[In the beginning, the Old Gods rose from the corpse of Mor.]
[In the eye of the fallen God, Solest, our holy mother of light, awakened.]
[She formed our bodies from clay and gave us portions of her soul.]
[From her, Solari and Wraiths flourished under the guiding light.]
[She looked upon her creation, and saw it was good.]
-The Soliocos; The Book of Beginnings; Chapter 1 Verses 1-5
At the head of the altar, the serene priest of the Alchemic Order, Gregory Hoffman, read aloud the sacred scripture of The Soliocos, an ancient text derived from the original church fathers of the Order. Father Hoffman sang the verses in a ritual known as the "Divine Respite" and the church's followers followed suit as the chorus.
[Holy Lady!]
[Holy Flame!]
[Holy Light!]
The church followers repeated the phrase three times in honor of the old God. The hall of worship carried a soothing, divine aura that captured the believers' hearts. They prostrated before their Lord in total silence, and after a few moments, stood up again and ended the Divine Respite for the day.
Various words of praise were given to the Priest upon finishing the Divine Respite.
"Thank you, Father Hoffman."
"May the Holy flame guide you Father."
"Praise be the Holy Lady."
Father Hoffman raised his hand and announced, "This is the end of the Divine Respite. I will now be handling confessions. Anyone who wants to stay in the church hall today may participate in the confession."
Some members of the clergy left and went about their day as usual while others stayed behind for confession. Among the zealous crowd, a particularly weary young man with white and black hair approached the dutiful priest. He was timid and slightly hunched over with a troubled expression.
"Ah, Brother Rowley, what seems to be the issue?"
The newly endowed Reed Rowley replied, "I want...to do a confession."
___
[At the secret entrance of the Alchemic Order]
[30 Minutes after the Divine Respite]
Echoed with the distant murmurs of the cultists. Each step echoed against the damp stone walls, creating an eerie rhythm that matched the palpable tension in the air.
Naoto led the way, his form subtly shifting to match the appearance of a cult member. Derrick and McLoren followed closely behind, their senses heightened as they navigated the labyrinthine passages.
McLoren said with a quiet tone, "Just what is this place? Is this truly the realm of the Alchemic Order? They're a fairly well known organization within the underground of The Hole, but this is more of a dungeon than a chapel."
Naoto stopped in his tracks to explain to the ignorant McLoren, "There are two distinct sects of the Alchemic Order. The Liberal Sect is the side that is relatively open to outsiders like us. They operate like a standard which with gorgeous architecture, a loyal base of followers, and a set of holy traditions fit for worshipping their God of choice. On the outside, they may seem completely normal. However, we are in the Conservative Sect. The followers of this sect are far more aggressive and fervent believers of the Holy Flame God Solest, leading them to study the dark arts of mysticism and witchcraft. it is a truly dangerous religion."
"Hmph...all the more reason to stay alert at all times," McLoren said.
Derrick broke his silence and proposed an idea to the group, "How should we go about navigating the labyrinth? If we're serious about retrieving Reed Rowley, then it's best that we have a clear grasp of our surroundings."
"An Authority would do us well, I suppose. Would you like to do the honors?"
"Of course." Derrick weaved the corresponding hand signs of life, abundance, revealing mysteries, and warmth to expand his Authority. He sensed the large concentrations of spirituality within the dilapidated labyrinth like flames on a candle. Many of them radiated an evil energy that practically screamed "danger." However, he narrowed down the potential location of Reed Rowley from the picture McLoren's "associates" took of the scammer.
Find Reed Rowley
Find Reed Rowley
Find Reed Rowley
As long as Derrick concentrated on forming an accurate mental image, his Authority would automatically sort out the necessary targets.
"It's here," Derrick proclaimed, "Reed Rowley is currently in the Conservative Sect of the Alchemic Order's headquarters. He's roughly 400 meters away, but my Authority isn't refined enough to recognize depth."
Naoto turned to Derrick, a mixture of admiration and concern in his eyes. "Impressive work, Derrick. Your ability to utilize the Authority technique in such a precise and strategic manner is truly commendable."
Derrick acknowledged Naoto's compliment with a humble nod, but his expression quickly turned serious as he pointed out a crucial detail. "Thank you Naoto, but we have another problem..."
"...?"
"There are roughly 8 people locked in a room to the east of the dungeon that are on the verge of death. If we can rush there as quickly as possible, then we may be able to save a few of them."
