Chapter8: Division

The news of the Glast Heim massacre had spread through Midgard like wildfire. It was always a topic in taverns and pubs, like such in the Jolly Rocker Inn at Prontera.

"I swear I saw them! An army of undead, fifty maybe even a hundred Ghouls piled up those priests and acolytes then set them aflame!' stammered a red-headed merchant

"Preposterous!" shouted a wizard "Ghouls are foul beings-Yes, but nothing is left in them but the urge to feed. They cannot possibly have thought of targeting solely priests and acolytes. Then there's also the fact that the bodies were piled up and burned, it is simply not of their mental capability."

A collection of comments like "He's right." Or "I was thinking of that as well" came from the crowds.

The merchant started going pink being humiliated in front of a lot of people like that. He tried to say something to defend himself but only got as far as opening his mouth.

"Well, if you ask me." Began a knight from the back of the crowd. He took a sip from his glass then continued with his statement. "I suspect those wizards of doing it."

The wizard who corrected the merchant eyed the knight in such a way that it could have burned a hole right through him. "And why do you think that?" asked the wizard through gritted teeth.

The knight took another sip from his glass then looked at the wizard. "Well the facts are pointing to YOUR kind," he said.

"And what facts are those, might I ask?"

"First of all, Geffen has only been under the rule of pronteran because of the life debt that you owe us. When the gods were destroying your pitiful region we sent our army to help you. We all know that Geffen doesn't really want to be part of the alliance only forced to be. Second, you had once tried to learn the secrets of Divine Magic but failed miserably since the Pronteran Church didn't see it fit to reveal them to you. Third, You are the only one capable of conjuring flames like those, which were used to burn the bodies of the priests and acolytes."

"Everybody started reacting differently to this new found information."

"Oh yeah I forgot the forth reason. All of you geffenese are sadistic and jealous bastards!" added the knight

"How dare you! You loathing, sniveling little speck of dust on Geffenese Soil!" shouted the wizard before spitting on the ground before the knight.

"The geffenese wouldn't even think of doing such an act we are a sophisticated race not like you barbaric pigs!"

The knight stood up and unsheathed his sword. "What did you say you little insect?"

"That toy of yours does not scare me"

The two men stared each other down until the knight smiled. He put his sword back into its scabbard then turned his back on the wizard. When everybody though it was over the knight threw a punch at the wizard and caused him to fall unto one of the tables.

The wizard stood up blood dripping from his mouth "You'll pay for that KNIGHT"

"Give me your best shot WIZARD. Come on punch me wherever you want I wont even move."

"You fool! I wont punch you as I said we're a sophisticated race. We have gone beyond the use of our fists as ways to settle arguments."

"Just admit that you're scared and weak," mocked the knight

"I didn't say I wouldn't fight. JUPITEL THUNDER!!!!!"

An orb of lightning shot from the wizard's palm and hit the knight squarely on the chest. The knight flew at the wall then fell on the ground unconscious.

Every knight and swordsman in the pub pulled out their weapon's and waved the threateningly.

"You better stay away from Prontera! We don't like your kind here!" shouted a female knight

"We wouldn't want to stay in this Pig sty more than you want us to!" answered back a wizardress

The news spread all over Prontera and soon every Geffenese person had fled the capital. Guilds started disbanding and Trade from between the two cities had stopped.

"DAMN IT!" shouted King Tristam. He slumped on his throne and started massaging his temples. "How could this happen? Even in a time like this, I just hope there are no more murders. So how are negotiations with Geffen?" he asked his advisor

"The Viceroy is still ignoring our pleas your majesty." Said the king's advisor

"And how about the messengers we have sent?"

"No one wants to go anymore your majesty. Ever since the Geffenese blasted the first one to pieces every body has become afraid to go."

King Tristam clutched clumps of his hair and pretended to rip it out. He grabbed his crown then threw it on the ground.

"This is so frustrating! Can't we bribe them or something? Send them gifts, tell them it's an apology or something."

"Yes your majesty we shall try. But the geffenese is not very easily bribed sire. They are very proud I fear a war might start."

The king stared out his window down his kingdom. He gave a look of fright, feeling the said war drawing nearer.

Ranulf loosened his grip and the priest, who he had held by the neck, fell on the ground. His lips were blue from suffocation and the contour of Ranulf's grip could lightly be seen on his neck.

Ranulf walked away from the body towards the sanctuary. He pulled out a knife from his robes then walked inside. The cleric, a chubby old priest greeted him warmly. "Good day to you brother what tidings does ye bear?" the cleric gave a chuckle then smiled at Ranulf.

Ranulf smiled back "Your going to die" he whispered.

"I beg your pardon?" said the cleric "I'm sorry I didn't hear what you sai…

Ranulf lunged the knife at the cleric's stomach.

"Hea…Hea…He…urk" the cleric desperately tried to heal himself but Ranulf twisted the knife and killed him

A female acolyte walked in and saw Ranulf with his hand on the knife.

"AAAAAAAH!!!!" she screamed she ran towards the door but Ranulf teleported in front of her. She fell on the floor then looked up at Ranulf the hood covered his face but she could feel the rage his eyes radiated.

Ranulf grabbed the candleholder then raised his over his head. The acolyte girl screamed as Ranulf brought the candleholder down on her. Her blood flowed down the aisle of the church, staining the sacred place.

Ranulf hid the bodies in the storage room of the sanctuary then pulled out a medium sized aluminum ball from his robes. He placed it behind the one of the pews then walked out counting down for each step.

"50…49…48…47…46…45…44…" a group of priests and acolytes entered the sanctuary and walked past Ranulf.

When Ranulf reached outside he was already at five "4…3…2…1…0…"

The aluminum ball exploded and spikes started flying all over the sanctuary and skewering the priests and acolytes. The spikes started shredding them and some even carried them to the wall. When the spikes stopped flying a bloody mess was left

People started crowding in front of the church attracted by the wails of the once living holy men.

"Move out of the way!" shouted the Arch Bishop as he passed through the huddled masses accompanied by Sigmund and Anna.

"God Almighty have mercy on us" said Anna performing the sign of the cross.

Sigmund rolled his eyes at the priestess then spoke "Mocking us in our own city is one thing! But to destroy our churches out of sheer anger! Those geffenese are barbarians I tell you, savage bloodthirsty fiends from hell!"

"And yet it is on a geffenese where we must resort to finding the real culprit in this man slaughter" said King Tristam who had arrived in the scene.

Sigmund and Anna bowed before Sigmund spoke once more." I do not understand your majesty. Who is this geffenese?"

"Darshon Evier" said the Arch Bishop

"Who?"

"Darshon Evier" repeated the King "he is a wizard from Geffen who specializes in numerous studies. One such is our predicament of finding the killer. We had already recruited him once. He caught the assassin Saga who got so near to killing me"

"But sire why a geffenese cant we just make the chivalry hunt down this mad man? We can't possibly let a geffenese in our city." said Sigmund

"This is no time for racism Father! Out of all people you should understand, this killer is only after acolytes and priests like you! So, if you want to have a safe life I suggest you forget all this prejudice!"

Sigmund felt like an ant compared to the king. He wanted to answer back but feared his neck being touched by the guillotine.

"Yes sire" he answered. With a swish of his robes he was gone.