Ecleus arrived as the sun was low in the horizon. He was tired, out of magical reserves, and his charms were in need of repair. His normally soft and regal cape was stained and hardened by dried blood. His boots were dirty and his shirt stained in blood and sweat. Plus, he was hungry. He didn't feel like a champion no matter how much gold clothings he wore.

As he entered the town he'd been staying in the people that passed stopped and stared at him. Many that kept walking slowed and turned their heads. All looked nervous and wondered what his return would bring. All Ecleus knew was that it wasn't bringing food or energy. As he began to walk on the main road, a group of gaurds approached him.

"Halt you there! You must be Ecleus the Inquisitor."

"I better be. May I inquire who you are?" Ecleus leaned on his staff as he spoke.

"Name is Tucker. Please follow us. There is much to discuss." the guard smiled as he spoke and extended his hand to show the direction to walk in.

"Come now. Nothing to fear. The squire wishes to speak with you. Nothing more. Your Seeker freinds have already been taken care of. You may speak with them later. Also there is a meal for you"

"Well in that case let's make haste." At the mention of food all worries were thrown to the wind. If there was trouble, facing it on an empty stomache would be a hinderance and annoyance. So he followed the guards as his stomache grumbled.

Upon seeing all was well, the people carried on their routines. Still, seeing a bloodied Inquisitor will raise some eyebrows every time.

Ecleus was given a room and a meal consisting of a slab of meat, some vegetable soup, and ale. Either this was a prime cut or his brain just transmited any food as a delicacy, but he thought his meal a very nice one.

Ecleus took off his cape and visor. He heard a knock on the door as he took off his boots. Looks like it was straight to buisness.

"Come in."

The door opened revealing a strong bulky man in simple garments. His hair was blonde and wavy. He had brown eyes and a wide grin. In his right hand he held what appeared to be a grey round stone that seemed to have swirls of smoke inside. Strange. Behind him was a scrawnier lad. This one was of average height. He also carried a bow and quiver on his back. He had a moustache that wasn't quite complete yet. It failed to fill out in the middle. He was obviously young.

"Deonus, you may leave us, please. I have a few questions for the Inquisitor. How about that. Hahaha."

"Very well. Holler if you need help or anything. Your always yelling when you need saving anyways." Deonus smirked and turned to leave.

"Oooh. Well when you get stuck in an arachne's web I want you to stay silent as you figure out how to defend yourself as help arrives." The squire retorted with mock indignation and a shudder. Most likely the result of an unpleasent experience. Yeesh.

Deonus left and the squire grabbed a chair as he sat in front of Ecleus.

"How was your meal?" he asked clasping his hands together.

"Very nice. Thank you. Goddess knows I needed that. Delicious." Ecleus smiled, yes Inquisitors smile, and he relaxed in his chair.

"Ahh yes. Nothing quite like Holstaur loin eh?"

Ecleus' jaw dropped and started at that. Wide eyed, his legs tucked under his chair and his back straightned. "Wha...wha..WHAT!"

"Ahahahaha. Ah. Boy the look on your face. Hehehe. Stuff of legends. Of course its not Holstaur meat." The squire laughed some more as he slapped his knees and stomped his feet. "An old joke. Forgive me please. How rude of me. Very unbecoming of a knight, I know."

Ecleus frowned and slumped in his chair at the same time. He sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. "Well Sir. Have you come to play foul games or discuss urgent matters?" asked a most highly offended Ecleus.

"Asking questions now, eh?" asked the squire, unfazed by the tough crowd. "Well I suppose its fitting coming from your likes. I am Charles Larsel. Owner of an estate in the woods outside town. Have some mighty nice orchards. Also lead 100 soldiers. One of your Seeker buddies, Damien, informed me of your outing. I must say I am impressed that such a young Inquisitor took on a Purger.

"Really now. I told him to wait until my arrival to disclose such matters to anyone." said Ecleus flatly.

"Well you took too long. Seriously you wanted your companions, who returned without you or that Purger, or two other Seekers to remain quiet? You don't ask for much do you?" said Charles with a sincere smile and chuckle. "But about the urgent matters. I assume you won't be returning to the Central Order Empire. What will you do? Those that sent you here will be waiting for a report."

