Hideout

Location: Victoria / Eastern District

Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon

I Managed to escape Gloria's Temple complex by jumping off the wall, before my invisibility run out. It's taking a while to reach the eastern district. When I was halfway through the escape route, the city guards started swarming the streets. They are looking for us.

"The criminals should be around here, keep searching!" (City Guard Captain)

""Yes, Captain!"" (City Guards)

*pant* (Codename Eye)

I know every crook and nanny of the Eastern District. Every passage. Every hiding spot. It'll take some time, but I'll elude the patrols. I don't need detection magic for this.

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Location: Eastern District / Darkness Hideout

There. Nobody is around, good. Here is the spot. It's a dead end to everyone else, but if I move this barrel of rotting fish... Carefull... There! The access to the hideout!

I climb down the ladder.

Our hideout. Dug in secret. We have a crystal light, two beds, a latrine, a table, four chairs two weeks worth of food and water and an emergency escape tunnel that lead to the Life River. It was Brain's idea to make one, and it saved us more than once.

Brain said we would have to abbandon this hideout after this job.

Never staying in the same place for long is what kept us alive. This is the last time we'll stay here. I'm a bit sad. This hideout started to feel like home.

"Eye! I though I was the only one! Do you have news of the others?" *move chair* (Claw)

Claw can see that I'm staggering. He hands over a chair. I sit down. Finally, some respite.

"Brain is dead. Heart... Heart is dead or captured. I'm sorry, Claw." (Eye)

Claw and Heart were close. I feel sorry for him. We were all close. More than comrades. We shared life and faced death together. I can feel an hole inside of me.

*repressed anger* "The horn blew. What went wrong?" (Claw)

I can feel his temper coming up.

"The little girl. The target. I don't know how, but she cut Brain in two while he was invisible. Than she sounded the alarm. She is not normal. She~ (Eye)

"Was it a setup?" (Claw)

"No. They would have never let us kill so many of them if that was the case." (Eye)

I saw it, but I still don't understand. The girl should be dead. Brain should be alive. Isn't there anything I could have done differently?

"... You are tired. Go to sleep. I'll stand guard, tonight. We'll wait for the situation to calm down. As Brain planned. We'll talk tomorrow." *look down* (Claw)

I wanted to say that we should leave now, but I'm in no condition to do so. I'm just too tired from all the weaving, from all the running, from the adrenaline and from the pain of losing them.

"Ouch." (Eye)

I lay down. My muscles feels sore. I can't move one more step. Hopefully, tomorrow, we~

**BOOOM**

"The Barrel! They followed you! I'm carrying you. It'll be faster!" (Claw)

But I was sure I had shaken them off!!! What a disgrace. Is this is one of those days where everything goes wrong?

Claw picks me up by force on his shoulder and starts running.

The barrel above the entrance was laid with an explosive trap. Heart made it. If you don't know how to move it, it explodes, giving warning and cover.

*move rock* *grunt* (Claw)

Claw move the round stone out of the way, revealing the escape tunnel, than move it back behind us.

"Hold on! I triggered the delayed trap!" (Claw)

The escape tunnel is laid with traps as well. Heart built it so to give a ten seconds delay. barely enough the get clear of the explosion.

3... 2... 1...

**KA-BOOM**

*collapse* *shrapnels fly* (Tunnel)

*shrapnel hit* "Ahhh!" (Eye)

"Are you alright???" (Claw)

"I'll be fine! Just run!" (Eye)

A debris from the explosion hit me in the shoulder. It hurts.

*cough* (Eye)

The tunnel behind us collapse, and a cloud of dust washes over us. The visibility drops to zero. It's pitch black. But Claw know this tunnel by heart, he barely slow down at all.

*pant* "We are at the pond. From here we have to swim. Ready?" *pant* (Claw)

"I don't have the strength to swim. I think I can weave a detection magic, but it's too risky. Our pursuers might feel the weaving if they are using magic as well." (Eye)

"Then climb on my shoulder, hold your breath, and don't let go!" (Claw)

I hate being so powerless. I used too much magic to escape, and all the running has drained me. I can do nothing but entrust my self to Claw.

It's not the first time something like this has happend. When either Heart or Eye overuse our magic, it's up to Claw to help us move around. But even if it's not the first time, it doesn't make it any easier to bear.

*deep breath* *splash* *swim* (Claw and Eye)

This is an U shaped tunnel that connects to the river. It takes only about fifteen second of swimming to reach the surface of the water from here, but in my condition even that will be challenging.

*gasp* *short breaths* (Eye)

*short breaths* *whisper* "Shhhh. Don't make noises. Hold on at least until we reach the walls." (Claw)

I'm still holding onto Claw's back with all the strength I have left. The plan is simple now. We'll let the current carry us until we reach the walls. There is a grid like entrance in the wall there. It will be closed, but there is an hole near the bottom. It was probably made by smugglers.

The walls above the exits are guarded, but it shouldn't be too hard to slip through. It's still dark enough, daybreak is an hour away, and there are debris floating around, camouflaging us. Furthermore, their sight will hopefully be caught by the mess our exploding traps made.

