The soldiers reached the villagers as they said, "Please get in the carriages. We have requested support. Please follow us."
The people seemed confused, as the soldiers from Phermola never came here in Porustu.
One of the men asked, "Is the Archbishop really gone mad?"
"No, just get the hell in."
"THE FOREST IS BURNING, LOOK!" a lady shouted as everyone gasped, turning around to see the forest go up in flames. The sky glowed orange. The bishop of Liora looked at the people as he said, "EVERYONE, PLEASE GET IN!"
"Why should we listen to you?" an old man said. "You people never helped us. I bet you are going to kill us in that carriage of yours."
The bishop looked at them, surprised. But he looked at the forest and thought, 'Archbishop… you've done some irreparable damage… Is he being mind-controlled?'
Henry walked over to the people as he said, "Everyone, please. Listen to them."
The people had forgiven Henry, but still many did not. They looked at him with suspicion. Henry said, "Saint Dilek is trying to fix the situation… It's getting worse, and he doesn't want you to be caught…"
"Ah, Saint Dilek… of course he is looking out for us," the people sighed as they got into the carriages one by one. The bishop walked toward Henry as he said, "Henry? Is that you?"
Henry looked at the bishop. "Bishop Jacob… It's nice to meet you again."
Jacob looked at Henry, who was shirtless, as he said, "What? Why are you shirtless?" Jacob himself was wearing the Bishop's robes of Liora.
Henry said, "The Archbishop has gone mad… He… He tried to kill me. By sending his secretary…"
"For what reason? Is he under mind control?" Jacob asked, still not believing as Henry sweated for a second.
"It's true… the Archbishop has gone mad."
Jacob turned and saw the man — the secretary of Archbishop Kaelis. Henry's eyes widened as he said, "You? I thought you were de—"
"—The Archbishop has been attacking others… I believe it's because of the Chaos Effect…He wanted me to kill Bishop henry here." the secretary continued, cutting off Henry.
Jacob's eyes widened. "Chaos??!!! Forcing you to kill?!Should I request reinforcements?"
The secretary shook his head. "No… The Archbishop has gone mad… And like it states in the Book of Liora, the chaos is communicable. So it can be spread… As sad as it is… we must prepare for a Exorcism."
Bishop Jacob looked shocked as he bowed his head. "I understand… I'm sure if the Archbishop weren't under the effect, he would have wanted this as well… I'll prepare for the exorcism." Jacob looked determined as Henry said, "Me too… I can help too…"
"Okay. Then I'll go get the materials from the carriage…" Jacob ran away to the carriage in a hurry as Henry turned to the secretary. "I thought Dilek killed you…"
"He didn't… He merely gave me an offer."
"…What offer?"
The secretary turned to Henry with a cold glare. "I'm not obliged to tell you, am I?"
Henry watched him walk away as he muttered, 'He still is scary…'
—
Dilek ran through the forests alongside the soldiers, though hidden by illusions so no one could see him. Thick smoke curled between the trees, and heat pulsed through the undergrowth.
He checked his BP, which he hadn't checked since last night.
BP: 163 (+129)
"Good enough," he muttered as he ran. In the distance he saw Ami limping as the soldiers surrounded her. Flames reflected off their armor.
She looked afraid as she said, "I was collecting berries… Wh-Why is the Archbishop attacking us?" She was in tears, and the soldiers said, "We will get you to safety."
"No! My uncle… My uncle is fighting the Archbishop to keep me safe! Please save him!"
"Yes, lady, we are going—"
Ami shook her head. "EVERYONE SHOULD GO! THE ARCHBISHOP IS TOO STRONG! I CAN GET BACK ON MY OWN, GO PLEASE!!!"
The soldiers hesitated before rushing deeper. As Dilek reached her, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Skill: Believe in Me for Super Good Heals (Activated)
Her wounds closed, the hole in her hand sealed, and her trembling calmed. She sighed, relief softening her expression. "That's better…" She looked at Dilek, whose illusion wore off as he said, "Ami, go back there and help them prepare with whatever they're doing."
