The greatest heist this world witnessed became a myth.

No one believes it these days, and neither did I. The most you’ll hear about it is parents scaring their kids to sleep with the promise of ‘getting lost in the dark forever’ if they don’t sleep quickly.

The church still stands, and they have told us repeatedly, “Never believe in falsehoods, the only truth is the eternal sun.”

And like every overzealous youngling, under the promise of serving our lord and immortality the rest of humanity can only drool over, I too strived to be a part of the church, or its affiliative organization the Inquisition Order.

Alas, I never held the talent to be part of the clergy, not even a member of a choir(not like it’d have meant anything, but the fact still hurts). They said I was too….. unsettled. Too excited, too restless, not grounded enough. So I had to take it the hard way. Be part of the Inquisition.

It still feels like a dream sometimes, how I got in.

I never thought I had it in me, well no one did. Well not like I had many people around me, but even they infected me with their amazing pessimism towards life and my chances.

Being part of the Inquisition is not based on any physical or mental test. No. Those are too redundant and prone to falsehood to be used as a competition for the rewards of immortality.

It was really just pure….luck.

Not many people know this, but Aurinko, our eternal sun, is also the sole witness of destiny. It’s said anyone destined to be under him will be chosen by him. Led through myriad paths of the world and stumble upon the thing they were always arranged to obtain. And when they do, they’ll know it.

And that will be their ticket. The ticket to a lifetime of youth. The ticket to a lifetime of glory. The ticket to a lifetime of……. embarrassment.

They asked us to be pious and we’ll live forever. But they never said we’ll have to live with the embarrassment of our greatest failure.

The myth I always found so amusing, held truths I would’ve discarded as blasphemy had they not been said to me by a diocese bishop on my first day as a member.

“I believe it’s something you’ll learn of anyway, now that you’re chosen. But you must still speak an oath under the name of Aurinko and your honor to never reveal this information under any context” he sat me down and said with a heavy sigh after the introductions were over.

“What is it, father?” I questioned, feeling strange at the sudden change of mood.

“Have you heard of the First Blasphemy of 549 AE?” he questioned about something I never expected to hear here, that too in such a somber mood.

“Yes, I have father” I answered with a nod seeing no reason to hide it. It was really not that big of a secret and most of the empire knew about the myth.

“Hahhhh anyway let me start from the beginning to fix any gaps you have.

“It was the early morning of 4 May, 549 AE in the capital city of Corbaux.

“No one knows who shouted first, but the first words the city heard that the day was about the disappearance of the church headquarters.

“A deep panic rippled through the public as people flooded the streets and ran towards the church. But no matter how close they got, they never saw the grand structure they were so used to seeing in their daily lives.

“All they ever saw was a deep pit where the church once stood. They touched the air and walked across the pit, but the efforts were worthless as they never came across anything.

“The streets were painted in myriad tones of red that day. They hurt themselves in the piousness, they sacrificed themselves for their sins and they hunted the ones they deemed sinful.

“Inquisition and the police force were severely incapable of stopping the situation, and it only got worse with time. The most we could do was to ask for reinforcements from other cities to not let the information spread across the city.

“Even the then emperor was involved and they did everything they could to barricade the city and the pit. But somehow information still got out and I believe it was one of the officials tasked with the task of information control who babbled it.

“Everyone was in a state of panic, and if not for our proper communications with the surrounding empires, we would’ve been at the precipice of another war.

“It was a restless month. But everything must come to an end. For after the month was over, the headquarters reappeared magically in the same position. Not even a bit tarnished or dilapidated. As if it had never moved.

“The city was filled with chants of ‘Hurray’. The hunters were rejoicing for their successful hunt bore fruit. The self-pain inflicters rejoiced over their sacrifices. No one remembered about the dead.

“We rushed in. The higher members of the clergy, inquisition officers, and the men of the emperor.

“We found the members we lost. All safe and sound for nothing could’ve killed them under the eye of Aurinko, but they were not the same since then.

“They spoke of how they were tortured, day and night. Killed tens of times, and their torturers, a flock of black-clothed men observed them apathetically throughout the process. As if studying them.

“We searched the building, and none was lost. As if the men who used such mysterious methods really had only come with a chance to appease their sadism.

“All we ever found was a name and the card they gave to the then Pope before leaving the place. They called themselves ‘Kuumainen Brethren’ and they worshipped their mother, the moon.

“The card they gave read ‘We have already won.’”