"How absurd," McLoren scoffed, "we didn't come here to play superhero, we can here to finish a job. Saving civilians isn't within our payroll."
"What exactly do you mean by we and our?" Derrick replied in anger.
"Tsk, you are but a child. You couldn't understand even if I told you. We don't have time for this."
"So you're suggesting that we leave them to die?"
"Yes, and what of it?"
Derrick grit his teeth and repressed his searing rage. "Just who do you think you are? To pick and choose who gets to live, just who gave you that right?" A plethora of memories flashed before his eyes like a panorama. When he killed a man for the first time, he felt an unshakeable guilt shackle his heart. When Callos slaughtered an innocent family in cold blood, he felt an indescribable rage in his soul. But above all, he couldn't help but be reminded of the cryptic message Callos left behind.
"To live and let live, to kill and let die, just what is your decision?"
Naoto interrupted the hostile argument, "Wait a minute Derrick. Let's calm down and look at the situation objectively. McLoren is right when he said that we aren't here to save innocent lives. We're putting our very lives in danger just by being here, so what makes you think we can just save everyone so flippantly?"
"..." For a moment, Derrick's beliefs wavered. "We save lives because that is our obligation as the living. Even if it's inconvenient, we must protect life."
McLoren could barely his snobbish veneer upon hearing the boy's naive words. "Bah! What childish hogwash! In this world, not all life is worthy of being preserved. People will always operate within their own self-interests, even if it comes at the cost of another. To live is to be selfish. To live is to take what you can while protecting your own possessions. That is life. If you can't even understand that much, perhaps you don't deserve to be here."
Upon uttering the cruel comment, Favio McLoren walked off and headed towards the designated area where Reed Riley was hidden. Naoto reached out for the man who considered his partner, but was quickly brushed off.
"Damn...I'm sorry, Derrick, but we really don't have time for saving others. The mission always comes first." Naoto disappeared into the darkness along with McLoren, leaving Derrick with a look of regret and pity.
Alone in the labyrinthine dungeon of the Alchemic Order's Conservative faction, Derrick forged ahead, his path illuminated by the unwavering conviction to fulfill his duty and save the injured people from death.
No matter what...I'll never be like any of you. I'll keep saving others, even if it means losing myself.
[In the beginning, the Old Gods rose from the corpse of Mor.]
[In the eye of the fallen God, Solest, our holy mother of light, awakened.]
[She formed our bodies from clay and gave us portions of her soul.]
[From her, Solari and Wraiths flourished under the guiding light.]
[She looked upon her creation, and saw it was good.]
-The Soliocos; The Book of Beginnings; Chapter 1 Verses 1-5
At the head of the altar, the serene priest of the Alchemic Order, Gregory Hoffman, read aloud the sacred scripture of The Soliocos, an ancient text derived from the original church fathers of the Order. Father Hoffman sang the verses in a ritual known as the "Divine Respite" and the church's followers followed suit as the chorus.
[Holy Lady!]
[Holy Flame!]
[Holy Light!]
The church followers repeated the phrase three times in honor of the old God. The hall of worship carried a soothing, divine aura that captured the believers' hearts. They prostrated before their Lord in total silence, and after a few moments, stood up again and ended the Divine Respite for the day.
Various words of praise were given to the Priest upon finishing the Divine Respite.
"Thank you, Father Hoffman."
"May the Holy flame guide you Father."
"Praise be the Holy Lady."
Father Hoffman raised his hand and announced, "This is the end of the Divine Respite. I will now be handling confessions. Anyone who wants to stay in the church hall today may participate in the confession."
Some members of the clergy left and went about their day as usual while others stayed behind for confession. Among the zealous crowd, a particularly weary young man with white and black hair approached the dutiful priest. He was timid and slightly hunched over with a troubled expression.
"Ah, Brother Rowley, what seems to be the issue?"
The newly endowed Reed Rowley replied, "I want...to do a confession."
___
[At the secret entrance of the Alchemic Order]
[30 Minutes after the Divine Respite]
Echoed with the distant murmurs of the cultists. Each step echoed against the damp stone walls, creating an eerie rhythm that matched the palpable tension in the air.
Naoto led the way, his form subtly shifting to match the appearance of a cult member. Derrick and McLoren followed closely behind, their senses heightened as they navigated the labyrinthine passages.
McLoren said with a quiet tone, "Just what is this place? Is this truly the realm of the Alchemic Order? They're a fairly well known organization within the underground of The Hole, but this is more of a dungeon than a chapel."
