After the murder of their good friend, Crick. Temenos and Team Revival went and gave chase to the true culprit behind the Pontiff murder, the captain of the Sacred guard, Kaldena. Their pursuit of her has led them to Toto'haha, in a beastling village called…

"The Nameless Village." Lysithea said, as the group arrived at the beastling settlement.

"Creepy name if you ask me, but we're here for a lot of reasons." Hilda said.

"Indeed we are. We have to stop Kaldena…and expose the truth. But where would she possibly perform this rite of hers?" Temenos asked, pulling out a scrap of paper. "Might this extra scrap of paper wedged between her notes hold a clue?"

"It looks like some sort of riddle. Let me see…" Lysithea said. "Overcome the trial and make your way to the Rifted Rock. But do not lose your way in the Wandering Wood. Harken to the voices of your forebears."

"Forbears… Perhaps they mean the Beastlings?" Marianne asked. "Maybe they know the way."

"You might be onto something, Marianne. Let's see if we can ask one of the beastlings in this village to guide us." Lorenz said.

The group searched the village and soon found a Beastling named Shirlutto, who knew the way to the Rifted Rock. He led the way for the group as they soon found themselves at the Wandering Wood.

"Doing good. Island riddle. You solving. Very good." Shirlutto said.

"I can't tell if you're complimenting us or patronizing us." Hilda said.

"Follow me. This way." Shirlutto said as he lead the group to the entrance of a cave.

"So is this the place? Thank you for leading us here. How did you know to lead us here?" Avlora asked.

"Long time. This cave. We protecting. Long ago… Very long… Archmage D'arqest." Shirlutto said.

"The one who was researching in Crackridge about the Moonshade Order and the Kal!" Lysithea said.

"So Vide called out to him here? The darkness, I mean?" Connor asked.

"You smart. But wrong. D'arquest calling. Not night. Calling Shadow…" Shirlutto said.

"The Shadow again…" Lysithea said.

"Then humans… Humans fighting. Shadow swirling. Humans greedy. D'arqest cursing. Humans changing. Half-human. Half-beast." Shirlutto said.

"So all the beastlings who lived on Toto'haha all these years were given origin due to the Shadow cursing normal humans? Fascinating." Giovanna said.

"Since then. We watching. Watching here. Deep within. Shadow coming. Trial passing. You all going." Shirlutto said.

"You're not coming?" Picolletta asked.

"We guiding. Nothing more. Before you all. Another passing." Shirlutto said.

"Thank you, kind guardian. We shall be on our way." Temenos said.

With that, the group entered the cave and proceed through the huge cave system, navigating their way to find Kaldena. It wasn't long before they were close, evidenced by when they found unconscious bodies of the Sacred guard littered across the ascending steps, including Ort, Kaldena's personal bodyguard and Crick's friend.

"Members of the Sacred Guard? What happened here?" Temenos asked.

"Kaldena, no doubt. She must be starting the ritual." Connor said.

They then heard groaning as Ort was coming to. Medina rushed over to him to apply first aid.

"Don't worry, I'm here. I'll fix you right up." Medina said.

"You're… a member of the mercenary group? Accompanying Temenos the Inquisitor?" Ort asked. "Leave us. You must stop Kaldena."

"But your life is more important right now, I can't just-!" Medina started.

"I beg you…" Ort said before fainting.

"As you wish. We shall return once we've dealt with her. We bid you remain alive until then." Temenos said.

"He has to." Medina said as they ran ahead.

It wasn't long before the group had ascended the staircase, and within the chamber that had a split opening, stood Kaldena herself.

"Jigs up, Kaldena." Connor declared, drawing one of his revolvers.

"I see you followed the scent after all. Serves me right for underestimating the noses on the pontiff's hound, and the pack he's put together." Kaldena said.

"You flatter us. Captain Kaldena, we have come to interrogate you." Temenos said.

"Oho? You would label me a heretic?" Kaldena asked.

"All the evidence is stacked against you. We found your notes in the Kal Ruins in Crackridge." Lysithea said. "You admitted to using Vados for your own gain, which involved murdering anyone who had the remaining pages of the Book of Night. And we know these notes are yours… because you're the last remaining member of the Kal clan, aren't you, Kaldena?"

"Don't try to deny it, is obvious. I mean 'Kal' is even in your name." Hilda said.

"Phenomenal, everyone. I should like to take you all under my wing." Kaldena complimented.

"Repent! You are the one being interrogated here!" Temenos said.

"And I am indeed a heretic… I never believed in the flame." Kaldena said.

"How ironic that somebody who worked close to the flame never believed in it at all." Connor said. "You even chose your victims according to the scripture, giving the gods a thumb to the eye. Gotta say, for someone who's got a lot of hate for divinity, that's pretty suitable for you."

