As the trio made their way back to the inn, the oppressive silence of Narey's streets seemed to press in on them from all sides. The flickering lamplights cast long, eerie shadows, and the distant sound of shuffling footsteps made them quicken their pace.
Inside the inn, they gathered in Guil's room, the air thick with tension. Guil laid out a rough map of Narey on the table, tracing a path from the inn to the town hall. "We need to find a way into the catacombs without alerting Ingrid or her followers," he said, his voice steady.
Inoue nodded, her eyes fixed on the map. "We need a distraction, something that will draw their attention away from the entrance."
Lea leaned back, her mind racing. "We could use the golems against them. If we can lure a few to the town hall, it might give us the cover we need."
Guil considered this, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's risky, but it might work. We'll need to be quick and precise."
Inoue's eyes met Guil's. "And what about reinforcements? We can't take on Ingrid alone."
Guil nodded. "We'll need to find the townsfolk who are still resisting the cult. Lucy might be able to help us with that. She knows the town and its people."
As they finalized their plan, the first light of dawn began to creep through the cracks in the shutters. Exhausted but resolute, they agreed to rest and reconvene at midday.
Later that day, the trio met Lucy in the back room of the library. She had gathered a few of the town's remaining rebels, their faces grim but determined.
"These are the people who can help you," Lucy said, introducing each of them. "This is Marcus, a former town guard; Elena, a healer; and Tobias."
Guil greeted each of them, noting the resolve in their eyes. "Thank you for coming," he said. "We have a plan to infiltrate the town hall and reach the catacombs where Ingrid conducts her rituals. But we'll need your help."
Marcus stepped forward. "We're with you. Anything to rid this town of Ingrid's grip."
Elena nodded. "I'll stay back to tend to the wounded, but I'll do whatever I can to support you."
Lucy unfolded a more detailed map of the town hall, pointing to a discreet area. "There's a secret entrance here. It's an old servant's passage that leads directly to the catacombs. I can guide you."
Guil glanced at Tobias, Marcus , and Elena. "We'll need a distraction to draw the cultists away. Can you handle that?"
Marcus smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Leave it to us. We'll draw the golems to the town hall and create enough chaos to cover your entrance."
Guil looked around the room, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "Alright, everyone. Let's get to work. Tonight, we take back Narey."
As dusk settled over Narey, the resistance group moved with purpose. Marcus, Elena, and Tobias took position outside the town hall, ready to distract the flesh golems prowling the streets.
Meanwhile, Lucy led Inoue, Lea, and Guil through the labyrinthine corridors of the town hall, her familiarity guiding them toward the hidden entrance to the catacombs.
Lea couldn't shake a growing unease about Lucy as they descended deeper. Something felt off—too rehearsed, too convenient.
Suddenly, Lucy's demeanor twisted unnaturally, her form contorting into a monstrous flesh golem. With a thunderous slam, she lunged at Inoue, aiming to crush her beneath a massive fleshy arm.
Guil reacted swiftly, intercepting the attack and deflecting Lucy's strike away from Inoue. The impact sent shockwaves through the catacombs, causing the ground to tremble.
As debris scattered, Inoue was thrown back, hitting her head and losing consciousness.
Moments later, Inoue stirred to the chaotic scene of Guil locked in combat with Lucy, now transformed into a grotesque, monstrous figure. Lea summoned thunder magic, sending bolts crackling through the air to weaken Lucy's defenses while tending to Inoue's awakening state.
Inoue, still dazed, scratched her head as Lea checked on her. With a nod, Inoue unsheathed her short sword, summoning water magic to conjure a powerful current. Leaping into the air, she landed atop the golem, thrusting her blade deep into its back with precise strikes.
The golem writhed in pain, its grotesque form contorting and whimpering in agony. In a desperate counterattack, it flung Inoue away, prompting Guil to leap to her rescue. Together, they faced the monstrous golem head-on, their determination matching its relentless assault.
Suddenly, a voice sliced through the chaos from the shadows behind the golem. "That's enough for now..."
The golem paused, turning towards the voice. A pale, delicate hand emerged, resting upon the creature's back. As it whimpered, the golem began to dissolve, its flesh and bones absorbed into the figure standing behind it.
Ingrid Beckham emerged from the darkness, her silhouette framed by flickering torchlight. Emerald eyes gleamed with malicious intent beneath luscious ginger hair. Inoue gasped in recognition, her voice barely a whisper, "Ingrid..."
Ingrid's grin widened, revealing a hint of satisfaction. Her left cheek bore the Roman numeral III, marking her as one of the Eight .