Chapter 16

After the journey back from the ancient ruins, we made our way through the north gate security. Once we entered Radiant City, we were met with Jade leaning against a wall. Her eyes were closed. Jade looked like she was taking a much-needed rest. 

"Ms. Jade!"

Vivian hopped over, waking Jade from her brief slumber. The knight pushed her body off the wall and stood up straight. With that powerful stride of hers, Jade approached us.

"Eve called me about what happened. Show me the evidence that you girls found."

Vivian held out the religious robes. The knight ripped it out of her hands and gave it a good glance over. I could see the rage in her eyes.

"Tsk, so they are involved in all this somehow. Is this all you found that's associated with the Baron Group, Eve?"

Eve's eyes brightened as she nodded.

"From what we know. Like I explained over the phone, Feodora, Vivian, and I encountered a woman with orange hair and a black uniform."

She nudged my shoulder, prompting me to continue. Jade's gaze was hard to ignore but I lifted my head and faced her properly.

"Yeah, like Eve said. I first caught wind of her when I touched the subjugation symbol found at your previous crime scene."

I recalled that symbol.

"When I did, it gave me the insight I needed to locate the dark vessel following us. However, instead of directly confronting our stalker, we continued our investigation."

I told her that we had defeated the beast inside of the ruins. I explained to her that someone, likely the dark vessel, was attempting to make it grow, and we disrupted that.

We continued to tell Jade about the fight afterward, and Eve tried to trap her, but she broke free. How Vivian and I engaged her in combat, but she slipped passed us.

"Hm. Is there anything else you three can tell me?"

Jade probed for more information. I put my finger to my chin as I thought about it.

"Yes, I was attacked by an unknown wind vessel before the dark vessel escaped."

I explained.

"An unknown wind vessel?"

Jade pondered.

"Did you get a good look on this person, Feodora?"

I shook my head.

"No. This person attacked me to give the dark vessel a chance to leave. Vivian and Eve didn't see them either because I was engaged in combat with her alone by this point."

The knight took a deep breath and smiled.

"I believe you regarding the wind vessel. If Eve and Vivian collaborate on the story so far, I can give you the benefit of the doubt from then on."

The knight put both her hands on her hips and gave me a reassuring nod.

"Great work, all of you. Because of your hard work, this investigation is moving forward. Knowing the severity of the symbols being used, we should squash this and save the missing people as soon as possible."

Jade smiled.

"That would mean I'm putting my faith in the idea that you are not creating an elaborate ploy though, Feodora."

Jade teased.

I scratched the back of my head, knowing that this being a setup was astronomical at best. If I really did stage this entire thing, I would have had to know that Jade wanted me to investigate the ancient ruins beforehand.

Not only that, with the wild card of Vivian and the strategy-prone Eve, It would have been a stretch if I predicted how they would have reacted. Needless to say, Jade was screwing with me, and I could take the humor.

"I guess it's time for me to revisit the Barons."

I still didn't know much about the Barons. I turned to the three of them and asked…

"Can someone give me the insight on who the Baron Group is? I don't think I fully understand who they are or how they operate."

The knight crossed her arms and sighed.

"The Barons are a group of religious people who believe that the headmaster and founder, Abigail Pasco, is a goddess in the flesh."

"Abigail Pasco?"

Jade nodded.

"Do you remember the blond girl from yesterday, the one that attempted to steal your weapon, Feodora?"

Jade asked.

I held my sword as I recalled what happened yesterday.

"Yes, is she part of that group, Jade?"

"She is the headmaster's little sister. Her name is Lana Pasco, and she tends to walk around the Radiant City like she owns the place."

I thought about how she wanted to buy my weapon from me. After I denied her, instead of leaving, she tried to take it away from me by force. She was unruly for being so young.

Jade continued.

"But anyway, Abigail Pasco and her family have built up followers around the idea. It all stems from her unique ability to use four of the main spectrum elements at her disposal."

Surprised, I backed up.

"She can use four spectrum elements to their fullest abilities?"

Jade nodded.

