The cathedral feeling fades out of the warehouse office like breath from cold glass. Dust hangs in the slanted light, and the desk between them looks ordinary again.
Thadeus stays on the floor a beat longer, then pushes himself up and steadies the invoice with one hand. The room is quiet enough to hear the building settling around them.
Elizabeth Bathory
Tell me you are here with me again.
Thadeus Jovanović
Her voice is shaking, but she is still watching him.
Elizabeth reaches for his wrist, then loosens her grip as soon as she feels him steady. Her shoulders drop a little, like she is letting herself believe the moment is over.
Elizabeth Bathory
That room tried to split everything open. I did not like how close it got.
Thadeus folds the invoice and sets it beside the desk lamp, not solving it, just putting it down for now. Elizabeth lets out a thin, tired breath and leans back in the chair opposite him.
Elizabeth Bathory
Stay with me a minute, then we can look at it together.
“Thadeus leans forward and gently kisses Elizabeth's forehead, "Yes, I'm here. Something about seeing the initials on that invoice set off a feeling of doubt, and I became paralyzed." Thadeus continues, "This weapon, Peacebringer, it almost knows me better than I know myself. We have to find out who is EB. I know it isn't you, Elizabeth." Elizabeth's face warms as her heart races, relief overcoming the look of fear she had before. Her smiles quickly fades, however, as she shares, "I think I may know who the initials stand for. Please don't hate me for it." In a moment of realization, Thadeus knows too. "Elias. Elias Belmont". The room suddenly becomes very cold.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Thadeus leans across the narrow space and presses a gentle kiss to Elizabeth’s forehead. The contact lands soft, certain, and real.
Thadeus Jovanović
Yes, I am here. Seeing those initials hit me with doubt, and I froze for a second.
Thadeus Jovanović
Peacebringer feels like it knows me better than I know myself. We have to find out who EB is. I know it is not you, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Bathory
Relief warms her face before the smile slips away, and she looks like she is bracing herself.
Elizabeth Bathory
I think I may know who the initials stand for. Please do not hate me for it.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elias. Elias Belmont.
The words settle hard between them, and the office seems to cool around the desk lamp.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn what Elias Belmont is hiding
“Does Elias know about the initials on the invoice?”
YES, AND MORE (Likely, rolled 2)
Elizabeth pulls a small, worn notebook from her pocket, her fingers trembling as she flips to a page filled with Elias's meticulous, cramped handwriting.
Elizabeth Bathory
He did not just know about them, Thadeus. He was the one who designed the cipher.
Thadeus Jovanović
The man who offered us shelter in his bunker was the architect of the very system hunting us.
“Thadeus determines the shipment has to wait. He's afraid that Marla may not be safe waiting for them outside. "Elizabeth, we have to get to Marla. Now." Elizabeth, now reassured by Thadeus, "Let's get to her quickly..." As soon as the words escape her, an intercom can be heard in the distance, sending a message to all personnel that there intruders in the building. "Shoot, the SoD know we're here, let's get moving." Thadeus and Elizabeth race out of the room and toward the locked service door they used to get inside.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -2)
Thadeus is on his feet before the page settles, chair scraping hard as he reaches for the desk edge and pivots toward the door. Elizabeth folds the notebook shut and moves with him, the shock in her face turning sharp and focused.
Thadeus Jovanović
Elizabeth, we have to get to Marla. Now.
Elizabeth Bathory
Let's get to her quickly...
A distant intercom crackles to life somewhere in the warehouse, a flat voice warning personnel that intruders are in the building. The message hangs in the hallway like a flare.
Thadeus Jovanović
Shoot, the Stars of Divinity know we're here, let's get moving.
Thadeus and Elizabeth burst out of the office and hit the hall at a run, the hidden invoice pressed flat in Elizabeth's hand as they cut for the service route. Their boots pound past the stamped office doors and the broken-star marks on the wall.
They reach the locked service door Thadeus used before, and this time it swings open under his shoulder. The cost lands in the slam behind them, loud enough to carry down the corridor and give away their direction.
