Dungeon Raider System

Where did Jon go or why did Mister Scofield relieved him from his duty where questions Uriel could not care any less after finally meeting someone who not only seemed to have the answers he desperately looked for, but was also keen on sharing them freely.

Sister Marianne not only confirmed their theory about biological fields, but she went even further and declared the same was also true about all living creatures which obviously piqued Luna's interest beyond what words could express.

"What evidence do you possess to support that claim?" Luna asked wishing for a document explaining the data to appear out of thin air, though what sister Marianne offered was even better.

"Maybe you've never heard of it, but there's a way to photograph biological fields. It's an obscure procedure called..."

"Kirlian photography... but it's been discredited." Uriel shook his head.

"It was discredited, just as the existence of cryptids and most of legends about heroes of the old times, just like past civilizations with miraculous technology, orichalcum and so many other secrets the Vatican has kept a secret for centuries." Marianne explained under the blank stare of the three Dungeon Raiders.

"I could probably make one of those if you describe me the principle behind it." Medusa said, eager to get to work.

"There won't be a need for that," Marianne replied as she stood up and walked towards the door. "I have one at the ready and you can see first hand how it works."

"If what you said is true, then a Kirlian camera would help us identify gods and even cryptids before they even become a threat." Medusa said.

"And now I know why Saint Germain had altars, terianthropic figures and strange photographies in his old mansion in Louisiana. He must have been researching a way to capture biological fields on a camera." Uriel added and Luna finished.

"That would also explain the presence of the Letieche you mentioned in your report. It must have been his test subject."

"Hang on, that would also imply he knows how to build a dungeon... Is that even possible?" Asked Medusa to the nun.

"Jon said you guys were smart and he wasn't kidding, but I'm afraid I can't help you with anything related to dungeons." She sighed.

"So, you're still bound to secrecy." Uriel let out disappointed.

"No, the only thing the Vatican knows about them is that they're underground structures with mystical properties. It wasn't until the Mapple corporation found Atlantis that they learned about their existence. But we do have access to many documents from past eras, artifacts so mysterious we haven't been able to decipher them even to this day and if you help me, I can see that the Vatican sends you a formal invitation to enter the vaults."

The moment Marianne offered them that, she went from an outsider to the most beautiful person they've ever seen. She was kind and had a gentle air to her but the most important thing was that she lived up to it with every word she spoke. Dealing with conceited people was Uriel's daily bread, but against an honest person he was completely disarmed.

"Fine, tell us what you need." Uriel said in the same fashion he would if someone asked to borrow money.

"Apparently, the gods have decided to reveal themselves to humans and they're now looking for their emissaries. They will appeal to people's desires and lust for power by offering them many gifts and blessings. This doesn't sound so bad, but there is no way this city is prepared for such an event and it will only cause casualties."

"And they don't care about it, because to them, human life is only worth anything when they're being sacrificed to them." Uriel added.

"That is correct, they do feed on our blood and sould, but don't think them evil just because they consume us. In fact, they're the ones who will put their necks on the line to restore balance in the world just like they attempted in the past, only we are hoping the outcome is different than what happened back then." Marianne's face became bitter as though the memories of her past have come to haunt them all of a sudden.

"So, Lister was right," Uriel said with a wry smile. "the gods stepped in to help humanity and defend it, but humans turned on them."

"Well, yes... kind of. No one knows what actually happened, the only thing we're certain of is that we are now facing an extinction level event." Marianne said after gulping down a lump of saliva.

"If you're asking us to fight the gods, then you better have access to the Vatican vaults because it's not going to be cheap." Uriel said.

"Deary me, there's no way I could ever ask anyone to do something like that. That is what Mister Hunter and Mister Quill are doing right now. I only need your company's help to perform a little ceremony, that is all."

"Uhm....," Luna pondered her words and lingered for a few seconds, though whether it was because she debated inwardly if it was a good idea to speak or just because she was annoying became unclear when she finally spoke. "priests are supposed to be on the side of the gods. Why would you want to oppose them?"

"She is correct," Uriel added to the distrust by explaining even further. "priests are a link to the divine while we mortals belong to the profane world. If the ceremony you want to perform is an exorcism, then it doesn't make sense at all. They're usually performed to cast away demons, not sacred beings."

"That is correct, but as I mentioned before, there are many gods and they all have different values. We picked the side of those whose morals are more convenient for humanity and help them to prevail against the most dangerous ones. It is how we've kept civilization running from the beginnings of time and how it's going to work until the last day of humanity." Sister Marianne's soft voice took nothing from the chilling meaning of her words prompting Uriel to rally the Dungeon Raiders on the spot.

Even though Uriel had tried hard for the longest time to find it in himself to care about strangers, he had been unable to. But this time, it wasn't just about him or his friends, but the entirety of species as a whole.

"Who cares if they feed on our souls, if they're evil or whatever. If striking a deal with them is the only way to survive, then we'll do it." He said to his men and women before heading out to the appointed place which unsurprisingly, was a church.

Most churches had been demolished, but not this one. Its large entrance seemingly made for creatures larger than humans, the long beams and open hall had all been updated to modern standards and they fused the entire building with a skyscraper that soon became an office building for mid tier companies.

It had been around two decades since the last time it held a religious ceremony of any kind, but according to Marianne the ground in that place remained consecrated despite the passing of time and it was a good enough explanation to Uriel.

Marianne then gave everyone a sheet of paper with words written in an ancient language none of them could speak, though the same applied to the rest of humanity. It was so ancient, humanity only knew its name.

"Enochian... huh. Now I see why you needed help from my company."

"Yes, Jon mentioned your company deals with ancient artifacts and that all of you can at least read phonetics. This is the transcription of an ancient exorcism which your men will have to recite as soon as they bring the first god." Marianne said then invited Uriel, Luna and Medusa into the building while keeping all the others outside.

"What do you mean first god? How many will they bring?" Uriel asked.

"As many as they can... that said, they could fail to bring even one. I don't know how strong they are, but they seemed pretty confident."

"If you needed the help of our men, then why do you need us inside?" Medusa asked.

"I can answer that," Uriel said with an excited look on his face. "an exorcism is a ritual in which..."

"Please don't... the short version will do." Medusa massaged her temple as if to prevent an incoming headache.

"In short, they'll bring people possessed by gods and Sister Marianne will attempt to forcefully cast out the being inside the human. Do you think they'll like that?"

"I see... it's just like when I first started experimenting on humans." Luna nodded, thinking back on the time where she just arrived at the city with her sister and they caught many specimens who attempted to take advantage of two lonely girls unaware of their lycanthrope condition.

"Actually... is there a chance that you would be willing to perform the ceremony?" Sister Marianne awkwardly asked Uriel the single most exciting thing anyone could ever ask an archaeologist with a knack for traditional ceremonies which was to perform an exorcism.