"No. It would be foolish to. As for what to do, I do not know. Nor do I know what to report." admitted Ecleus.

"No fear. I Charles Larsel, Squire and soldier of the Maggy estate, shall help you."

"I take it your no Order devout as your helping me"

Charles frowned for the first time. Yes, jolly squires frown. "Devout I am comrade. May mankind never forget how the Cheif Goddess has helped humans survive periods of man-eating and man-corrupting monsters. I shan't stop beleiving in Her. Its just that the Holy Order's army and leaders go about doing things too harshly. First against monsters and then after the humans it was supposed to protect. Her teachings are of mercy, kindness, and acts of love to others."

"Still a believer then? I suppose most humans are." Ecleus recognized he himself still believed in the Chief Goddess. Odd.

"Yes yes. However, we shall take care of your problems. You seem to find more problems than corruption Ecleus."

"No need to remind me."

"Rest freind. Tomorrow we shall talk more. I know some people you may want to meet. You still up for a job fighting corruption?" Charles looked more serious as he leaned in closer.

Ecleus considered that. He was no ex-inquisitor. He had been trained to protect against dark threats. He slowly nodded. He marveled out how this area of the Order thought so differently than the Central Empire. Then again, even there, people in general just kept their opinions to themselves.

"Well, till tomorrow." Charles left and Ecleus changed into nightwear

Next day:

Ecleus had woken up to find his garments washed and folded. He also had woken up late. Charles was waiting for him in the inn's entrance.

He was wearing a full set of armor. Strangely, veins of dark grey energy branched through the armor. The rivulets of energy originated from his right hand. His right hand also wielded a grey smoke.

His armor dematerialized as he approached the Inquisitor.

"Well, you certianly take your time to wake. All is well though. Slept well?"

"Umm yeah." resonded a perplexed Ecleus.

The squire and Ecleus proceeded to walk towards a certain builing in the city after a meal. Along the way they explained some things. Ecleus talked about how he was very skilled in the mystic arts and how he rose through the ranks. How many of his peers repeated the tales of heroes and paladins that spoke of the true nature of mamono, and how a direct war against them seemed futile. Also how such individuals would dissapear and create a growing division amongs Church and Armies.

Charles demonstrated his cherished family heirloom. His Stone Principus was an artifact that granted the user strong armor and a morphing weapon. He demonstrated by doning the armor and turning the mist in his hand into verious weapons. From a sword to a halberd to a battleaxe. A formidable weapon indeed. Charles explained how Norvus, the ruler of this region didn't agree with the wasteful genocidal crusades. The Fringic States in general were in allegiance to the human's Order, but disregarded their more extreme teachings. Suposedly, this area would be hosting a training camp for the new generations of Order soldiers. Norvus was off organizing such events to the West of this city.

As they walked, Charles noticed a man struggling to open the door to a shop as he was burdened with a large basket filled with bread.

"Excuse me a moment please Ecleus." with that he left to open the door for the man. "There we go Sir. No need to hesitate to ask for help next time."

"Thank you kind knight! May the Godess bless you!"

"May She bless you and your hard work!" With that the squire resumed his trek with Ecleus.

They approached an old building. Outside were various horses and horsemen. These arrived and left with papers, small packages, and anouncments. Here was Damien the Seeker along with some knights.

"Hello Ecleus!" said he as he walked to Ecleus. Once in front he spun his spear at his side and thumped it vertically on the ground as he took a knee.

"Damien. Good to see you." Ecleus made the same motions towards the Seeker.

"That was, really something yesterday no?" mentioned Damien.

"Indeed. Unfortunate. Fortunatley, the Order doesn't seem to keep tabs on this place."

"I take it a report must be made. Otherwise the headquarters of the West will become suspicious."

"Nothing to worry about." Charles

assured them. "We shall take care of it. However, Ecleus, we needed you to mark our letter with an official seal. With that and your missing freinds are declared missing in action."

After repeating an incantation and drifting his fingers over the letter, a glowing red seal appeared on the letter. Now no suspicions should arise, hopefully.

"Well, thats that." Damien affirmed and placed his spear on his back.

