As Kaito, Starfire, and the ethereal Hedda waited in the opulent lobby of the Glass Cathedral, they could feel the weight of the high priest's departure. The air thickened with tension, and the trio exchanged glances, knowing they were on the precipice of a potentially life-changing encounter.

  The Glass Cathedral, nestled in the heart of the bustling Techno City, was a true sight to behold. The central structure was a marvel of architecture and engineering, its walls composed entirely of translucent glass that reflected the city's ever-changing neon lights.

  While they both waited, the lobby enveloped them in a warm, ethereal glow. The floor was made of polished marble, with intricate designs etched into it. The ceiling soared high above, supported by ornate columns that seemed to stretch into the heavens.

  The vast hall was adorned with neon-lit stained glass windows depicting scenes of the Neon God's divine interventions. Holographic statues of the Neon Knights, their armor and weapons aglow with vibrant hues, lined the walls. The faint hum of the cathedral's technological infrastructure and the muffled chants of the Neon followers in the adjacent prayer halls added to the surreal atmosphere.

  In the center of the lobby, a grand, spiraling staircase led to the upper levels, inviting visitors to explore the wonders within. A sense of awe and reverence filled the air, a testament to the grandiose design and the fervent devotion of the Neon Cult.

  "This place is surreal and the view of the metropolis is incredible from here!" the boy exclaimed, impressed by the place.

  Starfire, however, was reticent. She seemed cautious and it was almost as if she was hiding her face with her black hood.

  "..."

  "Is there a problem, Starfire?"

  "N-No, none."

  "Don't forget, my children, that only you two can hear or see me here in this place."

  "Oh, that's right, Hedda! Thank you for reminding me of that."

  "Yeah... We got it, don't worry. "

  After a few minutes, Kaito's anxiety grew. He fidgeted with the sacred blunderbuss, its cold metal reassuring in his grip. Starfire, ever the enigma, remained impassive, her eyes fixed on the cathedral's intricate designs. Hedda, however, appeared to be in a state of introspection, her spectral form flickering ever so slightly.

  Suddenly, the heavy doors at the far end of the lobby slid open, revealing the leader of the Neon Knights.

  "Forgive me for making you two wait so long."

  Clad in a suit of shimmering, luminescent armor, the knight exuded an aura of power and authority. His face was obscured by a full-face helm, and his voice echoed with a robotic edge as he addressed Kaito and Starfire.

  "The High Priest has informed us of your urgent matter. We are here to listen, but know that you tread on sacred ground. Speak, and let your words be true."

  Kaito took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. He stepped forward, the sacred blunderbuss held out in front of him, and began to recount the tale of the impending threat to Techno City.

  "Alright, let's start from the beginning..." said the boy, determination in his eyes, "Our friend was kidnapped by the Maendar Clan. And as if that wasn't enough, we have evidence that they are planning something against Techno City... We just don't know what yet."

  "I see... If what you told me is true, then the council should be informed of this immediately!" the cyberpunk knight then offered them a seat, pointing them to the nearest bench, "Please, have a seat. Wait here, the summit will discuss some things and we'll be right back."

  "Again?!" the boy thought to himself as he responded to the man; "Okay, we'll be here when you get back."

  "Now, if you two will excuse me…" the knight then turned and headed towards the large door that led to another room.

  As both of them sat on the long benches, waiting for the Neon Knights to decide on their move, the tension in the air grew thicker. The trio's attention was drawn to the neon-lit altar adorned with sculptures of the old deities, now relegated to the status of mere saints.

  Hedda, with a hint of sadness in her voice, explained to Kaito and Starfire about the historic rivalry between the Neon God cult and the Maendar Clan.

  "The Maendar Clan refused to renounce the old pantheon and continue to worship the evil deities as they once did. They're seen as heretics by the Neon God cult, and tensions between the two factions have only escalated over time."

  Starfire, her cape's hood concealing her face, remained conspicuously quiet and uneasy throughout the conversation. She looked down, avoiding eye contact with anyone, her thoughts seemingly far away.

  The goddess continued, "Ages ago, the first followers of the ancient deities realized that they needed a simpler, more unified religion to appeal to the masses. They created the Neon God, a figure that encompassed all the powers and divinity of the old pantheon. By doing so, they could streamline their beliefs, making it more accessible and appealing to the people of Techno City."

  As the duo digested this information, they couldn't help but wonder what role the Maendar Clan would play in the unfolding events. The Neon Knights had promised to listen to their story, but now, as they waited for the next step, Kaito, Starfire, and Hedda couldn't shake the feeling that they were in the midst of a much larger, and potentially dangerous, conflict.

  "I don't like this bad feeling I'm getting about this, Ghost." the Drow girl whispered to her friend, "They're taking too long in there. I don't think they're coming to an agreement..."

