“How good do you think security is down here?” Chandra asked. They were standing in front a giant metal door embedded into a rock wall. It was the round kind that would roll into the wall to open.

“You asking us?” Gordon said.

“It was never a concern for me,” she shrugged, a hint of color touched her cheeks.

“Haven’t seen any cameras,” Hitori said. “I suppose this level isn’t worth guarding.”

“That doesn’t make this door very promising,” Protius said.

“That man had to go somewhere, and this could lead outside the temple.”

“You really think he’s connected to the stone?” Elvira said.

“I… he’s definitely suspicious enough to check out.” He said. She noticed Hitori shook his head a little during the pause. It was an odd habit of his, and she wondered what secret thoughts he kept.

“Maybe,” Gordon said. “Won’t matter if we can’t beat the door.”

“Chandra?” Hitori said. He motioned to an electronic panel attached to the frame.

“I probably shouldn’t,” she replied. “Although I am dreadfully curious too. Junior Paladins have been arguing over crazy theories for ages.”

“What’s supposed to be behind it?” Elvira asked.

“The chaplains say it’s an old storehouse,” Chandra said. “From before the Temple became our headquarters.”

“And it’s no wonder the kids don’t believe such a boring story,” a voice said from behind them. The whole team turned in alarm. Elvira barely resisted a yelp. An old man stood laughing in front of her.

“Brother Herodotus!” Chandra said. “I-I mean, Hero. I was— ah, we were—“

“Taking your friends on a tour, of course,” the old man said with a toothy smile. He looked over Elvira and the others. “This big door is quite the attraction. Anyway, I’m pleased to see you with such a charming looking bunch. Are they treating you well, my dear.”

“Y-yes, of course,” Chandra smiled faintly and blushed.

“Wonderful, wonderful.” Manetho patted her arm gently before turning to Hitori. “I heard a pair of young mercenaries was coming my way, and when none arrived I figured I’d better stretch my old legs a little and make sure they hadn’t gotten lost.”

“Apologies for worrying you,” Hitori said. “I’ve never been here before, so I was curious about the layout.” He smiled. “Mercenary habit.”

“Of course, of course.” The brother grinned. “A terribly adventurous sort, mercenaries.”

“So what’s behind it old man?” Gordon said. Hitori cut him a sharp glare.

“You really need me to tell you?”

“No.” Gordon continued to stare at Manetho expectantly. The two locked eyes a moment, before the Paladin laughed.

“Oh, later, later,” he said. “How about you all tell me why you’re here first.”

“The High Chaplain suggested you were the one to ask about Reaper,” Hitori said.

“Reaper?” Manetho said. Elvira caught a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Yes, I suppose I would be the one to ask. I can’t imagine why you’d need to know about him though.”

“We have reason to believe someone is operating under that name. Given its rarity, a connection to the White Temple seems likely.”

“Hm, very interesting. Unfortunately, there’s not much to tell. Even when he was alive Reaper was a mysterious figure. He came, seemingly out of nowhere, with the first Paladins in tow, protecting people from metafauna. At the time their abilities seemed almost miraculous.

“At some point they must have passed on the title to a trusted successor, as Reaper continued well into the dawn of the second century, which would have made him more than a hundred years old.”

“That’s hardly impossible,” Elvira said.

“It is for a Paladin,” Manetho said.

“It is? Why?”

“Paladins have very high malhahon concentrations in their body,” Protius said, “because of how their Vital Net works. It causes cumulative damage over time, and since their VN’s are unable to add new restructors it eventually overwhelms them.”

“It happens some time in their eighties,” Manetho added.

“So… does that mean… I—“ Elvira began.

“Chandra is going to die before we do?” Hitori said.

“Ah, uh, yeah.”

“Probably not, average life expectancy is around there anyway.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Elvira nodded a little too vigorously.

“Anyway,” Hitori said to Manetho. ”I believe you were telling us about Reaper?”

“Indeed,” he replied. “Not that there is much left to tell. Around the year one hundred and ten AV, Reaper abandoned the White Temple and was never seen again.”

“Up and left for the fun of it?” Gordon said.