"Yes, she is strong in fire, water, wind, and earth. But that's not the only reason why they believe she's a goddess."

The knight looked at the white robe in her hand.

"Abigail is a miracle worker."

Vivian put her hand behind her back.

"I heard the same. Tell us more, Ms. Jade!"

Jade sighed as she continued her tale.

"She's been known to predict the future and do grand healings on people who follow her."

"Grand healings?"

"Yes, she's been known to give back limbs, treat diseases, and cure mental ailments. This led to people huddling around her. Rumors circulated about this miracle worker until her twentieth birthday. That's when they finally revealed her to the city. Now at the age of twenty-eight, she's only gained followers."

The Radiant knight shrugged her shoulders.

"They cater to the young and needy. The Baron Group provides aid and expects submission and obedience to the goddess in return. Many see her as nothing but kind and giving."

I personally never had a belief system. Maxwell taught me that everything I do is a result of my own actions. It didn't mean that there wasn't something like a higher power out there though. But I never gave it much thought as I grew up.

The idea of a collection of people coming together in an ideology made my anxiety start to bubble. Everything in me wanted to keep away from a place like that.

 It was bound to have a bunch of people trying to fellowship and convert me.

"Isn't she just a barklight?"

Naively, I asked.

Eve kicked the wall next to her as she answered my question.

"Barklight or not, the people see her as a miracle worker."

The psycho slumped her shoulders as she continued.

"Barklight's have longevity behind them. She's destined to live for at least a thousand years naturally. Someone so influential, she even has the knights wary of her actions."

The white bunny put her arms behind her back.

"I even heard that Abigail Pasco has been connected to some shady stuff like blackmail, illegal trade, and maybe even unsolved murders. She must be evil for sure!"

Jade shrugged.

"We've been aware of plenty of misconduct resulting from the Baron Group. They have been dealt with on many occasions. We Radiants value others religious beliefs. So, we don't over exercise our laws and make it harder for them to fellowship."

The knight crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

"The Radiant Kingdom came to a truce with the Baron Group. We'd allow them to have their religious practice as long as they aid us whenever something troublesome occurs."

"Like now?"

I asked, earning a bitter look from the knight.

"No, Abigail wouldn't spill anything on the matter. Now that we have some evidence that her people might be involved in the missing people case, I'll get my answers from her."

She held the cloak in her hand and turned around.

"Feodora, you come with me. I'll need to try and detect dark spectrum traces as you did in the ancient ruins."

I expected this. I was worried that people would come up and try and convert me. Silently, I prayed that Jade would fend them off so I wouldn't have to speak with them.

"Right..."

I answered, dejectedly.

"What about me and Eve, Ms. Jade?"

Vivian hopped up to the knight. Cutely, she bounced on one leg and tilted her head like a confused puppy.

"You both are relieved for the day. Don't cause any trouble. Do you hear me, Vivian?"

"Oh, okay! Eve, do you want to hang out with me?"

Eve shrugged.

"For a little bit, I guess. I have bigger plans later. See you around, Feodora!"

She grinned as her eyes shined that bright blue. With that, she turned around and made her way off into the city with Vivian behind her.

"Bye-bye, Feodora! We'll get together and buy you that phone soon! I promise!"

Vivian cried out before rushing away with that gun-wielding psycho. After today. Eve didn't seem so bad. But I worried about her outburst.

"Seems Vivian has taken a liking to you, Feodora."

I shrugged.

"Y-Yeah. I guess she has."

I thought about what she said on the top of those ruins. How she "liked older girls." It made me blush again.

"You kids."

Jade chuckled like an old woman. She might have picked up on my embarrassment.

"Well, let's get going. If I were you, I wouldn't say a word to anyone. You already had a confrontation with Lana. The last thing I need is for them not to allow you inside because of bad blood."

"Right."

We walked towards the south of the city. I followed her for a while as we marched in silence. Jade led me around the city for around thirty or so minutes until we reached a large, enclosed area.

It had high walls that were around sixteen feet tall. There was a massive white gate that fenced off this section of the city. We approached a group of people in white cloaks who guarded the outside.

