The town was ablaze with whispers and fearful glances, the gruesome discovery of the butchered child casting a pall over the usually bustling streets. Arteus, his eyes haunted by the memory of the lifeless form, knew he couldn't stay idle. He had to find the monster responsible, to ensure that no other innocent soul suffered the same fate. His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Ava, her eyes wide with shock and horror at the scene before her.

Her eyes searched his, and he could see the question in them: "What happened?" Arteus took a shaky breath, recounting the little he knew. Ava's face paled, and she nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. Without a word, she approached the body, her eyes scanning the grisly scene with a mix of sorrow and determination. Her hands hovered over the lifeless form, and a faint blue light began to emanate from her fingertips, casting a ghostly glow on the crimson-stained ground.

The townsfolk watched with bated breath, hoping for a miracle, for the girl they had dubbed the "Goddess of Sovereign" to bring the child back to life. But Arteus knew better. He had seen the corpse's state, the cold, unyielding stillness that no magic could shake. He stepped forward, placing a firm but gentle hand on Ava's shoulder. "It's too late," he said softly, his voice filled with regret. "The body is long gone."

Ava's eyes snapped to his, filled with a fierce determination that surprised him. She shrugged off his grip. "I have to try," she said, her voice steely. "I can't just let this stand."

Arteus knew that look, the stubborn set of her jaw that meant she would not be moved. He took a step back, his hand hovering in the air for a moment before falling to his side. "You're not a god," he reminded her gently. "You can't save everyone."

But Ava's eyes remained fixed on the lifeless form, the blue glow of her magic pulsing stronger. He watched as she leaned down, her hands hovering just above the boy's chest. The air around her crackled with energy, and for a brief moment, Arteus allowed himself to hope. But as the light grew brighter, the smell of decay grew stronger, and the reality of the situation settled heavily upon him.

With a sigh, he turned away from the grim spectacle and pushed through the murmuring crowd. His steps were filled with purpose as he made his way to the tavern, where he knew he would find the one person who might hold the answers. The cobblestone streets felt cold and unforgiving beneath his boots, the buildings around him seeming to lean in as if whispering dark secrets.

As he approached the tavern, he saw a familiar figure standing in the doorway, a man who had been a constant thorn in his side since their arrival in Sovereign. Wyatt, Tobias' loyal pup, had a smug look on his face, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the scene. Arteus felt his anger flare, his grip tightening on the axe at his side. Without a word, he pushed past the man, his shoulder knocking into Wyatt's.

The tavern was ablaze with the light of a hundred candles, the flickering flames throwing shadows across the faces of the townsfolk who had gathered inside. At the sight of Arteus, the whispers grew to a murmur, and all eyes turned to him. He didn't bother to acknowledge them. His eyes searched the room until he found what he was looking for: Tobias Kingg, seated at a table in the corner, a goblet of wine in one hand, the other playing idly with the strings of a lute.

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With a purposeful stride, Arteus approached the man, his hand tightening around the axe's handle. "What did you do?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Tobias looked up, his eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "I assume nothing," he said mildly, his fingers still playing the strings of the lute. The music was soft and haunting, a melody that seemed to resonate with the very air around them. "But you, my dear Arteus, have made quite the assumption."

Arteus felt his blood boil. "The child's murder," he said through gritted teeth. "I know you're involved somehow."

Tobias' smile never wavered. "Ah, you noticed the sigil," he said, his eyes gleaming with something that could almost be amusement. "Indeed, it is the Holy Cross of the Avarician faith. But why would I, a mere traveler, leave such a mark?" He took a sip from his goblet, his eyes never leaving Arteus'.

Arteus' hand tightened around the axe, but before he could respond, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He spun around to find a priest, his eyes filled with a mix of caution and understanding. "Be careful with your accusations, son," the priest murmured, his voice a soothing balm in the tension-filled tavern. "Tobias Kingg is a man of peace, a leader we've come to trust."

But Arteus could not be swayed by the priest's words. The image of the mutilated child was burned into his mind's eye, the scent of death lingering in his nose. He knew that this 'leader' was not what he seemed. "I don't care what you say," he spat, turning back to face Kingg. "I know what I've seen, and I won't rest until I've uncovered the truth."

With a dramatic flourish, Arteus threw the axe down, the weapon clattering against the wooden floor, the sound echoing through the tavern. The room fell silent, the only sound the flickering of candles. He knew the weapon was a symbol of his rage, his thirst for vengeance, and by discarding it, he was rejecting the path of violence that Kingg seemed to embody. The priest's eyes widened in shock, while Kingg's smile grew, his eyes gleaming with something akin to amusement.

"I'm leaving," Arteus announced, his voice clear and firm. The words hung in the air, a declaration that seemed to shake the very foundation of the room. "I won't be a pawn in your twisted game."

Tobias' smile grew, if that was possible, and he leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking beneath him. "Ah, so destiny's child decides to leave the safety of his cage," he said, his tone laden with mockery. "But to where, I wonder?"

Before Arteus could reply, the tavern door swung open, and Lady Kathleen and Sam Bower stepped inside, their eyes scanning the room until they found Tobias. The crowd parted like a sea before them, whispers of their names echoing through the room. The tension grew palpable as the two approached, their footsteps heavy with the weight of their reputations.

Without looking at Arteus, Kathleen spoke in a calm but firm voice, "Leave us, please. This doesn't concern you." There was a subtle undercurrent of power in her tone, a command that brooked no argument.

As Arteus stormed out of the tavern, Kathleen turned to face Tobias, her smile never wavering. It was a smile that could either disarm or terrify, and in that moment, it was clear that it was the latter. "So, what do we do next?" she said, her voice low and filled with the promise of a storm.

Just what was happening in Sovereign?

-To Be Continued-