't let you suffer alone...I vowed to always protect you, after all.

Everything *will* be okay. If the two of us are together, I'm *sure* we can get through this.

## Chapter 4

Sometime later...a Letter of Summons came from the Pope for Fortina.

My blood froze, fearing that she had been targeted by the Witch Hunt, but it seemed like she was being summoned to have her humanity restored.

But in that letter...it was also written that *I* was to accompany her. Why would it...?

Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but something doesn't feel right here...

We proceeded with caution as we presented ourselves to the Pope...It was then that she started cursing at Fortina for being a witch.

I became livid and challenged her accusations. "Fortina...a witch of calamity?! That's just...ridiculous...!"

But then, the Pope turned her lance on me...contorting the world before my very eyes.

## Chapter 5

What...is...this...? My vision...my memories...my mind...are all becoming consumed.

Something begins to wipe my slate clean...No, wait...Don't take that memory...Don't take her away from me...!

It feels as if...a long time ago, there was someone smiling at me.

That smile was as bright as my sunshine...and it saved my life. I loved it with all my heart.

I vowed to myself that no matter the cost, I would protect it—protect the ray of light that saved me...

Wait...Don't leave me...Don't take her away from me...For...na...

It felt as if something had scattered to the wind...Something that seemed very important to me...

When I finally came to, the body of a witch I'd never seen before was laying motionless before me.

## Chapter 6

When did I defeat a witch....? How strange. My memories feel faint, and my mind clouded.

It was then that Her Holiness called for me...Ah, yes. I remember now. I am...the Grand Master of the Knights of Longinus.

I swore undying loyalty to Her Holiness for saving my life as a child...That is who I am—Grand Master Florence...

"Your Holiness, I have exterminated this witch who dares trespass against you," I said, kneeling before her.

Yes...Everything shall be done as Her Holiness wishes...This I swear...with unbending resolve.

I was then ordered to seek out a man in possession of a magic staff.

He appears to be an evil fiend spreading disaster throughout the world with his coven of witches...

I must dispose of him immediately...for Her Holiness.

## Chapter 7

I finally found the man with the staff...and soon engaged him in combat.

But just before I could strike him down...a bright light emanated from his staff.

As I was bathed in its light, countless memories buried within me began to resurface.

Agh...Who...is...this...girl? A witch—no, that is not true. She is...For...tina... That's right...Fortina! The one I vowed to protect was her, not the Pope!

I remembered everything...What have I done...? She saved my life, yet...I nearly ended hers in cold blood!

If only I could just die by your hands...Oh, how relieving that would be...

But if that were to happen, I wouldn't be able to save you.

Even if I've lost all hope of ever seeing you smile again...I'll stop at *nothing* to save you.

Wait for me, Fortina...I'm on my way!