Chapter 8 Hollow Ground

Chapter 8 – Hollow Ground

The Cathedral loomed over Okholm like a sleeping beast, all shadow and silence. Built from ancient gray stone, its bell tower had long since stopped ringing. Locals whispered about the crypts beneath-sealed after a fire took half the original clergy. No one went near after dark. No one asked why.

Zion, Lyra, and Lang stood before the rusted gate that led down a side stairwell. Moss-covered steps descended into darkness, the air already turning cold and damp.

"Last chance to turn around," Lang muttered, checking his weapon.

"No turning," Zion said, gripping a flashlight.

Lyra stepped forward first, her hands brushing the stone as if recognizing the walls. "They used to hold their first meetings down here. Before they had the mansion halls and hidden rooms. This is the cult's birthplace."

They moved slowly, flashlights casting narrow beams through the dust. Crumbled statues and murals marked the corridor-faded depictions of saints twisted into something unholy. The deeper they went, the louder the silence seemed to hum.

At the lowest chamber, the floor dipped into a sunken circle. A stone altar stood at its center, still stained dark with old blood. Around it were symbols-burned and repainted over centuries. The crescent moon with a tear. Always watching.

Lang knelt beside the altar. "Looks like someone's been here recently."

Zion scanned the room. Footprints. Scratched stone. Candle drips.

"They're still using it," he said.

Suddenly, a soft hum began-mechanical, rising.

Lyra grabbed Zion's arm. "It's a trap."

Doors slammed above. Metal shutters rolled down over the stairwell.

"We're locked in," Lang said, weapon raised.

Then came the chanting.

From the shadows in the corners, masked figures emerged. Robed, silent. Ten... twenty... maybe more. They surrounded the chamber like ghosts from the stone.

Zion stepped forward. "We know who you are. We have proof. The world will know."

A voice answered from the altar. Smooth. Calculated.

"Then let them know what silence truly means."

It was the Mayor.

But he wasn't alone.

From behind him, a tall figure in full ceremonial robes stepped out. Not masked. His face familiar.

Chief Raleigh.

Zion's heart sank.

Raleigh raised a hand. "Zion. You should've stayed out of this."

"Why?" Zion's voice cracked. "You were supposed to protect the city."

"I am protecting it," Raleigh said. "From people like you. People who don't understand the balance. Order comes at a price."

Lyra's eyes flared. "The only balance you care about is your own power."

"Don't speak to me, witch," Raleigh snapped. "You should've stayed dead."

A gun cocked.

Lang turned his weapon on Raleigh.

"You lied to all of us," he said. "I'm not going to watch you burn the city to the ground."

Tension filled the chamber.

Zion took a step toward the altar. Toward the history. The truth. His voice rang clear:

"You think silence is strength. But it's weakness. And we're done being silent."

Suddenly, a flash grenade dropped from above.

Boom.

Smoke filled the crypt. Chaos erupted. Lang fired. Zion pulled Lyra behind a pillar. Screams. Scuffling feet. An escape path opened through the back wall-an old sewer route.

They ran.

The darkness behind them howled.

But they weren't done yet.

You could see fear in our eyes

Should we back down I thought

But if we did not,

This menaces will still continue

The town will rot under their disgust hands

Something had to be done

While there I looked into Lyras eye

Telling her to promise to be safe if anything happens to me.

I glanced far looking straight into the Raleigh's eye

Vengeful of the betrayal I received from him

I sprang at him

Holding his neck saying the words

"Why would you do this"

How could you betrayed the city

They trusted you and this is how you pay them back

By plotting against every good Fortune

For the city,

How could you

"I cried out loud "

The sky Faded into a Husky hue.

I could still see myself staring into his eyes

Droplets of Rain began to fall like a whisper of sorrow from the heavens.

In the opening of the chamber

Raleigh, He stopped moving

but the mayor,

where did the end of the tunnel lead to.

But while all that was happening

The mayor Had run into the fog of the night

I Had to go after him

He was the answer to all this

With one word He could stop all this

But the problem was he was controlled

I had to know what they had on him

Or was it HIM

Who murdered his son

I gasped in my thoughts

While after him...