Silas felt the veins in his head pulsate from what Thaddeus had told him. A cult that performed human sacrifices to resurrect a god? How much messier could this quest get?
"I'm not saying I don't believe you, Mr. Thaddeus. But isn't your conclusion a bit farfetched?"
Under the man's heavy gaze, Silas felt increasingly uncomfortable.
"You can think whatever you want. I'm not even sure if the resurrection is true, but considering the nature of all cults, I can only assume that's what they're after."
Thaddeus stepped closer, placing a hand on Silas's shoulder and whispering in his ear. "Treat this as a warning. Those responsible are both influential and brutal. A dangerous combination. You think what I said is farfetched? I believe what happened here is related to what's happening now. I hoped you were just a stranger who lost his way in the complex streets of Tirash. If not, please stop what you're doing."
He fixed Silas with a look and patted his shoulder. With a final nod, the investigator departed into the alley from which he had appeared. Just as darkness was about to swallow him whole, he uttered a final word. "It's getting late. Please, go back to where you're staying."
Silas stood there for a long time, pondering what the investigator had told him. It was only the appearance of blue boxes that made him aware of his surroundings. Before him floated a blue box, announcing his completion of the quest at Gearsmith Street.
He exhaled in worry, thinking about the tracking devices he had placed in the pockets of those two people in the Commercial District. If even half of what Thaddeus said was true, he had put himself in grave danger.
He glanced at the abandoned building behind him. It now looked more ominous and sinister. Its broken windows appeared like eyes watching him from within; his gaze shifted to the broken door, and for a moment, he thought he saw something move inside. Silas shook his head to rid himself of paranoia. He couldn't let fear take over him.
He walked back towards the brightly lit streets of Gearsmith Street. His mind kept returning to what Thaddeus had said about the building and its connection to the current events. Did it mean that the first time they attempted the ritual, it failed? He tried to come up with answers, but each time, it only led to more questions.
---
From afar, he saw the magnificent building of the Three Destiny Church. It was larger than most buildings he had seen in other towns. He wondered if he should refer to it as a cathedral due to its enormous size. But like every place of worship the Church had, it featured three spiraling towers symbolizing the Three Primordials they revered. They ensured that all spires were equal, symbolizing that the Three Gods were equally worshipped.
The streets were empty, but the doors of the church were open. He found the Three Destiny Monument at the back of the church. He was quite shocked to see a [Pillar Stone], taller and thicker than most he had seen. But instead of the shining granite he was accustomed to, this one was made of marble. He slowly walked around until he found himself standing before three marble statues. There was a plaque at their feet identifying them as the Three Primordials revered by the church in their human form.
Silas didn't have time to admire the beauty of the statues as he heard footsteps approaching. He looked around and ran towards the thick body of the [Pillar Stone]. As the footsteps got closer, Silas realized there were two sets, accompanied by muffled voices.
"The master prefers I don't touch any of the offerings as it might endanger the effectiveness of the ritual. You know how scary he gets when he's mad, Allan."
He held his breath as he eavesdropped and held it even more when he realized their identities. From the corner, he saw the tall, sturdy man he had seen in the Commercial District and the sickly pale man referred to as Allan. The stifled cries of a girl shifted his focus to the sturdy man's shoulder. He was carrying a child, her hands and feet tied with rope.
Ping!
[ You have successfully investigated the streets of Tirash City! ]
[Quest I: Those Who Walk Among Books]
[Description: A group mysterious people is in the middle of kidnapping a girl. Intervene and save the girl.]
[Save the girl 0/1]
He stared at the blue box before him in despair. This damned System—this is what it wanted him to do all along! The cries grew closer to where he was hiding. He looked at the two men again, analyzing what he should do. The street around the Three Destiny Monument was dark and empty. Even if he used magic, no one would notice since this place wasn't a residential area.
"Surely a slap won't kill this girl? I fear someone might hear her shouting."
Allan sighed. "Don't let your foolishness get the best of you, Fredren. Don't forget that I warned you. If you act harshly, we can only blame it on your stupidity."
