Inoue led the way down the narrow staircase into the dimly lit basement, with Guil following close behind, his voice a constant whisper of pleas for her to calm down. But her mind was consumed by a singular focus: Kharok. Guil could see the tension in her posture, the fury in her eyes, but every attempt to reach her fell on deaf ears.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the basement opened up into a vast, cavernous room lined with iron cages. The sight was horrific—humans, ghouls, elves, and even scarra demons huddled together, their eyes hollow with despair. The air was thick with the stench of sweat, fear, and hopelessness. Whimpers and muted cries echoed off the stone walls, but Inoue barely registered them. Her fury only deepened, her grip tightening on the hilt of her short sword.
Guil, however, felt a pang of pity for the captives. Each cage they passed seemed to sap a little more of his resolve. Yet, his concern for Inoue overrode his sympathy. He had to keep her from doing something she would regret.
Ahead of them, a tall, muscular man stood with his back to them, scribbling notes in a worn leather book as he inspected the slaves. His voice was cold and detached as he spoke to himself. "This one is in good shape... and ooh, an elf. This fella is going to make us a lot of money."
Guil and Inoue immediately recognized the man—it was Kharok. The name escaped Inoue's lips as a scream, raw with fury. "Kharok!" Without hesitation, she unsheathed her short sword and sprinted towards him at full speed. Her body moved with a deadly grace, fueled by rage and the thirst for revenge.
Guil shouted her name in alarm, drawing his sword and chasing after her, ready for the inevitable fight. Kharok spun around, his eyes wide with fear as he dropped his notebook and bolted, his instinct for survival kicking in.
Inoue was relentless. With a swift motion, she summoned water magic, creating a slick trail on the ground that allowed her to slide forward with alarming speed. Guil, not one to be left behind, summoned the wind to propel himself faster, but he could barely keep up with her.
Kharok, now frantic, reached a ladder at the end of the room and scrambled up, bursting out onto the roof. He leaped from one rooftop to another, desperation lending him a burst of energy. But Inoue was right on his heels, her eyes locked on him like a predator hunting its prey. With every stride, she fired jets of water at Kharok, trying to knock him off balance.
One of the blasts hit its mark, and Kharok slipped, tumbling off the roof and landing hard on a nearby carriage. The impact knocked the wind out of him, leaving him vulnerable. Inoue didn't hesitate. She jumped down, landing directly in front of him with a fierce glare. She planted her foot on his chest, pinning him down, and grabbed him by the shirt, her short sword pressed against his throat.
Guil watched from the rooftop, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and concern. He could see the crowd beginning to gather below, their murmurs of curiosity growing louder as they took in the scene. He knew this was getting out of hand.
Inoue's face was twisted in anger as she pressed the blade closer to Kharok's throat. "Tell me everything you know!" she screamed, her voice filled with venom. The crowd flinched at her rage, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Before Kharok could stammer a response Inoue hit him with the hilt of her sword, having heard the commotion, Reinhardtand Lea arrived. She immediately moved towards Inoue, her voice calm but firm. "Inoue, you need to calm down. We've got him. He's not going anywhere."
Inoue's grip on Kharok's shirt tightened as she glared at Lea, her breathing heavy and ragged. But the sight of her friends seemed to cut through the haze of her anger. Slowly, she released Kharok, her hand trembling as she stepped back.
Reinhardt approached Kharok, pulling out a pair of handcuffs and securing them around the man's wrists. Kharok, now subdued, didn't resist. His face was bloodied from where Inoue had struck him, but the fear in his eyes was undeniable.
Lea placed a comforting hand on Inoue's shoulder as Reinhardt dragged Kharok away towards the Tempest Knights headquarters. "Let's go," Lea whispered softly. "We'll get the answers we need, but not like this."
Inoue nodded, though her eyes were still filled with unresolved anger. Guil, having climbed down from the rooftop, joined them, his face a mixture of relief and concern. As the crowd slowly dispersed, he glanced at Inoue, still worried about the storm brewing within her.
Together, they followed Reinhardt back to the headquarters, the weight of what had just transpired heavy on their shoulders. The hunt for Dross was far from over, but they had a new lead, and with Kharok in custody, they were one step closer to unraveling the web of Dia's Hand.
As the group made their way back to the Tempest Knights headquarters, the city of Sylvenmere was beginning to stir with the morning light. The once-quiet streets were now bustling with activity as vendors set up their stalls and townsfolk went about their daily routines.
