Thadeus and Elias shove the double doors open together. Cold air spills out of the central chamber like breath from a cellar.
Elizabeth Bathory hangs in the center of the room, a few feet above the floor. Two hulking figures flank her, still as pillars, while ash drifts over the stone.
Thadeus Jovanović
She is the center point.
The Peacebringer pulses hard in Thadeus's hand, bright enough to tint his knuckles blue. Elias stops at his shoulder, staring past him into the chamber.
Elizabeth Bathory
You made it this far. Good. Now we can finish the handoff.
Her voice lands cleanly in the stale room, not loud, but impossible to ignore. The hulking figures do not move, yet their presence seals off the last easy exit.
Thadeus stands at the threshold with the weapon burning in his palm, the courthouse finally revealing the woman at the heart of the Revenant's trap.
✓ Quest Accepted
Defeat Elizabeth Bathory
“Thadeus shouts to Elizabeth, "You will not have Peacebringer. I know what you intend to do with it. You have much to explain about what the Revenant are doing and hoping to achieve." Elizabeth smiles warmly, "If you can defeat my two golem here, and bring me down, maybe I'll give you that explanation." With that, she laughs and flies over to the upper floor seats in the courtroom out of range for Thadeus and Elias, while the two hulking figures rush Thadeus.”
SUCCESS (Great Strength, rolled -1)
Thadeus Jovanović
You do not get the Peacebringer. Explain what the Revenant are doing, and what you intend.
Elizabeth Bathory
If you can bring my two golem down and reach me, maybe I will.
She laughs, lifts off in a blur, and lands on the upper seating before Thadeus can close the distance. The two hulking figures surge forward at once.
Thadeus plants his feet and meets the rush head-on, driving the first body off line with the Peacebringer's glowing weight.
Elias flinches back, then braces at Thadeus's shoulder as the second giant crashes in from the side. Ash kicks up in a gray sheet around their boots.
One hulking figure staggers into a row of broken pews, forcing the aisle open for a breath. The other squares up in front of Thadeus, arms spread wide, blocking the path to Elias.
Elizabeth watches from the seats above, smiling down through the haze. The chamber has split into distance, rubble, and a fight Thadeus can no longer avoid.
✓ Quest Accepted
Defeat the two hulking figures
− Scene Quest Removed
Defeat Elizabeth Bathory
“Can the Holy Cross that Elias wields damage either hulking figure?”
YES (Likely, rolled 44)
As Elias swings the Holy Cross in a desperate arc to ward off the encroaching giant, the silver metal catches the dim light of the chamber. Upon contact with the hulking figure's shoulder, the cross flares with a sudden, searing heat that causes the creature to recoil and hiss in pain.
Thadeus Jovanović
The cross is not just a relic. It burns them just like the whip.
“Thadeus tells Elias to throw the cross at the hulking figure. Elias steps back and flings the cross at the creature, which manages to strike the creatures arm and cut it cleanly off. As it passes through, the cross returns back to Elias, who catches it just like a boomerang. Meanwhile, Thadeus dodges out of the way of the 2nd hulking figure who swings wildly at Thadeus.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Thadeus Jovanović
Elias, throw it at him!
Elias snaps back a half-step, then whips the Holy Cross forward. The metal spins end over end toward the hulking figure.
Thadeus slips aside as the second giant swings wild, the blow tearing only air where he stood a heartbeat ago.
The cross bites into the hulking figure’s arm, and the limb comes clean away in a burst of smoke and heat.
The severed arm drops into the ash, while the cross snaps back through the air toward Elias.
Elias the Shopkeeper
Got it!
Elias catches the returning Holy Cross against his chest, breath ragged, as the maimed giant reels and the second one turns toward Thadeus, now fully exposed.
“Catching the 2nd hulking creature off-balance, Thadeus twirls Peacebringer in the air and extends the whip toward the creature. Surprisingly, the hulking figure is swift enough to duck right past the whip. As this is happening, Elias hurts the cross again at the 1st hulking figure, this time severing through the creature's head, causing it to collapse and turn into dust.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Thadeus snaps the Peacebringer up in a tight arc, then lashes it low across the second giant’s path. The chain sings through ash and heat.
The hulking figure ducks hard, but the move takes it where Thadeus wants it, off balance and open. The whip slides past its shoulder and snaps back toward his hand.
Elias surges in with the Holy Cross, striking the wounded giant again. White light flares across the chamber, bright enough to bleach the broken pews.
The first hulking figure loses its head in a burst of smoke and grit, then collapses into dust where it stood.
Elias the Shopkeeper
Thadeus, left!
Thadeus pivots with the recoil, and the second creature’s missed rush carries it straight into the open lane Elias just created.
The chamber shifts all at once, one giant gone, the other exposed, and Elizabeth Bathory frozen above the aisle as the air around the impact point still shimmers.
“Without hesitation, Elias tosses the Holy cross towards the remaining hulking creature, flying true and severing the creature in two. The creatures falls to the ground, turning into dust. Thadeus eyes dart up towards Elizabeth. She is smiling maniacally, shouting "Your both much stronger than you were before, but it makes little difference. Your little toys won't work on me. You're going to have to get...a little closer." She winks at Thadeus, filling him with rage. Thadeus tells Elias to call Marla and ask how they can get to the upper seats of the central courtroom. Thadeus will distract Elizabeth while Elias finds out.”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +3)
Thadeus keeps his body angled toward Elizabeth, giving Elias the opening he needs. The chamber holds its breath under the drifting heat haze.
Thadeus Jovanović
Call Marla. Ask her how we get to the upper seats.
Elias snaps the Holy Cross back into his grip and reaches for his phone without looking away from the pulpit.
Elizabeth Bathory
Stronger, both of you, and still it changes nothing. Your little toys will not work on me. You will need to come a little closer.
She smiles with bright, ugly delight, then winks at Thadeus. Elias starts speaking into the phone, low and urgent, while dust still drifts where the giant fell.
Marla
Use the side aisle. There is a service stair behind the left choir screen. If the gate is open, take it now.
Elias looks up from the call and gives Thadeus a tight nod, already moving. Marla's answer lands like a clean route drawn through the chaos, and Elizabeth's grin sharpens as she realizes they have it.
Quest Complete
Defeat the two hulking figures
New Gift: Imposing Presence