“Thadeus and Elizabeth are now outside of the warehouse. To their left, they see three men in dark security guard suits running in their direction. About two block straight ahead of them, they see the silhouette of Marla's car. Thadeus can see she's still inside, safe and sound. "Thank god," he says to himself. Behind Thadeus and Elizabeth, a voice says, "No, thank the Stars." A great physical energy blasts Thadeus and Elizabeth 20 feet away from the warehouse, sending the rolling over the concrete. Thadeus's trenchcoat is scuffed up, and a large bruise is forming on his left arm. Elizabeth's skirt is torn at the seam, barely holding it together. Dazed, both Thadeus and Elizabeth stand up to face the warehouse and see Donny Ramirez, the leader of the Stars of Divinity.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Thadeus and Elizabeth spill into the alley, where the night air hits cold and hard. Ahead, Marla’s car waits under the warehouse lights, but three men in dark suits break into a sprint from the left.
Thadeus Jovanović
Thank god.
Unknown Voice
No, thank the Stars.
A force slams into them from behind and hurls both of them across the concrete. Thadeus rolls, his trenchcoat scraping raw, and pain blooms heavy in his left arm.
Elizabeth skids to a stop beside him, her skirt torn at the seam, one hand already pushing herself back up. The warehouse door stands open behind them like a mouth.
Donny Ramirez
You should have stayed in the car.
Thadeus gets his feet under him and faces the warehouse. In the doorway stands Donny Ramirez, calm in the spill of light, while the three guards fan out and the car with Marla inside remains visible down the block.
Quest Complete
Locate Donny Ramirez
New Gift: Missing Persons Specialist
“Thadeus turns to Elizabeth, "Get to Marla, and get her to safety." Elizabeth initially resists, not wanting to leave Thadeus alone, but Thadeus insists, "I promise I'm okay. They won't surprise me twice." A mischevious smile sneaks across her face, "Okay, but don't make me have to come rescue you." Thadeus smiles, mouthing "I love you" to Elizabeth. Elizabeth rushes to Marla's car, and tells her to drive away. Marla, initially questions it, but sees Elizabeth's determination and complies. Meanwhile, stands and faces Donny and his guards, Peacebringer in his right hand.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Thadeus Jovanović
Get to Marla, and get her to safety.
Elizabeth Bathory
No. Not if it means leaving you here alone.
Thadeus Jovanović
I promise I'm okay. They won't surprise me twice.
Elizabeth Bathory
Okay, but don't make me have to come rescue you.
Thadeus gives her a small smile and mouths the words to her before turning back to the doorway. Elizabeth breaks into a quick run for Marla's car, notebook tucked tight as the guards hesitate for a beat.
Marla Brewer
Elizabeth? What is going on out there?
Elizabeth Bathory
Drive. Now. Get away from the warehouse.
Marla sees the look on her face, drops the question, and the car pulls off the curb. Thadeus rises into the open with Peacebringer in his right hand, blue light gathering around the weapon as Donny and his guards hold the alley.
“The three armed guards rush Thadeus, when he hears a voice, "Are you ready?" Peacebringer echoes in his mind. Thadeus smirks, thinking, "Yes, no more room for doubt." Thadeus focuses, returning Peacebringer to its normal form, and whips the weapons across his body, striking all three guards and dropping them to the ground.”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +4)
The three guards surge out at him in a tight rush, but Thadeus does not give them room. Peacebringer flashes in his grip, then collapses back into its true shape as his focus locks.
Peacebringer
Are you ready?
Thadeus Jovanović
Yes, no more room for doubt.
He whips the chain across his body in one clean sweep. The first guard drops hard, then the second folds, then the third hits the concrete a beat later, weapons skittering apart.
The alley opens for a breath. Donny Ramirez stays back in the doorway, watching Thadeus with a narrow, measuring stare while Marla’s car keeps pulling away down the block.
One of the fallen guards has a radio still crackling under his shoulder, and from inside the warehouse comes the slam of a second door locking shut.
