Third Incarnation of Anastatia: Bridge of Shadows

"Sister, if you persist, surely it will kill you."

Summary

In Anastatia's third incarnation, the Vandal horde sacked the city of light Kyr Poli, lead by the former Mother Luna. Luna had fallen to shade, tempted by power and full of false righteousness. The Vandals had been terrorizing the countryside, turning the populace from the light via trickery and fear. Lords had forsaken their oaths, and their armies now marched with the horde. Under the shadow of a lunar eclipse, they broke through the outer guard and found Anastasia waiting on the Golden Path, the final bridge to the Cathedral.   Anastatia stood her ground as wave after wave of Vandal poured across the bridge, her spear and shield holding them back, their bodies falling into the darkness of the chasm that surrounded the castle. Eventually, her armor ran red with her own blood and her limbs were heavy from exhaustion.   Luna stepped out into the bridge.   Luna and Anastatia had trained together in the army of light, fought in the vanguard of many battles, been present at every coming of age. But Luna had become weak, unable to bear the burden of the light, and had become something dark and destructive for want of it. But Anastatia still loved her.   Luna charged, weilding short quick swords and for the first time Anastatia gave ground, taking one step back. But Anasatia refused to strike back.   "Sister", Anastatia said, "If you persist, surely it will kill you."   But Luna did not yeild, and attacked in a berserk rage, cutting at Anastatia's weak points. The eclipse reached its peak, and Lunas power and fury climaxed with it. Blows rained on Anastatia, her shield shattered, the tip of spear sheared from the pole.   "Sister", Anastatia repearted, "If you persist, surely it will kill you."   Step after step, Anastatia was driven back, towards the golden gates of the Cathedral. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the clergy huddled in terror, not a warrior amongst them. Acolytes, no older than she was when she met Luna, wept and prayed to the golden sun.   As the eclipse started to end, the moon fell behind the clouds. The wind blew out the torches and candles, shrouding the arena in true darkness.   "Sister", Anastatia whispered, her voice faint from weakness, "If you persist, surely it will kill you."   Luna screamed and lashed out at the darkness. At that moment, the first light of dawn broke over the horizon. The mirrors of Kyr Poli reflected it down upon the bridge, casting a dim light.   As her eyes udjusted, Luna saw nothing but the blackness of the chasm. Anastatia had moved the battle to the edge of the bridge, and in her fury Luna had gone over the edge. Anastatia couldn't bear to see her friend die, though, and reached out with her last gasp of strength to catch her wrist.   Luna's fury was unabated, she clawed at her enemies hand. Anasatia could feel the last of her strength waning.   "Sister", Anastatia tried to say.   But her strength failed her, and she let go. As she watched her friend scream, falling into the shade, her own vision failed. Anastatia died on that on that bridge, for the third but not last time.   Her sacrifice bought the time for the Golden Guard to return to the city, and route the Vandals. The horde was too rapt at the battle they witnessed they failed to see as the phalanax marched on the birdge behind them.   This was the third miracle of St Anastatia.
Date of Setting
439 AD
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