Chapter12: Revealed in Blood

"Here we are, the bottom of the cliff where Ranulf fell. Nobody has been here since the search for his body." Said Augustus

"Are you sure this place was thoroughly searched?" asked Darshon

"Yes, but nobody found anything."

"Let's look again maybe you had missed something before."

The two entered the cave and found an empty cavern

"See Darshon there's nothing here"

Darshon walked around then stopped in the middle of the cavern.

"There's water underneath us"

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning there's a sub cavern that wasn't searched. And if it was under water it's very possible that Ranulf Fillial's body was sucked in to that cavern. We must go own there and prove he's dead by finding his corpse but if we don't I think we'll find our real murderer."

"So how do you propose we get down there?"

Darshon walked outside then stepped into the water then pointed at the cavern floor.

"I suggest that you move before I cast"

Augustus stepped out of wizard's way.

"WATER BALL!"

A pentagram of geffenese runes affixed itself on the cavern floor. Jets of water traveling at sixty kilometers per second shot at the cavern floor and punched a hole through it, revealing an under ground stream

Darshon walked up to Augustus before speaking

"There it is. The road that will lead us to the truth"

"As cliché as that sounded like this is worth a look"

Augustus jumped into the hole and was carried by the river's current

"Well here goes nothing," said the wizard before following the knight

The water carried him at a high speed, narrowly missing the wall during turns. Finally the river ran into an under ground lake. Darshon looked around then spotted Augustus ahead of him giving the motion to surface.

They surfaced then swam to the shore. There they found a corpse and judging by the cloths it was a priest's.

"Ranulf!" shouted Augustus

"Wait! Do not touch him! We might damage evidence."

Darshon walked up the corpse then pulled out a flask filled with a luminous blue liquid.

"This potion was made by the Alchemists of Al de Baran it'll show us if this corpse is Ranulf Filial. You said Ranulf Filial died three years ago correct?"

"Correct, as you can see his corpse is right in front of you!"

"We're not to sure about that."

"If this is indeed Ranulf Filial then this potion should glow blue if it comes in contact with anything that has chemically changed in the past three years."

Darshon opened the flask then spilled its content over the Body. The potion glowed a vivid red color instead of the expected blue.

Darshon faced Augustus "It's not Ranulf Filial"

"Then who is it?"

"Some priest a victim possibly it's hard to recognize who it is."

Augustus looked the cave "There's something more here. I know there is."

A hooded priest was walking down the hall towards the Arch Bishop's room.

"Halt! No one is allowed to see the Arch Bishop!" said the soldier who was guarding the Arch Bishop's room.

He priest smiled then turned back and walked away.

"Augustus there is a faint light over there" called Darshon

Augustus walked towards the place Darshon was pointing to. The light came from a smaller cavern, which Augustus entered.

"Is anything their Augustus?" asked Darshon.

Darshon didn't hear any answer.

"Augustus! Did you find anything?"

The wizard followed inside and saw Augustus Standing in the middle looking up at the ceiling.

"What are you looking at?"

Augustus didn't answer but simply pointed up.

Darshon looked up then saw all the names of the priests and acolytes who died written then crossed out in blood. All except one "MONOMER" which remained un-crossed

"The Arch Bishop is his next target!" exclaimed Augustus.

Suddenly the cavern began to shake then water started bursting out from the walls.

"Oh no! The water pressure is building the cavern is going to cave in!" shouted Darshon

"We have to get out of here fast."

A boulder fell from the wall unto Augustus's leg

"AAAH!"

"Augustus!"

"NO! Go save the Arch Bishop leave me!"

"I wont leave you to die"

Darshon pointed at the rock

"JUPITEL THUNDER!"

The pentagram appeared on the rock then a hurling ball of lightning shot from Darshon's palms and pushed it back.

"Come on Augustus you can do it. Stand up"

"No my leg's are crushed and I think I'm starting to bleed to death."

Darshon ripped a part from his cape then wrapped it around Augustus's leg.

"That will stops the bleeding temporarily. Know we must find a way to get out of here."