Inside the headquarters, the mood was somber. The stark contrast between the grim reality of their mission and the bustling city outside was palpable. Kharok, now securely handcuffed and under heavy guard, was led through the main hall, his head hung low. He was still visibly shaken from his encounter with Inoue.
Reinhardt guided Kharok to a small interrogation room, its walls lined with simple wooden benches and a sturdy table. The room was bare, save for a single oil lamp flickering on the table's surface. Kharok was seated roughly on one of the benches, his hands shackled to the back of the chair.
Inoue, though visibly calmer now, lingered near the door, her eyes still filled with a mix of anger and determination. Guil stood beside her, offering a silent show of support. Lea, ever the mediator, took a seat on the edge of the room, her gaze fixed on the door, waiting for the confrontation to begin.
Reinhardt took a deep breath and addressed Kharok. "We need information. You'll tell us everything you know about Dross and the operations of Dia's Hand. Start with where we can find Dross."
Kharok, his face pale and bruised, met Reinhardt's gaze. The fear in his eyes was evident, but he seemed to be weighing his options. After a long, tense silence, he began to speak.
"I don't know where Dross is precisely," Kharok admitted, his voice low and hesitant. "He left the group a while ago. After that deal in Cascadia, he vanished. All i know is that he went to the countryside to live a simpler life, but I don't know where exactly. All I know is that he was never seen again after he left."
Reinhardt's expression hardened as he leaned forward, his gaze piercing through Kharok. "We need more than just vague directions. We need specifics, details, anything that can lead us to Dross."
Kharok, still visibly shaken, glanced nervously at Inoue. Her hooded face and intense focus seemed to unnerve him even more. His voice trembled as he spoke. "I… I only know that Dross went to the countryside after Cascadia. But, there's something else…"
Guil, sensing the urgency, prompted, "What else do you remember?"
Kharok took a deep breath, his eyes darting between the interrogators. "After the deal in Cascadia, we met this strange man. He wanted us to attack the estate of the buyer—some rich guy who had bought our slaves. We refused because it went against Dia's Hand's policies. We didn't want to tarnish our reputation."
Inoue's eyes flashed with intensity. "Was one of the slaves a demi-human with brown hair?"
Kharok flinched, his face paling further. "I—I don't remember. I didn't pay much attention to the slaves."
Reinhardt's frustration grew, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Continue."
Kharok sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Dross and this man became very close. I overheard them talking about some sort of 'sanctuary' and how Dross could join it and be part of something bigger. It sounded like crazy talk to me, but…"
Reinhardt cut him off, his tone urgent. "How did this man look? What was his name?"
Kharok hesitated, his brows furrowing in concentration. "I don't remember his exact appearance. All I know is his name was Maximilien."
Reinhardt's eyes widened, the name striking a chord. Maximilien was one of the leaders of the Cult of the Eight God.
"This Maximilien is a significant figure in the cult," Reinhardt said, his voice low but intense. "If Dross was involved with him, it changes everything."
Lea stepped forward, her expression serious. "We need to follow this lead. The search for Dross might lead us to something much larger."
Inoue, her anger now tempered by a renewed sense of purpose, nodded in agreement. "We need to find out where Maximilien is. He might lead us to Dross or at least provide more answers."
Guil turned to Kharok, his eyes steely. "You've given us some valuable information. But if you're holding back anything else, remember that you're not out of trouble yet."
Kharok nodded, clearly frightened. "I've told you everything I know. I swear."
Reinhardt turned to his team, his expression resolute. "We need to get in touch with our contacts and gather more information if its the cult we are dealing with then, i fear this has become an sffair of the state"
The group waited in tense silence as Reinhardt, having dismissed them from the interrogation room, took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. Guil, still bewildered, finally spoke up. "Reinhardt, what do you mean by 'affair of the state'? Why can't we be involved in this investigation?"
Reinhardt's face grew serious. "This isn't just a matter of individual interest. The Cult of the Eight God is a significant threat, and their movements are a concern for all nations. I'm following protocol here, and I need to ensure that the investigation is handled at the highest level. This is a matter of global security."
Guil's confusion deepened. "But we've already been involved. Why stop us now?"
Reinhardt's tone was firm, a hint of frustration underlying his calm demeanor. "No exceptions. The involvement of non-state actors in such matters could jeopardize everything. I'll explain more later. For now, you need to leave the room."