Naoto stopped in his tracks to explain to the ignorant McLoren, "There are two distinct sects of the Alchemic Order. The Liberal Sect is the side that is relatively open to outsiders like us. They operate like a standard which with gorgeous architecture, a loyal base of followers, and a set of holy traditions fit for worshipping their God of choice. On the outside, they may seem completely normal. However, we are in the Conservative Sect. The followers of this sect are far more aggressive and fervent believers of the Holy Flame God Solest, leading them to study the dark arts of mysticism and witchcraft. it is a truly dangerous religion."
"Hmph...all the more reason to stay alert at all times," McLoren said.
Derrick broke his silence and proposed an idea to the group, "How should we go about navigating the labyrinth? If we're serious about retrieving Reed Rowley, then it's best that we have a clear grasp of our surroundings."
"An Authority would do us well, I suppose. Would you like to do the honors?"
"Of course." Derrick weaved the corresponding hand signs of life, abundance, revealing mysteries, and warmth to expand his Authority. He sensed the large concentrations of spirituality within the dilapidated labyrinth like flames on a candle. Many of them radiated an evil energy that practically screamed "danger." However, he narrowed down the potential location of Reed Rowley from the picture McLoren's "associates" took of the scammer.
Find Reed Rowley
Find Reed Rowley
Find Reed Rowley
As long as Derrick concentrated on forming an accurate mental image, his Authority would automatically sort out the necessary targets.
"It's here," Derrick proclaimed, "Reed Rowley is currently in the Conservative Sect of the Alchemic Order's headquarters. He's roughly 400 meters away, but my Authority isn't refined enough to recognize depth."
Naoto turned to Derrick, a mixture of admiration and concern in his eyes. "Impressive work, Derrick. Your ability to utilize the Authority technique in such a precise and strategic manner is truly commendable."
Derrick acknowledged Naoto's compliment with a humble nod, but his expression quickly turned serious as he pointed out a crucial detail. "Thank you Naoto, but we have another problem..."
"...?"
"There are roughly 8 people locked in a room to the east of the dungeon that are on the verge of death. If we can rush there as quickly as possible, then we may be able to save a few of them."
"How absurd," McLoren scoffed, "we didn't come here to play superhero, we can here to finish a job. Saving civilians isn't within our payroll."
"What exactly do you mean by we and our?" Derrick replied in anger.
"Tsk, you are but a child. You couldn't understand even if I told you. We don't have time for this."
"So you're suggesting that we leave them to die?"
"Yes, and what of it?"
Derrick grit his teeth and repressed his searing rage. "Just who do you think you are? To pick and choose who gets to live, just who gave you that right?" A plethora of memories flashed before his eyes like a panorama. When he killed a man for the first time, he felt an unshakeable guilt shackle his heart. When Callos slaughtered an innocent family in cold blood, he felt an indescribable rage in his soul. But above all, he couldn't help but be reminded of the cryptic message Callos left behind.
"To live and let live, to kill and let die, just what is your decision?"
Naoto interrupted the hostile argument, "Wait a minute Derrick. Let's calm down and look at the situation objectively. McLoren is right when he said that we aren't here to save innocent lives. We're putting our very lives in danger just by being here, so what makes you think we can just save everyone so flippantly?"
"..." For a moment, Derrick's beliefs wavered. "We save lives because that is our obligation as the living. Even if it's inconvenient, we must protect life."
McLoren could barely his snobbish veneer upon hearing the boy's naive words. "Bah! What childish hogwash! In this world, not all life is worthy of being preserved. People will always operate within their own self-interests, even if it comes at the cost of another. To live is to be selfish. To live is to take what you can while protecting your own possessions. That is life. If you can't even understand that much, perhaps you don't deserve to be here."
Upon uttering the cruel comment, Favio McLoren walked off and headed towards the designated area where Reed Riley was hidden. Naoto reached out for the man who considered his partner, but was quickly brushed off.
"Damn...I'm sorry, Derrick, but we really don't have time for saving others. The mission always comes first." Naoto disappeared into the darkness along with McLoren, leaving Derrick with a look of regret and pity.
Alone in the labyrinthine dungeon of the Alchemic Order's Conservative faction, Derrick forged ahead, his path illuminated by the unwavering conviction to fulfill his duty and save the injured people from death.
No matter what...I'll never be like any of you. I'll keep saving others, even if it means losing myself.