"Wait, wait—" Ami stopped him. "Can't you explain what's going on? What's your plan? You even got the secretary of the old man on your side… Dilek, what the hell are you?"
"Not who am I? What am I? Really?" Dilek asked her.
She replied, "Yeah? I mean dude, you seem like some sort of president, with all this planning and shit."
"First of all, Ami, presidents never plan an operation, they approve it," Dilek said as he ran toward the fire.
Ami shouted, "I KNEW THAT… YOU DIDN'T NEED TO TEACH ME THAT…!"
Dilek ran quickly through the burning forest, covering his mouth as the smoke thickened. He reached the soldiers advancing; he was walking behind them when—
CRASH—
Duja crashed onto the ground. The soldiers froze, shocked. Dilek's eyes widened seeing Duja covered in burns, as he rushed toward him.
"THERE YOU ARE!" a voice called. The Archbishop descended from the sky, his broken hands slowly healing. He smirked as the soldiers looked at him. The leader of the soldiers shouted,
"ARCHBISHOP KAELIS! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST BY THE DECREE OF GOD LIORA AND THE RULES OF THE EMPIRE! IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY, WE WILL HAVE TO FORCE THE EXORCISM ON YOU, AS BISHOP JACOB SUGGESTED!"
"Exorcism?" The Archbishop slowly descended. "Under arrest? What have I even don—" He looked at the burning forest, the flames nearing the village. He sighed. "I see… This entire time it was my fault…"
"IF YOU UNDERSTAND, PLEASE SURRENDER AND GIVE UP!"
Kaelis looked at Dilek, who was behind the soldiers. The illusion hid him from the soldier's sight, but not from Kaelis.
"All this time… it was your fault, wasn't it?"
Dilek's eyes widened as he stepped back. Kaelis flew toward him at high speed, grabbing him. Duja shouted, "NO—!"
The Archbishop dragged Dilek upward into the sky. "YOUR FAULT! ALL OF THIS YOU PLANNED IT! BRINGING ME INTO THE FOREST, TEMPTING ME TO ATTACK YOU! YOU DID ALL OF THIS! MAY GOD LIORA—!"
His hands grew hotter as they burned Dilek's skin. Dilek tried to pry him off, but the grip was too strong.
Suddenly a huge energy spurt erupted from Porustu. Kaelis looked over. "I'LL EXPOSE YOU! YOU KILLED MY SECRETARY AND YOU FORCED ME TO DO ALL THIS!"
He began flying toward the village. The air burned around them as he smiled. "Hell… I'll give it to you. You must've been planning for months… but God Liora is above all." His old face twisted into an ugly grin as Dilek struggled.
"All of this was a plan. A very good plan. But unfortunately… you fought an Archbishop… I'll even blame you for Henry's death." Kaelis grinned. "Even if you get out of here to spread your faith, it'll be shut down by the Empire. You are a wanted man from today. You ar—"
"Your hands seem to be still broken. Let me help," Dilek said, sweating as he grabbed Kaelis's hands.
Skill: Painful Healer (Activated)
"ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kaelis screamed in pain, releasing Dilek. Dilek fell from the sky, shouting:
"DUJAAAA! HELPPP MEEEEE—!!"
A huge leap shook the entire ground as wounded Duja jumped high, grabbing Dilek midair. He landed with a massive crash near Porustu, dirt exploding around them. The villagers screamed, scattering.
Hela rushed out of a house and came to Duja's side.
Dilek's eyes widened. "WHY DID YOU COME—?!"
"So this is your illusion caster?" Kaelis said, eyes red with fury as he stared at Hela. "YOU ALL WILL DIE TODAY!"
"ARCHBISHOP KAELIS, YOU ARE TO BE EXORCISED!" Jacob shouted as Kaelis turned to him.
"Jacob? You?" Kaelis turned to Dilek and laughed. "YOU CALLED THE LIORA RELIGION? REALLY? YOU ARE SO DOOMED, THEY WILL SUPPORT ME, NOT YO—"
Jacob shouted again, "AS SOMEONE WHO HAS GONE CORRUPT DUE TO THE CHAOS' EFFECT, WE WILL PERFORM THE EXORCISM ON YOU!"
