-Callia-

  The platform slowly drifted back towards the gatehouse, giving a similar view of the citadel city that I had on my first visit. While I say slowly, that was only from the perspective of someone riding it. Just like how a plane seems to move slowly over the distant countryside, it was actually moving with considerable speed (nothing close to if I just ran the whole way, but still decent.) We landed, and Joana wasted no time in guiding me into the staircase I had seen the High Priest come from during my first visit. We went up several flights of stairs with various doors leading to other offices or facilities. However, Joana led us right to a specific door on one of the upper floors. She knocked firmly and gently opened the door.

  “Oh, Laina, and my guest from the other day!” His face scrunches up a bit in thought. “I’m sorry; for some reason I was under the notion you had gotten into a small bit of trouble and were waiting for the disciplinary committee to decide a punishment.”

  “High Priest Norold, Callia, has an emergency that urgently needs addressing. I was unsure of who to bring her to but am confident that with your guidance we can find the appropriate procedure.” The old man curiously shifted his gaze over to me.

  “My twin and I have access to a means of opening a pair of gates between our locations. He’s currently serving Queen Karia and is sourcing logistical support for the drafted soldiers. The queen intends to visit soon; whether it’s for the support or some other reason, I’m unsure. Regardless, a visit from the queen is imminent.” The old man nodded slowly. A warm grin touched his face as he carefully pushed himself up from his seat.

  “It seems that she’s still just as active as ever. I was worried she wouldn’t adjust to the capital, but I’m glad to hear she can still get out. Thank you for bringing this matter to me. If you would wait in the entry lobby, I’ll make the visit arrangements at once.” He quickly jots something onto a letter, handing it to Joana. “Joana, would you mind having one of your sisters deliver this to the pope?” He says the word gently, like he’s touching a sensitive topic, and from the slight flinch Joana gives at the name, my eyes narrow in suspicion. Still, Joana doesn’t hesitate to accept the letter, and I follow her as we step out of the office. The next door down, Joana splits off to find someone to deliver the letter before I can get the opportunity to poke into what exactly her history was. Though my gut told me all I needed to know about it.

  I casually made my way back into the entry hall and leaned back into a seat. While waiting, I tried to reach over to Callen to see how his new void gate was coming along. Immediately the complexity of his work gave me a headache. I only vaguely got a sense of near completion through the lens of his hyperfocused efforts. However, my peaceful wait is shortly interrupted as a pair of paladins and the old hag step into the hall. I don’t even get a chance to hide as she immediately locks in on my location.

  “There! There she is! The runaway delinquent!” She points me out to the paladins, who I can tell are already tired of her. Still, both men, seeing I’m not running, casually approach me.

  “Miss, you’ve been reported for violation of your orders to remain within the dormitory. Please come with us so we can get it sorted.” I can feel the sympathy but also the resigned professional stance. I don’t think they are in a state of mind to listen to others after having been nagged at by the hag the whole way here, but I still felt it was best to share my circumstances.

  “I’m permitted to leave the dormitory for emergencies. I’ve spoken about such with High Priest Norold and was instructed to wait in the entry hall.” I can tell from his groan he isn’t listening. Dealing with squabbling chosen likely wasn’t a preferred duty among the paladins.

  “Please don’t make this difficult. The order to apprehend you has been given directly by the pope.” I mulled the matter over in my head. With the letter being sent, this matter was already being escalated to that level; ideally, he should receive that letter before I get to him. Joana’s reaction to the mention of him didn’t inspire much trust, but I also didn’t think I could argue with men who’ve already resolved to bring me in. I give off a soft sigh.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I suppose checking in with the High Priest to confirm the legitimacy of my stance is off the table?” I ask, but they have already stepped apart, intending to flank me as they escort me out.

  “If needed, the pope can have someone sent to the high priest. We’re not permitted to overrule given orders.” I nod in exasperation and quickly leave a short note for the high priest before stepping between the paladins heading back towards the platform. Of course the old hag doesn’t miss her chance to follow along.

