In the mountainous Crestlands, Team Revival soon arrived in Flamechurh, a village that bore a strong presence from the Order of the Sacred Flame. It is here where they will find their Cleric and begin their journey.
"Well how 'bout that? Looks like everything Ophilia's all about made its way to Solistia too. Nice to see some things carry on from the last eight tales." Connor said.
"So, is this Sacred Flame important?" Hilda asked.
"It's only a special flame gifted to the mortal realm by the head honcho of the 12 gods himself, Aelfric the Flamebringer." Connor said. "I think I remember it being a key thing that drove Galdera back in the last adventure we did. Is he still around in the legends?"
"I had a feeling you'd ask that. So while we made our way here, I did a little research into Solistia's lore." Lysithea said.
"That's our prodigy. Whatcha got?" Travis asked.
"Solista's mythos doesn't mention a word of any Galdera… but it does mention another Dark God. Vide, the Wicked. Long ago, Solistia was corrupted by darkness and confusion. Many of its residents were run over with wickedness, and everyone seemed eager to greet the end. Then, eight gods assembled."
"Wait, eight? Didn't you say there were 12, Connor?" Leonie interrupted.
"I did, but I guess there were 4 gods who weren't the friendly kind. 2 of them had t'be Galdera and Vide." Connor replied.
"Well actually, four of the gods hid away from the world, awaiting those who seeked to challenge them. But back on topic, eight of the thirteen gods led by Aelfric attempted to stop Vide from destroying the world, sealing him and his domain called Vidania beneath the ocean." Lysithea said.
"And the Sacred Flame keeps Vide from returning, just like it did Galdera?" Morph asked.
"I think so. According to the legends, Aelfric and the other gods combined their powers and with the Sacred Flame, brought light back to Solistia. I'm sure we'll learn all about it from the cleric we're supposed to meet."
"We only know his name, Temenos. But if he is of the same order this Ophilia girl is part of, he must be acomplished." Lorenz said.
"Yeah. I bet this guy is just like her. Devoted to her duties, doesn't let anything stop her, and nice as all heck-" Connor started.
"Listen to me, you fools!" the leader of the Heroes-for hire was cut off when they suddenly stumbled upon a commotion. A male insurgent was speaking out to people. "The church uses the Sacred Flame to deceive us! But the truth shall be exposed! The purge begins here and now! Open your eyes! The truth lies within all of us!'
"You are the ones who must open your eyes." a new voice said as the group saw a young man in armor approach.
"A Sanctum Knight, are you?!" the insurgent asked as the knight ran in front of the three townspeople the insurgent and his two followers were troubling and drew his sword.
"Newly anointed, but yes." the knight answered. "Why do you rage against the Sacred Flame? I beg you, look inside yourself and repent."
"You didn't say they'd set the knights upon us!" one of the other Insurgents said as the third screamed before both of them ran off.
"Y-you cowards!" The lead Insurgent said, growling in anger before he caught sight of another face watching the commotion. It was a young man with greyish-white hair very slightly tinted almost a light blue, a pale complexion and blue eyes. He wore a long navy robe with sleeves and seemed to be wearing similarly colored pants. Over his robes he wore a white cape that's buttoned up. He also wore black shoes.
Wasting no time, the insurgent ran over to the man and took him hostage, making him stand in front of him before the knight.
"I'll start the purge with this cleric! That ought to open your eyes! You'll see that the Sacred Flame protects no one!" the insurgent said.
"How dare you!" the knight said.
"Yeah, that's no fair to use a guy who can't even defend himself as a shield!" Raphael said, Team Revival having enough and running up to support the knight.
"Oh dear… It seems I've been captured." the cleric said nonchalantly. "But while we're here, allow me to ask… You're a heretic, are you not?"
"...What?" The insurgent asked.
"'O Sacred Flame, shine your light upon us!'" the cleric said as a pillar of light struck the insurgent as he screamed in pain before falling unconscious. "...Haha. Behold the protection afforded by the Sacred Flame." he said as he pulled out a staff.
"Ah, you saved us, Temenos!" one of the villagers said.
"Wait…that guy's the Cleric we're supposed to help out?" Hilda asked in disbelief.
"Okay, not what I expected…" Connor admitted.
