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[h3]Cardinal Ishtar[/h3][/center]

A few days after their previous fight and meeting, Katarina would receive a message from Alicia. As requested she had inquired into meeting with a higher member of Beacon, and gotten it approved. 

The message itself came with a time for them to meet, as well as the location of the Beacon HQ. That latter part might be a bit redundant at this point in time, but it was better than just assuming that she knew. 

Alicia would meet her in the lobby, Katarina having been allowed in without too much grumbling by the guards outside. It was still daytime, though it was towards the evening at this point. [color=aba000]”Hey Katarina, glad you could make it.”[/color]

She shook her hand before continuing. [color=aba000]”I can’t say whether you ruffled any feathers with that information of yours, but they’ve agreed to meet so it’s a good start. Assuming you haven’t gotten cold feet in the meantime.”[/color]

[color=chocolate]“First thing they teach you in the academy is that cold feet will get you hurt.”[/color] Rina replied with a dismissive, nonchalant tone. She wasn't sure what to expect. The archer half expected Beacon to just stone wall and make vague promises. That they even agreed to meet was promising, but she wasn't getting her hopes up. Dealing with large organizations was always a pain. They always had something to hide, and they never wanted anyone poking around their business. [color=chocolate]“Thanks again for setting this up, but lets get this over with, yeah? I'm not here for a courtesy call.”[/color]

Nodding, Alicia gestured for Katarina to follow as she led the guest further into the base. The walk was a swift one, the Paladin nodding to girls walking by in the hallways. The meeting aside, it was a normal day at Beacon. As normal as anything was these days. 

As they neared their destination, she looked back at Rina. [color=aba000]”You’re going to be meeting with Cardinal Ishtar. Obviously the standards are a bit different since you aren’t in Beacon, but try and have some respect. Alright?”[/color]

Rina kept mostly to herself, not even bothering acknowledging anyone else's presence as Alicia led her through the hallways.

[color=chocolate]“We'll see.”[/color] Rina responded to Alicia curtly. Ishtar? As in that old Sumerian goddess or whatever? It was probably just a name or some title. [color=chocolate]“As long as I don't get jerked around, I doubt we'll have problems.”[/color] She was hoping it'd go well, but she was fully prepared for it to fall apart.

[color=aba000]”Fair enough,”[/color] Alicia couldn’t ask for much more than that at this point. Especially with what the topic was. Besides, she was curious to learn what Katarina would find out anyways. 

They soon reached their destination. It was a smaller portion of the HQ, one more suited for private conversations and quiet meditation. There were no bustling groups of people or loud distractions. Here one could focus, center themselves. 

Walking up to one of the nondescript doors, Alicia softly knocked. [color=aba000]”Cardinal,”[/color] she called. [color=aba000]”Katarina Nekrasova is here to see you, as we discussed before.”[/color]

The Cardinal was praying before a small altar when Alicia looked inside. "Yes, come in," she quietly asked, and then stood up to meet them. Her eyes were still closed, hands clasped. "Thank you for your assistance with the monster threat, Katarina. These troubled times are when our kind is most needed," she stated. "How may I help you?"

Alicia waited for Katarina to enter the room before closing the door behind them. Eavesdroppers were unlikely, but the privacy for this conversation would not be amiss. Standing off to the side, the black haired paladin looked between the other two girls there. [color=aba000]”She came into possession of some information recently that she wished to ask about,”[/color] Alicia then looked to Katarina, to pick up where she had left off.

Rina followed Alicia in the room. She gave the cardinal a brief glance. Prayer? She had never been much for religion, but it was fitting at least that Beacon followed some such practices. Otherwise though, she didn’t seem special, but such appearances were often deceiving.

[color=chocolate]“Doing what is needed doesn't require thanks.”[/color] Rina replied dismissively. [color=chocolate]“If anything, I should be thanking you for both meeting me and letting me occasionally help out with Beacon even though I'm not a member.”[/color]
[color=chocolate]“I had assumed Alicia had informed you of what I wanted to talk about, but lets start at the beginning.”[/color] Rina casually folded her arms, her voice betraying no emotion as she gauged the cardinal's reaction to her next question. [color=chocolate]“Are you familiar with a town in Ethiopia by the name of Dilla?”[/color]
The Cardinal did not react unusually to Rina's question. "Dilla? I'm afraid I do not know of this town. Did something happen there?"

Rina returned the Cardinal's answer with a small frown. If she was playing ignorant, she was really good at it. Perhaps she was truthfully, unaware and ignorant of what the rest of Beacon was up to. Assuming this had something to do with Beacon in the first place.

[color=chocolate]“You could say that.”[/color] Rina responded curtly. [color=chocolate]“In 2007 there was a supposed gas leak that made the city inhospitable. I'll spare you the details, but a travel ban was put in place and is still in place there today. Kinda weird for it to still be there, ain't it?”[/color] The former police officer reached into her pocket, pulling out the USB with the file on it. She had already made a copy in case something happened to it back on her own laptop and a few other storage spaces.

