It's a priest.
It's Father Raul.
It's a baby angel...a cherub? He's got a red robe wrapped around his posterior, and he looks to be in a hurry. I can't remember reading about this particular incident in the Bible. Maybe it was in the, uhm, sequel.
Nah, that came out only five years ago, and this wall painting looks a lot older than that.
It's a wall painting featuring, amongst other things, a cherub and a long red robe.
It's the confessionals.
It's Cortez.
God, that was close...
What caused that Shift to open just in time? It has to be Cortez. Finally.
I...I can do it, now. I can Shift. It's not easy, but...I can do it.
Ironic as it may be, though, I think I've done all I can do in Arcadia. I have the two Arcadian Dragon's Eye jewels, the disc, and the starmap.
Now I need to find the Guardian, the two missing jewels, and somebody who can help me decipher the starmap. And I have to look for those things here, in Stark.
It's been more than two years since my last confession, but...no. I'm not in a mood to be counting beads right now. And with my list of, uh, shortcomings, I'll be counting beads for a very long time.
No, not today.
Good morning. I'm Father Raul. You're not a Hope Street regular, are you? I haven't seen you here before.
I don't visit the neighborhood very often, no.
And why should you? It's not a very nice place. This cathedral is all there's left of the hope in Hope Street.
I'm sorry to hear that, Father.
So am I. But we cope. We cope. How may I be of assistance?
Hello, Father.
It's good to see you back. How may I be of assistance today?
Do you know a boy named Warren Hughes?
As a matter of fact, I do. The Hughes were regulars before they...traveled to the colonies. Poor Warren was left an orphan by his family. I haven't seen him for years.
Where does Warren live?
I'm not sure he lives anywhere, but he does belong to a Hope Street gang -- the Razorblades, I believe. They seem to congregate just down the street, in building 87.
Be careful, though. Although they're far from the worst gang around here, they're not a particularly friendly lot. And they don't care for strangers.
I can take care of myself.
(chuckles) I don't doubt that. Still -- be careful.
Do people still go to church?
(chuckles) Yes, some do. Some do. Religion is pretty resilient.
Religion, sure, but there are so many new religions, and people tend to abandon the old ones, don't they?
They'll be back. The Voltecs and the Manus of the world offer only a fleeting chance at material happiness. What they cannot offer is spiritual enlightenment.
So you're not worried about the competition?
We have over two thousand years of experience and tradition to build on. I don't see us just rolling over on our backs and giving up, no.
Thank you, Father.
Please, come by again if you're ever in the neighborhood.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
Where did you say I could find Warren Hughes?
Your best bet would be building 87, just down the street.
Not only humans. The Vanguard are using the Tyren to force their changes into effect. They say the Tyren have turned to religion, that they have--
Yes, it's beginning to look quite bleak. What about the girl?
Aren't you worried that the fate of the Balance and our worlds is in the hands of a...a child? A simple country girl?
Spoken as a man of true faith.
Speaking of higher powers -- I have to go prepare my sermon for tonight.
You know, the usual. Sacrifice, devotion, faith. The cornerstones of any religion. Even the Vanguard seem to follow these tenets. They require devotion through faith just as much as we do.
- stirring up support for their ideas. And Arcadians, those easily misled sheep, they embrace these ideas because they prophesize change, and change is always attractive to humans.
The Tyren! Those beasts are not much for loyalty, but promise them money and power... The Vanguard are probably ready to offer them half of the Northlands, perhaps even Marcuria itself, for their services.
And they have certainly wanted to put their filthy claws on the city for as long as I can remember.
I think she may have seen the light, finally. She does not know even half of what is going on, and if she did, I do not think she would be able to handle it -- better she does not know.
Of course. I do my best to help her, as does the Mother, in her way. Still, April will be on her own soon enough, and then...who knows? After all, she is the one, no one seems to doubt that.
The Balance knows, and the Balance provides, and if the Balance believes in this girl, we should as well.
