"Hey, how about we go get some lunch somewhere? The meeting will be going on for much longer to get the new members from Primstad accommodated with their new home so how about it?", asked Theo in a joyful manner.
"I don't see why not, I've got nothing else to do.", said Lucian politely.
Jade paused for a sec, "Hmm, sure I'll tag along."
As the three left the open cemetery, a figure in the corner of Lucian's eye appeared under a tree leading him to turn his head. In that moment, his eyes witnessed something inconceivable instantly revert back to the figure of a regular man in an all-black suit.
Lucian's breath hitched, "Did you see that?"
Theo looked back, "See what?"
The figure put his finger up to his mouth signaling silence like it preferred not to be seen. Lucian looked at Theo who was staring hard in the same direction, but no reaction could be found on his face. "Never mind, I might just be tired.", Lucian was fully conscience and definitely wasn't hallucinating the strange figure, but something in his gut told him that he shouldn't pay and mind to it, so he didn't.
The diner was just on the other side of the canal, looking over at the sight of mechanical and plain wooden ships passing by. It wasn't fancy, just a nice, warm place to sit down and have a little snack.
As they enjoyed a small appetizer of bread and butter, the three sat in a weird silence as the sound of utensils tapped on plates. Each one seemed top just be thinking to themselves, wondering about what they might do later or reasons behind certain things. "Jade, if you don't mind me asking, why did you carry a sword around during the mission? Isn't it a bit odd to have in a world containing firearms?", spoke Lucian, finally making their quiet lunch a bit chattier.
Jade took her attention away from the window, "It's because my sword isn't meant for going against a firearm. You see, Blades made out of a certain metal can come in handy when faced with enemies beyond scientific understanding such as spirits or a walking corpse. The material is made out of a material much different from that salt we wear around our fingers for everyday life. The substance is a metal that was gradually lost through seven hundred years of faded history, or at least that was what I was told when it got passed down."
Lucian fiddled with the ring sitting on his right pointer finger, "If spirits can be shooed off with just blessed salt, then what does the sword do that is better?"
"Unlike just preventing them from coming near you, the blade can fully eliminate the being so it may rest eternally. For conflicts involving regular people, I just carry a revolver in my coat.", stated Jade quietly.
Theo swallowed his bread, "Luckily we don't use either of those very often, so it allows us to move things along smoothly. One day I'd like for life to stop being a bloody bitch and give us something that can be peacefully seen by the masses."
"Is there any possible way that we could get the government or holy mandate to stop being threats?", Lucian asked with just a hint of fear.
Theo's expression slid into a deep focus, "The government, maybe, but the church, absolutely not. Even if we got the government on our side, the church would end up being hostile towards them no matter what. Those cunts in the holy mandate would have to be eradicated if we ever wanted a chance at survival out in the open."
Lucian was a bit stunned, "Why haven't we attempted to do so then?"
"I believe the problem with attempting this is that it will obviously lead to an all-out war with the mandate. This war could span across the entirety of Nordentire and possibly the other two continents, Brakeryn and Leyrinia. The world would be dyed in an awful shade of red.", Theo remarked as his fingers slid silently across the table.
Jade grabbed a piece of bread, "You can't really expect us to stay hidden from the world for much longer, do you?"
Theo leaned back exhaling, "I can't say I do. We'll all be in the public eye one day if that be us or our children. I can only hope for a man like archon Valerius to emerge back into this new industrial age."
"Ozzus did tell me a story about him but had to stop right around the part where Valerius and some prince became acquainted. What happened after that that made him so great?", Lucian asked.
"I'm not too well versed in the subject, but what I do know is that the prince's name was Dywin who is known to be one of Valerius's most trusted comrades. Jade might know more about it but not many of us do our history research. This is because it's all either made up or in shitty fragments that we can't seem to find.", Joked Theo slyly.
Lucian turned his attention to Jade as she said, "I don't know much either, but from what I've been told, it was that he was a malicious and mad conquer. Some stories even said that the man didn't show a shred of mercy even when a child was burnt at the stake and hung on a wall. The city wants you to believe he was a good leader whilst some of the people make their own conclusions."
"I hope it's Theo's version that appears within our time.", said Lucian with a light smile.
Following Lucian's statement, some red wine was brought over and poured into three plain glass cups. "Have you ever drunk before Lucian?", asked Theo as he brought the plainly designed glass to his lips.
Lucian pondered for a second, "I believe that last night I had some with Ozzus, but I didn't get drunk or anything like that."
Theo laughed, "That man drinks every other day. If it weren't for his ability, he'd be a wasted bum that trips over his own foot."
Lucian took a small sip, "I can't say that I'm not glad he has that ability of his. If it weren't for him, who knows how long I would have stayed trying to tame the kid this morning."
Jade's attention sharpened, "About that kid, how was he when he woke?" She was clearly just as concerned for the kid as Lucian was when they found him.
