Standing at the top of the stairs Kaelon felt as if he was at the edge of the Abyss. The darkness seemed to stare back at him as he tried to make out what was in the basement. Kane was first to head down, his steps steady.

  Kaelon followed behind him gripping hus sword tight. While walking down the stench of blood assaulted their nostrils. The basements floor was covered in blood, both old and new. Walking through the hall under the stairs Kaelon felt it stick to his boots.

  On both sides of the hall they could see multiple cells. They had modified the basement into a dungeon. Kaelon could make out bones littered on the floor of these cells. As they neared the end of the hall, the bloody smell got stronger.

  Kane stepped up to the red door standing there and looked back at Kaelon.

  "Be ready to deal with what we see in here. Ludwig wasn't found yet, he might be in there."

  Kane took a step back and kicked the red door in. The smell of blood thickened inside the room, almost becoming a red mist. In the middle of the room was Ludwig. Only he was dead, bloody and tied to a wooden stake.

  "Shit, that's Ludwig right there!"

  Kaelon pointed to the body in the middle of the toom. Wounds covered his body, it seemed like he'd been tortured. Kane stepped up to the body and inspected it thoroughly. He turned back to a pale Kaelon before speaking.

  "Gods... Looks like they got what they wanted out of him."

  Kaelon turned to the rest of the room. Shelves lined the back wall and the odd paper was scattered on the bloodied floor. He dug through everything he could see but all he found were old books.

  "Kane, did you have any luck? There's nothing over here."

  On the other side of the room Kane was also searching for clues. Turning towards him Kane shook his head.

  "They were thorough for a cult. Usually these heretics don't care to clean up after themselves."

  Seeing nothing of note in the basement but Ludwig's body Kane began heading up. Kealon followed behind him and the two climbed upstairs. Walking across the hall they met up with the Abbot and Arka in the other room.

  Kane explained what they saw in the basement. The Abbot's expression paling as his words continued.

  "... Let's head back. That man Kaelon captured might know something."

  Kane nodded solemnly, a serious expression on his face. The two left the house with hurried steps and frantic looks. Kaelon watched them from behind, lingering at the house. As people cleared out, he conjured a flame in his hand.

  Stepping forward Kaelon set the house ablaze. He stood watching as rhe fire engulfed the house before reciting a prayer.

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  "We were too late to save anyone and for that I will repent to the Gods. I'm sorry. May Nihil be kind to the souls lost here. May She guide them to Aethel's embrace."

  Kaelon watched as the fire grew for a moment before turning away. Returning to the monastary Kaelon was immediately called to the dungeon.

  Walking down a pristine staircase Kaelon arrived in the dungeon. Cells littered a long hall, most empty. In front of a cell to the left was Kane and the Abbot. Kaelon stepped forward to meet them.

  Inside the cell was Rick, the man Kaelon captured. He was bound to the floor with chains but his expression was laid back, a smile on his face. Seeeing Kaelon his expression became brighter.

  "... Well if it isn't the boy who captured me... Tell me how was the house?"

  Kaelon's eyebrows furrowed and his fist clenched as he spit out a question.

  "Why did you kill Ludwig? What are you after?"

  Rick looked him in the eyes, his smile growing even bigger.

  "What am I after?... Hahahaha! We already accomplished our goal here retards. The monster wave is coming and no one can stop it. Ludwig, that was just a bit of fun."

  Rick burst into another bout of laughter. The man was manic, completely deranged. Kaelon stepped up to the bars of the cell and banged on it. His eyes flashing a brief gold in his anger.

  "What is the Sin Congregation?!... What's your goal?!"

  Rick, seeing the golden eyes, stopped laughing. He had a grin on his face as he spoke.

  "... So you're the demigod? You shouldn't have run back then. The Grate Lords wouldn't have hurt you, not too bad anyway."

  Kaelon's eyes widened and his face paled at his words.

  "What did you say?!"

  Seeing his expression Rick burst out laughing again. Only this time he never stopped, the man laughed and laughed. Black marks suddenly soread from his back and he began convulsing. He never stopped laughing though, not until his body dropped.

  Kane stepped up to the cells door and opened it. He stepped up to the completely still Rick and placed a hand on his neck. Turning bacn he spoke.

  "He's dead."

  Kaelon felt chills run through his body at this moment. He could feel marks that appeared in Rick, their energy was sickening. Kane put a hand on his shaking shoulder, leading him up to the Abbot's office.

  Inside the Abbot and Kane had a lengthy discussion. One that Kaelin wasn't in the right mind for. The only thing was in his head at the moment was a question. Why did this cult know him? How?

  Kane waved a hand in front of Kaelon's dazed eyes.

  "Hello? You awake Kaelon?"

  Kaelon blinked his eyes, focusing himself.

  "Sorry what? I was lost in thought."

  Kane put a hand on his shoulder with a smile.

  "I was asking what your thoughts were. What should we do from here in your opinion?"

  Kaelon fell silent for a second before voicing his own question.

  "I mean what can we do? We just have to deal with the monster wave and hurry back home. I don't know why that guy knew who I was but it can't be good. We have to investigate the slums for clues on them."

  Kane nodded at his words and was about to speak when alarms began ringing. A top the walls they could see soldiers running arojnd like headless chickens. The monster wave was here.

  "It's here... Go gather everyone again. We have to move out. This city could very well fall without us."

  On the Abbot's order Kane and Kaelon moved immediately. They hurried down solemn hallways to find the returning monks and paladins. Once everyone gathered, the Abbot and Kane stood at the forefront addressing them.

  "The monster wave is here. There's no time to hesitate, we must move immediately. All you have to do is fight as hard as possible and keep an eye out for the leader. Once we found it, Sir Kane and I will move to kill it. After the leader is killed the wave will inevitably fall. Now movel Fro Altan!"

  The warriors echoes his war cry andthumped their weapons on the floor.

  "For Altan!"

  "For Altan!"

  Immediately the entire monastery began marching to the city wall. Kaelon followed behind Kane his eyes focused. The Breath of Embers flashed in his head as he prepard himself for battle. Today had been a truly eventful day.