The knight then noticed the staff the man known as Temenos was holding. "Is that the Staff of Judgement? Are… are you the inquisitor?!"
"That I am." Temenos answered.
"My word… it is an honor to meet you! Only the best among us are chosen to assume the honorable role of inquisitor…" the knight said. "I… I hope to one day join your ranks!"
Temenos looked over the knight, as well as Connor and his team. "Hm… you're all unusual fellows. Do you have a burning desire to recount our history ad nauseam?"
"O-our history?" the knight asked.
"Indeed. What are your names?" Temenos asked.
"Crick, sir. I've been assigned to escort duty at the church." the knight introduced.
"Connor's my name. Connor Trav Yukine. And this is my team, Team Revival. We're mercenaries for hire, and we were just passing through." Connor followed.
"Well now, I can certainly vouch for your skills." Temenos nodded. "It appears the rumors are true. The heretics are mobilizing against the church."
"Indeed. The Sacred Guard increases its defenses as we speak." Crick said.
"Unbelievable… what are those gods of ours thinking?" Temenos asked. "Peace time is no time to be lax in our duties."
"Wow, for a Cleric he's certainly…" Hilda started.
"Not at all like we thought. Did he seriously just aim that comment at his own gods?" Leonie asked.
Temenos laughed. "There is such a thing as trusting too much, my new friends. I daresay even our gods would be relieved at hearing such a frivolous comment from me."
"I must be dreaming… these cannot be the words of a clergyman!" Crick said in disbelief.
"(Yeah, talk about a complete 180. This guy's not like Ophilia at all!)" Connor thought.
"Haha… Doubt is what I do, Crick." Temenos said.
Crick stayed silent before turning to leave. "If you'll all excuse me, I must go greet the pontiff." he said walking away.
"Then you had better turn around. The cathedral's not that way." Temenos said.
"P-Please. I've only just been assigned." Crick said.
"We were actually on our way to the cathedral as well, but we only just arrived in town ourselves. We don't know where your church is either." Avlora said.
"Goodness. I must admit I fear for all of you." Temenos sighed. "Come my little wayward lambs. I shall guide you to the cathedral."
"W-wayward lamb?!" Crick asked.
Though his comment was a bit insulting, everyone did end up counting on Temenos to lead them to the church. And so it was that they arrived at the cathedral at nightfall after going through a cave and fending off monsters.
"And here we are, my lost lambs." Temenos said.
"I beg you for all our sakes, cease calling us lambs of any sorts!" Crick said. "We have names, and mine is Crick. You would do best to remember it!"
"My apologies, Crick." Temenos said. "As I said, here we are. The Order of the Sacred Flames cathedral. Are you all quite prepared?"
The group headed to the front door of the cathedral, and Temenos knocked at the door. However, there was no answer, which garnered suspicion.
Connor checked on the door. "Door's locked. That's weird."
"Didn't you say the pontiff summoned you to the cathedral on our way here, Temenos?" Ignatz asked.
"Yes, he himself told me to meet him here this evening. Perhaps something has gone wrong." Temenos said.
"So, now what do we do? Smash our way in?" Travis asked. "Betcha your blade can cut this door like butter, Crick."
"Cut through the door like a damned criminal?! Absolutely not!" Crick said.
"Maybe there's another way in that won't charge us with treason?" Lysithea asked.
"If there is, we would not know." Maxwell said.
"I might have a solution. The Cathedral underwent significant repairs two years ago. Surely those who assisted with the repairs still live here. Perhaps interrogating them will shed some light on the way forward." Temenos explained.
"Interrogating?! What are you planning to do with them?" Crick asked.
"Let us be off." Temenos said.
Temenos had a rather physical way of gaining information compared to other methods the group had seen, but it was effective. Through one of the architects, they learned of an underground passage that leads into the cathedral, accessible via a small building to the east of the cathedral. It was hard to admit, including for Crick, that Temenos could even be an Inquisitor with his unusual and lackadaisical behavior, what with his actions. However, he did hold some connection to the religion, as he was concerned with the state of the Sacred Flame before they made for the church via the underground passage.
Inside the church….
