the Bringer of Doom

The next day, the four members of the band of de sun and Vice-general Tobias returned to the Temple to see the Priest.

Catallina, politely and sincerely, introduced the temple priest to Theo, Uldor, and Gorstag. Deputy General Tobias, paying proper respect with a bow of his head, recognized the higher position in the hierarchy present in this sacred space.

In their introduction, Deputy General Tobias exclaimed, "Priest, we are here by order of the King and with the determination to uncover the hidden veil of truth."

The priest, a man dressed in holy robes with colors that symbolized peace, looked at Theo, Uldor, and Gorstag with piercing eyes filled with tension and expectation. His voice, when he finally spoke, had an undeniable depth, "I am ready to listen to what you have, Prince Theo."

Theo, attentively, began to explain their alarming findings in the forest surrounded by lush trees the previous day. Every word he delivered described an adventure full of suspense and danger, creating a tense silence in the temple adorned with dim light from the stained glass windows.

"We found three encampments in the forest," Theo said, his voice sounding like a distant rumble. "They were followers of a heresy, wearing red robes with the symbol of an eye and a key carved into their chests."

The priest, previously calm, furrowed his brow in disbelief. "The eye and the key... Those are symbols of the dangerous teachings of the 'Bringer of Doom'."

Gorstag, who had not fully understood the implications of what they had encountered in the forest, hesitantly asked, "The Bringer of Doom? Do you mean the Devil?"

The priest, shocked and angry at such a bold mention, snapped his eyes sharply at Gorstag. "This is a holy place, don't you defile it by mentioning that forbidden name!"

Catallina, aware of the irregularity of Gorstag's words, felt the need to clarify the situation. Carefully, she whispered to the priest in a contrite tone, "Forgive us, priest. He meant no insult. He is a barbarian unfamiliar with our customs."

The atmosphere within the temple was heating up, and the policymakers had to decide how they would deal with the growing threat from the followers of the Devil's teachings.

The priest understood the need for more information and carefully took on the role of guide in this increasingly tense discussion. In a calm voice, he asked, "Can you describe their symbol?"

Theo focused his mind for a moment, trying to recall in detail the symbol he had seen in the dark forest. Then, with great care, he began to describe the symbol that had them all worried.

"This symbol," Theo said slowly, "I've seen it in ancient books I've read." His description was quite vivid, creating a strong image of the symbol in their minds.

The priest, who had been calm, suddenly looked surprised. Trembling, he opened an old book that lay on a nearby table. The ancient pages were shaken by his trembling fingers as if he knew that this was a very important moment.

Then, with great care, Pastor pointed out the same image that Theo had drawn. The symbol had been recorded in the ancient literature in his possession, and the Reverend's face reflected deep tension.

"This is a very dangerous symbol," said the Reverend in a hoarse voice. "It is used in heresies to connect this world with another world, where dark forces reside."

The tension in the room was palpable as if the very air of the temple itself had seeped into the souls of those amid an important conversation.

The priest, with the ancient scripture open in front of him, continued his narration, the sounds of the rumbling outside the temple becoming increasingly faint in their minds. A tense atmosphere filled the room, and they all realized that this moment was a turning point in their quest to unravel the mystery behind the rampant plague.

"The book says that it is a symbol of the power to open the door to the other world, which is believed to be possessed by the Bringer of Doom," the priest said in a trembling tone as if speaking of something unbelievable. His gaze fell on the ancient sheets unraveling in front of him, immersing himself deeper into the dark ancient lore.

As the Priest's words reached her ears, Catallina felt her chest grow heavy, and the expression on her face reflected deep anxiety. She looked at the Priest with questioning eyes, trying to make sense of all the information she had just been given.

"My guess was correct, they have finally returned," the Priest said as he rubbed his pale face with both hands. His facial expression reflected a deep sense of fear and anxiety as if he felt a heavy burden returning to him.

Theo, who had been remaining calm and thinking logically, decided to take the host bottle from inside his coat. Carefully, he took out the bottle and handed the mysterious host bottle to the priest.

The Priest glared in surprise after seeing the contents inside the bottle. "This...this."

"We took it from one of the followers," Theo explained.

The priest immediately searched for something in his room, the five youngsters were confused by the priest's behavior.

Soon the priest took a cloth wrapped the bottle and put it in his desk drawer.

The pastor looked breathless and wiped the sweat from his head.

"Wha..what's wrong Priest?" asked Catallina worriedly.

"This..this is one of the fragments of the Bringer of Doom." Priest looked at the five youths in turn while glaring. "He'll be back!"

*****