Later that day, Asa would be the one who ordered the clergymen to load the body of Marian Curt into a carriage bound for the Cathedral of Light while Kenji Verysdale would proceed to leave with the ranger in the same carriage they had arrived in. Kenji was womdering about the whereabouts of Anna Safavi for they truly had no clue where she was hiding. In fact, the city’s populace that knew her well wondered about the same thing and many even speculated that something horrible had happened to her, but little did they know where she truly was…

“Lady Safavi?”, one of the malfhi of the cathedral said her name publicly and yet on the second floor of the cathedral. “Yes?”, Anna replied and the malfhi bowed her head. “Lady Bethory will see you now.”, Anna bowed her head in return and followed the elf to the end of the hall.

The malfhi and the human would climb up a few steps to the altar, turn and head over to the room where the altar boys and girls did their preparation for mass, but little did they both know that they were being followed by the same ranger that had killed Marian who was in disguise. The ranger, dressed as a member of the clergy, went into the small room only for a haru to pass by him and he slightly hit him while passing him. Confused, the ranger turned for he could swear he recognized the haru and he did when he looked yet again; it was William Stutely, the former lieutenant to Robin Hood himself and a Merry Men. The ranger then ventured into the room only to see a changing room where a priestess seemed to be instructing children before he noticed a door before him that lead to a bathroom which he immediately closed. He then turned and opened another door that lead into the bell tower before he could hear footsteps.

“I am so sorry for your loss, Lady Safavi, it is truly a tragedy for what had happened to Maid Marian.”, Lady Bethory’s voice could be heard from up the stairs and the ranger tread very carefully as he descended down the flight of stairs slowly. “Thank you, milady, truly...”, Anna replied and took her bow only to notice a man in black armor standing before the entrance that lead to the underground catacombs that she intended to visit herself.

“As you’ve requested, I shall take you to see Marian personally within her own quarters.”, the moment that Lady Bethory said this, Anna looked to the countess confused. “Pardon me, her quarters?”, Anna questioned the lady as she descended down the stairs with the Black Knight following right after her as the ranger observed them descending further into the catacombs.

“But of course, even the dead must have their own personal space.”, said Lady Bethory and Anna then inquired further as they just descended down into the catacombs. “I don’t think that a coffin is quite the personal space, perhaps a tomb? Is that what you meant?”, Anna replied and Lady Bethory simply smirked before she added. “Perhaps you’ll just have to wait and see.”

The ranger followed after the Black Knight, Anna Safavi and Eliza Elvira Bethory herself. He heard screaming and yelling, as did Anna, and they sounded like someone was tortured badly. Anna, however, did not seem unnerved by such things while the ranger was. The ranger hid behind one of the walls and he saw an open door where a few clergymen, notably priestesses that were malfhi, seemed to be extracting vital organs from a dead body. They stored it within strange metallic containers for preservation while they extracted blood using rags into bowls. The ranger continued to follow after the group as even Anna was not privy to observe her surroundings. In one room, for instance, she saw one of the elves drinking from the bowl of blood with another biting into a heart that they just extracted from their victims. In an instant, Anna felt and knew something was not as it seems but she already knew her fate was sealed if she said nothing.

“Why do the malfhi extract the organs?”, Anna stopped and observed the elven malfhi that appeared to be blind while only among them, a human, seemed to be reading from a scroll. “They extract the organs in order for us to save lives that are valuable to us. Those who often neglect their own lives die with the valuable organs still being intact and therefore we extract those organs for future use for our patients. These organs are often used for kidney or heart transplants…”, Lady Bethory stopped in her tracks and replied to Lady Safavi’s question.

“Then why do the malfhi sometimes devour the heart?”, Anna asked and then the Black Knight reached for her shoulder before she looked to him only for him to gesture with his head over to the next room that she observed closely as she witnessed two scales.

One scale carried a heart and the other carried a feather that the elves seemed to weigh. The scales seemed to be balanced and they equally weighed before Anna stepped closer to observe the scales themselves. She could not believe that a heart weighs the same as a feather. Lady Bethory then stepped into the room and the elves turned their heads to face their leader.

“Blood Countess.”, one of the elven priestess greeted her. “May we hold the feather?”, asked Lady Bethory and the priestess bowed before she reached for the scale with the feather.

Once she took the feather off the scale, the other scale immediately lowered down in quick succession due to the weight of the heart and then the elf raised the feather to Lady Bethory who then proceeded to look to Anna Safavi that noticed that the Blood Countess was waiting for her to take the feather herself. Anna did as the lady was hoping and took the feather only to realize it was light like that of any avian and observed it closely before one of the elves took the heart with both of her claws, turning and kneeling down in front of Anna only to present it to her.

