Sub-Sector 33 ghosted Aeternum's forgotten history. Before Federation, homogenised belief into state-worship. This area sprawled as the Temple District. Dizzying maze of archaic deities and ritual spaces. Now. Crumbling. Waterlogged testament to enduring faith. Perfect cover for the Sanguis Order.
Rheon followed the Broker's coordinates. Descended into a massive ruptured underground cathedral. Air cleaner here. Heavy exotic incense battled damp decay. The atmosphere is thick with reverence.
Two figures emerged from the shadows. Tall. Slender. Shrouded in heavy blood-red cowls. No words. They crossed arms over chests in deferential menace. Beckoned Rheon forward.
Rheon moved with Ascendant-Alpha-1 rigidity. Hands visible. Internal dampeners maxed. Unarmed save suppression pistol in a concealed hip holster. Not here to fight. Here to submit to one monster for another.
They led him down a spiralling staircase. Past faded mosaics of winged predatory figures. Reached the deepest chamber. Cavernous space. Ancient stone altars mingled with flickering holographic esoteric symbols. Dozens of cloaked disciples populated the room. Eyes fixed feverishly on a central figure.
The Cardinal.
Ancient. Face a roadmap of deep weathered wrinkles. Eyes burned with clear, terrifying fanaticism. Robes are heavy, dark crimson. Stood before a stylised altar resembling Lyra's sarcophagus.
"The Weaver sends a soldier," The Cardinal's voice is dry and resonant. Unnatural authority. "Federation man. Stained by cold logic. You speak of the Crimson Mother. Dare invade the sanctum of the waiting faithful."
Rheon ignored theatrical accusations. Locked on objective. "No debate. I offer Truth. Demand Fealty."
Angry murmurs rippled through disciples. Demanding fealty is unthinkable.
The Cardinal raised a skeletal hand. Silenced his flock. "Truth is prayer, soldier. We accept only blood on the throne. Need a sign. If Bloodline awakened. Let the Mother send a psychic command wave. Claim us."
Rheon knew Lyra could. Subdue the chamber with ruthless Bloodlink. But dominance. Not a partnership. Slaves. Not allies. Dracula demanded devotees.
"The Crimson Mother wastes no power on parlour tricks," Rheon countered. Voice steady despite adrenaline. "She is the god of purpose. Needs loyalty strength. Not servitude chains."
He stepped forward. Movement carried his treasonous weight.
"You waited centuries for Dracula Prime's return. Believe Federation filth vessel. You are right. But you miss their sacrilege depth."
Rheon wove the tale. Cold intelligence certainty. Told of Dr Seraph Morn's Cognitive Protocol.
"The Federation never freed ancient will. Planned seizure. Morn used science and blood. Built a host for himself. Ritual not King's return. Scientist's ascension to monstrous throne."
Rheon's gaze swept the room. Let horror sink.
"The Crimson Mother. Lyra Kain. Resisted erasure. Fought science and will to keep consciousness. Broke free. Carries an Aether Fragment and a nanite body. Fights Federation ambition. True surviving vessel. Threat to scientists' usurpation."
The atmosphere shifted. Suspicion to furious, horrified realisation. The Cardinal's face contorted in shock.
"The merge. They planned to steal our God's essence for a weak mind." The Cardinal whispered. Sacrilege hit harder than blows.
"Yes," Rheon confirmed. "I carry encrypted shard proof. Was their tool. Slated elimination post-merge. Burned my life for this truth. Offer it now."
Rheon locked eyes with The Cardinal. "Your enemy Federation waits not for god. Tries create a false god. Kill true one. I am an escaped witness. Serve true Bloodline. Ascendant-Alpha-1. Align your faith with our precision."
The Cardinal closed his eyes. Breathing ragged. Temple silence absolute. Broken only by flickering holograms. Religious crisis.
He opened his eyes. Terrible resolution hardened. "Scientist Morn sought the ultimate essence. Shame immense. You bring truth precious than life. Prove Mother fights. Blood alive. Federation plot doomed."
The Cardinal raised staff. Twisted obsidian metal.
"We accept the covenant. Pledge fealty not just blood. But the Warrior who defends blood. You are Ascendant. Shield of Crimson Mother. Our voice. General. Link to Queen."
Disciples erupted in passionate, worshipful shouts. "Crimson Mother. Ascendant. Fealty. Blood for the Queen."
The Cardinal approached Rheon. Ignored lingering Federation steel scent. Placed a hand on the shoulder. Absolute acceptance.
"Tell the Mother this," The Cardinal commanded. Voice shook zeal. "Sanguis Order provides resources. Dozens secure safe houses. Three data networks outside Federation control. Thousand eyes in Sprawl. She lacks nothing. Await command to purge. Await Ascendant word."
Rheon felt fanatical loyalty crushed. Heavier than any command. No longer a soldier. Spiritual leader of the cult. Military commander of awakened power.
"The Mother receives your pledge," Rheon confirmed. Voice cold steady. Anchor in their madness tide.
He accepted the data slate from The Cardinal. Massive upload. Sanguis resources. Safe house locations. Immediate invaluable intelligence.
Rheon turned. Walked out echoing cathedral. Fanatics' cheers rang in the ears. He had an army. Resources.
Exited Temple District. Found secure comm-point near surface. Accessed the encrypted channel to Lyra.
"Ascendant-Alpha-1 reporting," Rheon said. Tone professional. Masked inner storm of conflict triumph. "Sanguis Order secured. Loyal. Fervent. Accepted Morn betrayal truth. See you, true Queen. Operational base. Intelligence network."
"Well done, Ascendant," Lyra's voice purred softly. Sent pride jolt through core. "Delivered first empire stones. Return hideout. Dissect data. Choose the first target."
Rheon looked up at the neon-choked Underworld sky. Traitor. Servant of a monster. General of the blood cult. For the first time since the truth was revealed. Felt cynical terrifying purpose.
He started running back toward the hideout safety. Ready to stand beside his terrifying Queen.