The city of Crossbell had always been alive, vibrant with the hum of Orbal technology, the chatter of pedestrians, and the constant buzz of activity. But tonight, it felt quieter, almost too still—as if the very air was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. And Lloyd Bannings could feel it deep in his gut.
As they were chasing the Children of Shadow's movements, was no closer to finding them than he had been hours ago. Despite all his best efforts to track their movements, their connections were elusive, slipping through his grasp like smoke. KeA's kidnapping had sparked a race against time, one where every second counted.
And Lloyd swore he wouldn't let her down.
After pinpointing the location of the strange activity, which was possibly an orbal disruption, the SSS had regrouped and devised a plan to cover as much ground as possible. The Children of Shadows were using the city's labyrinthine network of underground tunnels and hidden facilities to stay out of sight, but Lloyd was determined to uncover every one of their hideouts.
"We'll split up," Lloyd said, looking at Elie, Noel, Rixia, Randy and Tio. "We can't afford to let them slip through our fingers again. Elie and I will investigate the ritual site. Tio, Randy, Rixia, and Noel—go to the old supply warehouse district and check the old storage caves. They might be hiding there."
Rixia nodded, her red eyes narrowing in focus. "We'll find something. You and Elie better be careful, though. These people have shown themselves to be extremely dangerous."
Elie offered a faint smile, though there was an edge of tension in her posture. "We'll be fine. Just stay in contact, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Lloyd felt a strange warmth in his chest at her words. Elie had always been his rock, steady and reliable, even when everything around them seemed to be falling apart. He knew that even if the cult was closing in, they would be alright.
They didn't need to say more. With a final glance at each other, they split off, each team heading in their respective directions.
Lloyd and Elie arrived at the old church district just as the evening's shadows began to stretch long across the cobblestone streets. The ruins of the church were hidden beneath layers of ivy and neglect, an ancient stone structure that had been abandoned for decades. But it had been recently disturbed.
The ritual site lay just beyond the back doors, the air heavy with the scent of incense and the faint buzz of Orbal energy. Elie tightened her grip on her pistol, her eyes scanning the darkened interior of the church.
"Something feels wrong," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lloyd's hand rested lightly on his sword hilt. "Yeah… I feel it too."
They entered cautiously, the wooden floorboards creaking underfoot. The smell of burning herbs grew stronger as they descended into the basement. The stone walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient relics and disturbing symbols—runes carved in strange patterns, runes Lloyd had never seen before. They were symbols of power, but they weren't from any known school of magic or divine origin.
At the center of the room stood an altar, surrounded by candles and a strange metallic circle inscribed on the floor. The air pulsed with latent energy, sending a shiver down Lloyd's spine.
"This is it," Elie whispered, eyes widening in realization. "This is the site of their ritual."
Lloyd stepped closer to the altar, scanning the area. "The Children of Shadows must be trying to tap into something powerful. The question is—what are they really after?"
Before he could voice another thought, Elie's voice cut through the silence. "Lloyd… look."
She pointed to a set of bloodstained rags on the ground, carefully arranged in a circle.
Lloyd's breath caught in his throat. The fabric was old, but the fresh crimson stains still glistened ominously. His stomach churned as he knelt, examining the rags closely. "They're using human sacrifices…" His voice trembled as the implications of what he was seeing sank in.
"This isn't just about the Sept-Terrions," Elie murmured. "It's more. They're trying to unlock something… dark."
A soft clink echoed from the far side of the room, followed by the creaking of the wooden door.
"Damn it," Lloyd muttered, reaching for his tonfa. "They've found us."
They rushed to the door, but by the time they arrived, the shadows were already gone. The Children of Shadows had made their move, and it was clear they'd been watching them for longer than they'd realized.
"Not good," Elie muttered. "We need to move. Now."
They darted back through the labyrinth of corridors, the sound of footsteps growing louder behind them. Lloyd's pulse raced as he glanced over his shoulder, but the cultists had already vanished again, disappearing into the night as quickly as they'd come.
"They're too fast," Lloyd said between breaths. "It's like they knew we were here before we even arrived."
"Damn it." Elie clenched her fists. "They've always been one step ahead of us."
As they reached the door to the outside, Lloyd heard something heavy drop to the ground behind them—then silence. He looked back.
Something had been left behind.
It was a small, intricately carved stone. The moment he picked it up, a pulse of energy rippled through him, sending a surge of unease down his spine.
"What the hell is this?" Lloyd muttered, turning it over in his hands.
Elie's expression was grave as she examined it closely. "A key… or a token of some kind. This isn't just a symbol. It's an artifact."
Lloyd stared at the stone. Something about it felt wrong—like it was tied to the very core of the ritual they'd just uncovered.
"Is it a trap?" Elie asked.
Lloyd shook his head. "No… they left it for us to find. And that means they want us to know something."
Elie gripped his shoulder. "Then let's make sure they regret it."
With one last glance toward the dark ruins, Lloyd nodded. They had to follow the clues. There was no turning back now.