"Listen, if you want I can introduce you to some people from here. Norvus and I are harboring some interesting people besides you. What do you say?"

Not having anything else to do. Both the Seeker Damien and the Inquisitor accepted. The other Seeker went his own way into the city. He mentioned something about "taking a break".

"Great. We will make one stop on the way first."

This first stop was at a large church in the city. Inside the squire walked towards the front row of seats and kneeled. Ecleus and Damien did the same and more than anything asked forgiveness, and for humanity to be protected.

Ecleus noticed a potrait of St. Lawrence inside. He was a beloved man. Both the fanatics and commoners and royals alike had cherished him. He was a man in his forties. Had some white mixed with his brown hair. His chin was sharp and face well shaved. As a blessed priest, his healing powers were great and well known. He also opposed violence. His speeches were influencial and repeated in the military ranks. Humans were wasting time, men, and rescources trying to terminate a species they couldn't beat. He dared insinuate that mamono were not a lethal man slaying bunch. The Order's leaders dared not kill him for the people and soldiers thought highly of him. Had they not sent him into the frontlines of the last crusade, there's no telling what would have happened. He was gaining support and people rallied to him quickly. The Bishops' and Pope's decision to send a man like him with the invading force stopped a potential uprising then, but left resentment against the Church.

Admiring the potrait, Ecleus failed to notice the Chruch's preist approach them.

"Hello hello. Welcome. Sir Charles good to see you. Ahh. I see you've brought... freinds?" The priest eyed the Seeker and Inquisitor with wonder and fear.

"Yes. They are freinds now. The Purger will not be bothering us any longer. The Inquisitor and Seeker have done away with him and are here with us to help our mission. Right?"

Damien rose and nodded his head. Ecleus also rose and said, "That we shall see."

"If you can see under those goggles." remarked the squire

Ecleus tilted his head and was about to say something, but was interrupted by Charles.

"Before doing anything I thought it best to ask for guidance and forgiveness. I hope She still listens to ones like us." he said sighing and looking genuinley worried.

"Don't forget your priorities young man. The knight must be benevolent He must show mercy to all. He must not be to eager to spill blood. He must also protect humanity. I understand the differences we have with the anti-monster Orderites of the West, but never forget that above all, we stand with humanity's survival and against corruption. If we don't stand against that then we are truly nothing to Her." The priest grabbed Charles' shoulder and patted it. "I pray you succeed in your endevours. As your's Seeker and Inquisitor."

At that, they all made a fist, kissed it and raised them. "Long live the Order!" they said, after wich they left. As they exited, the squire placed golden coins in a receptacle on a table.

"Come we shall meet up with my knights and head to my land. It is in the forests to the East, so watch out for them."

Along the way Ecleus and Damien conversed. They both were technically against the Order's leaders, but didn't want the Order to collapse. It was a strange situiation that hundreds of thousands of people found themselves in. Such were the times they lived in! Suddenly Deonus and various knights with Charles' family seal and others with this region's emblem were seen. Deonus and the captain rode towards them. They got off their horses once they got close.

"Deonus good to see you! Captain. This is Damien and Ecleus. Good men sent from the Order." said Charles as he grabbed Deonus' hand and they bumped shoulders.

The captain tapped his head twice and Charles repeated the motion. With that all was good. The captain removed his helmet as the other soldiers arrived. He half smiled. It was forced. It bode no good.

"What is it?" asked Charles.

"The town of Warren in the Westen Kingdom of Brachus was purged. The hero Claudius, who was declared a heretic for spewing "falsehoods", was found hiding there. The Orderites arrived and slayed him and..., you know with the new policies, the whole town was declared an accomplice. The children were spared."

"Damn! Damn damn damn!" cried the squire.

"Thats not all. Brachus' soldiers have been gathered up and are currently blocking the Orderites advance. Its not good. Turns out a kingdom doesn't like the head honchos sending their lackies to kill their heroes and people. Who would have thought?" The captain sighed, shook his head, and continued, "Norvus sent his representative to a meeting with the lords of the Fringic States. If a full out purge comes... they won't like what their absence has created."

Everyone looked to the ground. Cheeriness gone, this was a reminder of how the Order was. Not good when to the East there is a strong unified army thats hungry and has its own radicals.

