It was a bright and sunny day in the divine city of Kanba and many of the city residents were going about their day as per usual. However, those who were paying attention would be able to tell that there was a heavy atmosphere hanging over the city on this morning. Today was the day that the funeral would be held for one of the city's oldest heroes and most respected patrons, Tiberius Atoll.

Outside the Cathedral that was the HQ for the Church of Crassius, were numerous people who had benefited from the actions of the great Tiberius Atoll and not a single one of them had dry eyes. Inside the Cathedral was an ongoing mass that was packed to the brim with varying people of different social statuses and walks of life. Lined along the walls were numerous clerics in full ceremonial garb as well as paladins keeping guard near the entrances. An older man stood in front of the large Altar wearing a pristine white robe that had golden and blue accents, the main colors of the Crassius church. He raised his hands and quieted the crowd down before speaking.

"Ladies and gentlemen gathered here today, it is with a heavy heart that I must acknowledge the passing of one of my dear friends Tiberius Atoll. Many of you can attest to the profound effect that Tiberius has had on not only you individually but on this city as a whole. Although it is painful that Lord Crassius must take those we care about from us, let it be known that when we return to the great Tempest we shall be reborn anew as is the cycle of things."

"Tiberius Atoll was unwavering in his faith and duty and has acted as an instrument of divine punishment as an avatar of Crassius himself. For recognition in his duties and his dedication to the church, it has been decided that there is no more suitable resting place for him other than the Graveyard of Heroes. Tiberius Atoll will be entombed there for all eternity so that we may remember the great man he once was and ensure his safe passage into the great Tempest. Please join me in prayer for our dearly departed friend."

Following the head priest's impassioned speech there was a chorus of chants and prayers following along with his lead. It was easy to pick out that some were even holding back tears and letting out their emotions as they recited the different words. Not long afterwards the mass seemed to have ended and the head priest exited to the back room. As he entered the private area usually reserved exclusively for priests, he turned to look at a small figure that was quietly sitting in the corner.

Young Thomas was staring blankly at the book in front of him. Although he wanted to cry, there was nothing that would come out as he had already been crying for the previous couple of days. Although he had been treated well over these few days, he had not realized how much the old man Tiberius Atoll had meant to him. He had only been interacting with the man for a little over 6 months but he really had come to view him as a grandfather figure.

"Thomas"

The boy snapped out of his own thoughts and looked up to the middle aged looking man that was addressing him. He stood up from his seat and bowed as gracefully as he could to the man.

"Master Atretus, you delivered a great sermon today. I am sure master Tiberius is smiling while watching."

"Thank You for the compliment, but enough of that boy! I told you you can just address me as Uncle Atretus while we are alone. Tiberius was like a brother to me and he entrusted me with your care. He didn't have any real family so I know he looked at you as a grandson."

Thomas felt the warmth spread in his chest at this response but he still remained in his respectful bow for a moment before looking up to him. As their eyes met, Thomas could feel the sincerity coming from the head priest.

"Make sure you are ready, we will now have to head to the Graveyard of Heroes for the burial ceremony. Fortunately there will be less people there. You won't be able to accompany me to the actual Burial ritual so you will have to remain at the temple there until I get back."

Thomas was instantly hit with a wave of sadness but he had already prepared himself so he steeled his nerves and nodded back in acknowledgment.

***

Inside the small temple of the Graveyard of Heroes, head priest Atretus was finishing up the final sermon of the entombing ceremony. Shortly afterwards he began to lead a procession of priests and pallbearers out of the temple and towards the final resting place of the great hero.

Sitting in the back of the temple was a middle aged looking man who was furiously typing up notes after recording the official ceremony. This player was Ryan Atwell, although he was better known by his in-game name HistoryBuff or Buff for short. Just as his character name would indicate, he was actually a history teacher in the real world. He had always been interested in games since he was young and so he jumped at the chance to explore a game like Listonia online. This was a game that had an entire world's unfamiliar history to explore!

If Gii were here, he would most likely recognize his character name as the one that had gathered the information on Tiberius Atoll which he had read on the forums. HistoryBuff had been focusing his research on the history of this world and the first interesting piece of information he had found was related to the church of Crassius. Specifically it was about how their paladins had forced back a demonic incursion in the past.