“Go on…”, said Lady Bethory and Anna opened her hand only for the elf to place the heart onto her hand as she clearly felt the weight difference that baffled her. “How…?”, Anna was riddled with questions that penetrated her mind. “How did the feather equally weigh as this heart did?”, asked Anna and then the Black Knight responded. “Because it is not the weight of a heart that is being measured, milady, but rather the weight of one’s deeds in the eyes of the gods.”, the voice of the knight had sounded familiar to her and when she looked into his eyes she felt a familiarity.

“Should the heart weigh lighter than the feather, then the soul is pure and shall live forever in the eternal dream.”, said one of the malfhi before another then stepped forth. “And should the heart weigh heavier than the feather, then it is full of sin and it shall be devoured, in this life and in the next.”, said the priestess much to Anna’s horror before Lady Bethory would step forth.

She took the heart with her claw and then the feather before placing both of them on the scale itself in order for the elves to continue but not before revealing one final revelation.

“And the soul that is full of sin shall forever be devoured by the eternal nightmare in the afterlife, slowly stripped away, bit by bit, until there is nothing left of it but the void.”, Lady Bethory said these words as the scales then balanced each other before she would turn and walk away. “And what if the scales are balanced?”, Anna asked and Lady Bethory stopped. “What happens then?”

Lady Bethory would look back towards Anna with a smile on her face which confused the now new leader of the Safavi Cut’s Clan. Lady Bethory would then proceed to leave the room leaving the question unanswered and the Black Knight would raise his right arm, giving her the privilege to follow the Blood Countess and so she did. The screams and the yelling then continued through the catacombs that the ranger hoped would stop but they never did. In some rooms that he had passed by, he saw two elves kissing their own lips and licking the blood from it that caused him to be nervous for this did not seem like the principles of the Holy Light but rather the Unholy Shadow. There were malfhi that wrapped the bodies of the dead, mummifying them after they were finished extracting their organs, while in some other rooms the bodies were being simply transported onto tables with wheels that were covered up by cloth. In one of the rooms, the elves placed one of the mummified remains in a sarcophagus and close by the ranger noticed a cat that was also mummified but that turned its head that looked at the ranger that quickly concluded that it was an undead, which scared him and nearly caused him to topple over. It was due to this that the ranger lost the sight of group that he followed and then looked back towards the exit that he walked over to slowly to exit only for him to see someone there that seemed to be standing still. The ranger closely observed what he saw and he felt like he recognized the figure before him but the issue was that his black cowboy-like hat concealed his face for him to be able to verify his speculative thoughts. The cowboy would raise his head only slightly and the ranger could see the jaw before he heard screaming followed up by more screaming. The cowboy then stepped forth and walked towards the ranger that quickly panicked as he ran further into the catacombs. He looked back to see the cowboy walking in the same pace towards him and the ranger just continued to run away from him until he suddenly fell, toppled over and kept falling.

“What are those screams?”, asked Anna. “What indeed?”, replied Lady Bethory before she turned to face Anna. “Would you like to see?”, she asked and Lady Safavi bowed her head. “Yes, I would, but only if you give me your word that no harm will come to me.”, Anna stated.

“Do you truly doubt the Holy Order of Albion?”, asked Lady Bethory. “Oh, very well, you have my word…”, as Lady Bethory replied, she dragged her pinky from her right claw over her chest.

With the pinky of her claw she had formed an X that dug into her flesh and suddenly, and only momentarily, scales appeared around the open wound that shone before the wound would heal.

“As a Countess.”, she finished her sentence before she would turn and Anna looked to the Black Knight that just stared into her eyes.