Kaldena chuckled. "Why do you all oppose me? You gain nothing from it. And it would be a shame to kill you all. So join me."

"No thanks. My office has got a strict 'no working for assholes' policy. And let's not forget that because of all your murders, curses to the gods, and showing no remorse for attacking your own men, you've basically proven you're downright evil to the core." Connor said.

"And if it wasn't for Crick, we wouldn't have gotten this far. You will pay for what you did our friend!" Lysithea said.

"Crick Wellsley…a fine young man he was, for stumbling upon the Book of Night." Kaldena said.

The group, Temenos especially, remembered Crick's words to them back in Stormhail on what he wanted to be. With that in mind, the group looked at each other before drawing their weapons for battle.

(Cue: In Pursuit of Truth ~ Endless Erosion- God Eater)

"So that is your answer? Why, Temenos? Why must you and your allies defy me?" Kaldena asked as she drew her two handed sword.

"Because doubt is what I do." Temenos said.

"Dilligent to the end, I see. Long may you labor in the bowels of hell beside your dear friend Crick! They say only death can teach a fool." Kaldena said.

"Oh yeah? Well when it comes to the subject of death… let's just say I'm a bad student." Connor said as the group faced down Kaldena.

Blackhearted Sacred Guard Leader

Captain Kaldena

Kaldena made the first move, swinging her sword as everybody evaded. Travis parried her sword with his club as the group started attacking her with their weapons and magic.

"So you were behind it all, Kaldena. Come, own your sins." Temenos declared as they fought.

"Hoho… My sins? There are those in this world with sins far greater than my own… Like your precious gods, for instance. They created this world, and in their folly saw fit to taint it with humans. A sin for which they must be destroyed." Kaldena said.

"How many lives must be lost to satisfy your arrogance? Surrender yourself, Kaldena. For it is I who shall judge you, and bring the truth to light." Temenos said.

"Do not stand in my way, Temenos. I will make the Shadow mine and avenge the Kal people! I will kill as many as it takes! I will become whatever I must to see my will done! Our enemies shall be buried with the power of darkness my people have long despised!" Kaldena declared.

"You're preaching to the wrong choir, sister." Connor said. "I've seen what darkness can do to people, and let me tell ya, it ain't pretty. So I'm warning you now, if you let the darkness in, you're gonna find things getting ugly for you real quick."

"What would you know about the Shadow? You're nothing but a simple hired mercenary!" Kaldena said, missing a big slash as Connor avoided it.

"That's hero for hire. The hero for hire whose job right now is making you pay." Connor said. "Lysithea, weaknesses!"

"She has vulnerability to spears, staves, ice and wind." Lysithea said.

"Simple enough!" Leonie said as she, Lorenz and Maxwell charged kaleena, Maxwell parrying her sword attacks and letting Leonie and Lorenz ride in on their mounts and hit Kaldena where it hurts.

"We'll hit her with both her elemental weaknesses at once, Marianne!" Narve said.

"Y-yes, of course!" Marianne said.

"Whirlwind!" Narve said, casting a powerful cyclone that shot at Kaldena.

"Fimbulvetr!" Marianne followed with a powerful wave of ice, both damaging Kaldena. The captain responded by cleaving away both attacks, forcing everyone back. Connor then distracted Kaldena with a few gunshots that she deflected, allowing Leonie to charge in and combat her. With Kaldena distracted on two fronts, Leonie saw the perfect chance to strike.

"Time to pay!" Leonie called and gave Kaldena a powereful thrust with her lance that sent her back as she held her chest armr in pain.

"Insolent creatures….how long do you intend to pester me?!" Kaldena asked.

"You already know the answer. Until the truth is revealed." Temenos said.

"And you'll be the ones to do so? Don't make me laugh! Humanity is powerless, Temenos. It is needy… It must cling to something for survival." Kaldena said.

"As you cling to power?" Temenos asked.

"The Shadow will be mine… No matter the cost…" Kaldena said.

"And what is this…Shadow?" Temenos asked.

Kaldena laughed at Temenos's question. "The Shadow is everything. It exists all throughout this world. It is with you while you sleep. It is with you while you fight for survival. It is with you always. It even dwells with each and everyone of your breasts."

"Oh, really?" Connor asked.

"Were any of you not aware? See it for yourselves!" Kaldena said as Temenos gasped, the Kal captain radiating a dark aura. "This, Temenos, is the Shadow! Hehe…Ahahaha… Incredible."

"That sure is a lot of dark energy…too much, in fact." Lysithea said.

