HUMANS
In the great mountains west of Ferdesang, the capital of the kingdom of Elbak, lies a citadel of the Inquisition: Kor Morne. It is a veritable city perched among the clouds, nestled within the mountains. Not literally floating, of course—its foundations are deeply rooted in the rock, and its galleries stretch for miles—but it gave Vixius that impression the first time he saw it.
Starving and lost for days after his final trial as an apprentice, Vixius had reached the citadel a year ago. One year since his advanced training began, one year of doubts and navigating the intrigues of the Inquisition, particularly because of Dame Irva. Then, like so many others, he saw the rain of fire illuminating the distant twilight.
Agitation reigns in the citadel, though its vastness makes it hard to perceive. It is not apprentices who will descend from the mountains but a group led by the Grand Inquisitor Kael Margonos. Vixius learned this from his master, a crippled but powerful mage who had taken a fondness to him.
The tension grows as the kingdom of Elbak’s expedition prepares to enter the Fissure Forest. A new shadow now looms over the proceedings: the Inquisition. Their arrival, sudden and non-negotiable, sends tremors through even the proudest nobles. No one had a say in their participation. No one saw it coming. How did they intercept the group, learn of the expedition from their lofty perch, and descend so swiftly?
And more importantly, why are they here? Their motives remain unclear, but their mere presence changes the dynamic of the expedition. The Inquisition is not a force welcomed lightly, but it is one that cannot be ignored. Are their goals aligned with those of the king?
Eldan Rochefer, appointed by the king to lead the preliminary expedition, cannot help but feel uneasy. Dealing with the insufferable mage Yvanna was challenging enough, and now the Inquisition?
It is an ancient order, an entity independent of kingdoms and crowns. Their power transcends borders, and their authority is absolute when it comes to supernatural phenomena or events deemed heretical or abnormal. No one dares provoke their wrath. They wield the most powerful magics, relying on the trances of their devoted followers. Their bases are everywhere, like the web of a vast, ravenous spider.
Clad in dark robes embroidered with esoteric symbols, the inquisitors are not merely fanatical priests. They are scholars, warriors, and judges all at once. Each inquisitor is a master of the arcane, the occult sciences, or divine rituals, capable of wielding both magic and steel. Their reputation is terrifying: where they tread, only ashes and silence remain.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
The troops assembled for the expedition watch nervously as the inquisitor and his escort move through the camp. They arrive in silence, a tall man flanked by guards in black armor. Their presence seems to drain the warmth from the air, as if the atmosphere itself tenses around them. Eldan notes their gear—un eerie resemblance to dwarven craftsmanship, though lacking runes.
At their head stands an imposing figure with chiseled features and dirty brown eyes. He wears a long black coat, and a silver chain hangs around his neck, bearing a medallion that should be engraved with the Inquisition’s symbol. Unlike the traditional emblem, this one depicts a decapitated Baldakai—a mark of the ongoing schism within the order.
This is Grand Inquisitor Kael Margonos, a legendary figure both feared and respected. Stories claim he eradicated an entire undead army single-handedly, that his gaze can discern lies within souls, and that his magic can burn even the most powerful creatures. Rumors, Eldan knows, are mostly exaggerated, but the man’s presence remains intimidating.
Kael approaches Eldan, who waits with his council near the central tent. No one speaks, but all watch. Eldan’s jaw tightens imperceptibly.
The man offers a slight bow—a formality more than a gesture of respect.
“Commander,” he begins, his voice cold and controlled, “The Inquisition has deemed it necessary to participate in this expedition. Recent events transcend mere earthly concerns. This cataclysm… this rain of fire and the rift in the sky… are signs of something far greater at work. We must investigate.”
Eldan meets his gaze impassively. “Your assistance is… appreciated, Grand Inquisitor. But you understand that this expedition is under my command. The king has—”
Kael interrupts with a chilling smile. “Naturally. Do not concern yourself with your king; he is already aware. We will merely observe. However, should this anomaly prove dangerous or violate sacred laws… the Inquisition will act. With or without your consent.”
The meeting lasts a few more minutes to finalize details. If they leave now, the group will reach the forest's borders before midday. Eldan hopes not to waste time gathering the hundred conscripted adventurers at Pontoven and then Benamire, the nearest town to the forest. This way, they may be back before the light goes down, if everything goes well, that’s the most unsure part...
As the group begins its march—for now, a little over a hundred elite soldiers and mages—the iron-shod hooves of their horses clatter against the cobblestones of the royal road. Eldan cannot help but ponder Kael’s presence.
He sees the man speaking directly with Yvanna, she does not seem happy. He had known she had ties to the Inquisition, but to this extent? Perhaps she informed them, using her vile magic to relay the information. “The slut,” he thinks bitterly. “Because of her, I have to deal with these people too…”
Eldan knows the inquisitors’ presence profoundly alters the expedition’s atmosphere. Their power is undeniable: their guards, their mages, and their charismatic leader are valuable assets. But their authority, their cold demeanor, and their hidden motives create unease. He can only hope there will be no clashes with the adventurers; those men and women are far less disciplined than regular soldiers.
Finally, the group truly sets off, the capital quickly disappearing beyond the horizon.