  "I understand. Even as an outsider, I think something is definitely not right."

  The boy and the girl exchanged glances, each one of them contemplating the gravity of the situation. The tension in the air was palpable, and the ethereal presence of Hedda seemed to amplify the sense of unease. The trio knew that the information they had brought to the Neon Knights could potentially change the course of history in Techno City, but they also understood the potential repercussions for all parties involved.

  As the minutes ticked by, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching. The heavy doors at the far end of the lobby slid open once more, revealing a group of Neon Knights led by their leader. The knights exchanged hushed whispers among themselves, and their leader stepped forward, his voice still laced with a robotic edge.

  "We have consulted with the Technocrat Council, and we believe your story warrants further investigation. We will gather the necessary resources and personnel to deal with this imminent threat. However, we cannot act without irrefutable proof. The Neon God's wrath will be swift and merciless for those who bring false accusations to our hallowed halls. We need tangible evidence to bring this menace to justice."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Kaito and Starfire nodded in agreement, knowing that their task had only just begun. The stakes were high, and they would need to tread carefully in the dangerous world of Techno City's religious factions. But with the Neon Knights' backing, they felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination to put an end to the looming darkness that threatened their world.

  "Great! That's good to hear!"

  "That's a big relief after such a bad day, at least..."

  As the helmet was removed, revealing the face of the middle-aged man with a mix of black and gray hair, Kaito and Starfire were surprised to find that the Neon Knights' leader was none other than Fencer Galliard, the well-known person responsible for maintaining order throughout the megatropolis. Dressed in a red and black futuristic armor, he exuded an air of wisdom and authority.

  "I am Sir Fencer Galliard, commander of the Neon Knights. Please, I would deeply appreciate it if you have any more information to share regarding this situation."

  "Well, we've kind of already told the High Priest everything before... But I think going over it all again is good so we don't miss any details. Isn't that right, Starfire."

  "If you say so..."

  "Okay, young ones, tell me what happened once again. Please don't leave any details out."

  Those two wasted no time in relaying their findings to Fencer. They told him about the Maendar Clan's sinister plot against Techno City and the kidnapping of Mallas, the poor old Greyforge owner. The Neon Knight listened intently, his expression growing more grave with each revelation.

  When they mentioned the wicked ancient scroll, Fencer fell silent, deep in thought. He seemed unconvinced, and the trio could sense that he wasn't taking their information as seriously as they had hoped.

  "Um... Something seems off about your story."

  Feeling the urgency of the situation, Starfire, who had been quiet up until this point, interjected, her voice filled with a newfound determination.

  "Wait!" she exclaimed, removing her right elbow glove to reveal the Maendar Clan's insignia tattoo on the back of her hand, "Believe me when I say they have the wicked ancient scroll, and they're planning on using it!"

  "Starfire, I..."

  "Please, milady, let us not exalt ourselves in this sacred temple."

  "We are telling you the truth!"

  She looked Fencer straight in the eye, her hesitance replaced by a steely resolve.

  "..."

  The sudden reveal of the tattoo, combined with the gravity of her words, left Fencer with no choice but to take their claims seriously. The gravity of the situation was now undeniable, and the Neon Knights' leader knew that he had to act quickly to protect Techno City from the looming threat.

  "Alright, it looks like we're done here. The Neon Knights thank you for your cooperation and vote of confidence."

  Fencer thanked the trio for their information, dismissing them for the time being. But as they made their way out of the Glass Cathedral, they couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The Neon Knights, led by Fencer Galliard, were now aware of the danger that lurked in the shadows, and with their backing, Kaito, Starfire, and Hedda knew that they had a fighting chance to put an end to the darkness that threatened their world.

  "Excuse me, sir, but the council is calling another summit. It is an urgent matter." informed one of the knights who approached his commander, bowing in respect before Fencer, "Sister Lydia is worried about the abruptness of this matter."

  "Sister Lydia, right? Maybe she's the girl I saw in that ad yesterday… Is she some kind of city governor?" the boy thought in silence, waiting apprehensively for a response from the Knight.

  Sir Galliard's face paled as the gravity of the situation truly sunk in. The monks behind him shared the same stunned expression, all falling into a deafening silence.

  "..."

  After what felt like an eternity, the imposing knight finally regained his composure, breaking the silence with a determined voice.

  "We must act swiftly. I will speak once more with the Technocrat Council, the true governors of Techno City, and demand that the Neon Knights take immediate action against the Maendar Clan."

  "I don't mind waiting a few more minutes, but..." Kaito, eager to help, spoke up, "What do we do next? How do we stop the clan from achieving their goals and also rescue our friend?"