"Has it come to blows?" asked Ecleus.

"No. Both sides hesitate to. Last I heard they are trying to come to an agreement."

"At least."

"Charles." said the captain, "Norvus wants to know if the Mages of Obscurity have met the demands of the deal."

Charles smiled slightly. "Tell him we have that and more. Tell me. Will the training tour continue?"

"Yes. The young soldiers should still arrive with a couple hundred Orderites. Five hundred trainees and about 300 fully fledged soldiers. They should stick to the plains to the West of the city. We'll make sure that they don't snoop around too much."

"Risky plan sending novices in a monster ridden area. Tough love much?" said Charles. The captain shrugged and got on his horse.

He left along with his soldiers and Charles' men followed him as they took a road leading to the forests. They walked for a good while deep in the woods. They approached an expanse of open area. There was a decent sized manor built of grey stones. It had an old fence made up of metal pikes. They passed the gates and took a path that led to the orchards behind the house.

After walking in silence even more, Ecleus noticed they were very much in Eastern lands, close to the other realm once more. What he didn't notice was a harpy that watched overheard. She flew high but got a good enough look to recognize an Inquisitor. She quickly turned and flew towards the new lilim's land. Such an important sighting should be notified to the defenses.

Without a worry, the group walked into the forrest. There were no marked paths, just the forrest floor. In time they came across a cave entrance. At the entrance stood a cloaked figure wearing a mask. The mask had the tip of a mantis' scythe in it. Besides him stood a small young man wearing a purple cape. He was boyish not wimpy, certainly not a fighter. A small build and slighly short. He was what monster girls and human girls would call "cute".

Just then, a female knight ran ahead of the group and took off her helmet. She had long black hair that was tied into a braid. Some freckles sprinkled on her face and she had a scar above her left eye.

"Darling!" she yelled as she ran towards the caped "boy". "Hey sweety, I missed you." he said embracing her and kissing her as they both grasped eachothers heads. After finishing their long kiss, she nuzzled her forehead against his right cheek.

Damien and Ecleus looked at eachother in mild surprise. The rest carried on, used to the couples displays.

"They are married." said Charles bluntly.

"That.Is.Good." said the Inquisitor. Damien squinted and shrugged, accepting things as they were.

"I think the options were limited." whispered Charles sinking his head to his shoulders and smiling as he stuck his tounge out.

As this happened the cloaked man came forth. He lifted of his mask and hood. He was young, 19, had black hair and black eyes. Under his cloak he wore leather pants and a cloth shirt. He smirked at the loving couple and shook his head.

"Hello squire." he said. He carried himself around proudly and with an air of greatness.

"Bandit. Guess what I brought."

"A Seeker and an Inquisitor. I mean, they are next to you. How are you gentlemen? I've been told if your reevaluation of the Order." He bade them enter along with him.

The cave's entrance had been blocked by a stone wall. It had heavy doors that led inside The cave was well lit.

"Welcome to the house of the Mages of Obscurity. Here we fear not corruption. We try to understand the demonic energies, how to protect oneself from it and how to..., exploit this resource." As he spoke his irisis flashed the gold of a hero as his pupils flashed the dark of demonic energy.

Seeing this the Seeker and Inquisitor flinched and stepped back. They noticed all around them were devices and vials filled with substances. At the end of this area were many amulets or charms on cabinets. There were mages, knights, and practitioners of magitech. They took a defensive stance as some purple caped mages gathered behind the mysterious man.

Charles put his hands on their shoulders and creepily asked, "Now where do you think your going?"

Before they could react, and apple flew at the squires face and hit him on the nose. He tumbled back and covered his face with his hands.

"Stop scaring them Charles! Forgive us please. Here take a seat."

"What if we don't want to sit?" asked a flustered Ecleus. He and Damien remained tense.

"Then you stand. Seriously. No harm shall come to you." said the man as he threw himself into a chair.

Deciding it was best to sit after a long walk, the Ordersent men followed and sat at a table used for eating. The mages and techrats went back to work. Some walked through doorways that led to other sections of the cave.

"You have the hero's blessing?" inquired the Inquisitor.

