Chapter 13: Heresy!

1485 A.D. Amiens, France

"In Europe, during the time of the Inquisition, paranoia and corruption ran deep. With the fear of devilry running rampant, the Ancients' corruption extended far beyond mortal knowledge, corrupting all that could be corrupted. My researches uncovered an interesting incident. A Franciscan monk named Paul Luther was traveling through the region of Amiens during the witch-hunts of the Inquisition. Now under martial law, the Inquisition prevented anyone from leaving the town or its nearby cathedral, for everyone was suspect."

Paul Luther walked through the large oak doors of the Oublie Cathedral, shaking the rainwater off his clothes. He was on the last step of his pilgrimage to see the sacred Hand of Jude, which was said to be stored in this very cathedral. It had been a long and arduous journey, but his faith had held out in the end.

"Welcome to Oublie Cathedral, Brother Luther. I'm glad that our sacred order can bestow hospitality on our Franciscan brethren." From somewhere behind Paul walked out the bishop of the cathedral, Philippe Augustine. He was garbed in blood red robes with a rope tied around his waist. From under his hood he stared at Paul with a pale face that sent shivers up his spine.

"I shall not impost, Excellency," Paul said humbly. "I merely request lodging and a viewing of the sacred relic, the Hand of Jude…" He bowed his head slightly while saying the name of the artifact.

Augustine walked behind him, placing his hands on Paul's shoulders. "Many have traveled far, and even risked their lives for a glimpse of the hallowed relic's true splendor. Of course, it would be wise to keep quiet during your stay." He leaned in towards Paul ear as he spoke, as if he was telling him a secret. "The Inquisition is here for a reason, Brother. We seek to purge the deviancy from this town." He let go of Paul and walked towards the doors of the sanctuary.

"I'm sure that will not be a problem. Amiens appears to be a peaceful hamlet."

The bishop paused, but did not look back as he spoke. "It appears to be, but deviancy is secreted in the most deceptive places, which I believe is the case with Amiens…"

"Then I wish you luck in your search…"

Augustine spun to face Paul. "The Inquisition does not need luck, Brother Luther," he said tersely. "Faith and purity are our guides." With that, the bishop walked through the wooden doors of the sanctuary. Paul stood there for a second, slightly confused by the bishop's attitude. Had he offended him somehow? He hoped not, for he didn't want his long pilgrimage to be in vain. Quietly, he shook the rest of the water off of his robes and entered the sanctuary.

-------------------------------------------------------

A murder

-------------------------------------------------------

Paul walked past rows of pews towards the altar, intending to pray to the Lord for thanks on his safe arrival. But he noticed two things that immediately bothered him. The altar was clean of any religious signs. There wasn't even a small cross. The other was a faint smell that steadily grew more powerful as he approached the altar. It was the smell of blood, along with decaying flesh.

He looked down the third row of pews and nearly gagged. A monk was lying on the floor, a gaping hole in his chest that exposed the bones of his ribs. "For the love of..!" he cried in a panicked voice, managing to stop himself before he forgot what he was taught. "Guards! Help! Come quickly!"

From behind him, Augustine approached with two of his monks. It was clear by the expression on his face that he was enraged. "A murder! A murder most foul! What heresy is this?"

"I… I found him lying here… Dead… I called the guards…"

"Ah, is this our first suspect?" Augustine inquired to the monks next to him. The bowed their heads slightly. "Make sure no one touches the body. It must be examined for signs of devilry. As for this… 'man'. Make sure he doesn't leave the Cathedral… We will question him later…"

Paul looked at the three of them, stammering. "…But!"

Augustine cut him off quickly with a stare that pierced into Paul's very soul. "Hold your tongue Franciscan, or it might bring my wrath upon thee! Who is to say you did not commit this murder? If you trust in the Almighty, and are indeed innocent, then you will have nothing to fear…" Without another word, Augustine walked off. The two monks nodded wordlessly to Paul and escorted him to a small waiting room near the entrance of the cathedral.

"He will come to speak with you once he has a chance," one of the monks said in a raspy voice. "You will wait here." They walked out of the room, locking the heavy wood door shut behind them.

-------------------------------------------------------

A Light within the Darkness

-------------------------------------------------------

Paul paced back and forth in the small waiting room. What was going to become of him? He didn't commit that murder, so why were they holding him accountable. Never would he perform such an act of heresy!

He stopped in the middle of the room with a heavy sigh. "Father, help me prove my innocence…" he whispered silently. When he glanced up at the picture before him, his eyes widened slightly. It was a painting of a monk holding a gold scepter in his hand. An emerald jewel was imbedded in the painting. Slowly, he walked over and took it in his hand. What was such a delicately cut jewel doing in a painting? It made no sense.

