A Glimpse into the Abyss

“That’s not difficult to arrange, but a complication arises.”

“?”

“While a weekly transaction of ten gold pounds falls within my purview, allowing me to strike a deal with you in a personal capacity, forging an identity for you necessitates the official intervention of the Church. It’s simply beyond my individual capabilities.”

“In essence, you require the Church’s official sanction.”

“Cut to the chase, then. What precisely must I do to acquire this identity?”

A flicker of cunning danced in Yelica’s eyes. Leaning back against her chair, she spread her hands. “It’s quite simple, really. Just return to the Church with me and complete a lie detection inquiry.”

Her brazen confidence stemmed from an absolute conviction: an unidentified, rogue transcendent like Yodel would never dare to approach the Church, much less submit to a lie detection inquiry.

When that time came, lacking a legitimate identity, he would have no choice but to humbly seek her assistance. She, in turn, would then “reluctantly” agree, but only after demanding additional remuneration from Yodel as compensation.

Ideally, she would even manage to waive the ten gold pounds. Spending money was agonizing; she intended to freeload!

“Well, what do you say? If you’re too afraid to go…”

“Alright. When shall we proceed to the Church?”

“Hm? You… you truly intend to go to the Church?”

“Indeed. Odd, isn’t it? Weren’t you the one who suggested it?”

Once again taken by surprise, Yelica felt profoundly vexed. “I… never mind. I’ll just take you there.”

“Once we arrive at the Church, exercise caution.”

The statement hung in the air, sounding simultaneously like a veiled threat and a genuine warning.

Observing Yodel’s placid demeanor, Yelica shook her head, then led him onward toward the Church.

****

Deep beneath Landon City’s Anthem Cathedral, the two navigated a labyrinth of secret passages.

Monks occasionally cast curious glances toward Yodel, but his escort by Yelica ensured their unimpeded passage.

“I’m astonished by the sheer expanse of the Church’s subterranean levels. And to my surprise, your standing as a newcomer among the monks is remarkably high; so many people offered you salutations along the way.”

Yelica puffed out her chest, her pride radiating unmistakably. “Naturally! Even as a newcomer, I am a bona fide Inquisitor—the youngest, in fact, and exceptionally gifted, mind you?”

After a lengthy journey through countless twists and turns, the two finally arrived at the lie detection chamber.

The room was small, sparse, containing nothing more than a long table, two chairs, a desk lamp, and a solitary crystal ball.

Once settled, Yelica directed Yodel. “Place your hand upon that crystal ball.”

Yodel complied. “Only the two of us?”

“Indeed, just the two of us. I’m about to begin asking questions. Should you utter a falsehood, the crystal ball will illuminate. So, do try to keep your thoughts honest.”

Over the next few minutes, Yelica’s questions proved surprisingly mundane—so mundane, in fact, that Yodel found no reason whatsoever to prevaricate.

As Yodel visibly relaxed with each passing question, a faint, knowing curve touched Yelica’s lips.

Only a select few Inquisitors were privy to the truth: the so-called lie detection was nothing more than an elaborate charade. The crystal ball’s true purpose was not to expose falsehoods, but to extract memories.

The innocuous nature of the questions served a singular purpose: to lull individuals into a false sense of security, thereby facilitating the crystal ball’s absorption of their memories.

Yelica was keenly aware that this was a deeply dishonorable tactic.

Yet, as a faction engaged in direct combat with cultists on the front lines, the Anthem Church found itself in a far more perilous position than typical religious organizations.

To contend with those fanatics corrupted by malevolent deities, the Church was occasionally compelled to employ extreme measures, and surreptitiously extracting memories constituted one such method.

While undeniably shameful, the implementation of this measure had demonstrably curtailed the likelihood of cultist infiltration into the Church’s ranks, thereby earning the tacit approval of most high-ranking bishops.

“Let me ascertain precisely what manner of man you truly are. A hypocritical villain, or a genuinely benevolent soul?” Harnessing the crystal ball’s power, Yelica performed two tasks simultaneously: posing questions aloud while meticulously sifting through Yodel’s memories.