"You got that right. Oh, that reminds me. 3..2…1." Connor said, timing it just right as the darkness around Kaldena suddenly intensified.

"What's happening…? No… Have I failed?! It threatens to consume me…" Kaldena said.

"I warned you. You let the darkness in, things get ugly real quick." Connor said. "What happens to you next? Hell if we know. But we do know that it's all on you."

"You…cannot…do this…to me!" Kaldena said.

"Were not the ones who did it. You did." Lysithea said. "Now face the consequences for your actions."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Kaldena screamed as the darkness consumed her, changing her as she was hunched over with her right hand on the ground as she hefted her demonically changed sword over her back with her left, her long white hair obscuring her face, showing only one glowing white eye as her skin became nectrotized and boney.

"Kaldena?" Temenos said. "No… you are not she. You are…!"

(Music Shift: No Way Back- God Eater)

Connor sighed. "Well, nothin' left to do but to put her out of her misery. She's nothing but a monster now." Connor said as he grabbed his Relic and activated it, Glowing in response to threat in front of them.

"Agreed. Its the same as dealing with anyone without a crest from our world who becomes a Demonic Beast." Lorenz said.

"Let's get to work." Connor said as he invoked his Relic and donned Ichiaval to suit up in his symphogear.

"Her weaknesses have changed, but we can still take her. This abomination is now vulnerable to Swords, Knives, Axes, Fire and Light."

"Let us end this then." Temenos said.

In her monstrous form, Kaldena was more powerful, but much slower. This gave the group all they needed to avoid her attacks and strike back with an all out attack.

"Kaldena, your services are no longer required!" Connor declared as he drew his rifle and split them into their twin arrowgun configuration, as the energy arrow salvos inside became quintuple fold.

KINGS INFERNO

"Feel the Sacred flames Wrath!" Temenos said, charging up a light attack.

"Bolganone!" Lysithea called.

"Aura!" Marianne added.

"Apocalyptic Flame!" Hilda also added.

With Temenos, Lysithea and Marianne's spells, Hilda's combat art and the salvo from Connor's arrow guns, Kaldena was relentlessly battered until her demonic form couldn't take it anymore. All of the attacks battered her up and down before her undead form finally collapsed on the ground, dead.

Connor let out a sigh before tipping his hat , turning his back as his rifle slung over his back. "Rest in pieces."

(end song)

"Kaldena… you poor wretch. You sought more power than you could control." Temenos said.

"May the goddess have mercy on your soul." Marianne said, as they walked away, Kaldena's mangled body dissipating into darkness.

In the days that followed after this event, Temenos would expose the Sacred Guards wrongdoings under Kaldena's leadership, stripping them of their authority. The order of the Sacred Flame brought the Guard's case to the courts, and left their body to the law. And so it was that the string of cases that began with the murdered pontiff came to a quiet end.

"So, mystery solved right? The Sacred Guard's gonna be ousted for this, and we uncovered whodunnit… should be a happy ending, right?" Hilda asked.

"Yeah, it should…but why do I get the feeling that this ain't over just yet?" Connor asked.

"That is because it is not." a voice said as time froze around Connor. "Connor Trav Yukine… among all the heroes who have chosen to venture to Solistia, never in my lifetime would I have expected you and your allies to succeed in a battle such as this."

"Well, ain't this something. Being praised by the Head Honcho god himself, Aelfric the Flamebringer." Connor said.

"Yes. I am Aelfric." the voice said. "You must know this now. Kaldena was part of the Kal clan but…the poor girl was deceived into betraying the flame."

"Lemme guess, this Moonshade order were the guys who massacered the Kal clan and put the blame on you and your buddies?" Connor asked as he got serious. "I wanna know…what's the end game?"

Aelfric was silent before finally speaking. "The revival of Vide." he spoke.

"Vide, as in the Dark God who you battled all those years ago to save Solistia." Connor said.

"Yes. As you know, the Moonshade Order faithfully worship Vide. However, Vide's goal isn't something like conquering…its to end it." Aelfric said.

"Figured it was something like that. Don't worry, me and my pals will stop him." Connor said.

"Your group will not be enough. You need to join with the other seven. But…" Aelfric said as the symbol of the cleric appeared on Connor. "Your little reward."

"Thanks, Lord Aelfric. Receiving your blessing is something else." Connor thanked.

"It will grant you the powers of a Cleric…in addition to a special power that is attuned to what you have already." Aefric said as Connor's relic glowed. "Now, you must be on your way. Go, brave new cleric." he said as time resumed.

"Just like I thought. Job's not done yet." Connor said. "C'mon guys. We still got work to do." he said as they departed. "(I won't stop…until the Moonshade Order…has been annihilated!)" he thought to himself as they left.