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Location: Life River / Southern Gate

*whisper* "We are almost there. Hold your breath. We are going down." (Claw)

*deep breath* (Claw and Eye)

The exit is in sight. Damn. My sight is getting blurry. The wound on my shoulder is still bleeding, sapping what little of my strength is left. I'm not sure I can make it.

Claw dive. I'm so tired~

*lose consciousness* (Eye)

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Location: Eastern District / The Stick

"First the attack on the church of Gloria and now the fire. This sure was an eventful night." (City Guard A)

"Attacking the temple of Gloria. What kind of idiot would do that? Do you think they are the ones that set the eastern district on fire?" (City Guard B)

"Well, it's not the first time the Eastern District burns. Shacks made of dirt and lowlife that fights all the times. We will get some respite from their crimes. At least until they rebuild." (City Guard C)

"Yes, but the clean up is a pain in the ass. Good thing we are not the ones having to shovel all the debris and corpses in the Life River." (City Guard B)

"You! Stop chatting! Make sure no one steps on the bridge until the fires go out!" (City Guard Captain)

""Yes, Captain!"" (City Guards)

Gloria's Inquisition

Location: Gloria's Inquisition Headquarters / Dungeons

Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon

*wake up* *gasp* (Codename Heart)

What happened? The Temple of Gloria! I thought I died!

I'm in a dark chamber. I'm restrained on a table. A light from the ceiling blinds my sight. I'm in great pain. It hurts all over.

"Welcome to your new home. How do you feel Virginia?" (High Inquisitor Madre)

*gasp* "How. Do you.." *cough* "My name." (Heart)

"You just happen to speak a lot in your sleep. People tend to do that when I'm around. I wonder why that is." *creepy laugh* (Incubo)

An hooded figure clad in black wearing a raven mask emerges from the shadow. There are at least two more around me. Is this meant to intimidate me? I'll show them!

*glare* " You think you are scaring me?" *cough* *cough* (Heart)

"Oh, My! What a mean look! Are you trying to kill us?" (Incubo)

*pant* "I'm killing you. *pant* with this! ..." (Heart)

...

"I can't feel magic! *pant* What did you..." *cough* *cough* (Heart)

"You had quite the aptitude in magic, Virginia. I'm afraid we had to rectify that." (Madre)

"Severing your magic channels without killing you was quite the challenge. Still, I couldn't do it perfectly and you suffered quite a bit of permanent damage to your insides. My apologies." (Inquisitor Nostra)

"It couldn't be helped. Practice makes perfect, Inquisitor Nostra." *grin* (Incubo)

My magic channels... are gone? I can never weave magic again!

"If I'm alive. *pant* It's because I didn't sell out. *pant* my. *cough*" (Heart)

"Your what? Your ties to the Royal Family? Your contract to kill Initiate Liara? Or maybe are you speaking about Darkness and the safe house in the eastern district. Or maybe you are speaking of The Silence, and the underwater access to their hideout, or~ (Madre)

They know everything!!! I can't believe I betrayed my comrades!!!

"Why *pant* Am I alive? *cough*" (Heart)

Damn it! It's painful to even breathe! I don't understand. If they know everything, than just kill me and get it over with!

"I'm afraid your life is not enough to pay for your sins, Virginia." (Madre)

"YES! You are strong willed, dead to the world, and your sins run deep! We will practice our spells on you! Break you! Mend you! Over and over! Until nothing is left of you!!!" *maniacal laugh* (Incubo)

No... They can't be serious!

"Please, forgive Inquisitor Incubo. He enjoy his duties a bit too much if you ask me, but he was accurate in describing your fate. Keeping you alive after his training sessions will be challenging, but I promise I will do my best." (Nostra)

"Please, make her last. Our initiates need a living training tool as well." (Madre)

*shudder in fear* (Heart)

"Don't look at me like that, Virginia. You and your comrades killed many skilled healers and soldiers faithful to Gloria. An impressive display that deserves praise.

Still, you were captured. It's only natural for you repay us by training the next generation. With your own body.

The way you underestimated the Church of Gloria is another one of your Sins. But worry not. We'll make you repent." (Madre)

"Well said, High Inquisitor." (Nostra)

"We will not let this opportunity go to waste, Madre." *bow* (Incubo)

NOOOO!!! I'd rather die!!!

"My name..." *cough* "My name is Heart!" *bite tongue* (Heart)

(Nostra)

"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Did you really think you could escape your fate by bleeding out from your tongue??? With Inquisitor Nostra around??? NAIVE!!!" *maniacal laugh* (Incubo)

"Inquisitor Nostra, why don't you take her tongue and voice away from her? A living training tool doesn't need them, does she?" (Madre)

"I couldn't agree more, Madre. I'll perform the procedure immediately." (Nostra)

*tremble in fear* (Heart)

Dark Council

Location: Gloria's Inquisition Headquarters / Underground Council Chamber

Time: Y1503 - 30th day of the Fire Moon

An hooded figure with a raven mask approached the rocky wall of a cavern. It was guarded by two figures clad in dark robes, the only notable feature was a small red flag with a stylized white sun on the belt of their tunic. The symbol of the Church of Gloria.

