Chapter 2 – The Devil in I
Fornax is separated into three sectors just like how Sanctor is three personalities; justice, familial, and wonder. Fornax is separated by their denominations; universal, orthodox, and the ninety-five. The universal is the largest and oldest part of the kingdom and is headed by an elected king-priest. The orthodox is the denomination that focuses on philosophy and the personal experiences of the world in connection to Sanctor. Last, but not least is the ninety-five. This denomination is full of people who are encouraged to be leaders and checks on the other two denominations. Three kings rule over these sectors but act as three heads who need to act in unison for one singular kingdom.
Right now, there are arguments and talk among the sectors because of the previous attack. Some are saying Fornax should go to war with the decay, others are saying they should fortify the kingdom, a good portion is suggesting unity with other kingdoms to fight the decay, and another portion says that the kingdom will be fine now because the reformers are gone. This has created tensions between the sectors to point where violence breaks out when things get too heated. Some of the people with the most influence in all sectors have disappeared without a trace, which only escalates tensions. Despite their new position in the kingdom, Cinis and Favilla take the job of finding these members of the sectors and finding out why they disappeared.
“Let me remind you two that just because you are known as heroes, it doesn’t mean that you’re allowed to do whatever you want however you want,” a high-ranking officer says to them before they leave.
“Yes, sir,” both of them say with their fingers crossed behind their back.
The couple goes to the large church of the universals. Outside the church, there’s a large crowd arguing with clergy members while city guards watch them. This distraction allows them to sneak into the empty church. The couple fiddle around in the church offices until Cinis pulls a book that feels more like a lever. It opens a passageway underneath the head priest’s desk that leads to a hidden basement.
“Good job Cinis. How did you know that would work?”
“I didn’t.”
“Ha! At least we found something interesting.”
Cinis and Favilla go into the basement and find a library of old church teachings, letters, scripture translation, and such. Nothing here is incriminating for the universal church. The two get out of the basement and put things back to the way they were before they see two priests walking into the church. They hide and listen in to their conversation.
“Sanctor, grant us patience with these people, am I right brother?”
“You’re right about that. What happened to the brothers we sent to the orthodox and ninety-five?”
“I don’t know. It’s been a couple days since we heard from them.”
“We actually heard something from them?”
“We did, and it wasn’t good news. Our brothers were talking about people in the other sectors taking over our portion of the kingdom.”
“Now why would our other brothers and sisters do that?”
“I don’t know. There shouldn’t be any cause to worry until we hear more.”
“Tell that to other churches. I was wondering why they were strengthening their ties.”
“They’re just paranoid. Let them do what they wish while we calm the crowds.”
“Back into the fire then.”
After the priests leave, Cinis and Favilla go to the orthodox sector of the kingdom.
“Where do you think we can find a place for information?” Favilla asks.
“Probably the most expensive looking building.”
“Probably.”
Cinis and Favilla go to the most expensive looking church building to see that guards are breaking up a fight outside of it. They then go into the building to find it full of people conducting a normal mass. They use the shadows of the church to sneak into the back of the church. In the back, they find a tunnel underneath a church that appears to be a fire escape of some sorts.
Cinis whispers, “Big creepy tunnel? There has to be something down here.”
Favilla picks up and lights a torch as she says, “Hopefully nothing too bad.”
The couple travel down the underground maze without finding much. Cinis tries to find a hidden switch like he did last time but doesn’t find anything. The two then see a light coming down the tunnel and find a small passageway to hide in. Favilla puts out the torch. They can hear the people with a torch talking as their voices echo. It seems like there are at least three people.
“Hey!” Favilla whispers as she slaps Cinis’ hand, “Watch your hands!”
“Did you see that?”
“It’s probably one of our guards. We’ve got them patrolling these tunnels daily.”
“When do you think one of the sectors is going to have a sit down with us? They haven’t even sent one of their brothers yet.”
“And we haven’t heard from one of ours that went to there’s yet.”
“They’re probably indifferent to what’s happening.”
“The universals might be, but I’m not sure about the ninety-five.”
“What makes you say that?”
“They were always hypocrites in my opinion.”
“Well, what are we going to do? Are we just going to keep controlling the crowds or go to each sector ourselves?”
“We should prepare for the worst.”
“Yes, we already have other brothers and sisters listening in to what the other sectors are planning. If we have to take drastic action, we will.”