"Yes as my father did. He used it not for combat. So yes, I have the strength, the speed, the instinct one would expect." Next to him sat the smaller man and his knight wife.

"Interesting. So tell us. What are you? Something feels off about you." Ecleus rested his elbows on the table and wore his stoic face, enhanced by the visor over his eyes.

"My my. Just as eager to obtain knowledge as I am. First of all, my name is La'eshk Kel. Now yours."

"I am Ecleus. Inquisitor of the Order."

"I am Damien. Seeker and destroyer of evil."

"Answer me some questions now?" saud Ecleus.

"Hold on now." said the man next to La'eshk Kel. "Everything in due time."

"And you are...?" asked Ecleus

"Mathew. Resident teleporter. This is my lovely wife, Nora." he responded looking lovingly at his blushing wife.

"So I hear you have a conundrum." said La'eshk Kel.

"Yes. I was sent with a Purger here to "cleanse". Keep tabs on these regions of the Order. We were to find and kill sources of evil. Purger killed innocents. I killed Purger. Mission accomplished." Ecleus grit his teeth as he remembered the tragic killing.

"Ha. Mission accomplished." said Charles. He'd recovered from ths apple attack by now. "One dead Purger won't do anything to stop the Demon Lord's armies or fix the Order. I'm glad your with us, but work is still to be done. Speaking of which. Norvus' men asked about the project. Was the money and workforce used worth it?"

The cloaked man took out an amulet. It was the size of a fist and grey. In the middle was a green gem and under that a clear crystal orb. Covering the orb was a cage of metal. The ridges of the amulet had golden runes engraved into it. Dozens of these were on the shelves at the back of this area.

"What is this device?" asked Ecleus.

"Our life line my poshly dressed freind." Charles dematerialized his armor and lifted his shirt. There, an amulet attached to a necklace dangled on his chest. "A project in the works for years, now we reap the rewards. With this, we fear corruption no more!"

"Wait. Hold on!" said a constantly shifting Ecleus. "It grants immunity to demonic energy?

The bandit La'eshk smiled as he got up and handed the Inquisitor such device. "Yes. Some at least. It has runes of a protective aura, and it is synced with your spirit which purifies at it flows through it. It also warns of a demonic energy users presence." With that the Inquisitor grabbed it. As he did he noticed the gem in the bandit's hand glowed purple, but returned to normal as Ecleus took it. For Ecleus, it was immedeatly obvious La'eshk wasn't all he appeared. Ecleus shot him a glare that let him know he caught on. He also crafted a spell that let him know some demonic energy coursed in the hero in front of him.

"Explain." said he.

La'eshk Kel asked for the two to follow him outside as well as the squire and some soldiers. His reasons were to let the inside ones inside work undisturbed. Standing outside, he crafted a spell. He shook and sweat as he did. His body trambled and his veins bulged as a fizzle emanated from his fingertips. He fell to his knees screaming. The golden hue in his eyes grew brighter and swirled with a small amount of black. Finally, a flicker of black formed in front of him. After some breif moments, it extinguished and he fell over. Black coursed through his veins.

Charles quickly ran over to him and pulled a dagger from the fallen mans sheath. It was demon realm silver, but it had small green and gold veins running through it. Grabbing his left wrist he was about to slit at the artery. Before he did, La'eshk Kel started having a nose bleed of a black substance. The more he "bled", the more the black in his veins dissapeared

"Ta da!" said the cloaked man weakly as he got up.

Breaking through his stupour, Ecleus stepped forward and said, "What the hell was that?! Did you manipulate the accursed energies? How aren't you corrupted? What is that dagger? You expelled the demonic energy!" Ecleus walked to his face and demanded answers.

"Very well. Answers you want, answers you shall get. While I was in my mothers womb, almost ready to come into this mess of a world, she and my father preformed some experiments with demonic energy. They got careless and she was exposed to the corruption. As my mom turned into a monster my father used all his energy, spirit, and blessing to save not her but me. She was a goner. I was infused with strong divine energies and demonic energy. With her new succubus form she manipulated the demonic energy to prevent my loss to corruption. Still some got through. As my father died, she tells me he told her to go to the borderlands and meet up with a branch of the Mages of Obscurity they worked with to help raise and understand me. She flew into forrests close to the other realms and this area. She raised me and taught me what she could of my condition. After a...disagreement I... did some dumb things and returned with the Mages. She left to the demon realm for good. Here we continue my father's generation's studies into demonic energy. The more you know, the stronger you are."

