Trinity stands beneath the vaulted arches of the cathedral, the only place that offers her and Sinae a semblance of safety in the city. The once-grand structure is worn, its stone walls chipped, and its stained-glass windows dulled by the grime of years gone by. But it's quiet here, and for the first time in weeks, she can breathe without looking over her shoulder.
The priest who granted them shelter has been kind, never asking questions or prying into their past. Perhaps he, too, senses the weight they carry…the responsibility of rebuilding a city that has been shattered beyond recognition.
Sinae walks closely beside her, fingers gripping the edge of Trinity's coat. The younger woman's presence is a constant comfort, a quiet reminder that Trinity isn't alone in this fight, even if the burden feels immense. Over the past month, the two have grown inseparable, finding solace in one another as they navigate the ruins of a place they once called home.
Sinae peers up at Trinity, her dark eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Do you think we can really do it? Save this city?"
Trinity exhales slowly, her gaze drifting to the rows of candles burning at the altar. "I don't know," she admits. "Sometimes it feels like we're trying to fix something that's already dead. The people here... they're lost. Broken. Corrupted. How do you save a city when its people have forgotten how to live?"
Sinae leans into her slightly, seeking comfort in the warmth of Trinity's presence. "Maybe they haven't forgotten. Maybe they just need someone to remind them."
"Maybe," Trinity echoes, though doubt lingers in her voice. She remembers the faces of those they've encountered in the streets…hollow-eyed, wandering aimlessly through the wreckage of their former lives. "But it's hard to believe they'll ever come back from this. How do you rebuild a city when the foundation itself is crumbling?"
Sinae's voice is soft but resolute. "One step at a time. People can change with time. I did, right?"
Trinity glances down at her and offers a faint smile. "You sound more hopeful than I feel."
"I have to be," Sinae says, her grip on Trinity's coat tightening slightly. "If I don't hold onto hope, what else do we have? You taught me that Trinity, and I'm thankful for that. So much."
Trinity doesn't respond right away, her thoughts tangled in the enormity of what lies ahead. She knows Sinae is right—they have to hold onto something, even if it's just a thread of hope. But the weight of the city's suffering presses down on her, a constant reminder that their task is monumental. "You helped me too, so it wasn't a one way effort. Mutual desire is the key."
A soft sound draws their attention. Shiori stirs from her makeshift bed of cushions, blinking sleepily as she rises. The child rubs her eyes and walks toward them, her small frame dwarfed by the vastness of the cathedral. Her innocence stands in stark contrast to the bleakness that surrounds them. With the passing of time, she's grown more of a presence, allowing the enhanced sinners such as Sinae to touch her as easily as Trinity can. However, she can't be touched by normal sinners, and she can't remain outside her amulet or weapon form too long.
"What are you talking about?" Shiori asks, her voice thick with sleep.
"We're talking about how to fix the city," Sinae replies gently, kneeling down to brush a strand of hair from Shiori's face. "It's not easy, but we're trying to figure it out."
Shiori frowns, her youthful mind struggling to grasp the complexities of their conversation. "But how? Everything's so broken."
Trinity crouches beside her, her gaze softening as she meets Shiori's eyes. "It is broken," she says quietly. "But that doesn't mean it can't be fixed. We just have to find a way."
Shiori's brow furrows as she thinks, but she doesn't have an answer to offer. She's still too young to fully understand the scale of what they're up against, but her presence, her untainted spirit, is a reminder of what they're fighting for.
For a while, the three of them stand in silence, the flickering light of the candles casting long shadows across the stone floor. Trinity's mind drifts to the countless nights spent strategizing, trying to come up with a plan that could save what's left of the city. But each idea feels like a patch on a sinking ship, and she knows it will take more than brute strength or even strategy to turn things around. For all the talk she had after jumping off the balcony, she's still at a loss on how to do something as grand as reclaiming their city. The city doesn't even want her anymore.
The heavy wooden doors of the cathedral creak open, and Trinity straightens, her muscles tensing instinctively. She watches as Symone steps through the doorway, her sharp eyes scanning the interior as she approaches them. The soft sound of her boots against the stone floor echoes in the quiet, each step purposeful, deliberate. She gazes at the young sinners in the room.
