The bells of Aethelgard's Central Cathedral tolled with an unusual cadence—a heavy, low pitch filled with warning. In the city square, white-robed priests began reading a sacred decree beneath the shadows of the half-finished steam transmission towers.
The Church had made its move.
"Anne Marie Vaine," the Archbishop shouted before the confused crowd. "Not a hero, but a thief of divine light. She has defiled the holy destiny meant for the Holy Virgin, Rainnes, and transformed herself into a magnet for darkness using cursed machines!"
The Situation at The Catalyst Headquarters:
Inside the control room, Caine stared at the monitors displaying the mob movement in front of the Cathedral. "They're moving faster than we anticipated, Anne. The Church has issued a fatwa of Excommunication. Technically, every citizen of Aethelgard is now obligated to hunt you down."
"They're terrified," Harold replied, checking the steam pressure on his new mechanical armor. "They've lost control of the 'Savior' narrative. Now that you hold that frequency, they can no longer sell the forgiveness of sins to appease the demons."
Anne stood before a large window facing the Magic Tower directly. The gold circuits on her neck pulsed every time the church bells rang. "Let them talk. Harold, are our forces ready at the gate sectors?"
"One heavy cavalry regiment and three steam artillery units are in position," Harold answered firmly. "But we have a new problem. The Church's Templar Knights are beginning to move. They aren't targeting demons, Anne. They're targeting us."
Step One of the Solomon Protocol:
Caine pressed a series of buttons on the main console. "Northern sector tower is active. The Solomon 01 frequency is being broadcasted. Anne, you're going to feel a massive pull. This will make you the 'ground zero' for every entity still wandering out there."
"Do it," Anne commanded.
The moment the transmitter activated, a pillar of orange light shot into the sky, piercing the black clouds hanging over the city. Anne gripped the table, her teeth chattering as she felt thousands of whispers from The Lesser Key suddenly veer off course. They were no longer heading for Rainnes. They were heading for her—like a pack of sharks sensing blood in the ocean.
Confrontation at the Palace Gates:
At the main gates, Templar forces led by Cardinal Malachi faced off against rows of The Catalyst steam-rifles.
"Hand over the witch!" Malachi shouted, raising a golden staff that emitted a holy aura so bright it pained the eyes. "Or this city shall burn with the wrath of God!"
"This city is already burning, Cardinal," Harold stepped forward, steam hissing from the shoulder valves of his steel armor. "And your God seems busy hiding behind an altar while we're out here facing what you unleashed. Stand down, or Isfellan steel will show you what real justice looks like."
Suddenly, the ground between the two armies exploded. Not one, but three shadow entities emerged simultaneously—manifestations of the frequency of fear drawn in by the activation of the Solomon Protocol.
Anne appeared on the palace balcony, her voice amplified by steam-powered speakers until it echoed across the city. "Cardinal! If you want me to be a martyr, then stand there and witness how your martyr destroys your old gods!"