Behind them, the door opened, and an old man walked into the room. He wasn't one of the monks, as was evident by his attire, but he was probably the custodian. "Are you here to pass sentence on me?" Paul asked uneasily.

"No, I'm here to free you… You are in incredible danger. This cathedral used to be a place of peace. Now many strange things happen here. I don't want you to end up like the others…"

Paul's mind drifted back to the body he had found. "What do you mean?" he asked, eager for information.

An expression of sadness appeared on the custodian's face. "The body you found was Brother Andrew, and he was killed to protect a secret. We can't talk about it here. Find me in the bell tower, and I shall aid thee further."

"Why are you releasing me?"

"I don't want another innocent to die like your Franciscan brethren. I have seen Brother Andrew make numerous entries into his journal. This may contain answers to the Cathedral's dark secrets…"

"What can I do?"

"If I were you, I'd run!" the custodian urged.

"They will surely hunt me if I run! This has to stop!" What Paul said was true. Anyone who committed an act against the church would be hunted and burned at the stake by the Inquisition…

The custodian shook his head. "Then be it on your own head, Luther. Find Brother Andrew's journals, if you can. He spent time in the Old Tower investigating. I believe I can find a key to the Old Tower in one of my stores. Later, come find me in the bell tower, and I will give it to you… Be swift! We can't evade them forever…" The custodian walked out of the room, leaving Paul alone. Still slightly confused, he walked over to the door and opened it. Suddenly, he felt a wave of nausea and found himself in a large temple that was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

"What sort of unholy place is this…?" he whispered, staring in terror at the pictures of skulls and bones on the walls and listening to the wails of the faces on the floor. Statues lined the pathway to a large hand. In it was a book bound with leather and made of shrunken human bones. His hands were drawn to it against their will, and as he picked it up, strange images flooded his mind. In the blink of an eye, he was back in the room the monks had locked him in. Staring down at the book in his hands, terror built up inside of him, and he rushed to find the Custodian.

-------------------------------------------------------

Conversation in the Bell Tower

-------------------------------------------------------

Footsteps echoes throughout the room, alerting Paul to the presence of someone walking up the steps. He had made it all the way here, dodging a shambling corpse that ambushed him on the choir balcony. Perhaps ringing the church's bell in an attempt to get the custodian's attention wasn't such a good idea. Nervously, he watched the person walk up the stairs. Paul breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed it was the Custodian. "Ahh. Brother Luther…" he said, obviously relieved. "Not a moment too soon. As you have noticed, dread things inhabit this place. Shambling corpses, and worse!"

Paul nodded. "There is darkness at work here! In the midst of the Inquisition!"

"I suspect it is worse than that, but I have no proof. Brother Andrew knew this also, and paid the price for it…"

"Why are you telling me this?" Paul asked with a hint of confusion on his face.

"Perhaps you can finish off what Andrew started." From his robes, the custodian drew an old key and handed it to Paul. "Take this key. It unlocks the Old Tower. It has been sealed off since the Inquisition arrived…"

He took the key from the custodian's hand. "I intend to uncover the truth behind this!"

"If you manage to uncover the source of darkness, return here, and I will do everything I can to help. Until then, Brother, may your faith protect you…"

Paul nodded and left the bell tower, avoiding the walking corpse on the choir balcony. It was time to get to the bottom of this.

-------------------------------------------------------

Suspicions Confirmed

-------------------------------------------------------

Paul held the last page of Brother Andrew's journal in a trembling hand. The Cathedral's secret had been uncovered, and it was far more frightening than he possibly imagined.

I must inform the custodian of this! The real Inquisition must be informed about these imposters!

He ran through the winding passages and back to the sanctuary. By the time he had reached the bell tower, he was gasping for air. He checked to make sure no one else was there before reporting his findings. "Brother Andrew suspected Augustine all along," he said in a hushed whisper. "I managed to find remnants of his journal, and it all points to Augustine's involvement with a paganistic cult operating inside the Cathedral!"

The custodian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Aye… The Cathedral's dark secret has been uncovered. I, too, suspected this, but was too afraid to act. Augustine himself is a heretic!"

"He has covered his tracks well, claiming that the sacred relic, the Hand of Jude, was stored here. He had those who came to see it murdered. The Hand of Jude never existed!"

