Chapter 3 Harsh Truths
Days passed and their was still no pronouncement of official recognition of Ellina's sainthood. Then she received word that the document was to be hidden away and church would still not acknowledge her "Your Eminence," Palora began, her voice unwavering. I have found hard evidence of my ancestors sainthood, yet, I hear whispers that the Church will not officially recognize her. I demand an explanation."
Cardinal Alerius met her gaze with a measured expression. "Canoness Palora, the recognition of a saint is a complex matter. There are concerns within the ecclesiastical hierarchy regarding the potential implications of Saint Ellina's sainthood, given her history."
Palora's eyes narrowed, frustration building within her. "Her history is one of devotion and miracles, not of heresy."
Cardinal Alerius looked sorrowful "Are you sure of that daughter?"
Palora heart almost stopped she was not sure of anything at that monument. "Your Eminence, the shadows of legends concerning my ancestor have lingered for too long. I deserve the truth. Speak it, plainly"
The cardinal's eyes, usually piercing and wise, now carried the weight of an unsettling secret. "Canoness Palora," he began in a hushed tone, "Saint Ellina, once a beacon of purity, succumbed to the insidious whispers of Chaos. In her final years, she authored a cursed tome—a grotesque communion with the Ruinous Powers."
Palora's heart sank as the revelation unfolded. "Why hide this truth?" Palora demanded, her hands gripping the edges of her robes.
"The Church could not afford to acknowledge that a saint had become a puppet of Chaos," the cardinal confessed, his voice laden with regret. "We erased her existence from our records, expunging her name were we could, but she was to well know to totally purge from the annuals of history. Better a legend steeped in mystery than a verified saint that fell to corruption. The faithful could never know that the greatest saint in the history of Tabus had given herself over to utter darkness."
The revelation hung in the air like a funeral dirge as Palora absorbed the cardinal's damning confession. The once-revered Saint Ellina, her ancestor, had not only fallen from grace but had embraced the very darkness the Ecclesiarchy sought to eradicate. A cursed tome, a communion with Chaos, a puppet in the grand tapestry of heresy. The weight of centuries of deception bore down on Palora's shoulders, and the truth was a bitter elixir that scorched her faith.
Months passed and life was mostly quiet, there had been few disturbances. Sure their was the occasional cultist cell uncovered or the odd heretic burned, but that was normal. Palora had once heard some one utter, it's just another day until it's not. It was to be that day on the second day of winter when a dire revelation unfolded. Intelligence reports, whispers from shadowy informants, and cryptic messages pointed to the existence of a secret order that had fallen from the grace of the Emperor. Renegade Sisters of Battle, embodying the twisted legacy of Saint Ellina, had coalesced into a clandestine sister hood known as the "Order of Veiled Serenity."
Whispers suggested that they not only embraced the forbidden teachings of Ellina, but also harbored the malevolent tome that bore witness to her fall – the cursed manuscript that had eluded the purging flames for centuries. The legendary Book of Saint Ellina.
The very thought tied her stomach in knots that Sisters of Battle, the militant arm of the holy church were corrupted and in possession of dark knowledge written by her ancestor who was the first of their dark order. The weight of her ancestor's betrayal and the revelation of the twisted legacy haunted her dreams. With the morning came light, and Palora cast the dark dreams aside. She consumed herself in the relentless pursuit of finding these fallen sisters. She delved into forbidden archives, sought out hidden cults, and interrogated captured heretics. Her once serene demeanor now masked a fiery resolve as she vowed to unearth the Order of Veiled Serenity and eradicate the stain of corruption that tainted her family legacy.
The whispers of the clandestine sisterhood grew louder with each passing day. Dark rituals and heretical gatherings were unveiled, and Palora tracked word of renegade Sisters of Battle through treacherous landscapes and forbidden sanctuaries. The more she discovered, the more her heart swelled with fury.
As winter's chill tightened its grip, Palora's obsession intensified. She had to find the Book of Saint Ellina, the accursed manuscript that held the key to the Order of Veiled Serenity's dark power. The tome whispered promises of forbidden knowledge, and Palora could not rest until it was purged from existence.
In her pursuit, Palora faced moments of despair. The weight of her ancestor's betrayal and the revelation of the twisted legacy haunted her dreams. It seemed as if she was chasing ghost, maybe she was. Yet, with each setback, her determination only grew stronger. The echoes of the cardinal's confession resonated in her mind, urging her to cleanse the tarnished history that clung to her bloodline.
Palora's relentless pursuit of the truth led her to the opulent estate of Lord Marven, a noble rumored to collect questionable relics with ties to forbidden knowledge. Whispers in the underbelly of society spoke of a trader, known for dealing in artifacts deemed too dark even for the black markets. This trader claimed to possess a chalice, said to belong to Saint Ellina and intricately connected to the twisted legacy within the Book of Saint Ellina through the world of dreams. The night hung heavy with an air of secrecy as Palora approached Lord Marven's sprawling estate. The moon cast an ethereal glow upon the manicured gardens, their shadows dancing in the cool breeze. The estate itself stood as a bastion of opulence, its grandeur concealing the questionable artifacts that lay within.