When they arrived in the main hall of the cathedral, Temenos, Crick and Team Revival were treated to a horrifying sight. The hall was destroyed, the glass memorial window busted open… and a figure of very much important to Temenos, lying on the ground.
"Your holiness! Please, no…" Temenos said, rushing over to the body of Pontiff Jorg, checking on him. "...He's dead."
"What…in the world…?" Crick asked as Temenos was silent. "What's happening, Temenos!"
Lysithea perked her head up. "We're not alone."
(Cue- YRP Battle 2- FFX-2)
Suddenly, coming out of the shadows was a large blue wolf.
"What the hell is that?!" Travis asked.
"Is that…an arcane beast?!" Crick asked.
"Could it have shattered the window? Surely not…" Temenos pondered.
Crick and the others quickly got in front of Temenos as they drew their weapons.
"If you dont wanna die tonight, you better stay behind us, Temenos." Connor said.
"Yes. We… we will protect you!" Crick agreed.
"I appreciate your courage, but I need not be sheltered from any and all danger." Temenos said, drawing his staff.
"Temenos…" Crick said.
"Here it comes, everyone." Temenos said as everyone prepared for battle.
Cathedral Crasher
Felvarg
The Felvarg immediately went on the attack, aiming to slice the group with its claws. But everyone evaded and struck back. Avlora hit first and slashed into the beast with her sword, getting a good hit on it.
"Nice hit, Avlora!" Connor said.
"It's still aims to attack, don't let up! Find what else it can't tolerate!" Avlora said.
"Yes." Marianne said. "Fimbulvetr!" she called, engulfing the beast in a burst of icicles.
"Ice magic seems to work just as effectively! Icy Breath!" Narve said, blasting the Felvarg with another dose of cold.
"Holy light, illuminate the Darkness!" Temenos called, blasting the beast with a burst of light magic, damaging it and revealing its third weakness to light.
This agitated the Felvarg as it let out an angry roar.
"It's agitated!" Crick said.
"Will you cower behind me yet again, dear Crick?" Temenos asked.
"You may as well get behind me if all you have to offer are cruel jokes! In the sacred name of the Thunderblade, I will smite this creature!" Crick said.
"Well now, you may prove reliable yet. In which case, I had better do my part." Temenos said.
The Felvarg went on the attack again, slashing with its claws as the group evaded, but it managed to get a hit on Travis, nailing him in the arm.
"Agh, dammit…!" Travis winced.
"Travis!" Connor said as he got in front of him and fended the Felvarg and made it back off with some well placed gunshots. "Medina…!"
"I wish I could help, but I'm kind of trying to avoid getting brutalized!" Medina called, doing her best to avoid the Felvarg's fangs and claws.
"Not to worry, I shall handle this." Temenos assured, closest to Travis. "Be healed." he said, healing Travis's wounds.
"Thanks, I owe ya for that." Travis said.
"Merely doing my part. Now, shall we be rid of this monstrosity?" Temenos asked.
"Exactly what I was gonna say. Take it down, gang!" Connor ordered.
The group then ganged up on the Felvarg and attacked it with its weak points. Temenos and Marianne supplied Ice and Light, while Avlora and Crick cut into it with their blades. It wasn't long before the beast was felled, as it lay dead on the ground.
(end song)
"Well, we stopped that thing… but it looks we were too late to stop it from killing anybody inside the church." Connor said.
"Pontiff…" Temenos mourned.
"Why… Why did this happen?! And how?!" Crick asked in shock.
"Steady yourself, Crick. We must keep our wits about us." Temenos said.
"...Forgive me." Crick apologized.
"The pontiff was no doubt killed by this creature." Marianne said. "We're too late to save him, even though he's still warm."
"What a horrific accident…" Crick said.
"I don't think this was an accident." Connor said. "This looks more like a crime scene."
"If that's the case, we'd better investigate." Lysithea said.
"Read my mind, Lys. We're not ace detectives like David and his crew, but we'll do our best. Let's see what we can find." Connor said.
"First of all, how did that creature break into the cathedral? It couldn't have broken through the window by itself." Maxwell said.
"Yes, the window has powerful wards that keep evil at bay." Temenos said. "One of the shards has a bit of dirt on it, as though it landed outside the cathedral. Suppose it did land outside… the window could've been broken from within, and the shards retroactively scattered inside."