At that same moment, the ranger woke up among a pile of bones and he was startled by just how many he was surrounded by. There were so many bones that they formed mounds and hills. He panicked once he heard the screaming once again and he turned only to not be able to see above. Anna walked over a stone bridge with Lady Bethory and the Blood Countess showed her what she wanted to see with her own eyes that caused Anna’s jaw to drop as it opened wide for a moment to the horror that she had witnessed. The ranger then climbed the pile of bones and knew that they were all humanoid, elven, kazarian and even harpy-like in nature. The bones toppled over and constantly fell that caused him to slip and nearly get carried away along with them. It was as if he was on soil that constantly moved beneath his feet. Everyone that was present over the bridge heard the bones move and fall over as Anna turned her head to see the cowboy that followed the ranger from earlier, and to her horror she immediately recognized who he was. In that moment, she did not say a word for it was obvious and her worst fears came true. The room that they were in was the mere reflection of the Holy Cathedral above, it mimicked and appeared just like the entire interior, and yet it was upside down. The cathedral’s ceiling served as the ground that they walked on with a few added features and the cathedral’s ground became the ceiling itself with the altar, throne and many booths facing upside down from above. Within the chamber there were haru, much like William Stutely, that were dragonborn (harpies with wings) whom watched over the Unholy Cathedral or the Upside-Down Cathedral in Anna’s eyes. It was then that the ranger finally managed to climb the top of one of the mounds only to bear witness to what Anna had seen and saw a man screaming for his life as his flesh was being devoured, bit by bit, by what appeared to be tiny miniature dragons. They were but mere children that were called ‘dragonlings’ and they had black, obsidian scales. The ranger then witnessed a human in black robe who turned his head and the moment he revealed his face he recognized him as Reynold Greenleaf. The human then saw another hooded human figure that was none other than David Doncaster that suddenly blinked out of existence only to appear before him that caused the ranger to panic as he fell down but quickly found his footing. David blinked out of existence yet again and appeared behind him only to kick him over onto the mound as the human quickly made his way up the pile of bones only for a nazirh’s claw to burst out of the pile to reach for his leg. The ranger looked back and saw none other than a pale nazirh, Jan’litle, staring at him before pulling on his leg which caused the ranger to kick him in the head. The ranger then climbed the top of the mound and was grabbed by David that caused him to immediately reach for his revolver that he aimed towards the magi’s head. The magi simply pushed the revolver away that fired and teleported the both of them away to the top of the bridge before Doncaster threw the ranger over onto the ground and he rolled until he was at the feet of Lady Bethory herself. The ranger then reached for a small crossbow and took aim only for the tip of the crossbow to be grabbed tight by the Black Knight. Terrified, the ranger then quickly shot the arrow from the crossbow that penetrated through the man’s hand but didn’t even cause him to flinch. The Black Knight then closed the palm of his hand and crushed the front of the crossbow with ease that shocked as well as surprised the ranger. The Black Knight then took and tossed the crossbow onto the ground of the bridge while the ranger took a few steps back. The Black Knight stood in front of him and David Doncaster stood behind the Black Knight with both of them not saying a word while the man that once kept screaming below that was tied to a cross stopped as his life ended. Reynold Greenleaf and Jan’litle both observed the human ranger on the bridge that momentarily looked to them as well. The ranger then turned and saw Lady Bethory standing before him that gazed into his eyes with a smile on her face.

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“What are you?”, the ranger questioned her at once and then the countess winked towards him with one eye before it changed its appearance into that of a draconic one.

There were scales that suddenly formed around her eye and her humanoid-like irises appeared very cat-like with the difference that the black spot was thicker. The eye color of her elven form that was naturally red now seemed to be more flame-like enchanted in nature and in that moment the human knew that the royal family was in danger but he would never live to see the day to reveal what he had discovered for her elven-like tail then swung forth before it transformed into a large, thick draconic like tail that penetrated through his body. Lady Safavi was startled and she was in great shock followed by awe by the entire revelation that she did not expect. It was then that Lady Bethory reached for the ranger’s shirt and pulled him forth before she took a quick bite of his head as her jaw extended far wider than that of any elf ever could it literally ripped off half of the human’s head that she had devoured. Anna looked away and the last thing she saw were the human’s arms dropping down before Lady Bethory retracted her tail only for the dead ranger to fall to the ground. Lady Bethory stood where she was and the dragonlings then flew forth as they swarmed the corpse of the ranger only to begin devouring him, bit by bit, in rapid succession. Anna Safavi then knew the true nature of this cathedral; it was to experiment on the dead, to choose those whose souls were balanced in order to rise again into the undead and serve as the champions of the countess, to mask so much death and destruction using the illusion that the cathedral served as some sort of a holy burial ground and the orphans that were delivered here served as a means to further add to that illusion which made no one suspect the countess. Everything that Anna witnessed on this day was something that was kept secret for a long, long time and she was certain that even the Merry Men had a mole in their group, namely William of House of Stutely and his ilk that now certainly took over the organization.

“Shall we proceed?”, Lady Bethory asked and this time the tone had shifted. “Of course.”, but Anna still kept her cool despite her entire body quivering in fear.

The two would proceed to leave the area with Anna taking one last glance at Reynold, Jan’litle, the Black Knight and even David Doncaster before she would turn to see Thomas Curt, the former Lord Sheriff, who gazed into her eyes before he looked down to the ground as if he felt a great deal of shame, regret and sorrow in his heart that she could not possibly understand. Anna followed only Lady Bethory now and realized that her time was ticking, that she could not talk her way out of this one and that she had nothing to give to ensure her safety. All she had to hope on, to count on, was there mere words of the countess herself.

“Where are you taking me?”, Anna questioned her immediately and the countess then smiled towards her before she raised her left arm, gesturing towards an entrance leading to a large room.