Hunt criminals long enough, you pick up a few things about how not to lose information.

[color=chocolate]“Around the same time, some interesting reports started popping up. Some bright lights, and some videos people passed off as a hoax. Normal conspiracy stuff, really. I wouldn't have thought much of it myself had I just stumbled on it, but...”[/color] She flashed the Cardinal a soft smile. [color=chocolate]“You have a computer I can use, Cardinal?”[/color]

The Cardinal blinked upon seeing the USB; she also frowned upon realizing the gravity in Rina's words. "Yes, on that desk over there. Let me see the video, please. Because if what you said is true…" She seemed a bit technologically challenged, but after a moment of fiddling she played the video.

Her eyes opened, gleaming eyes filled with the kind of sorrow that even made Rina she'd a year from the welling emotions. "This is...Could it be?" She quietly spoke. "The Reckoning…"

[color=chocolate]“The Reckoning, huh.”[/color] Even if she felt some emotion for a moment, Rina quickly regained her composure. She closed her eyes a moment, processing the information and making sure not to let show any sign of weakness or her thoughts. The Cardinal seemed genuine. That much was certain from her reaction, but that in and of itself could mean anything.

[color=chocolate]“So you do know something. Mind sharing, Cardinal?”[/color] Whatever this 'Reckoning' was, it seemed like it was bad news. [color=chocolate]“I know I'm asking for a lot here, but I can't turn a blind eye to something like this.”[/color]

Alicia moved along with the others, watching for Ishtar’s reaction as she watched the video. She’d known the previous comment wasn’t a lie, but that only said so much. Now more of the picture became clearer. [color=aba000]”I hadn’t seen or heard of anything like this before. That’s why I arranged this meeting,”[/color] Alicia explained again. [color=aba000]”Either it was a set up, or something that should not be so easily handed out. Both options would be bad, especially with the timing of it.”[/color] 

Ishtar turned to face Rina, her eyes again closed. “The Reckoning is...The Ascendancy’s final weapon. I have only seen it myself a couple of times, but it is a terrible power, destroying all in a wide area."

So her assumptions about what it was had been proven correct. The only question remained, was what to do with this information? With Penrose becoming completely unstable like this...Rina frowned, taking in the information. Why send this to her, then? Why not just blow the whistle completely? Were they avoiding responsibility? Or was this something only she could investigate for some reason? Did they want to turn her against beacon? They didn't know her very well, then.
[color=chocolate]“That's a pretty devastating weapon you got there.”[/color] She commented idly after a moment of consideration. [color=chocolate]“...I'm assuming you don't know where it's located, or how it's used.”[/color] Perhaps...no, that'd be too far fetched. [color=chocolate]“This town of Dilla became a target due to magical corruption, then?”[/color]
"That is the only explanation," Ishtar responded. "The Reckoning is only used as a last resort, when the corruption has spread too far to contain by normal means. I was not there, but I assume the Ascendancy deemed it necessary to purge Dilla using such extreme means. But, how did you get your hands on this file?" She asked with a frown. "This is a matter of utmost secrecy. Nobody but the higher captains in Beacon should know of this."

Alicia stiffened as Ishtar explained what the Ascendancy had at its disposal. It made some sense, to have a weapon this powerful on the off chance that things had escalated beyond the ability of humans to stop. If Soth had manifested in Earth, would it have been used then? Who could tell.

[color=aba000]”An anonymous drop off. Which is about as worrying as it sounds,”[/color] she explained, glancing over to Katarina just in case she’d uncovered anything related to that in the time since they had last seen each other. 

[color=chocolate]“Hm...”[/color] Rina turned away from the other two, taking a slow walk around the room. She could understand why one would need such a weapon – but to actually use it? That was just about effective as one country nuking another without thinking the rest of the world would eventually retaliate. Obviously peace and order needed to be kept, but...there was no way they could be certain that every single person in that town was beyond saving, or did they deem the collateral worth it?
[color=chocolate]“I don't know for certain who sent it, though I do have a few guesses from a bit of digging.”[/color] She turned to face the other two. [color=chocolate]“But I'm not going to be giving up a source to Beacon. Not until I can be certain of what's actually going on here.”[/color] Perhaps this was just a warning for what the Ascendancy was going to be doing to Penrose if they couldn't contain the current events.
Ishtar slowly nodded. “I see. In any case, I must ask you to keep this a secret, Katarina Nekrasova. If word got out about this weapon, it would cause the magical community to resent Beacon even more than before. Then, other organizations like the Ebon Mint would rise in power as people turn to alternative choices to cast their faith in.” She turned away. “You would also be in danger; the Ascendancy would hunt you down as an enemy of the organization if they learned you possessed this knowledge.”