“Thadeus walks over to the radio, and brings Peacebringer down on it, destroying it. Thadeus looks back towards Donny, "You really went out of your way to get my attention." Donny has an evil smirk go across his face, "You have your friend Elias to thank for that." Thadeus, his anger rising, "What does Elias have to do with this? Your cult is blackmailing him to sell you equipment, I've seen the documents." Donny laughs harder, maniacally. "You really don't know, do you? He's not being blackmailed. He's selling his equipment to us, because he wants our help."”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +3)
Thadeus steps to the crackling radio and brings Peacebringer down hard. The plastic body bursts apart, the static cuts dead, and the alley finally goes quiet.
Thadeus Jovanović
You really went out of your way to get my attention.
Donny Ramirez
You have your friend Elias to thank for that.
Thadeus Jovanović
What does Elias have to do with this? Your cult is blackmailing him to sell you equipment, I have seen the documents.
Donny Ramirez
You really don't know, do you? He is not being blackmailed. He is selling his equipment to us, because he wants our help.
The broken radio spits one last spark beside Thadeus’s boot. Donny’s grin widens, and from deeper in the warehouse a door latch clicks open, like someone inside has just heard enough.
“Thadeus looks impatiently at Donny, "What do you mean Elias needs your help?" Donny speaks, with a hint mocking, "He told me about how his brother passed away. How very sad." Donny continues, "Your friend found out about our group and its rather 'unique' practices. I'm a little surprised he didn't tell you." Thadeus's grip tightens on Peacebringer, "Tell me what?" Donny grins wide, his eyes equally wide, "We can bring people back from the dead." Thadeus's eyes go wide, "You are crazy!"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Thadeus Jovanović
What do you mean Elias needs your help?
Donny Ramirez
He told me about his brother dying. Tragic, really.
Donny Ramirez
Then your friend found our group, and our little habits. I’m surprised he did not tell you.
Thadeus Jovanović
Tell me what?
Donny Ramirez
We bring people back from the dead.
Thadeus Jovanović
You are crazy.
Donny’s smile stays fixed, but his eyes sharpen. Behind him, the warehouse door hangs open on a dim interior and the new latch click seems to wait for someone to step through.
“Thadeus decides he has heard enough, declaring, "I've got evidence of your bribery, no matter how you spin it. You can turn yourself into the authorities or I can strike you down now, what's your pick?" Donny chuckles, "I think you're forgetting option three, my friend." Before Thadeus can respond, Donny twirls his right hand in a star shape, followed by three slashes through it. Suddenly, a purple glow engulfed the three unconscious guards on the ground. Thadeus jumps back, "What did you do, Donny?" Donny puts his hands back in pockets causally leaning against the service door, "I'm doing what I said, I'm bringing the dead back to life." Thadeus watches in horror as the three guards rise from the ground, their eyes white, skin pale Grey and mouths agape, slowly walk towards Thadeus.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Thadeus Jovanović
I've got evidence of your bribery. Turn yourself in, or I strike you down now. What's your pick?
Donny Ramirez
I think you're forgetting option three, my friend.
Donny flicks his right hand up, tracing a star in the air, then three hard slashes through it. Purple light floods over the three guards on the concrete.
Thadeus Jovanović
What did you do, Donny?
Donny Ramirez
I'm doing what I said. I'm bringing the dead back to life.
The guards haul themselves upright, skin gone gray, eyes blank white, mouths hanging open as they start toward Thadeus.
“With the zombies moving towards Thadeus, Donny bellows with laughter, levitate off the ground and flies back into the warehouse, the doors slamming shut behind him, safely inside. Thadeus swings Peacebringer at the closest zombie, striking it directly in the head, causing the body to burst in flames, dusting the creature.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Thadeus snaps his arm through the nearest corpse as it lurches into range. Peacebringer catches the guard square in the head, and the body erupts in a hard burst of flame and ash, collapsing into dust at his feet.
Donny Ramirez
That is the spirit. Keep swinging, Thadeus.
Donny throws his head back with a laugh and rises off the ground, drifting backward toward the warehouse doors.
The service doors slam shut behind him with a metallic crash, cutting the alley off from the light inside.
The two remaining guards keep coming, slack-faced and empty-eyed, stepping through the drifting ash where their fallen partner stood.