Kaelis' eyes widened as he slowly descended. "No… No, Jacob, it's me… Kaelis… These bastards are the ones under the effect… Look at what they did. They even killed Henry and my secretary!"
"SILENCE—!" Jacob snapped. "You truly have gone mad… Blaming others for deaths that never happened?"
Jacob's thought flickered, 'The Chaos Effect is too high in him… It's making him go through such trauma… He thinks his secretary and Henry are dead… It's too late…'
"What? Deaths that never happened?" Kaelis said — and then he saw Henry walk beside Jacob, determined. Kaelis' eyes widened.
"WHAT?! HENRY!! HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?! DO—DOES THAT MEAN YOU KILLED MY SECRETARY??!? YOU PLANNED WITH THAT DEMON?!" Kaelis pointed at Dilek.
Henry said, "Truly… You've even forgotten you tried to kill me… I'm so sorry, Archbishop… I didn't see the signs…"
"What?!" Kaelis looked at the people boarding the carriages, fear clear on their faces.
"YOU! EVERYONE! YOU ALL PLANN—"
"Stop, Archbishop… Please… You have done too much…" the secretary said from behind Henry and Jacob.
Kaelis' eyes widened as he smiled. "Y-you are alive… My secretary…"
"You don't even remember my name." The secretary looked down sadly. "The Chaos Effect is too much on him… It's making him forget his humanity…"
"What? I know your name—" Kaelis froze. He realized he had never remembered it… and the secretary was part of the plan. His rage flared.
"WHY IS THE WORLD AGAINST ME?! OH GOD LIORA, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!" Kaelis turned to Dilek, who was healing Duja. "FOR ALL I KNOW, I'LL KILL YOU AT LEAST!" His hand channeled a huge needle of flame.
Dilek looked up in surprise as he muttered, 'Well fuck…'
Hela shouted, "TAKE DUJA AWAY! I'LL CAST AN ILLUSION!"
"Oh hell no, what are you going to do?!"
"Distract him?!"
"I CAN HEAR YOU, Y'KNOW?" Kaelis said as Hela looked desperately at Dilek.
"Okay… but I can't pick him up," Dilek said.
Hela stared at him, offended. "Are you saying my husband is fat?"
"Clearly he is. He jumped on my leg just the other day and it felt like my leg was breakin—"
"SILENCE—!" Kaelis roared. "Is this your measly plan to distract me?!"
Suddenly an arrow pierced Kaelis. He jerked, stunned, as several more arrows fired behind him.
The soldiers.
Kaelis yanked the arrows out with a groan. "Gah— DAMMIT, CAN YO—"
Another arrow pierced him mid-sentence. Rage twisted his expression.
"NEVERMIND! I'LL BURN EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND!"
He turned his huge flame-needle toward the soldiers near the entrance and launched it.
It slammed into the ground faster than anyone could even blink.
It seemed to have razed everything to the ground in an instant.
As the smoke cleared, Henry stood in front of the soldiers. He had made a barrier.
"W-What?" Kaelis looked at Henry in disbelief as he shouted, "I didn't teach you that! When did you learn it?!"
"Just a couple minutes ago…" Henry smiled, blood dripping from his nose. A barrier—one that seemed golden, shined before him.
'Trithron…' Kaelis' rage grew. "Why do you know the barrier of Trithron?!"
"I don't know. But from the formula I could only make this…" Henry said, just as Kaelis raised his fist.
"It's alright. As a thousand needles appeared in the sky, I'll keep hitting you until you die! Let's see how long you can block!"
The barrage slammed into the golden barrier. The ground trembled, smoke twisting around as Henry struggled against the wrath of the archbishop.
—
Dilek and Hela finally carried Duja into a small house. The wooden walls rattled from distant explosions. Nandita was waiting inside. She said, "Around 100+ villagers have been evacuated. When they reach Phermola they'll bring more carriages with soldiers. And Bishop Jacob has sent the letter."
Dilek nodded as he tapped Duja's body.