But of course, Father. You are not the only one who places his faith in higher powers.
And what lessons will be taught today?
Good night, Raul. Que Dios te bendiga.
Si. I'm no Catholic, but I still like coming here to meditate. To pray, if you want.
It's beautiful in here, don't you think? So quiet, so...spiritual.
It's life, serita, pure and simple. So, what did you dig up today?
If you're not a Catholic, who do you pray to?
To the Universe. To the Balance. To the rock in this floor and the air around us. To you, and to myself.
What is that, Buddhism?
Oh, nothing...except for everything you ever wanted to know about the Vanguard and Jacob McAllen.
You got the information? You found Warren? He helped you?
Eventually. It wasn't easy. But I know where to find McAllen, and I'm working on how to get there. I should be all set by tomorrow.
Good news, and just in time too. Things are not going well out there.
What do you mean?
The Balance is collapsing, and magic is seeping through into this world. Stark is still protected by its strong currents of logic and order, but Arcadia is on the brink of war and utter chaos.
Unless we act quickly, Arcadia will fall into disorder, and Stark will follow.
Can't we get help?
Everyone with the power and will to help is doing so, but you are so much more important than anyone else. You can travel to Arcadia to bring order to chaos, at least until we find the Guardian and return him to his realm.
What about the Vanguard?
We investigate your lead tomorrow, yes? If we find what we are looking for -- if they have the Guardian, or know where he is -- then we are one step closer to victory. But we still need to find the entrance to his realm...
...and the situation in Arcadia is not getting any better, not without your help.
I don't know anything. What can I do?
By just being there, you are helping. You are strong in the Balance, April, and your power flows into those you meet and helps them against the tides of Chaos. Whatever you do, however you do it, you are helping.
I still feel so...so helpless. I don't understand half of what you tell me, and as for the other half, I can't help being skeptical.
Good. Do not trust everyone or everything, and make a stand against that which you do not believe. Just be sure to accept the truth, when you find it, and embrace the good in the world.
Tomorrow, we will visit with McAllen, find what he knows, and use it. Then, the day after, you will go back to Arcadia. At most, we have a week. But it should be enough. As for today? Relax, be with your friends.
I'll do my best. What are we going to do now?
I don't think I'll ever be able to relax again.
We pay a heavy price for our knowledge, yes. But try to enjoy yourself, because the hard work begins in the morning. I will see you then, yes?
Wait, wait. Where are you going to be this time?
We will meet here, yes? I'm afraid I cannot go back to Venice, not now. There are -- people -- looking for me.
The Vanguard?
Yes. They know what I am, who I am. They will not rest until they have me. So we must work fast, to destroy them. Tomorrow, then?
Tomorrow. Have a good night, okay? Be careful.
Thank you, serita. And you.
Father Raul, where is Cortez? I thought he'd be here.
I haven't seen Cortez for a week, and it worries me. He usually stops by once every few days.
Is there anything you're not telling me, Father Raul?
I don't know what you--
Yes, you do! You're no ordinary priest. You know about Stark and Arcadia, about the Balance, and I'm sure you know a lot more about Cortez than you're willing to let on.
How did you...?
I heard you and Cortez talking last Sunday, and it scares me -- and pisses me off -- to think that you're using me, and that you're keeping things from me.
Sorry, I can't trust anybody anymore. There's so much at stake, and I-- I don't know who to trust, Father. Please. Tell me what you know.
I'm sorry, April. I mean, I'm sorry you don't feel like you can trust anyone anymore, and I'm sorry that I don't know more than I do.
When did you last see Cortez?
It must've been...I think it was last Sunday. Exactly one week today. He's been gone longer than that before, but this time...
How are things here?
You mean, in the cathedral?
No. No, I mean here, in Newport. How have things been going?
Nothing out of the ordinary. Why? Have you been away?
You could say that, yeah.