The hooded figure was a member of the Inquisition of Gloria. A branch of the Church tasked with eradicating heresy and carrying out tasks that couldn't be done publicly.

"..." (Inquisitor Kaven)

"The council was waiting for you. Enter." (Guard A)

*slide round rock* (Guards)

The guards made the round slab of rock roll, revealing a tunnel like entrance. The hooded figure lowered his head and passed through. He found himself in another section of the cave. A small room, no more than five meters in diameter. It was lighted by a crystal and was barren, except for two small statues of Gloria on the sides and three throne like chairs. On them, sit the Dark Council. The ruling body of the Inquisition.

"Inquisitor Kaven. Make your report." (Councilmen A)

"Blessed Ones. The marked target escaped from Victoria by the river. They laid a trap that set the Eastern District on fire to shake of their pursuers." (Kaven)

"Do we still have a lock?" (Councilwoman B)

"Yes. One of them crossed the wall, and now bear Meridia's mark. The tracking enchantment Meridia weaved on the walls of the temple is still active. An inquisitor is using the tracking artifact there to keep tabs on them." (Kaven)

"Did you lose any men?" (Councilman C)

"Several city guards died because of the traps and the fire. Judging the enemy too dangerous I directed them from the shadows instead of using my inquisitors." (Kaven)

"You made the right call, Inquisitor Kaven. As long as the enemies bear Meridia's mark, they cannot truly escape. And we cannot afford to lose any more men." (Councilman C)

"You can leave, now. Execute your current orders. Hunt them down like beasts. Eliminate any allies and hideout they might have. We leave it up to your judgement." (Councilwoman B)

"By your will, Dark Council." *leave* (Kaven)

The hooded figure left the Council chamber and the cave, resuming the task at hand. To hunt down the survivors of The Darkness.

"The High Inquisitor gleaned the location of an hideout of the Silence from our captive. Should we retaliate on them?" (Councilman A)

"Just a warning. Have a few of their henchmen beheaded and deliver their heads." (Councilman C)

"Yes. They crossed us this time, but we might need their services again in the future. A warning will do." (Councilwoman B)

"The captive didn't know the identity of their client. But it might be the Royal Family. They showed interest in Initiate Liara but were unable to obtain her." (Councilman A)

"It might also be the doing of the Cult of Fertility. Or a third party that wants to pit the Church against the Royal Family." (Councilman C)

"Indeed. To act against such powerful forces without definite proof would be foolish. The Royal Family even directed the City Guards to help us after the attack. Whatever their plan is, they are showing good will. At least publicly. They don't want an all out confrontation. Neither do we." (Councilwoman B)

On the Run

Location: Silent Forest / Darkness Hideout

Time: Y1503 - 31st day of the Fire Moon

*gasp* (Eye)

I'm alive!

I remember holding on to Claw's back. Escaping from Victoria. I must have lost consciousness while underwater.

I look around. Some natural light is filtering from an hole int the cieling. It must be day.

We are below ground. Planks are holding the dirt around us. This is one of our hideout in the southern end of the Silent Forest. We are not far from Victoria.

*ouch* (Eye)

I try to move, but my muscles are sore. I'm hurting all over. I move the rugged blanket away and I look at myself. Claw must have taken off my clothes to apply first aid. I'm covered in bruises, and bandages tightly wrap my shoulders and right leg.

Good thing we left food, bandages and unguents in every hideout. Brain is... was... good at planning. I miss him. I miss them.

*sniff* (Eye)

I look around. Beside me Claw is sleeping like a rock. One should be up at all times, but he must be exhausted from the ordeal. Who know how long I slept. The least I can do is to keep watch in his stead.

My medallion is on top of my clothes, beside my sleeping bag. Good. I didn't lose it. I grab it, hold the medallion close to my chest and start weaving.

(Eye)

Good. Only animals around. I'll weave detection magic every half hour or so. This isn't a magic heavy spell. I can weave this much, even in my conditions.

I'm famished. I'd better eat something.

--------------------------------

It's midday. Claw is still sleeping. I have no reason to wake him up yet. Time to weave another detection spell. I grab my medallion, and weave.

(Eye)

Humans! The detection range is good here, since there aren't many people around. They are moving in our general direction. They are probably combing this section of the forest. They are maybe ten minutes away. They will find us!

*shake* *whisper* "Wake up, Claw!" (Eye)

*yawn* "Eye? You are awake! Good. How do you feel? You were in a pretty bad shape." (Claw)

"We have no time for this. They are combing the forest! We have to leave!" (Eye)

"How did they find us??? Only the four of us knew of this hideout! Do you think... Heart sold us?" (Claw)

"I don't know. But we must escape. We have to stay clear of the other hideouts as well. They might be compromised too." (Eye)

We grab rucksacks and stuff them with food and unguents. We dress, move out of the way the bush that disguises the entrance. We leave in an hurry.

No explosive traps in here. We could set the forest on fire, but that might backfire on us later on. We'll walk trying not to leave trails behind.

We should have listened to Claw. No amount of money was worth risking an assassination inside the main Temple of Gloria. A mistake that costed Brain and Heart their lives. I hope the two of us can make it.