Skill: Believe in me for super good heals (Activated)
A warm glow lit the dim room, healing the burn wounds on Duja's hands and body—though not his beard and mustache.
Dilek got up, dusting off his hands. "Is Diego doing it?"
"Yeah, I told him to do it a while ago… I think he's done it for at least 35 minutes. What is your plan? We don't have time. Kaelis is too powerful…"
"I know…" Dilek said, pacing around the cramped room, the air thick with ash seeping through the windows. Hela sat near Duja, her forehead resting against her palm.
"Dilek! Is this your plan? Why are we even doing all this?"
Dilek looked at her. "I'm sorry… I know it's bad, but I can't do it alone…"
"No, Dilek, it's not about you being alone." She looked determined, and even Nandita nodded softly. "We are going to help you. But are you sure this is the right thing?"
Dilek looked out the window. Henry was barely holding on, keeping the soldiers safe. Smoke drifted across the battlefield outside, the air shimmered with heat from Kaelis' spells.
"Nandita… Did Marcus take away Kelid? In the carriage?"
"They were one of the first people," Nandita said.
"Okay… so it's all going to be fine…"
"Are you sure?" Hela looked at Dilek. "I am helping you… but Dilek, you are going to die. You are going to die someday if you keep doing this!" Her eyes teared. "Look at Duja… If you care about him… please let this be the last one. I can't see either him or any of you die…" Her eyes trembled. Even Nandita looked down.
Dilek lowered his gaze. "You… are right… I'm sorry. But… I've started this. I'll finish it. No—let me finish it. Please… just lend me your help."
Hela looked concerned, but nodded.
"I suppose the emotional drama mid-fight is finished, isn't it?" a voice came from behind.
They turned. Ami stood in the doorway holding a crossbow she'd taken from a soldier. The daylight behind her made her silhouette sharp.
"Dilek, should I do it?" Ami asked.
"Is Jacob done?" Dilek asked.
She nodded. "Yeah. He's informed it. And since it's getting bad, he plans on doing it."
"So what did Jacob say the exorcism does?" Dilek asked.
Ami said, "He said that anyone within the exorcism will have the chaos effect pushed out. But if it's too late, and they're too deep under the chaos, they'll burn to death…"
Dilek nodded. "Good. That will work."
"Hold on—but the archbishop isn't under any influence, right?" Nandita asked.
"Yes. He isn't."
"Then wouldn't the exorcism not work at all? This could prove his innocence…" She looked horrified.
"I know," Dilek said.
Her eyes widened. Even Ami turned to him.
"Hold on—she has a valid point. What is your plan?"
"Well, we will kill him first and then just burn him?" Dilek looked at them as if it were obvious. "I mean—that's been the plan the entire time?"
Nandita, Ami, and Hela stared in disbelief.
Hela got up and stepped forward. "Dilek! Life isn't that easy to take. You don't know how it feels after killing someone!"
"I'm not doing it. Don't worry," he said casually.
"That's besides the point! You're going to make someone else kill him?!"
Nandita joined in. "Dilek, you can't be serious. I mean… in fiction it might seem normal… but you're in reality… you don't know the guilt and the aftermath."
Ami looked at Nandita. "How do you know that?"
"Documentaries…" Nandita muttered.
Dilek nodded. "Yeah, I get your point. I mean, killing puts a toll on others, right?"
"Others? It will put a toll on you too."
"But it doesn't?" Dilek looked genuinely confused as he continued, "◻️◻️◻️◻️◻️◻️◻️, ◻️ ◻️ ◻️ ◻️… but yeah it doesn't really matter if you treat him like a monster. Well, he is one… in a sense."
Hela, Nandita, and Ami gasped. The room felt as if the air died, their vision blurred.
"W-What did you just say?" Nandita muttered. Hela held her head.
'What the hell was that?' echoed in their thoughts—something had blanked out inside them, They couldn't hear the full thing.
"I said treat him like a monster. He does act like one. He makes poor people suffer so he can live in luxuries."
He looked at them. "Hold on, you three look in a really bad shape—should I heal you?"
"N-No," Nandita said quickly.
Dilek heard a voice from outside.