Reluctantly, the trio—Guil, Inoue, and Lea—left the interrogation room and headed back to their inn. The weight of their new predicament hung heavily on them.
Back at the inn, Inoue collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the pillows. Guil and Lea sat on a small table near her, exchanging worried glances. Lea broke the silence gently. "Inoue, are you alright?"
Inoue's voice was muffled, her words barely audible through her tears. "This could have all been avoided if I could have protected Roman."
Guil and Lea exchanged sympathetic looks. Guil spoke softly, "We'll find him, Inoue. We're getting closer every day."
Lea moved to sit beside Inoue on the bed, offering a comforting presence. "We believe we're closer than ever to finding Roman. Patience is key."
Inoue turned over, her face streaked with tears. "I'm sorry for causing such a scene outside. I just…"
Lea embraced her tightly, soothingly. "It's okay, Inoue. We understand. Everything is going to be alright."
A few hours later, Reinhardt joined them in the inn's common room. His expression was grave, and he took a seat at their table. "I'm sorry for the abruptness earlier," he began. "I need to explain why you can't participate in this investigation."
Inoue, Guil, and Lea listened intently as Reinhardt continued, his tone serious and measured. "The Cult of the Eighth God is not just a criminal organization; it's a global threat with deep-rooted connections and ambitions that extend far beyond our immediate concerns. Their influence stretches across borders, affecting political and religious spheres worldwide. For your safety and the integrity of the investigation, it's crucial that only authorized state agents handle this matter."
Guil's expression was one of concern and determination. "But what about our involvement? We've already risked a lot."
Reinhardt nodded solemnly. "I understand your commitment, but you must trust that this is for the greater good. The cult's reach is extensive and dangerous. I'll ensure that you're kept informed of any significant developments, but for now, I need to restrict your involvement."
Lea, still processing the information, looked at Reinhardt with a mixture of frustration and understanding. "So, what's our next step?"
Reinhardt sighed. "I'll coordinate with our contacts and gather more information. The key now is to stay vigilant and prepared. I'll make sure to keep you updated, but for the time being, you should focus on your own safety and well-being."
Inoue, though still upset, nodded. "Thank you, Reinhardt. We'll trust your judgment."
Guil's brow furrowed as he leaned forward, his voice laced with confusion. "I'm still not clear on one thing: What's so dangerous about this cult?"
Reinhardt took a deep breath, his expression growing serious. "As you know, the world of Eldravia was created by seven elemental gods—Geo, Hydro, Dendro, Pyro, Anemo, Electro, and Cryo."
Guil nodded, signaling Reinhardt to continue.
"This is only half the story," Reinhardt said, his voice low and solemn. "There was an eighth god, one that's not commonly known."
Both Guil and Inoue stared in awe at this revelation.
Reinhardt continued, "I'm not allowed to give many details, but all you need to know is that this Eighth Diety is a powerful and cruel entity that seeks the destruction of all life in Eldravia. It is nothing more than a calamity."
Guil and Inoue were stunned. The news shattered their understanding of their world. Everything they knew about magic, the origins of the seven races, and the creation of Eldravia seemed to crumble before them.
Reinhardt pressed on, explaining, "The cult's goal is to gather all the divine weapons, like the one I possess—the holy sword—so they can break the seal keeping this deity from entering our world."
The gravity of Reinhardt's words left Guil and Inoue reeling. Lea, however, remained calm and asked, "What about the witch we fought in Narey Ingrid? Was she a part of the cult?"
Reinhardt's expression darkened. "Not just a member. She's one of the leaders. The fact that you survived the encounter is a miracle. She could have ended you all in an instant if she had wished."
Guil's throat tightened, and he gulped, fear evident in his eyes. Inoue turned to Reinhardt with a question. "Was the reason for the king's generous rewards because we stopped her plans? It seemed odd to be summoned just for saving a small town, especially with the amount of gold and rewards we received."
Reinhardt chuckled, a hint of wry amusement in his voice. "So, you only realized that now? Yes, the king's rewards were indeed a reflection of the significance of your actions. It was not just about the town; it was about stopping a major threat."
With that, Reinhardt stood up, preparing to leave. "I have to return to the Knights' headquarters now. I'll keep you updated on any new information about Dross. Goodnight, and stay safe."
The room fell silent as Reinhardt departed, leaving Guil, Inoue, and Lea to process the enormity of what they had just learned. The weight of the revelation pressed heavily on them, their world forever altered by the truths now unveiled.