Thadeus Jovanović
He is gone inside, and the alley just got smaller.
Elizabeth stays just behind Thadeus, tense and ready, while the dead guard's remains skitter over the concrete between them and the sealed door.
“Before he realizes, one of the zombies is baring down on Thadeus. Just before the creature can grab Thadeus, Elizabeth appears behind Thadeus and claws at the zombies head, decapitating the creature and dropping it to the ground. Thadeus turns around to see Elizabeth, panting, "I told you not to make me save you." A smile grows across her face. Thadeus responds, "I guess I'll have to make it up to you. Why did you come back for me? Is Marla safe?" As the third zombies approaches, Elizabeth rushes and claws its neck, slaying the monster. Elizabeth returns her hands back to normal, then points behind Thadeus, "She's behind you." Thadeus turns around, sees Marla waving to him, safely in her car. Thadeus sighs, then laughs,"Of course she is."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
The last guard lunges in close, but Elizabeth is suddenly at Thadeus’s back, all speed and teeth. Her hands rake across the creature’s neck, and the body drops in a limp heap before it can grab him.
Elizabeth Bathory
I told you not to make me save you.
Thadeus turns, and she is there breathing hard, a fierce smile breaking through the strain. The alley feels smaller now, but the dead thing at their feet is still.
Thadeus Jovanović
I guess I’ll have to make it up to you. Why did you come back for me? Is Marla safe?
The third guard shuffles in from the ash, and Elizabeth is already moving again. She snaps to its throat, tears through the attack, and lets it fall before it reaches him.
Elizabeth Bathory
She’s behind you.
Thadeus turns. Marla is in her car, one hand lifted in a quick wave, alive and out of reach. The tension breaks out of him in a long breath, then a laugh.
Thadeus Jovanović
Of course she is.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach an understanding with Elizabeth about what happened
− Scene Quest Removed
Learn what Elias Belmont is hiding
“Thadeus explains the confrontation with Donny Ramirez to Elizabeth. Thadeus explains that Elias made some sort of pact with Donny and the SoD in hopes to bring his brother, Trevor back to life. Elizabeth's eyes go wide, "That's ridiculous, how could they do that?" Thadeus points to the three corpses. Thadeus continues, "This was Donny's work. Apparently the Stars of Divinity practice necromancy. I'm afraid to think of what other dark powers the group possesses." Elizabeth doesn't seem convinced, "Thadeus, Elias would know that it wouldn't be Trevor that would come back, it would be a mindless husk that would kill him." Thadeus sighs, "I think if you lost someone dear to you, you'd do anything to bring them back." Elizabeth walks over to Thadeus, sliding her around his back, "Love is funny that way, isn't it?" Thadeus smiles in agreement, and the two walk to Marla's car. "Come on, we've got to find Elias."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Thadeus eases toward the car, then slows when Elizabeth falls into step beside him. The alley is quieter now, with the sealed doors and spent ash behind them.
Thadeus Jovanović
Donny and Elias made some kind of pact. Elias wanted Trevor back, and the Stars of Divinity promised he would get help.
Elizabeth Bathory
That is ridiculous. How could they do that?
Thadeus tips his chin toward the three ruined shapes on the concrete, letting the sight answer for him. Elizabeth’s expression shifts as she studies the bodies and the scorched patch of alley.
Thadeus Jovanović
This was Donny’s work. I think the Stars of Divinity practice necromancy, and I do not like thinking about what else they can do.
Elizabeth Bathory
Thadeus, Elias would know it would not be Trevor. It would come back wrong. Empty. A thing that kills him.
Thadeus Jovanović
I think if you lost someone dear to you, you would do anything to bring them back.
Elizabeth steps close and slides an arm around his back, anchoring him for a moment in the cold alley light.
Elizabeth Bathory
Love is funny that way, isn’t it?
Thadeus smiles, small but real. Together they start toward Marla’s car, leaving the dead at their feet and the warehouse doors shut tight behind them.
Thadeus Jovanović
Come on, we have to find Elias.
Quest Complete
Reach an understanding with Elizabeth about what happened