Chapter 6: In The Shadow Of The Heretics

Day 1, 22:30

"If you know anything about the case, I'd be glad to hear it," The Inquisitor said.

The long night had clearly taken its toll on the Inquisitor who was now leaning back against the side of the small plaza clock tower. The victim's body had been removed from the scene, but blood still covered the ground around where it had laid. His spectacles were slightly crooked on his nose and he seemed like he was ready to fall asleep. And yet all the while, he did everything he could to hold onto his authoritative air.

Lightning explained to him everything that she had found out, most important of course being Holmes's testimony that it was in fact the Children of Etro who committed the crime. The Inquisitor had no doubts at all that this was the case, though he wondered what good that information did them. Lightning had a plan for this as well. She'd overheard a passerby mention that the heretic's usually gathered in the plaza around midnight and all moved in a pack, though to where nobody yet knew.

"The goddess's disciples are beginning to gather. If you lift the blockades around this area, there's a good chance they'll start to move out," Lightning explained.

"You're suggesting I let them go? Hm." The Inquisitor looked about the plaza and then back at the clock tower. It was nearly midnight now. Perhaps this plan might work. "It's not a bad idea. Yes, yes. I'll give the order, and we'll see where the heretics lead us."

The Inquisitor turned to his two guards and with a simple nod gave the order that was required. They in turn approached each guard at the gates on either side of the plaza and within moments they began to rise. Those guards who were not strictly sentries returned to their usual routines, all except the Inquisitor, his two bodyguards and Lightning, who now sat crouched in the small shadowy gap between the scaffolding and the station wall.

Now all they had to do was wait.

"In recent weeks, the heretics have become more visible on the streets of our holy city. The poor benighted fools don't believe in God's Salvation," The Inquisitor mused. "Clearly their despair has led them to carry out these wanton acts. If only they would open their eyes. Embrace God and they could bathe in the pure light of his almighty grace. Can't they see that their souls would be liberated in the new world?"

Maybe not, Lightning thought, remembering how strongly Snow had objected to the mere idea of Lightning trying to help him. Even amidst the confusion, she had not forgotten him. She wondered what Yusnaan would look like if she could see it right now?

"The irony of it all is that their fanatical rejection of the savior has only made my own faith that much stronger. Although perhaps that is the work of the savior herself," The Inquisitor continued.

No, the true irony was claiming to have been moved by the savior in a spiritual sense when in the real world the savior was guiding his hand far more directly. And he didn't even know it was her.

"If you think your faith will save you, then go ahead. Believe all you want," Lightning uttered, somewhat dismissively.

Perhaps his faith had saved him. She felt his heart lighten, and hers burn ever so softly.

Midnight came and several figures in white robes and hoods, each carrying strange ritualistic looking weapons began to move through the plaza. They walked right past Lightning and the Inquisitor, who were completely cloaked in darkness. The headed out the northern gate of the plaza and towards what lead to a small restaurant avenue.

"I'll follow them," Lightning said. "You stay here."

Lightning rushed through the plaza and around to the gate. She leaned back against the wall and peered through to the other side. The group had moved their way up a small set of stairs towards what seemed to be a far more deserted section of the street.

Take me to your leader, Lightning thought coolly as she sidled around the gate to hide once more in a shadowy corner.

" 'The evil savior will die at the hands of the Shadow Hunter.' I sure don't like the sound of that," Hope chimed in. Lightning only now noticed that he had a tendency to state the obvious at the worst possible time. "When they say 'savior', do you think-"

"It's me alright. It has to be," Lightning replied quietly. "But who's the Shadow Hunter?"

She looked over to the stairwell. One of the heretics had waited behind, acting as a lookout for the rest of the group. He was looking right at where she was, but she was completely concealed by darkness, and behind a crate for good measure. There was no way he could have seen her.

But maybe he heard her?

"I don't know," Hope said. "Right now, no one else does either. The information is incomplete at best. But the Order thinks he could be the leader of the heretics."

The lookout moved on, and Lightning breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over to the stairwell, climbed over a nearby railing and crouched behind another crate. The street now turned into a partially constructed alleyway with no buildings or homes. Just walls and poorly rigged lighting. And the heretics were pushing their way deeper into it.

"So it's the Shadow Hunter who leads the cult? Does that mean he's also behind the murders?" Lightning asked.

The heretics moved again and Lightning stepped back out, but for a brief moment her timing was just a bit off. Her body was in view for just a moment as that damned lookout turned to watch their back. She saw him turning and was able to react in time to get behind another crate, but it was no good. The lookout had seen something.

He moved slowly towards the spot where Lightning was now hiding, his weapon raised. Lightning wasn't scared, exactly. She had nothing to fear from any of these people. But she may have just cost herself one of her best leads. Well, if worst came to worst she could probably beat the answers she needed out of them.

The Lookout put his hand on the opposite side of the crate. Lightning held her breath, and didn't dare to make any move that might reveal her position. She did place her hand on the hilt of her crimson sword though.

Suddenly at the end of the corridor a phone began to ring. The lookout turned back towards the others and one of the other heretics even whispered for him to hurry up. He gave one last look at the crate, then rushed over to the end of the row. Lightning turned to see that the alley opened up into a small clearing with a gate at the end. Grass and trees could be seen just beyond it. In the middle of this small clearing was a telephone booth, and one of the heretics had picked up the receiver.

"In the forest of darkness, Chaos holds sway. To the goddess of death, these numbers I say," the heretic spoke. And then in a softer tone which Lightning could not make out, he spoke a series of numbers.

The gate opened and the the heretics rushed through. Before Lightning could even think to try and follow them, the gate shut again, leaving her locked out. She casually approached the telephone booth.

"See that? I think I just found my invitation to the party."

"Yeah," Hope replied. " So when the phone rings, you have to give them a code. Simple- if you have the numbers."

"Right. Simple. So any bright ideas about how to do that? I mean, considering you're doling out advice?"

"Head back to town and see what you can uncover," Hope offered somewhat simply. Realizing that this was probably not enough to go on, Hope continued. "Look, let's just go over what we know. The heretical cult, the so-called 'Children of Etro' are behind the murders. They've become increasingly visible in the city. Judging by the tone of their 'message' they view the savior as their enemy. What I don't understand is why they would target you. You're here to save souls and guide them to a new world. Why wouldn't they want that?"

Lightning shrugged. "It's not that clear cut. To some God's Savior looks as much a murderer as these maniacs do. I'm not surprised they're afraid."

"Don't worry," Hope said. "Even if the world hates you, I'll always be by your side Light."