Elior woke up with the sun already high, a faint smile lingering from the wild victory of the night before.
His body ached like he'd run a marathon, but that warm feather-mark on his chest hummed softly, steady.
"Oh man, I'm so tired," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Then he remembered work.
"Oh shit!"
He threw on his clothes in a blur and bolted out the door-
Bam!
"Ow! What the-?"
He'd slammed straight into Peter, who was pacing right outside like a caged animal.
"Oh, it's you, Petey… What are you doin' here? What's goin' on?"
"No time to talk-we need to go now!" Peter's face was twisted, aggravated, eyes wild.
"What do you mean 'let's go now'? I've got work to-"
"Come on!" Peter grabbed his hand and yanked him down the hall.
"Dude, I can't… I've-"
"It's Rebecca!" Peter yelled, stopping dead. "She's on the stake-"
Elior froze. His brain short-circuited, the words bouncing around like broken glass.
"Wh-what do you mean 'it's Rebecca'… You're kidding, right?"
"Do I look like I'm kidding? They're gonna burn her at the stake!"
"Then what are we waiting for? We've gotta hurry!" Elior snapped out of it and took off running, Peter right behind.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!"
They stormed out of the quarters, straight to the city center, shoving through the growing morning crowd.
They finally broke through-and there she was.
Rebecca, dangling from the stake like a broken doll, clothes torn and bloody, ropes biting into her wrists. One eye swollen shut, cheek crusted with dried blood.
Elior stared up, sanity slipping.
"The… the hell is this?!" he yelled, voice raw.
"Shhh… you'll only make it worse. No one's gonna listen to people like us," Peter hissed, grabbing his arm to pull him back.
"What do you mean by that? Where's that old geezer? Where's Garrus? Is he just gonna look past this?"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you… Old man Garrus is dead," Peter said slowly, eyes dropping.
"What? You've gotta be kidding," Elior scoffed, but his voice cracked.
"No. He was found dead in his restaurant this morning. And with the looks of things… the killer got him yesterday. Witnesses say the last person seen with him was his daughter. Rebecca." Peter's words hung heavy.
"Don't gimme that crap! Rebecca would never do such a thing… She loves her dad!" Elior yelled, breaking free and running toward her.
"Rebecca! Please tell me… it's not true," tears already rolling down his face.
"E-Elior…" She lifted her head slowly, mustering a weak smile through the pain, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry it had to end this way…"
"She admitted to the same thing," Peter's voice cut through Elior's wailing thoughts. "She admitted it this morning."
"No… no, this is bullshit!" Elior yelled.
"You fool… can't you see she's in pain? She's innocent-" Amidst his yelling, the panel flashed into view, golden and urgent.
╠═ Heavenly System ═╣
Skill Unlocked: "Discernment" (Lv.1)
Ability: Discerns between good and evil
Would you like to use?
Yes / No
Elior stared at it for a split second, heart pounding.
He tapped Yes.
Target: Rebecca
A soft glow enveloped her in his vision alone.
╠═ Heavenly System ═╣
Discernment Activated
Truth: Subject is innocent.
Seeing this, Elior roared, "Let her go, you fools!"
"Get away!" The guards shoved him back hard.
"Get out of my way!" Elior yelled, pushing past one.
The guards grabbed him, pinning him to the ground, boots on his back.
"Stay down, kid, or you'll be next on the stake…"
"Elior… it's better this way," Rebecca said, still smiling faintly.
"Moron, what are you smiling for? Tell them you didn't do it!" Elior yelled, struggling.
"I'm sorry…" Tears rolled down her swollen face.
"Burn her!" The priest yelled to the guards.
And they set the stake ablaze.
"No… no…" Elior whispered, barely able to speak, tears flooding his eyes as the flames roared up.
The crowd murmured. The smoke rose.
Rebecca's screams cut the air-then went silent.
Elior lay there, pinned, world shattering around him.