With the third set of bodies found, Ales knew that someone was in Aqures Ixen targeting all of the Heroes and any unlucky native that happened to be nearby. Each murder was days apart, and while the Heroes could come back after a week or two, dying meant being unable to help protect the world. This was aserious damper on their work. Not only that, but they targeted some of the most useful people among them. Why Jade? He was one of the most useful Heroes. Was this really the work of the Cult?
On the 20th, Ales put out a notice for the Heroes of Light and for residents of Aqures Ixen to come to a meeting at the Observatory. There had to be a pattern behind all of this, and the clues found at the other places would help. He had rearranged the chairs in the meeting room to form a circle, making it easier for everyone to share their thoughts. He picked the largest and most comfortable chair for himself, of course, because he was clearly the most capable Hero among then.
He tried not to come off as condescending when everyone had gathered and he stood up to speak. "I'm sure we don't need a reminder as to why I've gather you all today, but allow me to explain it to the ones that only recently heard of recent events. The past few days, we've found Heroes of Light targeted and murdered in the streets, and by now I'm certain that this is a deliberate act against everything we work for. We need to find this person and apprehend them.
"Now, I can tell with certainty that each murder was carried out by someone different. The killing methods are different and reflect various skillsets, but I believe that they were under the orders of another party. What we have to do first is to pinpoint the culprits and work on from there.
A simple goal to work towards, but Ales had a theory on his mind.
"There was something I found unusual about the first murder. The victims' bodies were cold and damp, and James Kidd agrees that they were frozen with ice magic. Or they were struck by an ice weapon, but that's a rare weapon that could give away the culprit's identity. However, that's now how they died. They were killed with a well-placed dagger attack, as if it were the work of an assassin. But only mage classes can use powerful ice attacks."
He paused. This idea was a stretch, but if it were true...there was a hidden discontent among their ranks.
"Using those two skills would be impossible for a native, as they're part of two different Jobs, unless the attacker was a Hero of Light...or one of our enemies that can equip two Jobs at once. I would prefer it to be the latter, but what person with a rare ability would go out to the streets and endanger themselves through petty murder? I can't think of another reason."
The Heroes can protest all they want against that theory, but Ales had no qualms about hinting at betrayal among them.
"What of the other murders? Did anyone find clues?"
June 20 - Open Dicussion Thread for Investigators/Witnesses/Anyone
On the 20th, Ales put out a notice for the Heroes of Light and for residents of Aqures Ixen to come to a meeting at the Observatory. There had to be a pattern behind all of this, and the clues found at the other places would help. He had rearranged the chairs in the meeting room to form a circle, making it easier for everyone to share their thoughts. He picked the largest and most comfortable chair for himself, of course, because he was clearly the most capable Hero among then.
He tried not to come off as condescending when everyone had gathered and he stood up to speak. "I'm sure we don't need a reminder as to why I've gather you all today, but allow me to explain it to the ones that only recently heard of recent events. The past few days, we've found Heroes of Light targeted and murdered in the streets, and by now I'm certain that this is a deliberate act against everything we work for. We need to find this person and apprehend them.
"Now, I can tell with certainty that each murder was carried out by someone different. The killing methods are different and reflect various skillsets, but I believe that they were under the orders of another party. What we have to do first is to pinpoint the culprits and work on from there.
A simple goal to work towards, but Ales had a theory on his mind.
"There was something I found unusual about the first murder. The victims' bodies were cold and damp, and James Kidd agrees that they were frozen with ice magic. Or they were struck by an ice weapon, but that's a rare weapon that could give away the culprit's identity. However, that's now how they died. They were killed with a well-placed dagger attack, as if it were the work of an assassin. But only mage classes can use powerful ice attacks."
He paused. This idea was a stretch, but if it were true...there was a hidden discontent among their ranks.
"Using those two skills would be impossible for a native, as they're part of two different Jobs, unless the attacker was a Hero of Light...or one of our enemies that can equip two Jobs at once. I would prefer it to be the latter, but what person with a rare ability would go out to the streets and endanger themselves through petty murder? I can't think of another reason."
The Heroes can protest all they want against that theory, but Ales had no qualms about hinting at betrayal among them.
"What of the other murders? Did anyone find clues?"