Back in the present, Dion was in his room after returning from the church.
His thoughts drifted to his mother. He wondered if she had truly abandoned him or if there was something more. The Saint was the only person powerful enough to stop the war, with her magic, her authority in the Church, and the support of the people. Her words were seen as the words of the Goddess. Dion believed that if he could just speak to his mother, this endless, unnecessary bloodshed might finally come to an end.
For years, rumors spread that the Saint's magic had been used in every major battle over the past twenty-five years, yet no one had seen her. Curious, Dion investigated and discovered that it wasn't the Saint herself, but an artifact containing her magic. That artifact was wielded by none other than the Pope.
Digging deeper, Dion finally uncovered the truth of why he was thrown into that dark room. He had been conceived through sin, born from the Saintess herself.
The more he learned, the deeper his hatred for his father grew. He also began to question Lumos ,why had the man treated him kindly when they crossed paths in battle years ago, back when Dion was not yet the Cathars' leader.
Lumos hadn't lied. He confessed everything, saying he only showed Dion a little kindness because of guilt. Guilt for being part of the misery that consumed Dion's mother and for what happened the night he was born. Lumos told him about the circumstances of his parents and the events of that night. He admitted that Dion should never forgive him, because everything he did was for his own benefit.
Dion, hearing the truth, felt an immense sense of betrayal. He coldly replied that he never planned to forgive him in the first place.
That was the last time they met. Afterward, Lumos made sure to avoid fighting him directly. Even though Lumos had cared for the boy for five years, it didn't erase the fact that he had done nothing to protect a helpless child from Julius's cruelty. He had simply watched Dion rot in that black room.
Lumos knew it was wrong, yet he didn't intervene. That was his nature ,a man who always sided with those who held more power.
Dion tried countless times to meet with his mother, but she was kept deep within the Church, guarded by layers of security. The barrier surrounding her room was far stronger than anything else in the Church.
That day was no different. Dion had attempted to reach her, only to walk into an ambush.
Which only meant he would try again.
Time passed, and his mind wandered to another thought.
The young priestess who had helped him.
He remembered her vividly. Long, wavy white hair and eyes as clear and bright as a spring. When he first saw her on that moonlit night, Dion honestly believed he had died and met the Goddess herself.
Only after a few moments did he realize he was still alive. He still passed out later though.
When he awoke, his wounds were bandaged. Scattered medical supplies cluttered a nearby table, along with a pair of scissors. Instinctively, he grew cautious. Was his cover blown? He moved to escape immediately, only to realize a barrier surrounded the room to not let anyone out, different from a purification barrier used by the temple.
Damn it.
If only he hadn't exhausted his power in yesterday's fight, he might have broken the barrier.
He lay in wait, ready to attack whoever entered next.
To his surprise, it wasn't a paladin, a priest, or a soldier. The person who walked through the door was the same beautiful woman he remembered from the night before.
But good looks wouldn't save his life, so Dion lunged at her, threatening her with the scissors.
And, well- you already know what happened next.
In the three days that followed, Lia, the priestess, brought him food, changed his bandages, and cared for his wounds. At first, he thought she was just a simple, honest priestess living by the Goddess's teachings, helping the weak and wounded. Not that he complained. It was the reason he was alive.
He convinced himself that if she betrayed him, one wrong move was all it would take for him to kill her.
But no betrayal came. Lia continued to help him, day after day. And for that, Dion was extremely grateful.
Now, back in his own quarters at the Cathars, Dion swore to himself that he would repay her one day.
He allowed himself a brief rest.
The next day arrived, bringing with it a meeting with the board members of his organization . A meeting where someone would be exposed as a snake.