The three then go quiet for a few minutes, so it appears that they’re finished talking. Cinis and Favilla are trying to feel their way out of the tight spot they’re in.
“Man, it’s so dark in here,” Cinis complains.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Favilla whispers back.
“I don’t think purple is the best color for you.”
“What?! It’s my favorite color and you’ve always said I look pretty in it!”
“You look pretty in everything. I just don’t think that purple is the best color.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“What am I going to say? You don’t look pretty? You would’ve killed me if I said that.”
“True.”
“Then what do you suggest I should’ve said.”
“I think you should’ve said-”
Cinis and Favilla fall down a hidden hole. Cinis holds onto Favilla and breaks the fall for her as they land in a sewer.
“Thanks,” Favilla says as she holds onto Cinis, “Don’t let go of me! I’m not ruining another outfit.”
“And my light armor doesn’t matter?”
“It can be more easily cleaned than what I have.”
As Cinis and Favilla find a way out of the sewers, they see two pieces of a letter floating down from one of the grates above. Favilla catches it and reads it.
“It’s a letter talking about how some people are going to get the three sectors to fight each other. They’re saying the plan is going as planned and something should be happening tonight.”
“We should inform the authorities before checking up on the ninety-five.”
“And you should bathe before we go. You stink.”
“And so do you.”
Cinis plunges Favilla into the sewage water for a quick second before lifting her up again. Favilla has a livid expression on her face and her fists are clenched.
“Hey, you would do the same.”
“Point taken, but you’re still paying for this!”
“You’re still the prettiest girl I know.”
“Complimenting me will get you nowhere.”
Cinis and Favilla inform the authorities of what’s happening and bathe before they go out to check on the ninety-five. Messengers are dispatched to spread the message to every sector, so no further fighting will happen between the sectors.
“Let’s not make getting dirty a thing for every assignment,” Favilla says.
“You got that right,” Cinis agrees.
The area around a ninety-five’s church is calm and collected as a messenger has reached them before Cinis and Favilla could get there. A head-nun sees the two and walks to them.
She says, “Cinis and Favilla, thank Sanctor you’re here. I’m here to tell you that the ninety-five harbor no ill intentions towards our brothers and sisters from the other sectors.”
“How can we be sure you’re telling the truth?” Favilla asks.
“I am one of the heads of the ninety-five and I watch over everything that’s said and planned.”
“I guess we’ll have to take you on your word then,” Cinis says, “But what is your opinion on what’s happening right now?”
“I know the other sectors mean well, but they do slip every now and then. That’s where we come in. The ninety-five keep the other two in check as they keep us in check as well.”
Some of the priests and nuns around them transform into hollow-looking goats who attack the people around them. Cinis and Favilla along with the surrounding guards and armed civilians fight them. Fighting is then heard throughout the rest of town. They try to clear as much of the sector they are in as possible, but it seems that the hollows have somehow infiltrated the kingdom to the point where animals are affected by the decay and become hollows as well.
A messenger comes to them and says, “We managed to find out that certain members of the clergy from each sector were plotting to give the city over to decay through the powers of Senium. Once they knew we had them figured out, they decided to attack us despite not turning the sectors against each other as they planned.”
“Senium!” a captain guard exclaims, “Blasted devil, Prince of all Decay! Cinis, Favilla! You two got us out of the last sticky situation. Do you have anything now?”
The couple has been praying with their eyes closed and open them when they have an idea.
Cinis says, “The sun’s rays purify the world every day.”
“Then let its fire cleanse the kingdom of all decay.”
Cinis and Favilla hold hands while holding Favilla’s bow and shoot a single arrow up into the sun that’s directly above them. After a few passing seconds, fire pours down from the sun onto the kingdom. It burns away the rot and decay but doesn’t harm the kingdom itself nor the people in it nor the animals and plant life. Once all rot and decay are gone, the fire subsides, and the sun shines brightly in the sky. The kingdom cheers for Cinis and Favilla and honors them as the wielders of fire they are.
“I hope this fire cleansed that outfit you dirtied,” Favilla says.
“Are you honestly still upset about that?” Cinis says with a sigh.
“Yes.”
“Pfft…women.”
“What?!”
“Love you.”
“I love you too. Now go and buy me another outfit.”
“And I’ll take you out to dinner as well. How’s the restaurant with a balcony view of the sunset sound?”
“You know exactly what I want.”
“Of course I do.”
No comments:
Post a Comment