Anna stepped forth and made her way into the large room where she saw a group of undead as well as living people in unison that were all surrounding a single individual wearing a black robe. It was then that a female figure walked into the room from an entrance situated at the end of the top of a staircase. She observed her surroundings carefully and stared at everyone that was around her with so much love and so much passion as she walked down the stairs. Anna smiled towards her for she immediately recognized her beloved Maid Marian that approached the man in the middle. They both leaned their forehead against each other and the man was none other than Robin Hood that raised the symbol off their love, the enchanted eternal red rose.

“Is that…?”, Anna was speechless. “Maid Marian and Robin Hood?”, asked Lady Bethory and Anna turned her head slightly on the side but did not look away from the couple dancing. “Yes, yes it is.”, the countess revealed that what Anna had seen was all true and not a lie.

“The rose…”, Anna said and Lady Bethory bowed her head. “The very same symbol of love given to Marian by Robin Hood during the Tournament of the Golden Arrow, yes, enchanted by none other than David Doncaster in order to preserve the eternal memory of their love that carries on even in their deaths.”, Lady Bethory revealed but another truth that did not make Anna sad, horrified, unnerved or even scared but rather happy for the couple that she missed dearly.

Robin Hood and Maid Marian then proceeded to dance in front of everyone, and they never looked away from each other’s eyes. They appeared to be happy that they were finally able to embrace each other after having to be apart for what almost felt like an eternity. Anna noticed that they shared a mutual wound that was stitched shut that was located where their hearts were and she placed her own hand over the heart before Robin leaned over and kissed his beloved Maid Marian over her lips that caused the crowd of both the living and the dead to cheer in a thunderous applause before the couple leaned their foreheads back against each other. The Black Knight, David Doncaster, Jan’litle, Reynold Greenleaf, and even Thomas Curt walked into the room to be present when the reunion had happened. The crowd of the living and undead that were gathered threw flower petals with those that were thrown by the undead withering away before they even touched the ground. The Black Knight then set his gaze upon Lady Bethory as if awaiting an order but the countess shook her head that caused him to look back to the couple in the center of the Grand Ballroom of the Cathedral. The couple then grabbed each other’s hand and turned to face the crowd all around them that continued to cheer for their happy reunion before they would take a gracious bow. Anna continued to smile from above and a tear formed in her right eye that she tried to hide before she raised her right hand to wipe it away. The countess and the lady did not say anything to each other for a while before Anna would finally break that silence with a question of her own.

“What happens now?”, she asked and the Blood Countess replied. “What indeed?”, which would lead them both to have a later discussion regarding Albion and regarding the fate of Anna Safavi.

“The Prince’s betrayal sent shockwaves throughout Albion and left our borders weakened as a result. If we didn’t have to retreat due to his selfish desire for the crown, we wouldn’t be in the predicament that we are in now.”, one the nobles voiced his thought on the former King Regent, John Lionheart, in open court. “Even with the armaments and resources retrieved back from those that had taken it from us, the losses that were inflicted upon us due to your brother’s actions, my King, have broken whole families apart that now look to us in doubt whether or not the Lionheart Dynasty is capable to lead us out of this great depression.”, another then voiced what was clear to all while the King sat on his throne, his head leaned against his hand.

“We, the nobles, mutually agree that the crusade against the kazari should be put on hold and for us to focus our resources on rebuilding our city, and what troops remain fighting for us out there to be recalled home to help in rebuilding our city and securing our borders.”, the nobles agreed and applauded until they would be silenced by the sudden response of Lady Bethory.

“I couldn’t agree more!”, which caused everyone to go silent and King Richard himself looked to her, surprised that she took their side. “We should focus on rebuilding our city, dear brother, but I disagree with the nobles about ending our crusade because the nazirh might just perceive this as a sign of weakness that we cannot afford.”, Lady Bethory shared her thoughts and her brother, who was already adamant on continuing the crusade, then looked into her eyes.

“I couldn’t agree more, dear sister, and the gods would look down upon us in great shame if we were to allow such evil to rampage freely throughout our lands.”, the King voiced his thoughts. “Which is why I offer a solution, a message sent to me from the gods themselves.”, said Bethory who then looked towards the doors and snapped her fingertips to signal for her guests to enter.

The doors then opened and the entire nobility was surprised to see William Stutely as well as Anna Safavi enter the throne room together. The two approached, side by side, and then would proceed to kneel before the throne of King Richard Lionheart himself.

“Great King, we come on behalf of Lady Eliza Elvira Bethory herself to ask for forgiveness in the eyes of the gods and to offer our services to your crusade.”, said William Stutely before Anna Safavi would add. “The Safavi Cut’s Clan and the Band of Merry Men are yours to command. We shall aid in rebuilding our city to make up for the sins of our past. This we swear, this we vow.”, and these words would be what changed the King’s mind as he ignored the advice of his nobility and proceeded to return to his crusade but this time he would leave none other than Eliza Elvira Bethory herself on the throne of Rottingham, foreshadowing a taste of things to come…