Chapter 21: premonition
High over the Arklay mountains floated a cathedral that looked to be made of white gold, it shone with an awe inspiring aura of pureness and holiness. This was the main cathedral of the Church of light. St Augustus: The one true light. It was their heart, the soul of their whole church.
Minerva with hurried steps, her pace quickening until she reached a massive door with two High Templar s, the church's elite priest warriors wielded a mix of steel and holy mana used in healing and draining dark magic. " You are expected," one of them stated flatly. And stepped to the side and the door slowly swung ajar as if inviting her in, maybe it was.
Minerva gathered herself and entered with an air of confidence. Which soon dissipated in front of the group of men in front of her. Some of the great priest's, Templar's, and zealots in the church. The Arch Priest St Augustus stood slowly and then smiled. " My child, you do know how to keep people waiting.." His eyes narrowed as he said that last part. His gaze let her know that this would not be tolerated again.
Minerva stood up straight but a fire lit up in her eyes. This was not unnoticed by some in the room. St Augustus sat back down in his beautiful chair that had a golden inlay and what seemed a holy light exuding from it. With a deep sigh he spoke. " I have had a dream, a vision from our lord. There has been death among our ranks." He looked directly at Minerva " Have you heard from either Davek or Cassiopeia? The two that you sent after a fledgling traveler." When he fixed Minerva with that stare, she knew that what she did mattered little, as he already knew all the answers. No point in trying to mitigate the situation.
" No, no I have not. I was just about to send a search party. As they are far overdue for someone of their caliber. It's been over a week and for them to take that long is unheard of." Minerva finished stating in a flat factual tone, nothing but the facts. He would know otherwise.
When she finished speaking, the rest of the room went silent and the gathered group stared at the Arch-priest.
" You will indeed need a search party child, but not for survivors.. But for the corpses of our dearly departed comrades in the light..." He paused. " I do wonder, what compelled you to send only two of our brethren when it was clear it was a traveler. Not your.... Run of the mill monster that would spawn here... but something more deserving of a... delicate touch. They are more cunning, deceivers of a caliber that creatures of this world could not hope to match. They were once human and have a human intellect."
Minerva paused; she had expected that it would be difficult, that there would be injuries. But this, this was not expected.. Davek and Cassiopeia were elite. They were on the cusp of moving into the upper echelon. If something killed them, it was powerful. Not only that, it was her fault. She sent them alone because she was overconfident in their abilities.
Minerva looked up with fire and religious fervor in her eyes. " I will go, this foul creature will pay for killing our comrades." Minerva heard chuckling in response. Not what she expected to say the least.
"No child, you will not go. You are too important to send on a traveler, not only that it would be a bit overkill and the newer troops could use the experience, after all we cannot depend solely on you. What would happen if you perished and shortly after we were attacked? No, pick a hunting team. A little more vetted and send 4 of them, make sure that they realize what they are hunting this time." St Augustus said with finality.
Minerva stood and made the shape of a grail with her hands, their holy symbol. Which is said to be how the god of light provided them powers and holy abilities. " As you wish,your holiness." Then she began to walk out to make her preparations. Right before she was about to exit the room, she heard a different voice. One that she dreaded hearing each time that she came here. One of her only real rival Maximus. " Try not to fail and get our people killed this time." Minerva did not dignify him with a response and closed the door behind her which made Maximus fume. " She will get hers, cocky bitch." he smirked at that. He would make sure of it."
Maximus instinctively flexed and released some of his power, he was the strongest and he would show everyone that no-one is stronger and no-one would be considered the arm of the church of light other than him. That is HIS role, and he would show them all what true power means. He would destroy anything that challenged the church or his power. No exceptions.