BXBX NOVEL Chapter 98 (XCVIII) Temple Knights
Jackson quickly made his way around the defenses at Fort Vetus. Quietly hiding from the patrols that made their rounds through the streets of the large city. His hood was pulled over his head as he darted from his hiding spot into a nearby alleyway.
The city was on high alert as he searched for a place to hide himself away in until things died down. The citizens of the town hurried about, going about their daily business despite the tense situation.
Jackson spotted an old warehouse across from the fort, its windows boarded shut and sealed tightly. He crossed the street and crept along the wall toward the entrance.
It looked like no one had broken in for quite some time; there wasn't any obvious evidence of forced entry or damage from when they left.
Jackson peered around the corner of the doorway and saw the familiar sight of dozens of wooden crates stacked neatly along the walls. He moved quietly toward the stacks, climbing them as he reached an exterior walkway leading from inside the second floor of the structure and stairs leading to the third.
He peeked above the balcony before climbing onto the elevated path and looking through the doorway of the second-story loft. It was dark inside, but it appeared empty of anything valuable. He tried to enter, but it was locked.
He continued climbing the stairs, finding himself at the top of the building, where he discovered an unlocked window into the building. He slid it aside and crawled inside.
The interior was dim, dust and cobwebs covering nearly everything. Jackson approached a desk sitting along one of the walls with a few dusty books piled on top, dragging his fingers across the dusty surface. He turned, looking around the room, noticing in the corner, a cot lay on the floor next to a destroyed dresser on the other wall, opposite the door.
Squatters had destroyed much of the interior of the abandoned warehouse; they'd ripped apart several desks and tables and scattered debris everywhere. There was also a hole in the roof, letting sunlight stream in throughout the day.
Jackson turned and surveyed the room, ensuring nothing would give him away, before turning back to the door and peeking outside. There weren't many people about, but he did see a few soldiers patrolling the streets, rushing around as they looked for him.
He heard footsteps approaching from below. He turned to find three men walking inside the rear of the building. They wore the uniform of the Temple Knights, their armor polished clean and gleaming under the sunlight. A hooded figure stepped forward from the shadows beneath the office he was in.
"Have you completed your task?" The hooded man hissed toward the three Temple Knights as they approached.
"Yes sir." One replied. "The Knight Commander doesn't suspect a thing."
"Perfect. Here, take this." He said, handing each of the knights a sack, "Place this in the massive braziers at all three entrances to the fort tonight, EXACTLY when the sun sets!"
"But what is it, Master? We've never seen such items before," asked the second knight.
"You have now! Do not question me again unless I ask it of you directly; do we understand one another?"
"Yes, my Lord. Of course, My Lord. Thank you, Sir."
"Now go. You must be quick. If anyone sees us together, it will raise suspicion! Now hurry back to the temple. We're almost out of time!"
The trio nodded respectfully and rushed out, leaving the man alone. He pulled his cloak tighter around him and adjusted the mask he was wearing, making sure the face was completely obscured.
He walked through a doorway leading out from the main room, closing the door behind him. The man walked down the steps and into the basement, heading for an exit, which led into the sewers.
Jackson waited a moment to make sure everyone was gone before exiting the room and descending the stairwell to the main floor, silently following after the hooded figure. He emerged in the darkness of the sewer system, the stench of waste and rot permeating the air.
He followed closely, keeping pace with the cloaked individual. He had to keep his distance, though, so he couldn't get too close without arousing suspicions. He needed to stay hidden and remain unseen if he wanted to avoid detection.
They passed by numerous tunnels, navigating the labyrinth of sewers underneath Fort Vetus. Finally, the man stopped at an intersection, waiting patiently. After a brief wait, another hooded figure arrived from each path.
"The exchanges went off perfectly." One said as all three nodded.
"The Hollows will invade tonight and once enough portals have opened, the fort will become a nexus, and we will be rewarded the power to destroy Fort Novae and take control of La Decima Isla!" The man Jackson followed explained.
"We'll need to move fast then. Once the portal opens, the Hollows will begin to flood the island. In the commotion, we can take out the Commander."
"Our job here is done. Let's return to the headquarters to prepare the next phase of the plan. Then, we shall strike and reap the rewards of victory!" The third explained.
The three figures bowed to one another and walked back in the directions they had come from. Jackson held his breath, pressing himself against the wall in the shadows as the hooded figure passed him.
The young man watched as the hooded man disappeared down the path as he stumbled out from the shadows and quickly made his way to the intersection, frantically looking down all three directions.
"Shit!" He silently exclaimed, "Fort Vetus is going to fall tonight!"
He turned to head down the path he came from when a notification appeared in front of him:
[Secret Scenario Discovered!]
[Temple Knights have prepared a coup d'etat to overthrow Temple Knight Commander Renee. Under the lies her subordinates feed her, she believes that Royal Knight Commander Lydia is behind the Hollow's appearance.]
[Additional Objective Received!]
[Save Temple Knight Commander Renee from a knife in the dark!]