Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 215: Much to be done

Chapter 215: Much to be done

A myriad of stars bearing images of his lost memories floated past in the night sky of Evernight.

Alex lay on the obsidian-covered ground, his gaze locked above as an indescribable emotion permeated his being.

From Arwen to Nadia, each one had done everything to ensure he survived, placing their hopes in his hands.

It seemed too much to bear but Alex intended to repay their goodwill in kind.

It made it even better after he’d recovered the last bit of his memories just before he arrived in Popolis.

There was much to be done... and he could wait no longer.

***

He opened his eyes to find himself back in the apartment with the middle-aged priest still seated before him, chanting a verse from the Noxus with an effigy that bore the likeness of rising waves swinging silently within his upraised palms.

"You are awake." Gerald’s voice drew him away from his temporary reverie, allowing him to look away just as the middle-aged priest paused his chanting.

"Did it work?" Thomas asked.

Alex pursed his lips before nodding thoughtfully. "Mn, I have regained my memories and with it... my mind that was once foggy is clear."

"That’s good." Thomas nodded as he spoke before adding. "Then we should leave at once, we have to make preparations."

"Indeed, we must but before that..." Alex trailed off as he raised his right hand and without warning, snapped.

A moment later, Eternal Night unfurled around the apartment, preventing anyone from going out or coming in.

The trio quickly grew apprehensive as the middle-aged priest backed away while Thomas and Gerald reached for their weapons.

"What is the meaning of this, Alex?" Gerald asked, his question hinting that he didn’t wish to engage in a confrontation with a man he chose to trust.

Of course, it was out of desperation but regardless, it remained that he gave him that benefit of the doubt.

Alex wasn’t about to not repay him for the goodwill shown. "Don’t worry, I am doing this for your benefit?"

"What benefit are you talking about?" Thomas asked, his words not as nice as Gerald but this was to be expected.

Alex nevertheless remained calm as he took a deep breath, taking a moment to arrange his thoughts before addressing the trio. "As I said, I have regained my memories and with it, the fog that clouded my mind has cleared, allowing me to think properly."

"What does that have to do with why you trapped 3 of Popolis’ last defenders in such a strange barrier." Thomas shot back, his gaze revealing his anger and disappointment.

Unperturbed, Alex continued. "It’s because I now understand the situation properly and realize the number of discrepancies in what I have learned about Popolis so far."

"Hmm?" Gerald was the first to frown as he inquired. "What do you mean?"

"The first is the situation in Popolis. If there’s something I know about the D.O.D., it is that they wouldn’t be so nonchalant about the level of contamination that has befallen Popolis. They may react late, courtesy of the unfortunate lack of adequate transport but regardless, they will act."

"Tch, you think highly of the Defense Headquarters." Thomas derided at the side.

"I wish that were the case," Alex muttered before letting out a sigh. "Unfortunately, that’s not it."

"Speak clearly, Alex." Gerald chided.

"You had told me something, Gerald." Alex started. "That everything began roughly a year ago when a rumor about a madman that had entered the Labyrinth spread around town. But something doesn’t add up."

Pausing to catch his breath, Alex began his analysis. "Even as a rumor, there is no way that Popolis, regarded as a citadel built to watch over the Labyrinth, would treat such news as mere rumors yet, you spoke about it in a way that sounded like there was no reason to believe it."

"Of course there was, what do you take us for?" Thomas argued while posing a question of his own.

The middle-aged priest spoke up at this point, his words channeling the faint wisdom he’d managed to gather in his life. "I dare say that whatever conjecture you are trying to prove right now is but a misunderstanding of what has truly happened in Popolis. This land has been corrupted by darkness and if we do nothing but continue talking, we will end up losing the opportune time to stop the descent of the monstrosity the Dark Acolytes worship."

"It will happen in 3 days." Alex couldn’t help but point out.

"And we are expected to believe that!... For all we know, you are doing this to keep us from preventing the descent that’s happening right now!" Thomas bellowed, clearly unable to hold back any longer.

Alex merely regarded him for a moment before glancing at Gerald.

He seemed to be the only one to remain calm despite everything.

Alex knew why but didn’t think he had the guts to spill the beans.

"What were the reports after the investigation was concluded?" Alex inquired, posing his question to Gerald.

Gerald pursed his lips. "I told you... the man that saw the intruder killed himself."

"And after that?"

"... The Shadows appeared."

"And after that?"

"... We have been fighting them ever since."

"When did the Dark Acolytes show up and have you seen any of them?"

"..." This time, instead of brief hesitation, Gerald remained silent, pondering his thoughts.

It didn’t take long before a hint of a frown lined his brows as a discrepancy appeared in his otherwise aged mind. "They... they have been around for quite some time, that’s all I can say."

Then taking yet another break, he concluded. "And I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Acolyte."

Alex revealed a hint of a smile as he nodded. "The Dark Acolytes appeared suddenly and somehow despite worshipping a god that hasn’t even been born yet, they managed to possess someone strong enough to overpower not one, but the three of you. Have you ever seen this so-called powerhouse?"

"... I don’t believe so," Gerald replied while shaking his head, his expression slowly distorting as he fell deeper into his thoughts.

Alex pursed his lips before glancing at Thomas. "If I asked you to provide evidence that you have indeed contacted the Defense Headquarters, would you be able to do so?"

"Of course!... What the hell is this?" Thomas had drawn his revolver at some point while preparing to flip open his switchblade.

Despite his threatening stance, however, Alex remained tranquil.

Regarding Thomas for a moment longer, he shifted to the middle-aged priest. "Tell me something, how long have you been serving in Popolis as the resident priest?"

"..."

Alex was met with silence but judging from the expression the priest held, it was not a sign of unwillingness to speak.

"I believe I understand clearly now why Watson had warned me yesterday and why he ended up dying today," Alex muttered with a tired sigh.

It would seem, there was much to be done before his work could be said to be completed.

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