Far from Everwood, inside a towering cathedral of white marble and black spires, the Imperial Church held its secret council.
Candles flickered, casting distorted shadows across the chamber. Monks in black robes stood chanting in low tones, their words echoing with ancient venom.
At the head of the long table sat Cardinal Voren, the Church's high inquisitor. His pale face twisted into a smile as he raised a parchment for all to see.
"Reports from our agents confirm it," Voren said. "The boy in Everwood wields a power not granted by our gods. Creation itself bends to his whim. A heresy… an abomination."
Whispers of agreement slithered through the council.
Another priest, his face gaunt, leaned forward.
"Shall we call for a holy crusade?"
"Not yet," Voren replied coldly. "The Empire has chosen to bleed the boy slowly, and we shall aid them in silence. Our missionaries will spread rumors of false divinity. We will send inquisitors masked as adventurers to test his strength. If he falters, we strike. If he grows…"
He smirked, tapping his fingers on the table.
"…then we shall twist his legend into a curse. A hero turned heretic. The people will beg us to purge him."
The priests bowed their heads, their voices joining in a single, chilling phrase:
"For the glory of the Faith."
And outside the cathedral, bells tolled cold and hollow, heralding the storm to come.