“I’ll begin with his most recent recollections.”

“Hmm… he rescued a young girl. That seems unproblematic, and he sought no recompense. He truly appears to be a good person.”

“He comforted the distressed girl. Everything appears normal. Provided there are no significant issues, he could potentially be cultivated as a Church associate.”

“Walking down the street, he offered charity to an unemployed worker. Commendable… wait? He dispensed hundreds of gold pounds in a single gesture?! So affluent, yet he still expects ten gold pounds from me each week?”

“And then he encountered me, rescuing the mother and daughter.”

Yelica’s brow suddenly furrowed. She realized the memories abruptly ceased at that point.

“Only three days of memories? How is that remotely possible? Are you a fish, for heaven’s sake?”

Beyond the brevity, Yodel’s memories were fragmented, with a significant portion appearing indistinct and blurred. Consequently, Yelica could only access his recollections of aiding Yali Miller and Joel.

“Yet he doesn’t appear to suffer from any memory impairment.” Gazing at Yodel, who was answering the lie detection questions with effortless fluency, she sank into profound contemplation.

This left only one plausible explanation: his memories had been deliberately concealed.

“No wonder he arrived at the Church with such audacious confidence. He had a contingency plan all along.”

‘It seems I’ll have no choice but to abandon this endeavor…’

‘Nonsense! Never underestimate the caliber of the youngest Inquisitor!’

“A mere memory seal? Observe as I unravel it in an instant!”

Yelica immediately channeled her spiritual energy, pouring the vast majority of her essence into the crystal ball, and commenced a forceful decryption of Yodel’s memories.

Persistence proved fruitful. As Yelica frantically sifted through the data, she finally pinpointed the location of the seal.

It manifested as a grand, black door, both solemn and majestic. Upon its panels, silvery-white patterns were intricately etched, forming a white butterfly with wings outspread. Upon closer inspection, shimmering tendrils of light could be seen gently undulating within the butterfly’s design, creating a truly mesmerizing spectacle.

“I found it!”

Her intuition screamed that Yodel’s true memories lay concealed behind this very portal.

“As expected of me, hmph. I was almost deceived by your superficial memories. Now, let me behold your true visage.”

Yet, one perplexing detail continued to elude Yelica:

Her own soul was causing such a significant disturbance within his memories, yet Yodel displayed not the slightest reaction, continuing to answer questions with an almost unsettling placidity.

Either he had long since detected her intrusion and merely acquiesced to Yelica’s actions.

Or, he was an ordinary individual utterly incapable of manifesting any spiritual energy, thus entirely oblivious to Yelica’s maneuvers.

“It matters not. Once I’ve seen your memories, every mystery will undoubtedly be unraveled.”

“My apologies, but scrutinizing memories is also an Inquisitor’s duty. Do not hold it against me.”

Despite acknowledging the impropriety of invading another’s privacy, Yelica resolutely pushed open the grand door to his memories.

“Oh?”

Beyond the threshold lay not the memories she had anticipated, but an ancient, cavernous hall. At its far end, perched upon a grand throne, a cloaked figure in a black hood clutched a scythe, its gaze seemingly fixed upon a voluminous black tome, as if consulting some arcane record.

The figure slowly lifted its head. Beneath the cowl, there was nothing but an abyssal, consuming darkness.

Despite the enigmatic figure possessing no discernible eyes, Yelica was absolutely certain that something had fixed its gaze upon her. That single stare… no, those myriad stares, encircled her from every direction, radiating an undisguised malevolence.

The instant her eyes fell upon the figure, a primal terror, rooted deep within her soul, seized Yelica.

By all accounts, a professionally trained Inquisitor such as herself should not succumb to such overwhelming panic.

Yet, Yelica discovered this dread seemed to emanate from pure instinct; no matter how fiercely she wrestled for control, she could not halt its relentless creep.

‘Run!’

In a flash, Yelica reached an undeniable conclusion: this was unequivocally beyond anything she could hope to confront!

‘But…’

“Where was the door?”