**Chapter 6: The Sealed Saint**
The chains around Luis' wrists burned with holy energy, each link etched with ancient runes meant to suppress his power. The Church wasn't taking chances.
**"You really think these will hold me?"** Luis smirked, testing the restraints.
The High Inquisitor didn't answer. Instead, he gestured to the massive doors at the end of the chamber. **"Bring in the Saint."**
The room trembled as the doors groaned open. A figure floated in—**a girl no older than sixteen, her body wrapped in bandages inscribed with divine scripture.** Her eyes, glowing silver, locked onto Luis.
**[The Sealed Saint – Celeste]**
- **Ability: "Divine Null"** – Any power used in her presence **erases itself from existence.**
- **Cost:** Her own memories, piece by piece.
Luis' grin faded. *This… changes things.*
---
### **The Nullification War**
The battle was silent. No flashy spells, no grand explosions—just **a war of attrition.**
- Every time Luis tried to **copy** a skill, it dissolved before he could grasp it.
- Every **healing pulse** he released flickered out like a dying candle.
Celeste advanced, her bare feet leaving glowing footprints on the stone. **"Your existence is an error,"** she whispered. **"I will correct it."**
Luis' mind raced. *If I can't use abilities… then I'll have to get creative.*
He lunged—**not with magic, but with a punch.**
Celeste blinked, caught off guard, and stumbled back.
**"You—you brawl like a thug?!"** a paladin spat.
Luis wiped blood from his split lip. **"Hey, if it works."**
---
### **The Demon Lord's Gambit**
Shadows erupted from the walls. The Demon Lord's elite guard—**a swarm of wraiths with stolen holy weapons**—slammed into the Church's forces.
Amid the chaos, the Demon Lord herself appeared beside Luis, slicing his chains with a claw.
**"You're *welcome*,"** she purred.
Luis rolled his eyes. **"I had it handled."**
**"Liar."** She tossed him a dagger—**one forged from a fallen angel's wing.** **"Now, shall we dance?"**
---
### **Aldric's Betrayal**
Just as Luis moved to strike, a blade impaled the Demon Lord's shoulder—**from behind.**
She whirled, hissing. **"You—?!"**
Aldric stood there, his sword dripping with demon blood. **"I'm not on your side either,"** he growled. **"But I won't let the Church or demons decide humanity's fate."**
Luis stared. *…Since when did he grow a spine?*
Celeste, now faltering as her nullification field wavered, clutched her head. **"Too many… too many memories lost…"**
---
### **The Escape**
Luis saw his opening.
He grabbed Celeste's wrist—**not to attack, but to heal.**
**"What are you—?!"** she gasped.
**[Awakened Copy: "Divine Null"]** → **[Reversed: "Memory Rebirth"]**
- **Effect:** For a single moment, Celeste **remembered everything.** Her past. Her name. **Why the Church really sealed her.**
Her silver eyes flooded with tears. **"They… they lied to me."**
The cathedral trembled. Cracks split the walls.
**"Time to go,"** the Demon Lord hissed, yanking Luis back into the shadows.
Aldric hesitated—then followed. SEALED SAINT