They left the shop and, on the way to the church, Alana could not help but give the daggers a couple of spins in her hands, feeling how well they fit in her grip.

Daiki: They’re not bad at all, huh?

Alana: Not at all. Hélix is a genius.

Daiki: In the north we have the best blacksmiths. Those from the south are good, but they will never surpass the north. In the same way, why were you looking for me?

Alana: Cain has something to tell us, it seems important. So we have to go to the church as soon as possible. I think we only need to find Eleanor and with that we will be able to go.

Daiki, with a dry sigh: All right, but it would have been better to go to the tavern as always instead of the church —he said, grumbling.

Alana: You don’t like the church either, from what I can see.

Yadiel: And it’s more than understandable, that place is only full of greedy and presumptuous people.

Daiki: Where I come from, the gods only brought problems.

Alana: Anyway, we still have to see what he wants. Let’s go to the church first; hopefully, we find Eleanor along the way.

Once they arrived at a large church not far from there, several guards could be seen training, and an impatient Cain at the door along with little Eleanor waiting.

Alana: Eleanor! How are you, dear? —he said as he approached to hug her with a big smile.

The young girl only allowed herself to be hugged by the bard; she seemed a little more accustomed to that behavior.

Eleanor: G-goo-d morning, Alana. I’m glad to see you too; it had been days since we last met.

Yadiel: Well, why did you call us, Cain? It must be important to bring us here. Also, from your face, it seems like you have a thorn in your foot.

Caín: Follow me, I have to show you something.

Circling the church after passing through the cloister, they arrived at a small garden where, after walking for a few minutes, they reached the most neglected part of it. Upon looking more closely at the surroundings, it seemed to be a cemetery. Some of the graves, eaten by roots, showed that over time only those with more money had ended up buried there. Cain, turning to look at the group, made sure everyone was paying attention. Everyone stood expectantly at what their companion wanted to share. After checking that no one else was around, he began to speak in a serious tone.

Caín: This morning I could hear some guards talking about the boy we brought. It seems he was dead. They found him lifeless in his cell the morning after he had been brought. He seemed sick, and most likely he was, because they knew no more about him. His body was cold, without blood, without signs of anything unusual... and, according to their words, it was empty.

Father Theren took charge of the case from that point, but it seems everything was forgotten. If it hadn’t been because I heard them talk, even I would think he is still in that cell.

Alana, upon hearing Cain's words, felt a shiver run down her spine. Yadiel crossed his arms with a serious and cautious look. For his part, Daiki clenched his fists tightly, letting out a growl. Eleanor was left in shock at the news of the young boy’s sad death, biting her lip slightly while maintaining a tense posture.

Alana: Empty? How does that work? Weren’t there any signs of an attack?

Caín: That’s the strangest part. According to the guards, the only wounds he had were the ones he inflicted on himself in that cave, but there were no traces of any new ones. It seemed that he simply died, without shedding a single drop of blood. But most likely, something or someone took it from him.

Eleanor: And I thought it was strange that they wouldn’t let me see him. In the following days, I tried to visit him, but Father Theren always prevented me and sent me to pray or visit other people.

Alana: Hey, and who exactly is Father Theren? You talk about him a lot, and I’ve heard some rumors, but I haven’t seen him until now.

Caín: He is one of the most important bishops in the city and does not leave the church much due to his duties. He is mainly in charge of managing the guards and prisoners. He is known for his bad temper, so to speak, but deep down he is a good person. He was one of those who raised me since I was young, so he is not as bad as people say.

Eleanor: Well, since I arrived he also received me, but he has always treated me with distance. He is really scary, always wearing that serious expression. Whenever I can, I prefer to talk to others or ask Father Eldran for help. Unlike Theren, Eldran is a very kind person.

Yadiel: In the city, there are rumors about the jealousy that Father Theren feels toward Eldran. It is even rumored that he tried to kill him in the past, and, well, it is said that he continues to try even today.

Caín: Those are blasphemies! —he shouted, reproaching Yadiel—. He only appears serious, and that’s the only reason people criticize him. But he is one of those who cares the most about the city. It is true that they don’t get along, but he would never be capable of killing anyone.

The conviction in Cain’s eyes was clear; he seemed very offended by the rumors circulating about Father Theren.

Daiki: Why did you bring us here? If the boy is dead, there’s not much more we can do.

Caín: —Letting out a sigh to calm himself, he said—. As much as it pains me to admit it, I was worried about that boy’s life, I gave my word to protect him, and I couldn’t. Even Father Theren denied me permission to continue investigating since these were major church matters. But I don’t want more children to suffer if there’s something more behind this, as he told us. I think it’s better to investigate, even if it means turning our back on it.

The surprise was evident on everyone’s faces. Eleanor looked at him with a hand on her heart, as if Cain’s words weighed more on her than expected.

Alana: Are you going to disobey the church?

Daiki: That is truly unexpected.

Yadiel: No kidding. But Cain, remember that if you decide to disobey them, they will expel you from the church, and you won’t be able to be a guard or a knight.

Caín: I know. But for some time now there has been something that isn’t right, and since we went to that cave, I feel that it was what I needed to try to investigate. I know that contradicting Father Theren’s orders will bring me punishment, but I can’t live with the remorse of more children becoming victims, much less in this city.

Eleanor, Yadiel, and Daiki, moved, remained in a brief silence; there was something in those words that weighed on all three of them.

Daiki: And where do we start? The city is very large, and we haven’t seen any more traces of that supposed organization.

Caín: That’s why I brought you here. I learned that they buried the boy right here, in this cemetery. —He pointed to a neglected part of the garden, with roots covering some old graves—. I think we need to find out more, and I don’t trust myself to do it alone.

Daiki walked toward one of the more recent tombstones, stopping in front of it. His imposing figure contrasted with the silence of the cemetery.

Daiki: Is this the place?

Caín: Yes. —He pointed to a simple grave, marked with a symbol but without a name—. The boy is here. At least, that’s what they say.

Alana looked at the tombstone with a bad feeling. There was something in the air, an almost imperceptible pressure that made it difficult to breathe. And that symbol marked on the grave seemed to be connected.

Eleanor: —Speaking in a low voice—. This isn’t right. Something else was done to him. We should investigate as much as possible before deciding what to do.

Yadiel: Of course, why not. Investigating is always a good idea. Although I must admit, the grave-robbing part isn’t my specialty yet. But Caín is right: this doesn’t add up. Why would a simple boy have his own grave? Usually, they go to mass graves.

Caín looked at Yadiel in surprise at his words, but he didn’t give them much importance and continued speaking.

Caín: That was one of the first things that surprised me.

Alana: —Sighing, resigned—. Well, I guess my day off ends here. Where do we start?

Caín: First, we could talk to Father Theren. He may not say much, but at least he can give us permission to investigate restricted areas and thus allow us to start. Afterwards, we can investigate separately and look for clues.

Yadiel: I have my own methods for investigating. If I find anything, I’ll see you at the tavern. It’s better to split up for now.

Daiki: I don’t really feel like being here either. I’ll come with you.

Alana: Alright. I’ll go with Eleanor and Caín to see Father Theren. I’m curious to find out if the rumors are true. We’ll see each other tonight. Likewise, he might be able to tell us a bit more.

After that, both Yadiel and Daiki said their goodbyes, disappearing into the streets of the city.