13. Cardinal Andros, the Holy Seer

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The Cardinal soared at them, his golden spear sweeping wide. The men dove in opposite directions and caught the angel in a pincer attack. The Lucid One's twin blades tore through his leg, while Morrow's sword slammed against his shoulder. Andros screeched as he flew high, then drove his lance straight down in an electric rage. They rolled away, narrowly avoiding impalement, but the spear whirled around and sent Morrow sprawling across the polished floor.

The Lucid One rushed to his defense. Before he could act, the Cardinal spun on him with a flurry of blows, his cross-spear slashing and thrusting, graceful yet deadly. The man dodged between the crackling strikes, terrified that each one might seal his fate. His body had reached its limit, and only the burning Estus in his blood allowed him to endure.

Andros curled back, lance coursing with lightning. As he prepared to strike, Morrow leaped through the air and clubbed the Cardinal across his back, knocking him off-balance. The energy dissipated, but in a flash, Andros whipped around and impaled the warrior, lifting him off the ground. A thunderous explosion emanated from the crystal tip as he was electrocuted, then flung aside like a scorched ragdoll.

The Lucid One scraped his blades together, summoning the dark blue flames again, and lashed out at the Cardinal. The toxic daggers shredded through his vanilla robes, eliciting a sharp cry from the angel. Andros gripped his spear in both hands and slammed it down in a burst of light, almost catching the man as he rolled away from the spreading shock. Coming to one knee, he quickly switched to his new cane, then fired off a sound bolt at the enemy.

To his surprise, the Cardinal sidestepped the spell and lunged forward. He barely had time to dodge the vicious attack, then countered with a second bolt. This time, it connected. Andros readied another thrust, but Morrow intervened, slamming his heavy shield into the angel's side and staggering him. The warrior struck hard with his sword, the Lucid One stabbed deep, and the celestial being wailed against their savage offense.

Turning his lance around, Andros rammed it into the floor, releasing another rippling shockwave that forced the men back. They tumbled out of range, then an electric ray blasted Morrow off his feet. The Lucid One had barely stood when the Cardinal was upon him again, lashing out violently in a series of slashes. He dove low as the spear raced past his head, inches from certain death, and took a giant leap back to land beside his companion.

Throwing the greatshield onto his back, Morrow drew his crossbow, and the pair began a ranged assault. The warrior unloaded a hail of lightning, while the Lucid One cast bolt after bolt. Andros cried out as they pelted him with missiles, then his five wings spread wide, and he began to levitate. A vertical ring of white light shimmered into existence above his crowned mitre, mesmerizing the duo with its blinding radiance.

Suddenly, shafts of divine energy erupted from its center, showering them in screeching projectiles. They frantically raced to either side, beams of light scattering around them, until the Lucid One was finally struck. Three projectiles seared through his body, and he dropped to the floor, his consciousness fading fast.

Morrow readied his shield against the bombardment, but the light pierced right through its thick steel, impaling his arm and leg. Grimacing against the pain, he drank from his sapphire flask as Andros drifted down, then charged with a battle cry. His sword thrashed madly, hammering the enemy without remorse, while his shield deflected the returning blows. The combatants clashed against one another in a brutal skirmish, both refusing to back down.

Morrow rolled beneath the arcing spear and came up swinging. He battered the angel across his wings, blocked a glancing counterstrike, then dealt a powerful thrust into the shrieking Cardinal's ribs. As Andros doubled over in pain, the warrior swapped to his crossbow and unleashed a volley point-blank, filling his target with crackling bolts.

The Holy Seer raised his spear high, and in a brilliant flash, pillars of lightning streaked from above. All the Lucid One could do was curl up in a ball and pray for safety, while Morrow gamboled fearlessly through the perilous storm. Even as it raged, he attacked the Cardinal, relentlessly bludgeoning him with the flat blade, heedless of his own safety.

When the squall finally subsided, the Lucid One was astonished to find he had not been struck. He struggled to stand, but it was a futile attempt. As close to death as he was, he could do nothing but hang on to his last shred of vitality.

The golden lance swept over the warrior as he tumbled. His sword bashed into the Cardinal's side, then the crystal spearhead gouged through his chest, leaving a charred gash. Mustering his strength, he blocked a powerful thrust and swung again, yet the angel flew nimbly out of reach, then dashed forward and ran him through the stomach.

Morrow writhed on the tip of the lance as he was hoisted into the air, sword and shield falling from his grasp. There was a thundering burst as electricity surged through his body, then Andros flung him across the platform in one deft motion. The warrior crashed into the mound of Richter's empty armor, and lay still.

Andros hovered towards the fallen warrior, spear raised for a final strike. As he drew back the golden lance, Morrow suddenly sprang to his feet, and with a ferocious cry he swung Richter's belled scepter into the Cardinal's chest.

The Holy Seer caved beneath its force. He collapsed to his knees with a surprised gasp, then raised his head as the scepter came down again. It smashed across his veiled face with a resounding knell, crushing the mighty angel against the floor.

Andros lifted a feeble hand to the heavens, and with a dying wail, the Cardinal disintegrated into white ash.

