How the rain fell. Clive looked to the stolid clouds above him. A flash illuminated them. His long black cloak was so drenched that having the hood up became pointless. Three, two, one. A deep rumble rippled around the abandoned Clotteo Church, he felt like a child back in The Tower.
Memories of his childhood were few. Some he believed he made up for comfort during the Howling Voice Guild's tormenting training. If it wasn't for Kelley he would never had made it through it alive. Elza as well. Elza.
"I killed her." Clive's voice was hollow. His hand was resting on an unmarked tombstone. It was dilapidated and devoured by moss. "She told me about what happened that day." Lightning shot across the sky, and the rain fell a little heavier. "I don't know who I am anymore, Kelley." His grip tightened on the tombstone. "I don't know what to do now."
"You come home, Clive."
Sturm was out and locked on the shadowed figure, not but a hundred yards from him. Clive admonished himself for not hearing his approach through the lashing rain and boisterous thunder.
"Master." Clive lowered his gun.
"How many times must we go over this? It's Sauro." Another flash of lightning unveiled the leathery features of the Guild's Elder, Sauro, as he approached, leaning on his polished oak cane. "I was beginning to think you would never catch up to her. My sources informed me she evaded you numerous times."
Clive raised his gun again as the thunder boomed over Harmonia. "You must have known she was set up. Why did you allow this?" Luckily, the gun hilt was strong, as his grip tightened measurably. "You were the only one I trusted."
"That was your first mistake. Never trust anyone." Sauro's hair was a lot greyer than the last time Clive had seen him, and a lot wispier. "Elza; blessed runes look after her soul; was a sacrifice."
Clive moved forward, his boots sinking into the mud. Anger was pulsing throughout his body, betraying everything he had ever been taught by the old man in front of him. "A sacrifice? And I your pawn," He spat. "And him too?" Indicating the unmarked grave behind him.
"You forget yourself, boy. That was always your weakness, emotion. I backed you even when the Elders wanted you gone." Sauro's voice was like thunder. Clive halted and stared at his master for what seemed like an eternity. "Calm yourself and listen carefully, I'm only going to say this once," Clive slowly lowered Sturm, and felt it's will resisting. Another flash, although queerly, Clive thought it was green. "The Elders have become so blind by their own greed for power that they risk destroying the Guild. They plan to overthrow the theocracy and instate total militaristic control. Bishops have been going missing for months. No one has seen the High Bishop in decades and many believe him dead." There was something eerie about the booming of thunder that proceeded the last sentence. "Help me Clive. Come home and take up the mantle of Guild Master. Together we can overthrow the Elders and create a better guild."
There was something in his voice that resonated with Clive. His heart and mind felt like it was being led by a peculiar force. Sauro was always very convincing. Sturm was stirring, but he ignored it. "For the Guild." He said, nodding.
"For the Guild." Lightning flashed and Clive seen crooked teeth through a hideous smile.