"That means, this guy didn't break the window." Connor said, tapping the Felvarg with his boot. "Someone else did, from the inside."
"But how did this beast attract itself to the cathedral?" Maxwell asked.
"It must've caught wind of something in here." Giovanna said, looking to a downed incense burner. "Incense was burned in this."
"It smells of Fools Poppy, a flower known to attract all members of beasts, but especially those of the Varg family." Temenos said. "In other words…it's no coincidence we found that foul creature here. It must've been lured here. The broad strokes of the scene are becoming apparent. Though one thing still troubles me."
"Does it have something to do with the four downed candlesticks?" Lysithea asked. "I think I've figured that part out. I think the Pontiff was recreating a scene from your religious scripture."
"Yes, I believe I know it well 'The gods, eager to seal their dark counterpart away… became as four sacred flames, and settled into slumber. The truth lies in the flame'." Temenos recited, before going to the church's pulpit, and dug out a book that Crick recognized.
"That's a book of scripture! But why was it hidden away in the pulpit?!" Crick asked.
"I think the pontiff hid it away for Temenos to find." Lysithea said.
"Hoping that someone would understand the significance of all this." Temenos added. "There is something in this bit of scripture. A truth not yet uncovered…"
"That will be all, inquisitor Temenos. The sacred guard will take over from here." a voice said as two new faces walked into the room, leading them was a woman in dark robes, followed by a one hooded in white.
"Why are you here…?" Temenos asked.
"We got word of a beast prowling the area… but I see we're too late." the black cloaked woman said. "And I see the pontiff's been… killed. We will be asking of your statements later. Leave at once, and take nothing with you."
"Let us be off." Temonos told everyone as they left, but he stopped Crick. "Crick, I have something to ask of you. I want you to investigate something for me."
"Oh? And what might that be?" Crick asked.
The following morning, all in Flamechurch mourned the loss of Pontiff Jorg. When the Sacred guards deputy, Cubayari, asked about the crime, Temenos remained quiet about things.
Crick had asked around those who were at the cathedral if they saw anyone suspicious, but no one reported anything out of the ordinary. However, Temenos did find an ominous passage in the book of scripture they found.
"And soon, Night Shall fall."
However, before Temenos and Crick could look into this more, Cubayari informed Crick that he was being transferred to another town. He and Temenos were separated just a day after they had met.
"Reassigned as quickly as you were recruited… it was a short and beautiful friendship, Crick." Temenos said.
"It was hardly budding, Temenos." Crick said.
The inquisitor chuckled. "I see you won't be taken in."
"We weren't in each other's company long…but I believe I see what his Holiness saw in you. Why you were chosen." Crick said.
"It was an honor, Crick." Temenos said.
"What will you do now?" Crick asked.
"I think I shall set off on a journey." Temenos said.
"A journey?" Crick asked once more.
"Indeed. To find the one who murdered the pontiff. I have a hunch you see." Temenos said. "And well… Doubt is what I do."
"Mind if we tag along?" Connor asked as his group came up. "Crick's right. You may be different, but you're definitely worth your standing. But as skilled as you are, you can't find the truth alone. You'll need all the help you can get, and as luck would have it, we're in the market to be that help."
"I'd gladly appreciate the assistance, my friend. But sadly, I lack any formal means of payment." Temenos said.
"Don't worry about it. It's not about money for us." Connor said.
"Take care of yourselves, then." Crick said, taking his leave.
"So, where do we go first to look for leads on what was found in that book?" Lysithea asked.
"First, we must meet with Lucian, the theologian. The one who was with the Pontiff, and thus is now of great interest to me." Temenos said. "His Holiness concerned himself with the movements of the heretics while alive. So an interrogation of Lucian may be in order. We will find him in Canalbrine in the Harborlands…meaning we'll be crossing the sea."
"Alright, then let's go get us a ship." Connor said.
"The Sacred Flame shall light our path… Probably." Temenos said.
Temenos and Team Revival leave the city, determined to get to the bottom of the pontiff's murder. "And soon, night shall fall." The phrase - found at the scene of the murder- Echoes in Temenos's head. It is his duty as an inquisitor to shine the Sacred Flames light on the truth, come what may.