[color=aba000]”No pressure, sorry.”[/color] Alicia added with a small wince. Not that she could blame Ishtar for asking this. With how rough things had been for them in the past months, knowing that they had the ability to just destroy the city would only add to that fire.

[color=chocolate]“It's fine, Alicia.”[/color] She grunted, glancing towards the Cardinal. [color=chocolate]“Don't worry Cardinal. I may not agree with the Ascendancy or a lot of what Beacon has done in the past,”[/color] Rina replied, stashing the USB back into her pocket. [color=chocolate]“But I can respect what they've tried to do. I'm not looking to cause more trouble, and I don't think whoever sent this is either. If they were looking too they would have sent it to something like the PI.”[/color] Still, this meeting was enlightening but so far it hadn’t revealed much. She had a name and confirmed it was likely Beacon's, but other than that? [color=chocolate]“I assume that person in the video is likely also part of the Ascendancy?”[/color]

"Thank you, Rina; you are a good person," she spoke, looking slightly relieved. "I do not recognize them, if that is your question," Ishtar answered; her expression was marked a solemn color. "But I am almost sure it was one of the officers of the Ascendancy observing the weapon's activation."

There was a small sigh of relief as Katarina confirmed that she’d keep things to herself. Not only that, but they had some idea as to who the person in the video was. [color=aba000]”The question is, why include the other file with this one? Obviously the video of the Reckoning was to establish credibility of some kind. But what does including it with that audio file accomplish?”[/color] Alicia hummed in thought, not ready to make any judgments just yet.

Rina frowned.

[color=chocolate]“Assuming the Cardinal knows about the audio file.”[/color] Rina continued. [color=chocolate]“...I don't think it was to establish credibility. It doesn't make sense, Alicia. If anything, the Audio file would likely be what they used to build credibility or trust. I think the two are connected in some manner.”[/color] She held a hand to her chin, pondering a few scenarios.
[color=chocolate]“Allow me to talk for a few seconds, Cardinal.”[/color] She didn't wait for permission as she took a seat on a nearby table, propping her elbows on her knees as she continued, a serious expression formed on her features. [color=chocolate]“I might be rusty because I haven't done an investigation quite like this since my police days, but my gut is telling me that at least. The audio file itself doesn't tell us much. Someone working with the Mint is planning on using this rave to their advantage...that wouldn't be useful in the slightest to anyone aside from simply confirming what we assumed was going on. The video file itself, also does not tell us much by itself aside from maybe, a leveraging tool on Beacon. They should know sending it to me wouldn't accomplish much since I am affiliated with them, unless they wanted me to defect.”[/color] She really didn't have much to go on. One of the possible scenarios was that this was a warning for what beacon was going to be doing to Penrose soon, but again, why send it to her? Sending it to some other organization in that sense, would be far more effective.
[color=chocolate]“...Which leaves the question, why send both...and why to me. If they simply wanted me to investigate Dilla, all they'd need to do is send the USB. If they wanted me to investigate the Mint more, all they'd have to do is show up and ask.”[/color] She made a gesture with one of her hands. [color=chocolate]”Sending both to me, tells me that both events are likely connected...and that I'm likely a select few people that could understand what was happening.”[/color] She leaned back, folding her arms across her chest as she continued, closing her eyes as she thought.
[color=chocolate]“Assuming they want to help, they probably sent it to me because there's a good chance Beacon would simply dismiss whatever it is unless it was from someone they tentatively trusted. Of course, there's a decent chance they simply want me to investigate the town of Dilla itself and were simply informing me of what happened to it, trusting that I wouldn't implicate Beacon easily. But again, then why send the tape?”[/color] She hummed, tapping a finger on her arm.
[color=chocolate]“The only connection I can make between the video file and the audio one, is that its meant as an example or a warning. Of either what the Ascendancy was planning on doing to Penrose...or perhaps, what someone else is planning on doing. If someone working with the Mint is collecting a massive amount of magical energy, there is only a handful of things I would believe they'd be using it for. None, would be good for anyone else involved.”[/color] Finishing, the former detective fell silent for a few moments before blinking, face coloring red with slight embarrassment.
[color=chocolate]“Aha, sorry. Got a little carried away there.”[/color] She hopped off of where she had been sitting. [color=chocolate]“Take anything I said with a grain of salt. Too little actual evidence to go on to make any solid conclusions.”[/color]
Ishtar seemed like she wasn't listening as she continued praying, until she spoke. "May I also hear this tape?" As requested, the tape was played again. By the end of it, Ishtar began crying tears of glittering gold. "No...I now understand…" She turned and took Rina's hand; the magical girl felt a gentle, soothing feeling from her touch. "The Mint plans to unleash a powerful spell on the night of the rave. With the Beacon drawn there, it must be something dreadful." She then collapsed against Rina's embrace. "The Ascendancy won't see kindly to acts of terror. It might even lead to...The Reckoning…" She whispered the last part. Rina was now so overwhelmed by grief that tears welled in her eyes beyond her control.

