Rain fell hard on Armathil, washing the filth from the cobblestone streets—but it could not cleanse what lay beneath them.
Inside the Grand Cathedral, thousands gathered in mourning robes. The funeral bell rang for Brother Halric, the First Reaper. Priests chanted. Incense burned. Freya stood at the altar, unmoving.
But her eyes scanned the crowd like blades.She could feel it.
He was watching.
[In the rafters above the cathedral hall]
Kael crouched in shadow.
The stained-glass windows painted saints in divine hues, their frozen eyes blind to the lies beneath their feet.
How many had they buried here? How many under marble and gold?
His target was seated in the front row.
Cardinal Orwyn. One of the architects of his downfall. A serpent in crimson robes.
Lucien knelt beside Kael, breathing heavy.
"You're not going to strike here, are you? In front of everyone?"
Kael's voice was calm.
"This is exactly where."
[Ceremony – Interrupted]
Freya raised her hands to lead the final prayer.
"Let the Light bear witness to the soul of the fallen—"
A deafening boom shattered the air.
One of the stained-glass saints exploded inward. Shards rained down like divine daggers. Screams erupted. Panic rippled through the crowd.
And from the ceiling descended a burning specter.
Kael.
Tattered robes. Cracked crystal blade. Halo broken, flickering like a dying star.
"Let the Light bear witness," he echoed coldly, "to the blood you tried to bury."
[Chaos]
Guards charged. Magic flared. Freya unsheathed her silver blade and shouted, "Protect the Cardinal!"
Kael met the first wave head-on.
The Ashen Flame roared from his body, devouring divine light like it was kindling. Spells melted mid-air. Steel warped on contact. His sword struck true—one Inquisitor fell. Then another.
Freya leapt from the altar. Their blades clashed, fire and light screaming as they collided.
They stared at each other—saint and inquisitor, past and present.
Her voice cracked.
"You would slaughter innocents now?"
Kael growled, "You slaughtered them in silence."
[Cardinal Orwyn tries to flee]
Lucien moved through the chaos, cornering Orwyn near the exit.
"You," the Cardinal hissed. "You're alive?"
Lucien raised a dagger. His hand trembled.
"I should kill you."
Orwyn laughed. "Then do it, traitor."
But before Lucien could decide, Kael's voice rang out—cold and commanding.
"Leave him."
Lucien froze. "What?"
Kael stepped through the carnage. "He's not worth your soul."
Then, he turned to the Cardinal and whispered:"But I will take your power."
With a snap of his fingers, Kael ignited the divine relics worn around Orwyn's neck.
They exploded.
Orwyn collapsed, screaming.
[Escape – Roof of the cathedral]
Kael and Lucien vanished into the storm, guards too wounded or afraid to pursue.
Freya knelt beside the burning body of Orwyn, the echo of Kael's voice ringing in her ears:
"I remember every name."
[Later – Inside the Ashen Flame's hideout]
Kael stood alone, watching the flame in his palm twist between black and white.
Lucien approached. "Why did you stop me?"
Kael didn't answer for a long time.
Then:"Because revenge is a path you can't walk halfway."