"And with that realization, the trap closes, Brother. My days here are numbered." He drew a strange dagger from his robes, handing it to Paul. Its blade was curved in a peculiar manner. When he spoke again, his voice was heavy with fear. "I awoke to find this cruel dagger placed on my pillow this morn. It can only mean one thing. I know too much, and they are moving to silence me. I can only hope that what little faith I have left is enough to save my soul…

"Please, take this thing away from me," the custodian said, holding out the dagger to Paul. "Its very sight troubles me to no end." Paul took the dagger hesitantly, repulsed by the dark aura around it. "May your faith protect thee, Brother Luther, for that's all you have." Paul slipped the dagger into the folds of his robes and nodded, walking out of the bell tower. He recalled finding some sort of stone effigy with a slot in its chest. It was most likely the dagger belonged there…

He made his way through the winding catacombs, battling against the demonic monsters that had taken up residence since he had spoken to the custodian. In the room with the effigy, he slid the knife into the slot. It made an audible click as it slid back, and a piercing scream echoed through the room. Part of the wall behind him slid up, revealing an ancient wooden door.

That scream… It came from behind the door. But who did it belong to?

He gripped the sword he had picked up from the body of poor Anthony, who he had to finally lay to rest in the old bishop's chamber in the Old Tower. It was like his very soul was indwelt in the blade, wanting to seek justice against those who wronged him. Placing one hand on the handle of the door, he pulled it open and walked through.

-------------------------------------------------------

Heresy Revealed

-------------------------------------------------------

The room was dominated by a large pit with a balcony around the room that ended in a circular platform extending out over the abyss. A strange fog filled the pit, making it impossible to see the bottom, if there even was one.

On the floor directly in front of Paul were five red runes arranged in a pentagon. The air around them pulsed with corroding magick, and Paul dared not to touch them. Concentrating, he used the Dispel Magick spell that was in the Tome. A blue shockwave spread out through the room, and the runes vanished.

As he walked towards the platform, the smell of blood became thick in the air; weak at first, it steadily became stronger with every step. Something was lying on the stone altar on the platform. Its black robes were soaked with blood, which pooled upon the altar's surface. Paul's heart skipped a beat when he recognized the corpse's face as that of the custodian, his only ally in the fight against the darkness.

"You are a clever man, Brother Luther," the all-too-familiar voice of Philippe Augustine said from behind him. "Wanting answers to clarify your new position as fugitive, you seek them out, and this is what you find…" Augustine motioned to the custodian's corpse with his hand. With a cruel laugh, he continued on. "Tell me, what does a man think of yourself think when he finds a viper's nest of heresy, when he finds the very source of corruption!"

Paul's voice quivered when he spoke. He was torn between fear and anger. "I think of irony… Irony of what you, masquerading as a member of the Inquisition stand for, and that you stand for evil!"

"Evil is merely a perspective that no longer concerns me, Luther. You will be executed in the most painful manner imaginable, after we have broken your frail body and mind, in the name of our true lord, Chattur'gha." He turned away from Paul, walking back towards the door. "Come my children, feast on this morsel, and let us return to our preparations." He stroked the heads of two Bonethieves as he walked away. They raises their heads and started towards Paul.

The two-edged sword cut swiftly through their necks. The beasts collapsed to the floor and were hacked to pieces soon afterwards. Paul took quick breaths, glancing at the corpse of the custodian.

Rest in peace, my friend. I will avenge your death and those who died before you because of this demon…

Gripping his sword tightly, he ran around the balcony, following Augustine's trail. The hallway beyond the door was empty, but the same was not true of the room with the monk effigy. Augustine stood before a door with a strange metal pattern on it. He pulled a key from his robes and unlocked the door, walking through it.

Paul watched him before following him through. He ran through a corridor with a darkened stairwell, and yet another corridor before he reached a large door. It was different from the other ones throughout the basement, and there was an ominous presence behind it. The hairs on Paul's neck stood on end as he reached for the handle.

The preparations Augustine mentioned must be taking place behind this door. I must stop this at once!

Ignoring the feeling of dread that built up inside, he opened the door and stepped through.

-------------------------------------------------------

The Black Guardian's Lair

-------------------------------------------------------

The large hall he was in now had a checkered floor and strange murals on the walls. Paul examined them as he walked forward, repulsed by their maddening images. This place was, perhaps, the most unholy site he encountered under the cathedral. It was like a temple for some demonic god…

At the apse, the ground began to rumble, and a cracking sound was heard. He looked around quickly before realizing the sound was coming from beneath the floor. Suddenly, a terrifying creature burst out from the floor in front of him.

"This… is the one that seeks to do combat… with me?" the creature asked in a rumbling voice, staring down at Paul. To his right, Augustine walked forward, his voice different from before.

"Your task, my liege and Greater Guardian, is to guard this place." His appearance began to change, and the robed Bishop was replaced by a skeletal demon holding a staff of bone. "Do not worry about this worm. His kind yelps in terror at the sight of your mightiness. We will dispose of him ourselves…"

Paul stared at the massive beast silently, eyes wide. It raised up its claw, slamming it down towards him. The last thing he saw was its massive claw before he felt a burst of pain and his world faded to black.