"He was just a bit scared is all, although he did end up raiding the pantry for some bread." I'm sure he's doing fine by now."
"That's good." Relief flooded Jade as the cold and guilty feeling in her gut dissipated.
***
Click
Ethan locked the tram door and picked up his lamp, "I'm a fucking deacon for god's sake, priest Hugh. Just because I didn't help much in killing those shit bag Ethereals doesn't mean that I now have to drive your lazy asses around."
"Those sons of bitches need to give me a real job.", he mumbled whilst making his way towards the elevator. It was dark, so dark in fact that he could barely see with the dim lamp he held.
A couple seconds later, he noticed a figure taking shape the more steps he took but couldn't make out who it was. "If your here for closing then yo-"
THook
Something socked Ethan in the jaw, displacing it and knocking him down immediately. His lamp shattered on impact, the candle still emitting a dim light.
Ethan tried to say something but all he could do was make desperate noises as the figure knelt down and held his head to the stone floor. A cold, thin object touched his throat which only made him flail more and more trying to get away.
Slittshshh
He couldn't breathe anymore as a gaping hole faintly illuminated by the light started spewing blood, dying the white clothes of the deacon red. His neck, cut to the bone was desperately held by his hands, trying to close the gushing wound up. Blood then started to fill his mouth and trickle down the sides of his face whilst the light in his eyes tried staying strong.
The figure then brought the object to his stomach and repeatedly stabbed over and over again, puncturing his intestines. Once the figure had finally stopped the man's body had gone lifeless, still leaking blood as dark as oil.
The figure dropped his gloves and other clothing material that weren't of the church onto the corpse. Then carefully picked up the candle and held it to some cloth to burn simultaneously illuminating his eyes and dark hair. The flaming cloth was then dropped onto the body, slowly setting it up in flames as the figure walked away into the elevator.
That Sunday morning, Johan along with other deacons and priests sat at one of the many rowed wooden seats. BSI agents came in and out of the elevator as policemen individually questioned the various members of the church.
Priest Hugh exhaled as he sat down next to Johan. "I found it strange when Gilden was found dead in a noble's house, but now we've just lost Ethan. Tell me Johan, what do you wish to happen to the killer of these men?"
Johan drew a line down the center of his chest, "I wish for them to be brought before the judgement of the gods and rightfully cleansed."
Hugh smiled, deepening his wrinkles, "Good, I believe you'll be a respectable priest one day."
"Your statement is much appreciated father Hugh.", Johan's grip tightened around the letter he held.
Priest Hugh drew a line down his chest, "Of course, may you be given protection throughout these times."
As Johan stole glances at the priest sitting next to him, his grip around the letter lessened. The cathedral was closed for obvious reasons, and he'd definitely had his fair share of questioning today, so he contemplated on what to do. Eventually landing on delivering the small letter, Johan politely said goodbye to the priest and decided to catch a cheap coach to Sootside.
The day held rain as it was the remains of the ever so frightening twilight storms throughout the vast sea. Within the wooden carriage, an elegant woman sat directly across from Johan, staring out the window.
A bit of qeisence passed as the coach passed over the canal before Johan knocked on his window, "Are you just going to sit there and pretend I'm not here? You didn't even seem to notice that there was another passenger aboard this carriage, much less an Ethereal like yourself."
Aurora turned her cold eyes, "Were colleagues that just happened to get on the same transport, nothing more."
"Well, if you're not going to acknowledge my holy presence, I suppose that I must boast it then. Hmm, ahh yes. Two of my oh so beloved fellow church members were viscously murdered in and outside the cathedral. Such a tragedy.", said Johan sarcastically. Aurora remained silent as she continued to stare out the window.
Johan smiled out of annoyance and continued to speak, "I also managed to get our newest member a position at the cathedral. I'm actually delivering this letter right here to let him know of his acceptance.", Johan held up the small letter. "He'll make a much more profitable pay than any of you could with the exception of Dean of course."
Aurora's attention was finally snagged, "The newest member? Wait are you talking about Lucian?"
"Who else would I be talking about?", replied Johan as he folded his hand out.
"You chose to let him work there of all places? Lucian doesn't even know half the knowledge of a regular man, and you expect him to work under the cathedral?"
"Must I answer all your questions? I seem to vividly remember you ignoring me whilst you stared out your window, though I suppose I can answer this question. He is under my supervision now, and I may do with him as I please.", shot Johan, slowly raising his voice. "Eliot has already granted me full permission so I will say this once and only once. Get your head out of the clouds and stop being so damn skeptical about the matter of me or Lucian being spies in the mandate!"
Aurora kept a cold look on her face and spoke no more as Johan mumbled something under his breath. Each of them proceeded to stay quiet for the rest of the ride, not bothering to try and mend their squabble.