"I do have demonic energy in me, not enough to change me though. So I harbour both energies. I found out as years went on I am somewhat compatible with demonic energy. I need not amulets as I can expel it from my body. If I try to aggressively control it, it starts overtaking me. If I try to control it outside my body, I risk corruption. I can only control what is in and "on" me." He then grabbed his knife. "This is not for you to know." At this he smiled. "Does that answer your questions?"

Ecleus and Damien stared mouth open. Then they smiled and laughed. Shaking his head, Ecleus said, "I can't beleive it. You are some sort of anomaly working with a secret cult of sorts. You are also delving into Order forbidden arts and yet, have made more progress against corruption than the Orderite Church with your devices"

"A chance against corruption. Finally, we frail little humans overcome their "gift". One less worry. Don't forget that these amulets don't grant immunity from their..., "spontaneus marraiges. We are working on an apparatus to help our mages use demonic energy, but we need more rescources."

"Rescources available here?" asked Damien.

"Not here. Markets in the demon realm."

"So let me get this straight. We can use their energies for ourselves?" said Damien with an excited glint in his eyes.

"We use it for our purposes. Our defense only. I believe in St. Lawrence's philosphy of avoiding needless wars with our neighbors."

At this the bandit, the squire and the Inqusitor each walked to eachother.

"Inqusitor Ecleus. Will you help me?

"Yes!"

"Squire Charles. Will you keep helping me?"

"Since you asked nicely." he said, feigning boredom.

Coming together, they extended their hands and and hooked their elbows. With a nod they retracted their arms.

"Come. We have prepared for this. Only now some slight changes have been made. Last time I saw spoke with my mom, over one year ago she had a position in the army. She should have received my message from my messanger by now. She can help us get through those lands. Cant wait for her to reach us though."

"We are going into the demon realm?" asked Damien.

"No. You and the squire stay. This region shall be hosting a training tour. That means Order officials will be around. Keep an eye on them while we are go-"

La'eshk Kel froze as his eyes glowed gold and black. His instinct warned him of danger. He looked around. The forest was fine and quite. "What was that? Great demonic power. How?" he thought.

Charles waved his hand in front of the frozen man and asked, "Hello? Everything well?"

Just then, a voice of one of the mages keeping guard in the forrest yelled, "Run. Run. Oh Goddess no! All is lost! Lilim spotted. Run! AHH! Dark Matter! Runrunrunrun"

The voice came closer as he sceamed. Immideatley, La'eshk Kel took a defensive stance, unfazed at the strong monster girls approaching. The Inquisitor froze until he remembered these were corruptive creatures. Then he smiled and produced a coil of energy from his staff. Charles' armor materialized and his right hand created a flail he swung. Damien clumsily grabbed a javaline and stared trembling at the trees.

Out of the woods came many panting knights and mages. They had their hands up as they scurried behind the four men who had taken a stand. They knocked furiously at the cave entrance shouting warnings and protocols. The doors opened to reveal people scrambling all over inside.

All the sudden, a young lilim landed in the clearing in front of the cave. At the same time a dark matter appeared. She stained the foilage around her with her emanating corruption. The dark matter seemed to know why she was there. The lilim looked more confused and irritated, until she saw Ecleus. A young Inquisitor with a blue lensed visor. She looked surprised, then confused, then absolutley delighted and giddy.

"This was where I felt the strange phenomena while we were searching." said the dark matter, watching with a suspicious expression.

"He was around here! Just like the harpy said. The forrests around the estate!" exlamed the lilim. She walked towards the group taking hip swaying steps. Her tail rubbed her thighs as she pushed her chest outwards. Her plush round mounds almost spilling over her metal armor.

"Fuck me!" said the squire.

Well their goes another one. So, many hypothetical themes, but decided to get creative with possibilities. Advances in the stand against corruption. Also, an enamored lilim to deal with. Don't forget the Order is far from orderly. Till next time.