Start of a Theocratic Scandal

"You're here to report about the church of Felexin to our emperor, Lucius?" one of the knights said.

"Yes, the emperor must know." I said.

"Where is Erzibolt? She is sent to Velizar, Noltia, and Felexin to inquire about the Church of Arukatha in Felexin." one knight said.

So they knew Erzibolt. Good, I can use that against them and tell them that she is killed by the same guys from Felexin.

"What is going on?" another knight comes out of the door and sees me.

"General Zephyr, an elf named Lucius came to report about the Church of Arukatha in Felexin to our Emperor. However, Erzibolt is not here. Should he wait?" one of the knights asked.

"It cannot wait, because something tragic has happened to her." I implored them.

"Alright, I'll take you to the emperor." Zephyr turns to one of his knights. "Take his horse to one of the stables."

"No need. Zala, get in my shadow." I said.

With my simple command, Zala dove into my shadow, vanishing from their sight.

"A loyal Umbral Horse indeed. Come." Zephyr said. I followed him into the giant tree castle. Inside, it's much larger than the tree inside. Even though I've seen it before, it still impressed me.

The inside was a kingdom out of stone and marble despite the outside being a giant tree. The statues of beasts like the pegasus, the griffin, and skymaids. Multiple elves in knightly armor, some in leather, and there are also maids and butlers.

We walk up the stairs to each floor where every third floor has knights ready to fight and defend. The castle is basically eighteen stories high, meaning there are six bases for knights to mobilize.

But at the eighteenth floor, lies a large golden door with green marble. The door is guarded by two fully plated knights with golden and green armor, wielding a spear and sword.

"We have word that that an elf has something to report regarding about Erzibolt and Felexin. The emperor will see you now." one of the golden knights said.

Word travels fast. Even faster if there are elves who have great hearing.

The two turned and pushed open the green marble door. The door creaked and groaned as it is being pushed open.

Inside was a place fit for a ruler. Bright white pillars, deep green carpets stretching from the door to the throne, banners indicating their kingdom, and lastly the elf that sits on the silver throne, adorned with gemstones.

As I reached before the emperor, I checked his stats.

I knelt down in front of Gravius who is sitting on the throne with a calm and yet regal appearance, looking at me with great dignity.

"You are the elf named Lucius?" Gravius said.

"Yes, I am Lucius Eldfern." I replied.

"And you have something regarding Erzibolt and Felexin. Speak." Gravius said.

"Then what I am about to say can and will shock you." I take a deep breath. "A priest named Arkaon is planning to summon Ignyesa."

With my words, multiple knights rushed and pointed their weapons at my neck, elven maids fainted from the name, elven priests began praying to their deities with their lives on the line, and other elves became gripped with fear.

I looked at Gravius and he looks at me with anger with his yellow and orange aura blazing around him.

"How dare you mention that forbidden name in this holy kingdom?!" Gravius growled. "That name must not be mentioned anywhere!"

"I said it because the church inside Felexin is attempting to summon that being." I said. I reached inside my green garments and pulled out a folder stacked with documents. "It is shown inside this folder."

Gravius signals Zephyr to take the folder out of my hands and brought it to Gravius. Gravius opens the folder and reads the documents.

"I can't believe it...all this time, we believed that they're fellow followers of Arukatha..." Gravius holds his head in disbelief. "Why would they bring forth a being capable of destroying the world?"

Gravius looked at me, looking at my serious and sorrowful expression.

"Stand down. He is telling the truth." Gravius ordered, waving his hand. The knights pulled back their weapons and walked back to their positions. "You also have a report regarding Erzibolt Fairwind?"

"Yes...and the worst has befallen upon her..." I choked up to enhance the gravity of the lost of life. "Erzibolt is dead."

Gloom floods the entire throne room. The looks of sadness, despair, and disbelief. Gravius slumps to the ground giving off a thousand yard stare.

"No...how can this be? She awakened as a hero 15 years ago!" Gravius said as his voice trembled. "Who...is responsible?"

"That same church." I replied. "When they realized their documents has been stolen, they came after me all the way to Dystoark. How? They sent three Hellkins after me."

"Three Hellkins?! Even if it was low-ranking, their magic is still not to be taken lightly. They must be at least Superior Demon." Gravius said.

"No, they're Superior Archdemons." I said, shaking my head. Gravius soon became enraged.

"LIES! There's no way they could summon Hellkins, let alone silver-eyed ones!" Gravius roared.

I showed them my arms, displaying deep scars that I have been through many battles. To further enhance it, I expose my torso to show multiple punctures, cuts, burns, and bruises. Including my back.

The crowd gasped at the sight. Elven warriors rarely have scars because they usually heal themselves with magic while some elves have a strong enough regeneration. But these wounds were 'healed' enough to prevent from worsening.

Although, those are the scars I got back from earth; the war and stuff.

"Such gruesome wounds, you fought those three Hellkins?" Gravius said.

"I did, but I was not only outnumbered, I was outclassed. They exposed my torso and riddled me with these wounds without killing me. They tried to get me to give them the documents, but my horse already ran off with it." I explained.

"So, if Erzibolt hadn't intervened..." Gravius said with his.

"Then I would've died and that information would've never been relayed. Leading to many more deaths by the church." I then began shedding tears. I began sobbing to enhance the feeling of loss. "Erzibolt gave her life to repel the Archdemons so that I can live!"

I slammed the floor, creating a loud thud. I held back my strength to not break the floor. The elves around me were mournful about the death of Erzibolt Fairwind and a hero no less.

The room fell silent, unable to utter a sound, not even a buzzing of flies.

"I have heard enough." Gravius said, breaking the silence. He walked towards me with a face mixed with resolve and sorrow.

He then knelt down and looked me in the eyes.

"Lucius. You did good coming here despite the sacrifice of lady Erzibolt. For that, we shall make sure her death wasn't in vain." Gravius said.

Gravius stood up and began speaking loudly.

"Hear me! This is my royal decree! I, Emperor Gravius Zeldcriss Eldcrown hereby declare the Felexian Church of Arukatha as heretical!" Gravius declared with a booming, commanding voice. "Assemble the paladins! Assemble the Griffin and the Pegasus riders! That heretical church must be destroyed!"

"Yes, your majesty!" The knights saluted and rushed out of the throne room to assemble the knights. Gravius looked at me.

"You've done great justice to not only to Erzibolt, but to the citizens. Though we have lost a hero, but you are a hero that carried her will." Gravius said. "Someone find him a place to rest, he deserves it."

A maid comes towards me as I stand up and put on my robe again.

"Right this way, please." the elf maid said. I followed her as I hunched down and trudged by all the way to a luxurious room that is inside of a branch.

A room with shiny hardwood floors, a queen size bed, and pictures of nature. I also see a room ahead of me which leads to a bathroom, but I have no intentions of going there yet. I fell to the bed and laid on my back.

"Would you like something?" the elf maid asked.

"Any tea would be fine." I replied. The elf maid bowed and promptly left the room to close the door behind her.

I turned to the side, away from the window and covered my mouth. For a few moments, I began chuckling...chuckling from the fact that this debacle was ate up just as expected. Maybe too smoothly.

"I was lucky that Gravius didn't summon his Heavenkin. Otherwise, I could've been seen through." I thought to myself.

I had every monster ready to wreak havoc in case they know that I was involved of killing Erzibolt, even though Ashley was the one who killed her.

In the end, it was all according to plan.