Philosophy 3
The Philosofing
Ben's grip tightened on the pistol he kept hidden in his sleeves, wondering if they had made a mistake, it would not be the first time if they did.
He shook his head, willing himself to focus on their righteous task. The scroll form the temple had told them where to go, but it had been no easy task to gain access. The wizard guarded his secrets with envy, preventing the world from accessing the key to purfection.
And so it was, that their hand had been forced.
The grimlands were an inhospitable place, devoid of both life and light. The land, shrouded in shadow and darkness, felt suffocating. Had it not been for the fire that burned within their hearts, Ben feared they would have fallen long ago.
As it was, they struggled on, until their eyes fell onto the tower and the form that stood in its doorway.
A robed form met them at the base of the stairs, gesturing up to his mistress. "Salem, Queen of the Grimm, first of her name, last of the lost race, The Immortal, and rightful heir to the kingdoms of old."
Ben stepped forward, prepared to speak only to be halted as the man went on.
"Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm."
Ben waited for the man to continue, the silence dragged on and Ben spoke. "Your grace, we-"
"The warrior of neither light nor darkness! The daughter of shadow and the Queen who was promised!" The hooded figure bowed slightly, words finally coming to an end.
"Your grace, we are bu-"
"Queen of the Iro-" there was a loud bang, followed by silence as the minion fell to the ground with a rather large hole in his chest. Ben brought his weapon back under his robes.
Even I couldn't speak that much without breathing. What the hell was his Semblance, run on sentences? Ben wondered, but ultimately, it was of little importance.
"Your grace, we are but humble men." Salem looked to Set at that, one eyebrow raised in question. Ben ignored it and continued on. "We seek only that which all men do."
"Gold?" Her voice echoed through Ben's soul, the words themselves feeling like darkness incarnate.
"We want not for wealth."
"Power?" Salem descended the steps slowly.
"We wish not to control."
"Women then?" The Queen smirked, her mind clearly made as she stepped forth.
"We are not tempted by the flesh!" Set's voice seemed to surprise the Queen of the Grimm, her face twisted in utter shock. "We seek Purfection!"
Salem froze, her body moving in a noticeably defensive manner.
"Did the Wizard send you here to destroy the last vestige of hope?" Her words were mixed not with anger, but fear for what she protected was sacred indeed and Ben understood why she feared its destruction.
"We are no friend of the wizard, he who sealed away the most holy of people." Ben and Set spoke in unison. "We seek only to serve Purfection, and to destroy that which has wronged it!"
"Very well," The Queen hesitated before turning, exposing her back to them as a symbol of trust. "Come with me."
Ben and Set shared a look with each other, sparing an unspoken message before they followed behind her. The inside of the tower was as devoid as the outside, little to nothing in the way of modern amenity. It was like a crypt that contained the most powerful secrets of the world, rather than the corpses of mere men.
A Beowulf stood by the door, perched on its hind legs. "Can I take your robe, sire?"
"They won't be staying long, Reginald." The Queen ushered the Beowulf away. "I will give you what it is you seek, but I must warn you, it's power is beyond what most people would consider… natural."
"Any gift you grant us shall be used to usher the return of Purfection… nothing more, this we swear." Ben bowed slightly, Set mimicking his actions.
The Queen took them deep into the tower, eventually descending down below where the ground should have been. The spiral staircase seemed to go on forever, and yet he never felt tired.
For what waited at the bottom gave them strength.
Deep underground, was a sealed Vault.
"This is the original design that the Wizard has used to seal away the relics." She gestured to the unnatural doorway. "He has locked away four of the relics where only his Maidens can access them… but there is a fifth relic." A pulse of light left her hand and Ben held his breath. A moment later, the door faded away revealing an empty chamber with a simple pedestal in the middle.
The item that sat on the pedestal drove all those present to their knees, even the Queen of the Grimm knelt before it.
"The last and only true gift from the God of Light." Her voice seethed with hatred in the name, but Ben knew she held no hatred for the relic before them. "I have waited long for the Warriors of Purfection to find their way here, it is yours to take."
Ben turned to his brother, offering to allow Set to do the honors, but he bowed and stepped back. Ben loved him for it.
Cautiously, Ben stepped forward towards the pedestal. He gently grabbed the item there and stepped back.
Curie's voice cried out over the silence. "Collar added to your inventory!"
A Sacred Gear had been found.
"Now go," Salem stood. "And do what must be done."
Ben offered the Sacred Gear to Set who hid it in his Robe for protection. They spoke in unison.
"It shall be done, your grace."
"BROTHER KPMH, A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE BEACON!"
"Don't touch me you cretin, return to the Hells from whence you came!"
"THE QUEEN HAS SHOWN US DA WAE!"
*Racks slide of M90* "The power of Christ compels you, and a gun!"