Fredren laughed. "You should also blame my mother for not keeping me well-fed when I was just a young boy."
Silas summoned his [Staff], the [Spider Queen Stave] appearing in his right hand. It was a long staff, almost half his height, its color gleaming black. One end had a curving hook, while the other, from which spells emerged, had a green orb enclosed by eight spindly hands resembling a spider. A green orb materialized around him, hovering just above his shoulder blade.
Nothing is more powerful than a surprise attack, but he knew he couldn't overdo it as they had a hostage. He pulled his cloak over his head. Wanting to cover his face, he used the orb, controlling it to float just before his face.
Silas aimed his staff at the sturdy man's abdomen. Three sharp pieces of [Water Dart] sped from his staff, slicing through the darkness. The target didn't have time to avoid the attack. As the three darts hit him, Fredren found himself kneeling on the ground, the girl falling beside him.
Allan cursed. "Who's there?"
Silas revealed himself and used [Air Burst]. The air beside the sickly man collapsed inward, creating a loud explosion and a shockwave that flung him away from his comrade. Silas used the confusion to cast another spell. The ground beneath Fredren shook as he cast [Rock Pillar]. A pillar of rock with a pointed end pushed forward from the cobblestones, hitting Fredren in the chest and throwing him away from the hostage.
Silas cast [Water Blessing], a blue aura cascaded from above his head, enveloping his body in soft blue glow. He then sprinted to where the little girl was and hoisted her in his shoulder. The girl's eyes widened, and she started thrashing. He put his finger to his lips. "Be quiet, I'm saving you."
"Damnit! Who the hell are you?" Allan was already on his feet. "Who sent you? I suppose they paid you handsomely to hire a wizard…"
Silas stepped backward, positioning his staff defensively.
"So, you decide to keep quiet?" Fredren said, clutching his stomach. "Then we'll just have to beat the answers out of you."
He drew his sword and dashed forward. Silas walked backward, summoning [Flickering Fire]. Balls of fire sped out of his staff towards Fredren. The first ball was blocked by the sword, the second sliced through, but the last one hit his shoulder, causing an explosion of smoke and fire.
But like an impregnable wall, Fredren remained standing, now rushing towards him. Silas heard a hiss in the air. The moonlight revealed a glinting object heading towards him. He parried the attack with a barrier just in time before the broadsword hit him.
"Almost," Fredren said, jumping backward.
Another round of bullets sped towards him, but his shield blocked them. Silas knew it wouldn't last long. He had to find a way to escape. Looking at them, he was sure they were determined to kill him. Who in their right mind would use a gun in the open?
"To whom do you work?"
The wizard's silence only made Fredren laugh. He spit blood on the ground, his attacks doing their job but not enough to kill them.
"Or you are part of the Red Brotherhood? Those bastards, I already told the master we couldn't put our trust on those red-hooded wizards."
Silas tilted his head. 'Red Brotherhood? Who the hell was that?'
"Mister, I am afraid." The child in his shoulder said.
Silas hushed her, his eyes flickering between the two men as they stepped closer. Allan shot at his barrier again, the sound of bullets making the girl shriek.
'I have to do something; this [Barrier] is about to break.'
He needed a diversion, something to take their attention away so he could escape. Silas exhaled. He broke free from his shield and cast [Flickering Fire] at Fredren's feet. Each fireball created an explosion, causing smoke, dust, and rocks to fly. He turned to Allan, seeing him aiming. Silas raised his staff and shot [Water Dart] at him. The three sharp blades of water sped towards Allan in a straight line. Upon contact with a bullet, one dart exploded, but the other two continued towards him.
Silas ran for the closest alley, hoisting the girl on his shoulder. He heard Fredren growling as he emerged from the smoke, his eyes red with rage. Once he reached the alley, Silas turned back and cast [Rock Pillar], blocking the alley with a towering rock. Fredren slammed into it, testing its sturdiness.
"I'll remember you," Fredren said in rage. "I'll hunt you down and kill you."
Silas remained silent.
"I look forward to that day," he said, turning his back.