"Symone?" Trinity greets her cautiously. She's still not used to her presence, even after all this time. While her attack hasn't been disregarded, it's become clear she means no harm for now.
"You've been hiding out here," Symone remarks, her tone casual but carrying the weight of unspoken understanding. "I figured you'd be lying low. What you did was rather foolish dear."
"We're not hiding," Trinity replies, her voice defensive, though she knows Symone isn't entirely wrong. "Just... taking a moment to regroup. Sinae underwent a huge change, so I'm observing."
Symone's lips quirk up in a faint smile. "Sure. Regrouping. Whatever you wish to call it hon."
Sinae becomes guarded beside Trinity, eyeing Symone warily. "What do you want, Symone?"
Symone pulls her hands from her coat pockets and crosses her arms, leaning against one of the stone pillars. "I've got a proposition. I think it'll be a great solution to your current predicament."
Trinity raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms in return. "What kind of proposition is it exactly?"
Symone's gaze flickers to Shiori for a moment, then returns to Trinity. "You need more than just a plan to fix this place. You need to heal the people. That's where I come in with my support."
"Go on," Trinity says, intrigued despite herself. "Let's hear your brilliant plan for us please."
"I'm opening a mental health facility," Symone explains. "A place where sinners can come to heal. We can't save this city if its people are still broken. They act out with violence and scorn because it's the only way to survive here. They need help, real help. That's what I'm offering."
Trinity nods slowly, considering the weight of Symone's words. "You think that's the answer? Healing the people? These gangs, murderers and thieves really have the potential to be saved?"
"I say it's the only answer," Symone replies. "I want you to be part of it. It must be you Trinity."
Trinity wants to respond, but something else weighs on her mind, something she's been trying to push aside for weeks. "Symone," she begins hesitantly, "have you heard anything from Amlith?"
Symone's expression hardens slightly at the mention of the name, though she keeps her composure. "Why? I would've thought she was already out of sight and mind for you."
"We've been lying low for a reason," Trinity admits quietly, her eyes flickering with worry. "After what happened...after my betrayal, I'm surprised she hasn't retaliated yet. It's been a month. I thought she'd come after us by now. I know Amlith is not one to lose things quietly."
"Six months is hardly enough time to understand Amlith…." Symone leans against the pillar, her arms still crossed as she shakes her head. "Amlith hasn't said anything. Not to me, at least."
Trinity's brows knit together in confusion. "Nothing? At all? I find that hard to believe. I don't know the history between you two, but I can at least tell that it exists. She didn't speak to you?"
"Not a word," Symone replies. "It's been business as usual with her. The Overlords continue their monthly events like clockwork. She hasn't mentioned or made any moves against you."
"That doesn't sound like her," Trinity mutters, her mind racing. "She's not one to let something like this go. I know I've known her less time than you, but I've still learned quite a bit on her."
Symone shrugs, her gaze shifting to the cathedral's stained-glass windows. "Amlith's a master at hiding her true feelings. Even if she's furious, she wouldn't show it. Not to anyone. Definitely not to me. Even with the centuries I've known her, she's still a box I can't open above her legs."
"Above her legs, huh?" Trinity manages a small smile but doesn't comment further. She exhales slowly, her unease still gnawing at her. "So, what do I do? Wait until she finally decides to act?"
"I don't know," Symone admits, her voice softening. "Amlith plays the long game. She doesn't rush. If she's planning something, we might not see it coming until it's too late. She's crafty."
Trinity falls silent, her mind working through the possibilities. She knows Amlith well enough to understand that if the Overlord Princess of Hell is plotting something, it will be meticulous and calculated. Amlith isn't the kind of enemy who acts on impulse. But the uncertainty of it all…the waiting, the not knowing…leaves Trinity on edge. She worries for Shi's and Sinae's safety too.
"And what about you?" Trinity asks, her eyes narrowing as she studies Symone's face. "If Amlith was planning something, would you tell me? Or would you side with her? I mean, I haven't forgotten your attack against me. I'm still holding you at an arm's length for now."