Fortunately for Buff, this major event with Tiberius had happened while he was in the middle of his research. He had nearly jumped in excitement as he had started trying to gain entry into the church so that he could view their sermons and learn the different prayers and teachings. Players were finding out that it was impossible to become clerics or paladins unless they were familiar with the different tenants and followings of the churches they were looking to join. He had already been able to determine that the resurrection magic that most of the player base was looking to achieve was definitely not tied to this church but would very likely be found in one of the other major churches.

This is because he found out about the church of Crassius's belief in reincarnation. He was able to determine that to be their most likely reason for viewing undead as a mortal enemy. Not only is the soul of the dead trapped within their mortal corpse against their will, but it essentially is blasphemy against all of their beliefs. It's no wonder they would be so against undead, but it also meant they did not have any resurrection magic. Instead, their priests and paladins had other powerful spells that could force criminals to tell the truth or use divine energy to smite their foes. This is why the paladins from the church of Crassius seemed to be the most powerful in their ability to fight evil when compared to other churches, as Crassius himself was the adjudicator of their gods.

Buff had learned much throughout this entire situation but unfortunately he would not be able to watch the complete entombment ceremony as it was a sacred ritual that only the specialist priests who were trained in the ceremony could take part in. Buff believed it had to do with the magic they used to prevent the corpses of their fallen from being raised as undead, but he couldn't be 100% sure. He furiously typed up his notes on everything he had witnessed and at the same time he was cross referencing the video he had just recorded of the whole event.

He finally looked up and could see a small boy NPC kneeling at the base of the altar with his hands clasped together and his head lowered in prayer. Buff had recognized him as the NPC servant to Tiberius Atoll which he had seen throughout the day at various times. He had noticed that every time he saw him, the boy was standing next to or behind the head priest and his entourage. Truthfully Buff had wanted to try and interact with the boy as he suspected there might be a hidden quest that he could provide, but this was the first opportunity he had found.

However, as he was standing up to head over to the boy, he noticed that another player had just entered the building and was walking up to the boy.

Damn it, looks like I'm a step too late...

As Buff was lamenting, he still watched along and decided to hit the record button just in case he was able to capture anything related to a quest. At the very least he might be able to get some more information about the prayers of the Crassius church. However, Buff immediately noticed that something was wrong as the player who approached the boy pulled out a nasty looking dagger. Instinctively he shouted out

"Look out!"

The young boy Thomas turned around in curiosity towards the one that had just yelled, but it was too late and the dagger plunged itself into his eye socket with a dull sound.

*Thunk*

2 other NPCs that were sitting in the pews, shrieked in terror before running out of the temple and Buff stood there stunned at the scene that played out before him. Thomas had survived the initial strike and screamed in agony as the assailant player pulled the dagger from his skull and a trail of blood splashed across the floor.

"AAAAAAGGGGHHH"

The blood trailed off of the dagger as the young boy stumbled around onto his backside and began scuttling back towards the Altar while crying and begging.

"AGGH, please stop!.....WHY... WHAT...PLEASE ST-"

His words were cut off as the assailant jumped after him again and this time shoved the dagger square into his throat. Buff could only watch in horror as the dagger embedded itself into the body of the small boy again and again. A look of disgust came across Buff's face as he realized that the player was carving open the boy's chest with obviously practiced mannerisms. It wasn't long before the sound of screams died out; there was only the sound of cutting flesh. Buff watched as the player eventually stopped and lifted the still beating heart out of the small child's body.

Unfinished with his work, the player then quickly made his way over to the altar and picked up the chalice used in the sermons from the back cabinet. He placed the chalice on the altar and then poured what looked like a vial of holy water into it. Then, as if he was wringing out a wet towel, he squeezed out the blood from the heart until it was overflowing from the chalice in a deep black liquid.

Buff suddenly heard the rushed footsteps of the paladin's making their way into the temple. The front door was blasted open and there was a shocked gasp as they bore witness to the scene before them. The player seemed unperturbed and began splashing the foul mixture over the entire altar and the statue of Crassius that was on the wall behind the altar. Buff could hear the laughter in his voice as the player spoke.

"Looks like I made it just in time! HAHAHAHA!"

His words seemed to anger the paladins but none of them were the ones to speak and instead Buff heard the voice of the head priest.

"YOU DEVIL! YOU DEMON! HOW....HOW CAN YOU SLAUGHTER AN INNOCENT CHILD!?"

Buff could see the tears well up in the head priest's eyes as he cast a powerful holy smite spell. The bright white light engulfed the space of the temple and a striking arrow of light made its way across the chamber and landed directly on the face of the assaulting player who was obliterated where he stood.