"Hello and welcome."

They greeted, stepping aside. Jade didn't say a word as she marched in. Timidly, I nodded to them as I made my way behind her. This enclosed place in the city had to have spanned for miles in all directions.

The streets were made of bright red cobblestone. Florescent pink petals from the trees nearby surrounded us. Houses were made of bright yellow wood and were two stories tall. It was like being in a small pocket village that was surrounded by Radiant City.

"What is this place?"

I asked.

"This is the Baron Group's living corridors. People who are homeless or in need of help live in one of these houses. As long as they fellowship in the church, they are offered a home and food."

Jade explained.

I listen intently to every word.

Kids were playing and parents and other adults were chatting away. They didn't feel like worshippers. It had a strange cohesiveness as everyone seemed to smile and greet one another. After a while of walking, we reached the main section that led to the church.

"Up here is where the church is. Abigail and her family live within these walls."

"I see…"

 We had to ascend many steps. They were surrounded by bright red torii gates as we made our way inside. The stairs were made of stone, and it felt as though they were endless.

There was a fruity scent that wafted in my nose as we ascended to what felt like heaven. When we reached the top, a crowd was gathered around.

"Everyone, please calm down."

A gentle voice resonated in my ear.

In front of the church was a wooden stage. On this stage was a woman with bright golden hair down to her neck and a white hat. She had a baby blue vest on that showed her snow-white arms. With a white dress that flowed past her knees and bright pumps, she clicked around the stage as she made her way to a little girl.

"My goddess, this child was hurt during the bombing yesterday."

The young girl was brought forward. She had heavy burns on her face on one side. Her eyes were wrapped. She was trembling, and likely still traumatized by the incident.

"That poor child."

Jade mumbled.

The crowd shared her sentiment as they all murmured variations of what the knight said. I looked back at that young girl. She reminded me of myself in my orphanage days.

A taller woman walked over to the child. I assumed it was her mother because she held her shoulder and whispered something in her ear. After a bit, the young girl spoke with a shaky voice.

"H-help me?"

That seemed to be all that she could muster without breaking into tears. The woman faced her "goddess" and spoke in her place.

"She was burnt in the fire. The heavy smoke caused her to suffer from respiratory pains. My child was also injured and lost her sight."

Jade turned to the side and bit her lip.

"Bastards."

I believe she was referring to the bombers from yesterday. I shared her anger but kept my thoughts to myself as I looked on. The "goddess" walked over silently and placed her hand on the child's head.

"Do you wish to see, young one?"

In response, the child nodded.

"Do you wish to not hurt any longer?"

The child cried to the heavens. Her tender weeps caught the hearts of the crowd as a few started crying along with her. Their "goddess" looked out into the crowd and lifted her arms.

"Do not mourn or cry, my people! We live on faith and healing. No mortal damage will ever make us lose hope. Do you all not have faith that this child can be healed?"

At her declaration, the crying ceased as the audience awed at her grandeur. The "goddess" turned back to the child and got on one knee. Tenderly, she wrapped the small girl in her arms and chanted something under her breath. Their bodies lit up a rainbow of colors.

Fire, water, wind, and earth all made up this spell.

"That spell is strong."

I spoke unconsciously.

Jade nodded and looked away from the spell.

As if the heavens were on her side, a light beamed down. The wooden stage lit up, and white light danced around them. As fast as it happened, it all ended and what was left was their "goddess" holding on to that child.

The "goddess" let the child go, removed the bandages from the girl's eyes, and let the bandages fall onto the stage.

"What happened?"

I asked.

The crowd erupted with joy as the child looked about, healed. Her wounds were gone, her eyes were clear and full of tears. The "goddess" walked off stage and into the massive church behind her without another word.

"I-I can see! Mommy, it doesn't hurt anymore!"

The mother and daughter hugged as the crowd cheered.

"Did we just witness a miracle, Jade?"

Bitterly, Jade pushed hot air from her lips.

"Let's just find Abigail and get this over with."

The large crowd dispersed. Some went to chat with the child and the mother. We had other business as we made our way towards the building behind the stage.