Ishtar’s observation was one that both of the other girls had suspected might be the case. Yet the way she said it gave it more weight, made it seem more likely than either of them had been willing to entertain. Alicia’s head fell, mulling over it in her thoughts. 

[color=aba000]”So we’ve got the Mint plotting what is definitely a trap of some kind. Considering the initial message, Vi is definitely involved somehow. I guess the question is whether Cindy is working with the Mint, or if this is all going down without her knowing. I mean, ‘coincidentally surviving’ the Reckoning of Penrose would make her a pretty big figure in the community, beyond just another ruler,”[/color] she said to the other two in the room. If this was a conspiracy, and if it went that far, they were in more danger than anyone had suspected.

Ugh, the Cardinal was most likely an Empath. As soon as she was able, she released the Cardinal from the embrace and wiped her eyes.

[color=chocolate]“Lets not start making any more wild assumptions, Alicia.”[/color] Rina said, zipping up her jacket. [color=chocolate]“We don't know that for certain.”[/color] Still, at this point she wouldn't be surprised if Cindy had something to do with all of this. Whatever the case, it wasn't important right now. [color=chocolate]“Either way, it doesn't matter right now. I don't think there's much we can do to stop whatever it is from happening. Not enough time and too little information.”[/color] In her opinion at least, their best idea was to wait and see what happened. They knew something was coming, but they didn't know what – it was far better to be reactive rather than proactive in this situation with such little time and information.
[color=chocolate]“Sorry if I'm being a little presumptuous,[/color] She said, turning to Ishtar. [color=Chocolate]“I don't know how much sway you have over the Ascendancy, Cardinal, but...I'd steer clear of the party and focus more on making sure Beacon is safe from whatever it is this is. If you all die fighting in a trap, well...even if there are some heavy losses on all sides, Beacon likely won't be able to recover, even if it has the Reckoning. If they use it to wipe Penrose and whatever corruption off the map...they may not be able to cover it up so well this time with a city as large as Penrose.”[/color]
Ishtar nearly collapsed to the floor when Rina released her, though she managed to find her footing. “That won’t be a problem. I...I have somewhere else to go on that day.” She slowly moved towards the altar, and knelt down to pray. “Alicia, Rina...There might come a time when you’re faced with darkness so great you fall into an abyss.. But, even then, you mustn’t give in to despair. In you two, I sense a grand destiny, but only you can make it a reality. Please...bring peace to Penrose. May the light of Beacon guide you forward.”

Alicia winced, chastised sufficiently by Katarina’s words. [color=aba000]”Well, I don’t know about [i]more[/i] wild assumptions, but I do know that that tabloid, the Penrose Independent, knows something. One of their people warned Penny to have Beacon members she cares about stay away from the event. That might be worth looking into.”[/color] She’d do it herself, if it weren’t for that standing commitment they had to Rebecca to find her Twin Soul.

As Ishtar returned to her prayer, Alicia moved to stand by Katarina. [color=aba000]”Thank you for your words Cardinal. I’ll keep them in mind and in heart,”[/color] she agreed with a small bow. Yet at the same time, she hoped that whatever this dark time was did not come to pass.

Rina cast a quizzical look towards the Cardinal when she said she had somewhere to be. That was...a bit odd, wasn't it? Or was there some beacon thing she had to do? Well, wasn't any of her business.
[color=chocolate]“I don't know about any 'grand destiny', or the light of Beacon.”[/color] Rina replied, making a move towards the door. [color=chocolate]“But I've been protecting Penrose before I was a magical girl. I'm not going to stop now. Thank you for the help, Cardinal.”[/color] She still wanted to know what exactly happened to warrant the use of the Reckoning in Dilla, but she got the feeling in the coming weeks she was going to be too busy to care. [color=chocolate]“The PI, eh...for a news service that touts being impartial, they've always seemed shady. If I had the time before the party I'd be doing some looking myself.”[/color]

Alicia followed as they moved to the door, closing it behind her once they had exited the room so the Cardinal could continue her quiet reflection. [color=aba000]”I’ll look into it as best I can. Still, it’s something worth keeping in mind even if we don’t learn much,”[/color] Alicia noted. 

With that said, she began guiding Katarina back to the entrance. [color=aba000]”Well, I wish you good luck. If things keep going as they are, we’re going to need it.”[/color]

[color=chocolate]“Beacon is going to need more luck than I ever will.”[/color] Rina replied with a shake of her head as she left. [color=chocolate]“Stay safe, Alicia.”[/color]