Chapter 25: Return to the Sun Apostle
The trio—Valen, Marcus, and Alexander—stood once more before the towering temple of the Sun Apostle, its golden spires shimmering under the midday sun. Their last visit had left them with more questions than answers, but this time, they sought clarity and direction.
Inside, Gustav Ellior, the revered Sun Apostle, awaited them in his meditation chamber. His radiant robes and ever-serene demeanor gave him an aura of divine authority. As they stepped in, he opened his eyes slowly, already aware of their arrival.
"You have returned, but you come seeking answers for questions you were never meant to ask—not yet," Gustav said calmly.
Valen stepped forward. "We came to know more about the Emperor. The truth."
Gustav raised a hand gently. "And yet, you forget the task Dean Alric assigned you—the reason you were sent here. That mission must be fulfilled first. Only then shall the path ahead reveal itself."
The three looked at each other in silent realization. They had indeed forgotten their original purpose in their pursuit of greater secrets.
"There is a cave," Gustav continued, gesturing to a map on the table beside him. "Hidden beneath the sands west of the city. It is said to be cursed, avoided even by the bravest of mercenaries. Recently, people have been disappearing during the night, taken from their homes. The source lies within that cave."
Marcus clenched his fists. "Ritualistic sacrifices... we've heard whispers."
"Yes," Gustav nodded. "This darkness must be purged. Only by uncovering the truth within that cave will you find the next clue."
With a renewed sense of purpose, the trio set out. Gustav provided them with supplies and three desert-adapted mounts—massive lizard-like creatures with scale armor tough enough to withstand even the harshest desert winds.
The journey across the sand dunes was grueling. Blistering heat during the day and freezing winds at night battered them, but they pressed on. Valen led with an unwavering gaze, his senses heightened. Marcus analyzed the terrain, ever the strategist. Alexander remained quiet, his thoughts troubled by Gustav's mention of sacrifices.
After two days of travel, they finally saw it—the mouth of the cave, jagged like the teeth of a beast. The air around it was unnaturally cold. As they approached, a foul stench filled their lungs, and eerie whispers drifted from the shadows.
Valen ignited a flame on his palm, lighting their way. The walls inside were damp and marked with strange sigils. The deeper they went, the more the air thickened with the scent of blood.
Suddenly, they heard screams. The trio rushed forward to a cavernous chamber where cloaked figures surrounded a stone altar. Dozens of people were shackled to the walls—men, women, even children.
"They're starting another ritual!" Alexander shouted.
The cloaked cultists turned, revealing their grotesque, mutated faces. The battle erupted in an instant.
Valen's sword danced with flames, carving through the darkness. Marcus summoned barriers and launched piercing light shards at the enemy. Alexander fought with raw power, each strike of his trident creating shockwaves.
Despite being outnumbered, their coordination was flawless. Slowly, they pushed the cultists back.
A high priest emerged, chanting dark incantations. A summoning circle began to glow, feeding off the blood pooled on the ground.
"He's trying to summon a Wraith!" Marcus shouted.
Valen lunged forward, interrupting the chant with a fiery strike. The summoning circle shattered.
With their leader defeated, the remaining cultists scattered into the tunnels.
The trio freed the captives. Most were unconscious, malnourished, but alive. Alexander knelt beside a crying boy. "You're safe now. We'll get you home."
As dawn approached, they guided the survivors out of the cave and sent a signal flare. Gustav's men would soon arrive to escort them back to the city.
But for the trio, their mission was far from over.
Valen looked deeper into the cave, where a faint blue light flickered.
"The real secret lies beyond," he said.
And with blades drawn and hearts steeled, they descended deeper into the unknown.