“The records suggest she was dissatisfied with the treaty between the temples.”

“The official records?” Hitori said. Manetho grinned and nodded. “What about the unofficial ones?”

“Now, that’s what’s so very interesting,” Manetho said. “If you’ll allow me to be so bold to admit a measure of my own… curiosity. I happen to know about your mission, or rather, about the objective thereof.”

Hitori eyed him cautiously. “Go on.”

“You see, the Ex Stone was in large part designed by none other than Reaper himself. He designed it as a tool to protect and enrich Esper, but the White Temple saw it as a weapon to use against their enemies, like the Black Temple, but in particular metafauna. With it they saw a path to their total extinction.”

“Why would that be a problem?” Chandra said. “I mean, I don’t see why Reaper would object. Protecting Esper from metafauna was the whole reason for founding the White Temple in the first place, right?”

“That is a fair point,” Manetho said. “And it would be far better, for humans at least. But Reaper, well, over time, he came to believe metafauna had as valid a claim to the world as anyone. Or, at least valid enough to be unworthy of genocide.”

Chandra frowned. “Aren’t metafauna the result of malfunctioning Vital Nets?”

Manetho shrugged. “I suppose you need to decide for yourself if that matters.”

“How do you know all this?” Hitori asked.

“Oh, places like this”—he winked—“have many connections to history. Much to be learned down here.”

“That is very interesting,” Hitori said. He and the historian shared a long look.

Manetho turned away and laughed. ”Anyway, I recall a promise to show you what’s behind the gate.” He walked to the panel and punched a few buttons. A series of heavy mechanical clanks rumbled through the doorframe. A high pitched ring slowly faded to silence.

“Gonna move sometime today?” Gordon said.

“Now, now, the locks are only part of the security,” the old Paladin said. He moved to a panel on the door itself and revealed a heavy steel bar, then wrenched it into place. “It usually takes a burly lad or two to push this thing open. Let’s see if I’ve still got it.”

Manetho slid the robe off his shoulders and stretched the hunch out of his back. His bones crinkled in time with the flexing of his muscles. He was wearing now only his leather sandals and the knee length skirt common to Bachijans. To Elvira’s surprise he was even bulkier than she was.

He let out a deep breath. “Alright, stand back kids.” Manetho braced himself against the floor, then in one motion pushed the bar hard enough roll the door into its nook. “Ah, still got it.” He pulled his robe back on then motioned forward. “So, what do you think?”

Elvira stared into the space beyond the door. The dim light barely penetrated the murky shadows on the other side. It did at least seem to be some kind of passage into the rock, though it was unclear if it was natural or artificial.

“Spooky tunnel,” Gordon said. “Good to know.”

“Would you like to explore it?” Manetho said playfully.

“And get locked in?”

“Now what would be the point of that. Sister Adina would scold me harshly if something was broken down here,” he said, then added, “And it wouldn’t be that funny anyway.”

Gordon glared at him.

“Actually, I think it’s not worth checking out,” Hitori said.

Manetho glanced at him in surprise. “Is that so?” He seemed hurt. “I thought you’d be more curious.”

Hitori gave the Paladin a bewildered look. “What do you mean?”

“We going in or not?” Gordon said.

“That’s what I just said!” Hitori frowned. “I think it would be worth exploring.” He shook his head, then smiled. “I mean, when else are we going to get a chance like this?”

Gordon sighed.

“What’s supposed to be down there?” Protius asked.

“Alas, the real story isn’t much more interesting than the cover,” Manetho said. “A few hundred years ago a Sandworm crashed into the foundations of the Temple, punching a hole in the East Annex. The tunnel was sealed with this gate in case the Temple wanted to make use of it.”

“Does it connect to more passages,” Chandra said.

“Indeed. Sometimes a few metafauna find their way inside, so it’s best the Initiates don’t go wandering around. I’m sure a handful of strapping young mercenaries shouldn’t have any problems though.”

“Alright everyone,” Hitori said. “We might as well investigate it while we’re here.”

“I’ll be sure to leave the door open,” Manetho said. “For as long as you need it.”