The bishop stopped there and heaved another defeated sigh. There was no need to say any further.

After everything I heard that day, I felt lost for days at the end. Nothing seems to clean that blemish on the white canvas I had for the church. Eventually, I learned to accept this and move on but the only thing that stayed was curiosity.

The curiosity towards the methods of the brethren. How did they even do that? How was this possible? Can others do it too!? Can I do it too!!?

And so I spent hours in the dossier, looking through files. Hours on the streets solving cases, running after any hint I could find about it.

All we ever found were the low-level preachers, the proselytizers, and a few managing people.

I was starting to lose my zeal. But life is long, and one spent searching for unknown powers is worth spending an eternity.

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It was another one of those days. We had just finished a raid on one of the hiding spots of the brethren. It was a complicated job since we tried to keep it hidden from the general public. But fortunately, this time we got away without any casualties.

This called for a small celebration.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Hence our captain being the ever generous, booked a table at ‘Nat’s’.

Since it was late at night, I and my team were also joined by some of my non-field colleagues. We had our receptionist, accountant, fleet and facilities manager and one of our dossier handlers were able to join us.

Because of the requirement of the job, we had to keep certain facilities of the office well protected at all times, and hence Benson, our evidence technician couldn’t join us, he had to quickly go through the records we found today and try to find anything out of it for us that’s time-sensitive, while also guarding the evidence room to a certain extent.

Neither was our other dossier handles, Old Kai, able to make it. Being of old age, he wishes more to stay in the dossiers looking through the records trying to solve some of his cold - cases from his ‘youth’, as he likes to say.

And also two more of our teammates who were on night duty.

“Captain, so how was the job this time? Those heretics didn’t seem to pose any trouble for you guys.” Claire, our receptionist, enquired.

“Haha, it was just a small group who were planning on coercing more people against god’s word. However, we do have suspicions about the group having more ties with a much bigger group. Hopefully, one with an actual bishop this time. We might have to work with more wennies if that happens.” the captain, quite happy with today, spoke in detail.

“Oh, and good job finding the hidden compartment, Oliver. God knows we needed those gold bars.” Captain exclaimed suddenly, looking at the half-dosing man in the corner.

That was me. And I was really tired.

“Han? Ah yes, thank you, captain, it was just pure luck. But can we not talk about work right now?” surprised, I took a second to process what was said and then gave a perfunctory humble response.

“Yes captain, let’s just get this over with. It’s been a long day and we’re all tired. Not to mention we don’t want Oliver sleeping on the food.” Morgan, my colleague, called out from the side. Judging by how he secretly traded glances with a waitress on the other side of the restaurant, he didn’t look tired to me.

“Hmm,” the captain hummed in agreement and called the waitress to note our order. It was the same girl. Weird, is the captain trying to match make? But too tired I just let him be.

While she noted our order, even tired I can see a tint of red on her cheeks while secretly glancing at Morgan.

What the hell? A little confused, I tilted my head and looked at Morgan again. Suddenly the man felt so unfamiliar to me. Not that he isn’t handsome, but he wasn’t that charming either. What have I missed?

After taking our order, she went downstairs to the kitchen.

Morgan also followed.

“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen and ladies. I’m gonna have to visit the washroom for a while.” With that, he took off. The only washroom in this settlement was on the ground floor.

Watching him move towards the stairs, I turned my head a little towards Claire. I knew what was coming and I dreaded it. Her face said it all.

Cause as soon as he left our eyes.

“Oh my god, am I seeing things? Tell me I’m not seeing things right! Did Morgan just charm that poor lady with his eyes? HIS Eyes…?” She started loud but got much quieter when the captain gave her a stern look.

Still, she wasn’t done.

“Oh my god, this is more exciting than the time he failed in proposing to Leah!”

“I wonder if he’ll marry her? Though knowing him, he’ll probably mess up sometime soon and have to find someone else. But still, this day could be considered the crowing achievement of his life.”

“Hahhh, this day has been worth waking up to.”

At that point, I zoned out and stopped listening to her prattle on with others. Though I must say, I do agree with her partially. Today could indeed be considered a crowning achievement of his life.

“What’s the point of romantic relationships? We have such a long life ahead of us, why dull our minds on such bothersome primal urges? You agree with me don’t you, Oliver? We could be considered to be the only few sane people in the office.” A disgruntled James, our other dossier handler, leaned and whispered to me.

Looking at him for a few moments, I asked “Have you been spending too much time with Old Kai these days?”

