The beaten man tumbled out of the HC he had "borrowed" to return home. The explosion hadn’t affected him, but all that seemed left of the word of God was some clothing. Rudolf grinned triumphantly as he unlocked the front door and tumbled into his home.

He crashed on the floor and kicked the door behind him shut. Finally able to rest, he sat up and placed his back against the oak wall right below a portrait of his smiling family.

Madeline came downstairs in a nightgown after hearing the noise. "Rudolf. What was that explosion? And where have you been?" She got closer and saw the man's condition. "What happened?! You're bleeding."

"Just—just got into an HC accident on my way. That's what I deserve for working so late." Rudolf dabbed his bloodied lip with a handkerchief.

"You need a hospital, Rudolf."

"I'm fine." Rudolf stood, and Madeline caught him before he collapsed again. "This old man needs some rest."

Madeline became eerily quiet, then asked softly, “What did you do, Rudolf? You've taken it too far."

"The crash wasn't that bad. Who knows—You know who I am, don't you?" He suspected.

Madeline didn't respond; she simply placed her husband on the couch, got an emergency med kit, and began operating on Rudolf.

Rudolf flinched from the sting of alcohol above his eyebrow. "How long have you known about me?"

"Since our second date." Madeline remained focused. "I'm perceptive enough to know I'm dating a heretic," she chuckled.

"And that's what you think of me? A heretic?"

“I think of you as the man I love, you idiot," she scolded. "Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here today, now would we? I considered ditching you to the dust after we parted on that second date, but I guess I'm a fool who loves dangerous men." She grinned and removed Rudolf's shirts. He turned around to give her access to his raw back. "And I wanted to know why such a man wanted to kill the Burning Bell. I found many answers. I also know that our daughter is a witch and has been going out at night causing a mess."

"Why didn't you say anything? It must have been tearing you up inside. Especially when it comes to Vora."

"I always worry. That's what a mother and wife does. I worry regardless if you're a Dowser or an office worker. It's all the same. I said nothing because you two needed a pillar to keep you attached to reality. To escape those other worlds and rest in a normal life here." She wrapped up Rudolf's torso with gauze.

Rudolf laughed with a groggy throat. "That's what Vora goes on about. A perfect girl wanting a boring, mundane life. You two are alike in the oddest of ways. Are you a witch, too?”

“Sorry. You’re not that lucky," Madeline grinned. "I can't understand how magic like Vora's even works."

"It's best you don't learn," Rudolf said seriously. "It doesn't matter now; she's rid of it.”

"I see... So, what caused this 'HC crash' that you've experienced?"

"I've destroyed God's greatest child—"

Before Rudolf could finish, Madeline exclaimed worriedly, "Maiden Sympha. What brings you to our home at this hour? Rudolf here was injured in an HC crash."

Rudolf dismounted the couch to the horrifying image of Maiden Sympha without a scratch on her. His stomach dropped under Sympha's calm yet ferocious golden eyes. Rudolf quickly wedged himself between the Chime and his wife, injured but steady.

"We both know that I did that to the one who calls himself Zero. I tried to make an offer, and your husband here tried to off me. As such, he will be executed publicly. He is the leader of the Dowsers, but you knew that already.”

"I didn't know he was the leader...." Madeline was slightly proud; then her skin became snow. “How much did you overhear?”

"I know now that your daughter is the witch causing me and my reckless son problems."

"Your son?" Madeline replied. Then she warned through her teeth, "You stay away from our daughter."

Sympha paused, thought of Hasmed, then closed her eyes, "I have no intention of finding Monarch unless ordered in absolution. You say she is without magic, but I disbelieve such a claim. She's had no incident for years and I’ll keep it that way. Besides, I have no idea where to search and I doubt you'll tell me."

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"It's not even possible that you survived my attack. Not with that special Fallite." Rudolf drew his pipe, which crumbled in his hands. "I watched you die."

Sympha held out a glowing hand and created chains, neatly binding Rudolf. As they clamped his limbs, she informed, "You should enjoy the news that you did kill me. I resurrected. I'll admit, no other Chime, even an Ascended, would survive that attack. It's time for you to face judgment, Rudolf. Shame. You could have gone to heaven, just like Elsa."

"Keep her name out of your whore mouth," Rudolf barked.

"And Since you refused my offer, afterward, O’Landra will be on lockdown until every Dowser has been fed to an open flame." She tapped her cheek and parted her black lips slightly. "I gave you a chance. This cult will be wiped from Ruth.”

Sigils of light appeared beneath Rudolf and Sympha's feet. Rudolf was unwanting but prepared for martyr. Then, Madeline spoke, and his heart twisted tight.

"Burn me too," Madeline demanded with crushed brows. "I won’t let him confront the Burning Bell alone.”

"Maddie, that's insane. You can't do this!" Rudolf eyes widened and he spouted loudly.

“I see no reason to do such a thing. You protected your husband’s secret. That is not a sin.”