  But Fencer, with a stern look, scolded them, "You must go home at once and wait there. The Neon Knights will handle this matter. You've done your part by bringing this information to us. It's all settled. Go home and wait, do not interfere with the city's affairs any longer."

  The leader's decision was irreversible, and the monks, following his orders, led Kaito and Starfire towards the exit.

  "Wait!" Starfire, frustrated and disheartened, protested, "What do you mean by telling us to go home?!"

  "Yeah, she's right! We're here to help!"

  "You have already done far more than you should. Now leave the rest to us, as we shall investigate and, if necessary, punish those involved."

  "W-Wait-!"

  But it was to no avail, and the pair were forced to leave the Glass Cathedral, feeling as if they had accomplished nothing by coming there.

  "Hey, let us back in! We still haven't solved our problem!" the boy shouted in front of the large entrance concealments, made of pure crystal, "Hey!!!"

  "Have faith in destiny." Hedda, with a reassuring smile, told them, "Our deeds were not in vain. Though the Neon Knights will handle this situation, we still have to play our part."

  With those words, the trio left through the colossal entrance of the cathedral, leaving the Neon Knights to carry out their plans, but their hearts were heavy, uncertain of what the future held for their city and their Duergar friend.

  ***

  About half an hour after the meeting, the two youngsters, a human boy and a Drow girl, found themselves still in front of the massive Glass Cathedral. Their restless pacing from one side to the other reflected their growing frustration and confusion as they grappled with the current situation.

  Caught by the commotion, the onlookers paused for a moment before continuing on their way. People in Techno City seemed to be accustomed to witnessing such unusual scenes, and they went about their lives as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

  Navigating the bustling streets of the megatropolis, the diverse array of humanity was impossible to miss. Humans of all shapes, sizes, and skin tones moved through the throngs, blending seamlessly into the vibrant tapestry of the city.

  Amidst the sea of humans, the Drow stood out in stark contrast. Their pale, ashen skin was a striking counterpoint to the warm hues of their human counterparts. Their hair, a unique trait, ranged from the faintest of lilacs to the deepest of purples, adding a touch of enchantment to the urban landscape.

  The few Duergar that passed by, with their stocky builds and sturdy frames, were also distinguishable. Their gray complexions, varying from the palest of shades to the darkest, were always on display. The defining feature of the Duergar, however, was their long, dark beards, which hung proudly from their chins, unkempt and unapologetic, as they mingled with the masses.

  The human boy, clad in a green hoodie and faded black pants, ran a hand through his unkempt hair, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

  "Damn, what else are we going to do now?"

  The Drow girl, her skin as white as snow, stood with her arms crossed, a frown etched on her face. The glass walls of the cathedral cast a warm, ethereal glow on them, highlighting their somber demeanor.

  "Ahh!! I can't believe this!"

  "Starfire, I... Never mind, let's think about the situation we're in for a second. There's something else we can do that we're just not seeing."

  The two exchanged tense glances, each trying to formulate a plan in the face of the chaos that had enveloped their lives. They had been forced to leave the sanctuary of the Cathedral, and the streets of Techno City now offered them an uncertain refuge.

  "I should have known better than to trust anyone in this corrupt city!"

  Adira's fury burned like a raging inferno within her, the inability to help her old friend Mallas eat away at her very soul. Kaito, too, shared her disappointment, unable to shake the feeling that the Neon Knights were not handling the situation with the urgency it required.

  Hedda, always the voice of reason, attempted to calm the pair.

  "Let us first return Mallas's toolbox to the Greyforge. Perhaps, in the calm and quiet of the place both of you call home, you'll find the clarity you need to find some way to help."

  Starfire, still consumed by her anger, refused to listen.

  "Enough with waiting! We should go right now to their skyscraper and rescue Mallas ourselves!"

  Kaito, seeing the danger in her rashness, stepped in to reason with her.

  "Starfire, we need to think carefully about our next move. Remember, we promised we would rescue the old man, and we will! We can't afford to be reckless now."

  "Please, my beloved children, try to calm your hearts and listen to my wisdom. Let's return to the Greyforge, and while we're there, we can gather our thoughts and figure out a strategy that gives us the best chance of success. I assure you this is not a permanent withdrawal."

  Though her heart was heavy and her mind in turmoil, Starfire reluctantly agreed with Shirai's logic and Hedda's words of wisdom.

  "I still don't like this one bit!" she said, as she gave up the resistance she had offered.

  The trio departed the cathedral, making their way back to the Greyforge. The young man could sense the unease in Adira's heart, but he knew that, together, they would find a way to save their friend and put an end to the darkness that threatened their world.

  As they journeyed on, they held onto the hope that, in the familiar confines of the old repair shop, they would uncover the answers they sought, and together, they would forge their ultimate path towards victory. A plan that would become their perfect course of action.