"I served part of my purpose for those heroes. But Nix's guidance didn't vanish from me. No, I still had a purpose to accomplish." Kharl leans his head forward while looking at some papers before dragging his eyes back upon Caleb. The golden hue flickered and flashed with intensity.

"What is it?" Caleb's intrigue forced the question from him. The priest grew a wicked smile and turned his attention to the door as if he were looking at someone. Caleb turned towards the door but was left confused by the sudden shift in Kharl. "Are you alright?"

Bringing his eyes back to the boy, Kharl turns his head with more glee. "Oh, quite so. Thrilled, in fact. I've waited many years to meet you this day." Shivers travel down Caleb's spine. What was once a warm and welcoming room had slowly turned bitter and eerie. Uncomfortable was too light of a word for Caleb's feelings during this interaction.

"Y-You're not going to tell me to take on that name, are you?"

There is a pause. Kharl leans in before a low, rumbling chuckle bellows from his gut. Bursting into wicked laughter, the mad priest lets out a torrent of laughter. "Oh, that is something. But no, Kharl's mission ends when I pass on to the next life. But with my predecessors, the former Kharl, and my own knowledge, this life has finally accomplished all he could."

"But aren't you at least questioning what your previous name and life should have been? Doesn't this sound like your entire will and identity was overwritten by Kharl's influence?" Asking a valid question, Caleb wonders what horrific fates that many children of Nix had to experience. The more he continued to ask himself, the more concerned he felt about his own future.

Kharl stood from his seat with a soft expression. "Not a day goes by thinking about something so insignificant. Kharl is the only life and name I need to perform my destiny."

"You're mad. Everything you told me is nothing but a horror for somebody who got erased. Regardless of if you were once a Demon Lord or not, this is a terrible fate to carry."

"Mad, you say? The whole world consumes madness like a child on their mother's teat. But it is not my place to argue with you dear Caleb. Only to educate and answer the questions you carried."

"Then answer one last question for me..."

"Very well."

With a deep breath, Caleb makes sure his mind is clear before speaking. "My mother, she was the daughter of the Demon King Raiden. Did 'Kharl' know her or him?"

His expression shifts only for a moment. The sudden twitch catches Caleb's attention before he witnesses the priest regain his composure. "Memories stay within the previous holders. Only knowledge and wisdom are retained through oral recitations."

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"I see... Well... Thanks I guess." Discontent with the answer, Caleb slouches into his chair; a veil of despair holds him down.

"I understand your frustrations about your family. Of course, your secrets will stay between us, and what I have told you will stay with you. Nix's guidance is our curse and blessing; it is something that gives us purpose, a goal, or something to fear. Admire or animosity, this curse was given for a reason. The little brother of the first Demon King Shino was a powerful being who still gave to his children." Kharl's intent within the words struck at Caleb.

"I've read the books about Nix and Shino. The Demon King caused a rift within the first elves, and after he burned down their forests, they blamed and condemned him and his children. What you say means that this curse was created through the stigma and hatred that elves held in contempt for years spread through his bloodline."

Kharl closes his eyes and smiles. "You've finally begun to understand. What you say is and isn't the full truth. Whatever you believe is what his guidance offers."

"And what about the Goddess? If you are her priest, then how come you still follow his guidance?"

"I see what you are saying. However, Kharl was a true believer in her light. However, the Goddess created Shino and Nix when they were born. She is as important to me as Nix. I will not forsake the being who gave him life."

Torn by his response, Caleb's mind begins to spin.

"Our time has run out, I am afraid. Your companions should be looking for you by now."

"But I have more questions!" Slamming the chair to the ground, Caleb's eyes flare brightly at the sudden outburst. Kharl stays still while leaning his head on his hand.

"Those will be answered when the time comes. Quite frankly, I didn't expect you to have so many, but then again, I did. Thank you for listening to me; I have fulfilled everything I set out to do."

"What are you talking about...?"

Caleb's eyes widen at Kharl. The golden hue around his eyes dimmers and vanishes, leaving behind the dark brown iris. Kharl continues to have a smile. "Sometimes it is our fate to pass on the knowledge we carry. Sowing the seeds necessary for the next of kin."

"You...You wanted me to be here... You knew I would be..."

"I'm not your enemy Caleb Aris. Just a wise old man who has told you what you needed to hear. May the Goddess be with you."

He turns away in his chair, avoiding any more conversation with the young adventurer. Caleb slowly backs away, thoughts of everything he was told filled every single moment he had. Holding his head in pain, Caleb exits the study and quickly reaches the main lobby, where his companions wait for him.

"Caleb! There you are, we were wondering where-" Gale interrupts himself, speaking at the distraught boy. "Hey, are you alright-" He reaches forward, but Caleb brushes him off.

"Sorry, I got...a lot on my mind."

"What did that priest talk to you about?" Lukia touched his shoulder and looked at his face.

"Nothing worth mentioning..." Caleb's face twists in anguish upon muttering the words. Deep inside his heart, he wants to blurt out the answer, yet his heart sinks lower from the spiral that now filled his skull. His eyes returned to a standard bright blue after his meeting with Kharl.

As they proceeded to leave the temple, Lukia turned her head to see Kharl watching them leave. Lukia glares at Kharl. A cocky grin forms on his face before returning to his study, now having planted the seeds into Caleb.

Gale suggests that they head to the Guild Headquarters to report for the quest so that they can find out what the job is. Everyone mostly agrees while Caleb just softly nods in response with the hood covering his face...