"I'd rather die than live in a world without him. Let me be by my husband's side," Madeline requested with an unwavering, intense gaze.

“Maddie, you can't—"

“Shut up, Ruddie," Madeline snapped. A familiar smirk followed. “You can’t order me around.”

“Nor would I at such a woman. But consider Vora.”

“Our job as parents is finished,” she said confidently.

“As you wish,” Sympha replied softly. She waved her hand, and the trio disappeared. The house was silent, and the family portrait oversaw an empty home.

***

As she promised her friends, Vora wore the eternal braid nearly daily. Klev agreed to the hairstyle change, thinking it was cute.

After grocery shopping, a downpour pelted the husband and wife in downtown White Hill. As they bolted to their HC, they giggled as their clothing became drenched, but their faces remained dry thanks to their hats.

Then, a newsstand anchored Vora instantly. She read the headline, and her mouth quivered agape. Klev, who was well ahead, came back and saw what Vora saw. He placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her close.

A radio beside the guy operating the newspaper stand added to the sorrow pile. "Leader of the Dowsers, Rudolf Snihde, has been caught. The Burning Bell will smite him and his wife on Friday."

Vora understood there was nothing she could do. Her father had chosen his path. And this was his most likely end. And her mother wouldn't live without that man's golden beard brightening her days.

Vora had no Eoa to save them. She couldn't tell others she was related to the leader of the Dowsers, as it would ruin her and Klev's lives. She couldn't even say goodbye, only watch along with everyone else her parents' execution on the MP.

***

Over Twenty years ago, when Rudolf was still a Dowser named seventy-three, he was on break from his office job in line at a coffee shop waiting for muffins. These muffins were inferior to the ones he made as a teen, but they satisfied him enough.

After some waiting, Rudolf checked his pocket watch. And the same time, a large man bumped into Rudolf and nearly knocked him over. The man didn't even acknowledge what he'd done.

"Pardon me," Rudolf muttered with a bite.

"Hey, Jackass," came a voice. A pale woman with black hair stood beside Rudolf. "Are you not going to apologize? A gentleman would."

The large man turned around. "You talking to me, woman? Don't you know who I am?"

"I think it's unwise to confront this man," Rudolf suggested, grasping her shoulder.

"Shut up," Madeline snapped, throwing him off. "You can't order me around."

"Nor would I for such a woman. I'm merely saying-"

"I own every gang in the southeast." The man stomped over. "I'm basically royalty. Rather than being mouthy, you could use that mouth for something else."

Rudolf was shoved aside, and the large man grabbed for Madeline. To everyone's amazement, she evaded the man's grasp by jumping back, flipping over him as his body lowered from a failed attack, and slammed her heel into his back before landing behind him.

The large man fell to his face, then rose, enraged. "You harlot. Acting like some kind of gymnast."

"I practiced a lot." Madeline grinned.

The man charged her, but a sharp, powerful blow hit his stomach, and he vomited, falling to his back. Rudolf's life as a Dowser forced him to have a strong body, and that was reflected in his fist. Rudolf dusted off his suit and returned to the line casually.

Madeline's jaw undropped, and she confronted the blonde bearded man. "Chivalry isn't dead then. I suppose I could reward you. I dislike debts. I'll pay for whatever you purchase."

"I'd prefer my reward to be you staying out of trouble." Rudolf requested. After an extended look at Madeline's white face, he became enthralled by her beauty. "Do you come to this coffee shop often?"

"I do now," Madeline grinned. "I'm Madeline."

"I'm Rudolf Snihde. I've decided you should repay me with your company this Saturday night."

"Very smooth, Rudolf," Madeline giggled. "I'll allow it. Don't disappoint."

***

Rudolf and Madeline were in the town square. They were bound with chains, inches from each other, staring at a crowd waiting for the leader of the Dowsers to be executed. Maiden Sympha was close, and Chimes surrounded all sides.

Rudolf looked over at Madeline. She had an unwavering expression that would make kings crumble.

"I'm sorry, Maddie. You married a fool of a man."

Madeline returned his gaze. "You're a fool to think I have regrets." She scooched closer.

A microphone was placed before Rudolf. "Say your last words, heretic," a Kindler said. Then he laughed. "Can't wait to watch you burn."

Rudolf drew a hot breath. "Whether there is a heaven or not, I'll find out shortly. But the true heaven is a free Ruth. Those were the words of my sister before she was burned alive. They call it a saving, but we cheer execution. We Dowsers fight for a free Ruth and to lift the fog that locks our country away from the rest of the world. The world is still alive."

There were mutters across the country, exchanging opinions on what the heretic was rambling about. Dowsers, who were also glued to the MPs, tried to hold back their tears.

"My era is done, and a new one will begin. I will not live to see it..." He grinned at Madeline. "But I've already had my happy ever after." Rudolf became quiet, then said, "One more thing. The most important thing...."