Palora, shrouded in a cloak of deep obsidian, moved with silent determination through the moonlit courtyard. Her footsteps were muffled by the plush grass beneath her boots, and the rhythmic beating of her heart seemed to echo the urgency of her quest.
As she reached the imposing entrance, adorned with intricate carvings and imposing statues, the large iron gates creaked open slowly, revealing the dimly lit foyer beyond. Torches flickered, casting long shadows that seemed to writhe in anticipation.
A liveried servant, adorned in the finery of the estate, appeared at the entrance, bowing deeply. "Welcome, honored guest," he intoned with a practiced formality. "Lord Marven awaits your presence in the private chambers."
Palora inclined her head slightly, her hood concealing the steely determination in her eyes. "Lead the way."
The servant guided her through lavishly decorated halls, adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of grandeur and power. The scent of exotic perfumes lingered in the air, intermingling with the subtle undertones of something darker, something forbidden.
As they approached the private chambers, adorned with rich mahogany doors and gilded embellishments, the servant announced,
"Lord Marven, I've heard tales of your collection, the type of things that some may see as forbidden. Objects that would be of interest to the inquisition!"
Fear flickered in Lord Marven's eyes as he fumbled with his goblet. "I-I assure you, Canoness, I know nothing of such artifacts."
Palora leaned in, her gaze unwavering. "Do not insult my intelligence. I know of your dealings with the forbidden trader. You will arrange a meeting with him to acquire a certain chalice."
Lord Marven hesitated. Palora sensed his doubt. "Lord Marven a year ago I would have turned you over to the inquisition. Do you see them here? I care little for your sins, your collection of questionable filth, or for you miserable person. Do as I bid and I will leave you in peace, I swear to the emperor. I have bigger heretics to burn than you. Be warned though if you cross me you will not live long."
Lord Marven swallowed hard bending his head in defeat. "I will arrange the transaction."
As the appointed hour arrived, Palora concealed herself in the shadows, her senses heightened. The trader, a shifty figure cloaked in darkness, presented the coveted chalice upon the table. The artifact, adorned with symbols that seemed to pulse with a mysterious energy.
Palora revealed herself, her dark cloak billowing as she stepped into the dim light. "So, trader, have you used the chalice to connect with the dream scape? To see the hidden paths that lead to the Book of Saint Ellina?"
The trader, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, stammered, "What is this, who is she?" He started to reach under is cloak for a weapon. Polora was faster already brandishing a bolt pistol was in her hand, she pointed it at the traders head. I would not suggest drawing that. I do suggest you answer the question." His voice was shaking as he replied. "I-I was too scared. The rumors spoke of its connection to dark forces, and I dared not tempt fate."
Palora's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. In a swift motion, she unsheathed her blade, the glint of steel reflecting the cold determination in her gaze. "Your dealings have come to an end."
With a swift stroke, Palora's blade found its mark, ending the trader's existence. Lord Marven looked on horrified, Palora smiled coldly "I promised to spare you, I made no such guarantees for this one." She walked over and claimed the chalice without another word.
Palora was now in possession of the artifact that could guide her to the Book of Saint Ellina and in turn the dark sisters. As she faded back into the shadows, leaving behind the lifeless form of the trader. Polora wondered if she was also fading to shadows, if a part of her had died as sure as the trader. Was she walking down the same road even now as her ancestor? Palora buried the thought and her determination burned brighter than ever. She would see this through, no matter the cost. She prayed the emperor would understand.
In the quiet solitude of her chamber, Palora contemplated the dark mysteries that surrounded her family's legacy. As she gazed upon the relic believed to have once belonged to Saint Ellina, a sense of purpose washed over her. The artifact, a chalice adorned with symbols that mirrored those in the cursed tome, seemed to beckon her to unlock its hidden secrets.
As Palora filled the chalice with sacred water an unexpected warmth enveloped her. She closed her eyes, and with each sip of the sanctified water, the boundaries between the material world and the ethereal realm blurred. The relic became a conduit, channeling the sacred energy that connected Palora to the dream world.
In the dream, Palora found herself standing at the edge of a moonlit lake, its still waters reflecting the shimmering sky above. The chalice, now a glowing beacon in the dream, illuminated the path to the fallen sisters' secret lairs and the elusive Book of Saint Ellina.
She saw it a desolate chapel at the edge of a cliff, where the renegade Sisters of Battle gathered in solemn communion. The chalice in her dream pulsed with an otherworldly light, revealing a hidden entrance beneath the chapels altar. She woke, she had never been to the Chapel in her dreams yet she knew its location. There was something else, she felt dirty. Not the from night sweats or needing to bathe, but inwardly dirty. Palora buried her face in her bed and cried.