With that I went back to trying to keep myself awake, knowing that line’s enough to keep him occupied till drinks came. And surely enough, James sat there with a hand on his chin pondering over any hidden meanings in my sentence.

After another two minutes of chattering, the same waitress came back with drinks on a massive tray, followed by Morgan from behind.

While she served us the drinks, we gave an inquiring look towards Morgan, who under our scrutinizing eye, sat comfortably at his seat.

“I happened to run into this lovely lady on the stairs and engaged in a small conversation. Who’d have thought we’d have so much in common that we ended up exchanging addresses? The world is surely a small but great place.” Spoke Morgan with a humble and fascinated smile, as if he believed his own little story.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Claire and Miss Elliot’s jaw opening ever so slightly as they looked at each other, confirming they heard correctly what they heard.

Even Martin who’s usually uninterested gave Morgan a brief glance of approval.

This world is coming to an end.

“The world is coming to an end.” I jerked my head to the side to find Aidan, my teammate, mumbling in a daze. Noticing me, he turned towards me and we gave each other a nod.

“Now Morgan, this is a great day for you, I’m sure you won’t mind paying for this party would you?” Captain asked amusingly while swirling red wine in his glass.

“Haha captain, how could I have bought my wallet on such a dangerous mission? You know how meticulous I am,” Morgan replied quickly, dismissively waving his arm.

“Of course you are, but since it’s the end of the week, how about cutting it from your salary? What do you think Miss Elliot, is this possible?” Captain gave our accountant a knowing look and she was one to catch quick.

“Ah yes, of course, it’s just a small matter. I’ll be sure to remember it well for the next week.”

Picking my beer, I continued to slowly drink while looking at others continuing to tease Morgan. Their target of tease doesn’t seem to be fazed by anything as he continues to drink with a happy smile.

With time and enough beer, the table transitioned into a happy chat as people talked about their family and stuff. I occasionally gave my input here and there and also talked to Martin from time to time.

Soon food arrived with some extra wine and the table was filled with the noise of cluttering as we focused on eating our share and made small talk here and there. I noticed Morgan looking more and more red as he drank a little too much wine. I can only contribute to him being too happy,

After a few minutes, Morgan was done eating first and with a glass of wine in hand, excused himself to the balcony to enjoy the cold wind.

By the time we were done and got off the table, Morgan was still on the balcony, looking down for some reason. So I called him while moving towards the stairs “Morgan come on, we’re leaving. You’ve drank too much tonight” I myself felt a little tipsy.

“Oliver, today’s such a great day isn’t it?”

He asked while still looking down the balcony. At this point, he was almost leaning on the railing.

“Yes, it is, let’s go now. And don’t lean on those things.” I replied.

It didn’t seem like he listened to me, as he continued looking down while still leaning on the railing.

Knowing he was too drunk and a lost cause, might as well go fetch him myself. And as such I changed my direction and moved towards the balcony.

“Morgan!”

I called out but still no response.

He was still looking at the ground in a daze as if it was the most beautiful scene he had ever seen.

And then, he jumped off the balcony.

Cruchspiree

For a moment I just stared at the empty balcony, waiting for my brain to process what it just saw. And then I dashed off towards the balcony.

What I saw below was the body of Morgan impaled on a huge cone of metal as blood gushed all over him.

My brain in a trance, decided to cut off all emotions as I ran towards the stairs and out of the building where I saw the others surrounding the cone with guns out of their holster, looking out for the perpetrators while Captain and Aidan inspected his body without removing him from the cone.

The non-field staff was still in the building looking over with visible fear and shaken eyes. They weren’t trained like us.

'My emotions don't control me.... my emotions don't control me..... my emotions don't.'

"This scene is under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition as of this moment. No one shall leave their positions, as anyone who tries to run will be considered a criminal and traitor of the nation. Someone will be there to shortly note your information."

Walking over I heard Sebastian shout, as I took over the captain’s place as he was needed with the others in looking out for any possible combat situations as well as to contact the church for quick medical attention.

His wounds were severe, his heart was damaged, along with his lungs and the other organs due to the impact of the fall. He had a severe blood loss and if not treated quickly enough, although he will recover, the infection might make it a painful and long process.

Going over the inner pockets of his vest, Aidan found something.

It was a white card.

Looking over, he quickly called out “Captain!”

Moving towards the captain, he gave him the card and I followed. As he read, the captain’s expression turned solemn as he handed me the card.

There was only a single line on it.

“How long can you stay awake?”

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