  “Stupid girl. The pope will need a long time to set someone like you back onto the proper path. You’ll be singing his praises soon enough!” I do my best to join the paladins in tuning out the old woman's ranting as we slowly drift back towards the central tower. This time the platform drifts much higher, taking us all the way to the roof of the citadel. As we neared the artificial sun, I followed the lead of the others in turning away so we wouldn’t be blinded by the massive light. Strangely, it didn’t give any more heat up close compared to far away. The platform drifted to a stop at the highest level of the tower within the citadel itself.

  I followed the paladins stepping off the platform and watched as the old hag smiled sinisterly while drifting away.

  “Do you frequently have to deal with the trouble that hag stirs up?” The paladins don’t give an answer, but I can feel a faint amusement from them. I shake my head free of thoughts about her and focus on the matter at hand. “Never mind that. Is there anything I should know about the pope? I don’t want to make a bad impression.” I can feel a lingering hesitancy and guilt in the man at my question.

  “There are no strict rules in meeting the pope other than addressing him with his title, but I suggest making as little of an impression as possible.” I can’t help but stare at the paladin who left his advice so ominously incomplete. However, my chance to clarify passed as the paladins stopped at the base of an ornate staircase. “This is where we part ways; follow this path up, and he should be waiting to meet you.” Looking up, an unpleasant feeling settled in me.

  Disaster

  Yeomarr looked at the force of paladins and priests around her. A total of twenty men, all at least equal to the team that had stopped the elven invasion of Porttown. She never got a good grasp on just how many men like this were in the citadel during her short visit, as they hadn’t let her through the entry hall, but she couldn’t help but be impressed with the response. The whole concept of demon hunting felt strange to her regardless. Her whole life among the elves, and not once did a demon arise in their community, at least none that she knew of.

  She shifted her attention back towards the castle they were rapidly approaching. The castle of Duke Harlanou, who was unwittingly harboring a demon. A soft tension underlaid the group. The strength of the group was intentionally filled with double the recommended force to fight a typical demon. There was no knowing if the duke would willingly let them put the monster down, so the second team was to keep the duke distracted while they worked.

  Yeomarr glanced at the refugees huddled in alleys glaring at her. Even with twenty paladins, she felt that the moment she lowered her guard, some would try to kill her. Looking up at the ominous castle, she couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

  “Demon miasma confirmed; there is a demon in the castle.” One of the priests in the group held a small orb that held wisps of black smoke mixing with the white. The paladins formed up and moved up to the gate. A fat balding man lazily wielding a mace blocked them at the gate.

  “Boss says if you're looking to help the war effort, head north. He’s got no time for visitors.” The man didn’t manage another word before the paladin swiftly darted forward and struck the back of the man's head with precision, knocking the man out cold.

  “The castle is compromised. The duke supports the demon. Find the girl and eliminate her at all costs, then signal the retreat.” The captain gave a final word before slicing cleanly through the gate. The paladins and priests paired up, rushing into the castle, spreading out, and sweeping the compound, while I joined the team heading into the castle to confront the duke.

  “Sir, the miasma’s getting too thick for a knight level!” The priest remarked, trembling, as the previously white orb was overshadowed with darkness. The captain stiffened, but his composure held.

  “Nax, Elden, leave the castle and watch from a distance; if nobody leaves by the end of the day, warn the citadel.” The men nod and turn, but a scratchy, inhuman voice echoes from the chamber ahead.

  “I think not.” Shadows impaled the men and rushed us. Moments before reaching us, they washed over a shield of light from the priest. The priest staggered, gasping as he struggled to resist. The paladin commander’s composure cracked as recognition struck.

  “FLEE! Warn the citadel the duke has turned!” He barely finished his words before a cleanly dressed duke appeared directly before him, punching cleanly through the captain’s heart. Yeomarr felt fear grip her more strongly than ever before as the presence of pure evil revealed itself, whispering of eternal suffering.

  but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.