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Now that the battle was over, the silence that permeated the cathedral seemed deafening. Morrow hunched over, breathing laboriously, but a glimmer of victory shone through his dark eyes. He let the scepter fall to the floor with an echoing clang, then retrieved his sword and shield, sheathing them across his back with an exhausted sigh.

He leaned over the scattered armor that was once Richter and lifted something in his palm. The warrior slid it onto his finger — a steel ring — then dragged his weary feet to the remains of Cardinal Andros.

From the ashes, Morrow retrieved a gilded tome. He inspected it briefly before sliding it beneath his coat. Then, he lifted the majestic cross-spear and held it reverently before him. "At last," he said in a near whisper, "It's mine. The fabled shard... Finally, the Lordbrandt will be restored."

As the Lucid One struggled to rise, the other man glanced at him with a hint of sympathy. "I'm sorry, friend. I wish there was more I could do for you, but my destiny awaits. I'm sure someone as resourceful as yourself will manage. Best of luck to you."

With that, the warrior departed, leaving him alone in the stillness of the cathedral.

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The Lucid One lay gasping, clinging to life by a mere sliver. It took all his effort just to stand. He carefully slid Lycian's blades into his belt, then dragged himself towards the piles of dust. Falling to his knees, he stared in confusion, wondering what he was supposed to do now. They had defeated the Cardinals, yet Morrow had claimed all the glory. He shut his eyes tight, pushing away feelings of betrayal. Neither of them would have succeeded without the other. He should be grateful that he had survived at all.

As he reopened his eyes, he noticed something shimmering in the black soot beside Lycian's helm. He crawled over and recovered another ring, intricately carved from white gold. After studying it, he placed it in his pocket, then forced himself back to his feet. He stumbled to the pale ashes of Andros, wondering if there was anything else to be found.

Sifting through the dust, he found not a ring, but a splintered piece of bone. Curious, he picked it up, and was surprised to find it warm to the touch. He pocketed this odd treasure as well, then took one final glance around the cathedral.

As he turned to leave, he realized one of the thrones was not empty like the others. Placed on its purple cushioned seat was a human skull. The man limped over and examined it, finding its empty sockets full of crystals like the others he had seen. He wondered why such a thing sat upon a Cardinal's throne, and reached out to touch it.

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Shadows danced about the damp chamber, cast from flickering torchlight. He was kneeling on a cold stone floor. Looking up, he beheld an armored knight towering over him, face concealed behind a barred helm, hands gripping a hilt with no blade.

"I do not begrudge you your duty, old friend," he spoke in someone else's voice. "Neither do I ask forgiveness. This was the price He demanded of me, and it is one I will gladly accept."

The knight lowered the bladeless hilt, and an intangible edge tingled against the nape of his neck.

"You must realize the truth, though. Don't you see, Neron? He allowed me to take it. All of this is His plan, not mine, not ours. We are merely pawns, after all..."

For a brief moment, the hilt wavered, then rose.

"Go on, then." He turned back to the floor, eyes closed. "End these insufferable dreams. It will be a mercy, after all I've seen."

There was a rush of wind, and the world spun out of control.

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The Lucid One jolted back to the present. He pulled away from the skull, bewildered by the vision it had imparted. Tentatively, he touched it again, but nothing happened. After a moment of puzzlement, he tucked the skull away inside his robes, then returned to the lantern.

Exhausted as he was, sleep would come easy. Slumping to the floor, he closed his eyes and let the comforting dream wash over him.

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Appendix

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Grand Inquisitor's Ring — A white gold ring worn by Cardinal Lycian, the Grand Inquisitor. Allows for additional attunement of spells. After Lycian inherited this ring as a symbol of his divinity, he developed a relentless urge to smite the wicked.

Lance of Divinity — The legendary spear of Saint Andros, Cardinal of the North, forged from a shard of Sunbrandt. When wielded by one of great faith, it can cast lightning bolts. This is the very spear used to slay the traitorous Watcher, Xyne, though at a great cost to the oracle.

Radiant Braille Tome — A divine tome of the Radiant Legion written in braille. Its pages recount the legendary tales of Heliphon the Illuminator, who vanquished the Demon of Light long ago. Heliphon sacrificed his immortal soul to ensure his legacy, and his devout followers still preach these miracles.

Radiant Halo — A miracle of Cardinal Andros, the Holy Seer. Creates an aureole that fires numerous rays of light. When he was yet a humble man, Andros was granted a vision by the Illuminator, warning him of the coming floods. If not for the pious saint, humanity would have surely perished.

Ring of Protection — A steel ring worn by Cardinal Richter, the "Bastion." Boosts physical defense. Saint Richter possessed a strength beyond any man, which led some to believe he descended from the titans themselves. Such blasphemy, however, was only spoken of in whispers.

Saint's Bone Shard — A fractured bone that belonged to a saint. Bring to the Well Maiden to increase flask potency. The bones of saints are revered as holy relics, and when held, one can feel its miraculous warmth, as if it retained some essence of life.

Skull of St. Ogden — A relic of Saint Ogden, former Cardinal of the East. His skull still resonates with the final memories of betrayal, and a persevering idolatry.