I have to run, Father.
I hope to see you again soon, April. Please take care of yourself. And if you see Cortez, tell him to see me. Tell him that...that I've been worried.
What?
This time I have a feeling there's something wrong. I don't like that feeling.
I thought for sure that I could trust Cortez, but as it turns out...I can't. I was hoping to confront him with this, but he's not around, and you...you're part of it too, aren't you?
April, you have to trust me when I tell you--
But I will try to answer your questions honestly and openly, as much as I can.
Can I ask you some more questions?
Always, April.
It's just been hot, and humid, and it's getting worse by the day. And, apparently, crime is on the rise. But what else is new?
Thanks, Father.
Goodbye.
Who is Cortez?
How did you become a Sentinel Minstrum?
I don't have any more questions right now.
If you do, please ask. I want to help. And that's the truth.
What do you mean?
The way people react when I mention his name... The fact that he seems to have been alive for a very long time, and that he knows as much as he does... Who is he?
(chuckles) It's funny, but I've been asking that very same question myself many, many times. Who is this man? He's old, yes, and powerful.
He has strong magic, but he rarely lets on exactly how strong he is. He prefers to be considered...eccentric. Crazy, even. They are both excellent disguises.
You still haven't answered my question about Cortez.
(sighs) That's because I cannot answer. I just don't know. He found me, when I first came here. You see, I'm not just a Catholic priest. I'm also a Sentinel Minstrum.
You're a Minstrum?
Yes. Do you find that strange?
How can you belong to two religions at the same time?
Belief in the Balance and belief in God are not mutually exclusive. The Sentinel order was founded on the basis of protecting the Balance, not to worship a higher power.
As long as our devotion to whatever god we believe in doesn't conflict with our duty to the Balance, and vice versa, who's to say we can't work in the best interest of both?
What did you mean when you said Cortez found you?
I guess. I just always thought of the Sentinel as its own faith.
It is a faith, but a faith in something less than God, yet more than magic or the laws of nature. The Balance was created by someone, was it not?
I don't know.
Nor do I. But I believe. I have faith. That's enough.
One day, he came to visit me here. He knew who I was, that I was a Minstrum, and that I was devoted to restoring the Balance as well as to my God. We soon became good friends.
The Sentinel are not numerous in Stark, not yet. Not with the Vanguard -- the Church of Voltec -- keeping a watchful eye and striking down anyone who dares to proclaim their faith in the Balance.
But the Sentinel are here, and when they find someone who they believe will be sympathetic to their cause, they approach them. That's what happened to me.
They asked you to join?
No. They told me the truth. I was studying theology at the time, and I'd found scriptures that...challenged convential wisdoms. Made me question the validity of my faith.
But once I'd learned the truth about the Balance, and the Guardian, and the ongoing war with the Vanguard, it became easier to believe in God again, because now, things made sense.
And so, in the end, I chose to become not only a priest, but a Minstrum. And I don't regret my decision.
Have you ever been to Arcadia?
No. I'm not a Shifter. I'm stuck here, unfortunately. (chuckles) I don't mind. I've been fortunate enough to read most of the Scriptures of the Balance, and that in itself is a rare privilege for a Starker like me.
He was very worried about the imminent collapse of the Balance, yet told me that he was waiting for someone special, someone who might be able to help us.
Me?
Yes. He waited for a long time for you to show up, and when you did... It was hard for him, trying to convince you that he wasn't crazy. I guess his disguise was too good.
I don't know much more than that. Cortez tells me very little, only that you're the key to the survival of the Balance. I can only assume that you're the new Guardian?
That's what I've been told. Not by Cortez, of course.
No. I understand your frustration, but I cannot help you any more than I have. If there's anything, anything at all...
Thanks, Father, but you've done enough.
It feels like I've done nothing. But...God be with you. And the Balance too.
Hello? Anybody there?
Who's there?
It's just me.
April. It's good to see you again.