Arwen found them after roughly thirty minutes of walking.
They’d been kept in cages like animals, chained and left in a way that ensured that though they did not die, they also did not have the strength to ponder escaping.
Most of the captives were beggars; two, however, were not.
"Arwen." Melita breathed out in disbelief as the young lady with silver colored hair approached.
Besides the young Henosian lady was her grandfather, Theoren, who, despite being into his late sixties, still had the vigor of a forty-year-old, truly enviable.
"And here I thought that we were done for," Theoren said, clearly grateful that their days of captivity were over.
"You don’t have to worry, you are safe now," Arwen said with a warm smile in a bid to calm the hearts of those who would surely be tense at the sight of the undead beings trailing behind her.
Soon, the beggars were free, and they did not hesitate to flee, partly out of fear of the undead.
Arwen stopped, of course,, as she knew that they wouldn’t be able to get far before they would be caught by the task force officers.
Their best bet was closing the entrance to this space and conserving as much oxygen as they could while waiting for Alex to come for them.
Unfortunate as it was, Arwen wasn’t capable of teleportation, so she was forced to rely on that.
Of course, Theoren and Melita acted differently from the beggars, even moving to thank Arwen properly while her undead ensured the beggars stayed silent and the entrance to this space remained sealed.
"You aren’t scared?" Arwen asked with Theoren chuckling.
"Of course not. I have seen enough Long Nights in my life to desensitize me to such sights."
"I’d argue the same," Melita said from the side.
"Now then, the fact that you are here means that the enemies have been defeated."
"Yes, the assassins fled," Arwen replied before adding. "Though I can’t be certain if they will return."
"Their hideout has been compromised, their identities exposed. It would be difficult for them to return given the circumstances." Theoren surmised.
"Are you here alone?" Melita asked. "Did Sir Smith come with you?"
"No, but don’t worry, I am more than capable of ensuring the safety of you and Elder Theoren."
Theoren grinned as he mischievously said. "I doubt she is worried about your competency. I believe her thoughts lie elsewhere."
"Oh?" Arwen didn’t seem to grasp what Theoren was implying, while Melita replied while blushing, clearly embarrassed for some reason.
"Hmmph." Melita turned her face away, and Theoren was forced to apologize to her back into her good graces.
Watching this, Arwen smiled before recalling something, prompting her to speak up.
"Apologies, Elder, Melita, I have some questions."
"About why we were kidnapped?" Theoren asked, with Arwen nodding in response, betraying a hint of surprise that he could guess what she had in mind.
With a smile, Theoren replied. "Don’t overthink things. If I were in your shoes, I’d ask myself the same question."
"Oh... so, could you tell me why?"
"It’s simple. I was closing in on the truth, one they did not wish to get out."
"Who are they?" Arwen asked, with Theoren replying.
"How is kidnapping beggars going to help in your mission to bring back your Patron?" Alex asked, breaking the silence that had persisted for a bit too long.
Azazel met his gaze, seemingly contemplating whether he should reveal the information or not.
Ultimately, he made his decision, and with that, he answered.
Even though my Patron cannot be revived, there are ways to bring him back.
Like turning back time.
Alex frowned. "Wouldn’t that just create an alternate timeline?... It wouldn’t change the fact that the Figure is dead in this timeline."
That would be the case if the entity turning back time adhered to the Tenets of Order.
Azazel calmly pointed out, causing Alex to frown as he pondered the meaning behind the assassin’s words.
Humphrey suddenly remarked from behind, with Charlotte adding.
To my knowledge, there is an Otherworldly that rules over Distorted Time.
Then, Azazel spoke up.
The Timeless Serpent.
Eyes widening in shock, Alex immediately lashed out. "Are you insane?... What would make you think that the best way to bring back your Patron would be colluding with an Otherworldly?"
I agree with Master, Azazel.
Humphrey calmly intoned as he continued.
Using the disgusting power of the Abyss to bring back your Patron would only end up sullying His legacy. This is a deity that gave up His life to protect Henos. Do you think he would be happy to come back in such a manner?
It dishonors you and Him. Also, the chances that your Patron returns with his psyche intact and his divinity uncorrupted are quite low. Taking such a risk, just how desperate must you be?
Charlotte couldn’t help but chip in.
In truth, she was well aware of what devotion to an entity could push a person to do, after all, her death was directly tied to such circumstances.
Azazel trembled, moved by the scoldings he’d received.
I was in despair, so when it came, there was little I could do to fight back.
"This should mean you’ve been corrupted by the Abyss, but I don’t see any signs of corruption."
That’s because I wasn’t. The Serpent did not come to me directly, but instead came to me in the form of a representative. An Abyss Wheel Mystic with a mission.
"So you aren’t the one performing the ritual?" Alex asked with Azazel shaking his head.
"How did they contact you?"
It’s rather easy, after all, only with ease of contact would the Guild be able to take on missions. Of course, this one was unique with the added incentive that my Patron could be revived.
"And you took it?... Knowing fully well the consequences?"
Alex glanced at Humphrey, then at Charlotte, before shifting his attention back to Azazel.
"Who contacted you?... Who is the one intending to carry out the ritual?"
Councilwoman Thera. As of now, she is a 5th Lock Abyss Wheel Mystic.
Alex couldn’t help but freeze as a thought came to mind.
"Wait, I thought the Goddess Khanna ensured that no Abyss Wheel Mystic survived in Henos?"
"So you are telling me..."
She rose from Origin to 5th Lock in the span of roughly a year.
Alex trembled, once again realizing with displeasure that he wasn’t the only one capable of speed running a Wheel.