"Dilek, I have prepared it. Come outside." The secretary stood in the doorway. "If they're sick let them stay. You come fast."
Dilek turned to the three. "Take a rest. You guys did great." Then he rushed outside into the smoky wind.
Henry, exhausted, was now summoning slices of flame and throwing them like blades at Kaelis.
"HENRYYYY! I'LL KILL YOU!" Kaelis shouted as one slice reached him, cutting his hand off. Henry himself was pierced by multiple needles.
'Henry seems to be going toe to toe with Kaelis… Though I don't think he can last another minute.'
"Forget that. Can you bring him by yourself?" Dilek asked the secretary.
"Yes… I can. But I hope you honour our deal."
"I don't care about any of Kaelis' documents or bullshit. Do what you want," Dilek said.
The secretary bowed. "Fine then… I'll do it."
—
"That's it… I am finished," Jacob said, standing in a large circle he had carved into the ground. The air around him shimmered with heat and magic. "I'll directly draw energy from this if I lose energy…"
He closed his eyes and began chanting.
"CHAINS OF THE SUN—"
From the sky, burning chains of light descended at impossible speed. They pierced Kaelis. Kaelis screamed.
"AHHHHHH WHAT IS THIS?! Bishop Jacob, how dare you use the chain—"
Another chain pierced his mouth. The magic circle flared, delivering energy into the chains, strengthening them as they pinned him to the scorched ground.
Henry finally let go of the barrier. He spat blood. Soldiers rushed to him.
"We will get you t—"
"Wait," Henry said. "It's alright. Each of you get back. The exorcism has started…"
The soldiers looked at each other before sprinting toward the entrance to guard the crowd.
Henry walked over to Jacob. The bishop's eyes were closed in concentration. Henry tossed a small rock near him to confirm.
Jacob didn't react.
Henry looked at the pinned Archbishop and said, "Do it." His voice was steady.
To the secretary.
WHISP—
The air folded. In an instant, Diego, frozen in a stance, appeared right in front of Kaelis.
Kaelis' eyes widened. Terror overtook him. He didn't know the stance, only that it was dangerous. Sweat streaked down his face.
Diego opened his eyes and aimed at Kaelis' legs.
"STRIKE—"
It had been 35 minutes since Diego arrived back in Porustu from Phermola after getting reinforcements. When he did, Nandita ran to him instantly and told him to start using his skill: Strike. It would be Diego's job to give the blow.
Diego didn't hesitate at all,
After 35 minutes of standing—the longest Diego had ever stood, the impact was enormous.
BOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM—
Dust blasted across the sky. The ground shook violently. Villagers miles away thought a meteor had struck.
'ARGHHHHH MY LEGS—MY LEGSSS I CAN'T FEE—'
Kaelis looked down. His lower half was gone. Diego, the one who struck him, was unconscious, his hand broken and bleeding, before vanishing again.
Kaelis had cast a powerful barrier in the last second that absorbed 90% of the impact. The remaining 10% was still enough.
"SOMEONE HELP ME—"
He tried to scream, but the chain in his mouth prevented sound.
"Painful… isn't it?" A voice came through the dust. Kaelis looked around he saw nothing, due to the dust.
"Though I'm surprised you were able to cast a barrier last second… I thought you were fully exhausted…"
'W-Who?!' Kaelis thought, panic swelling in his chest. 'Is it that demon?!'
"S-Show yourself, Demo—ARGHHH!" His organs spilled out as his body attempted to heal.
"Demon? Archbishop Kaelis…" The voice grew closer. "I'm sad you would call your own secretary of twelve years a demon…"
'Y-you—Mmph!'
The secretary covered Kaelis' mouth gently.
"Shhhh. It will hurt if you speak. That chain is right down your throat. Don't force yourself." He crouched beside the dying archbishop. "I'm sure you're wondering why, right?"
The secretary leaned closer. "I wonder if I should tell you… I'm tempted to… but I don't want anyone overhearing." His breath brushed Kaelis' ear. "So I'll whisper it."
He whispered the truth.
Kaelis' eyes widened. His trembling