The sitting room felt charged with urgency as they began discussing extraction plans, the weight of Elizabeth's imprisonment driving rapid strategic thinking. Oziel moved to the table and pulled out paper, his hands steady despite the alcohol-induced tremors that had plagued him during recovery, beginning to sketch the Temple's layout from memory.

"The Temple of Light has three primary security layers," he began, his voice taking on professional tone that spoke to military training. "Outer perimeter with guards at entrances checking everyone who enters, middle layer with priests monitoring internal traffic between wings, and inner sanctum where Pope's private chambers are located with restricted access enforced by his personal guards."

"Elizabeth is most likely being held in the upper chambers," Anastasia said, her knowledge of Temple operations coming from years of visiting for various noble functions. "The Pope resides on the highest floor where he can maintain privacy away from general Temple traffic, if he's imprisoned someone he wants kept secret that's where she'd be."

Raze studied the rough sketch taking shape, his Absolute Genius working through potential approach vectors and obstacles. "Direct assault wouldn't work," he observed. "Even with Oziel's skills we'd be fighting through three security layers while they called reinforcements, we'd be overwhelmed before reaching the upper chambers."

"Agreed," Oziel said. "We need distraction that draws security attention away from our actual objective, something that requires their focus on one area while we infiltrate from another direction."

"I can provide the distraction," Anastasia said immediately, her mind already working through the details. "I'll arrive at the main entrance demanding to speak with the Pope, create scene about donations my husband has made to Temple operations and why Sister Elizabeth has stopped coming to treat my son, make enough noise that security focuses on managing the situation."

"That would work," Oziel confirmed. "Angry noble woman demanding Pope's attention would require significant security presence to manage without creating diplomatic incident, especially if the noble in question is Lord Regent's wife making accusations about Temple services."

"While they're dealing with Anastasia's scene, Oziel and I slip in through secondary entrance," Raze continued, following the logical thread. "We navigate to the upper chambers using internal routes that avoid main traffic areas, locate Elizabeth and extract her while security is occupied elsewhere."

"The upper chambers have separate access points," Anastasia explained, pulling from her memory of Temple layout. "There's a service stairway used by staff to deliver supplies and maintain the Pope's residence without disturbing main Temple operations, it's less guarded because most people don't know it exists and those who do wouldn't dare use it without authorization."

"Perfect infiltration route," Oziel said with grim satisfaction. "We use the distraction to reach the service stairway, ascend to the upper chambers and locate the prisoner, then extract through the same route before security realizes what happened."

They spent the next thirty minutes refining details, identifying specific timing and establishing fallback positions if complications arose. The plan was dangerous but achievable if executed properly, relying on speed and misdirection rather than direct confrontation.

"Once we have Elizabeth we can't return here," Raze said, thinking beyond immediate extraction to longer-term safety. "The Pope will know Anastasia was involved once he discovers Elizabeth is missing, this estate won't be safe anymore."

"I have another property," Anastasia said. "A house in the merchant quarter that Venn doesn't know about, I purchased it years ago under my family name for exactly this kind of situation, somewhere I could disappear to if his corruption ever threatened Thomas and I directly."

"That's where we'll go after the extraction," Raze decided. "Gather everyone in one secure location where we can coordinate final preparations before Helena publishes the exposé, we're no longer safe operating separately with Venn's forces actively hunting."

"Your team at the Copper Rest needs to be warned," Anastasia said practically. "They're vulnerable if Venn's people identify your base of operations."

"I'll need to send message through one of your guards," Raze said. "Tell them to clear out immediately and bring everything important, meet us at the safe house with whatever supplies they can carry, we won't be returning to the inn once this starts."

"What about the documents and evidence?" Oziel asked.

"I have them," Raze said, tapping his chest where his Inventory held the crucial papers secured from both Anastasia and what little they'd gathered independently. "Everything important is stored safely where it can't be lost or stolen."

"Then we need to contact Helena Graves," Anastasia continued. "She needs to know the timeline is accelerating and that we'll be operating from new location, the verification process needs to speed up before someone gets killed trying to protect these secrets."

"I'll include that in the message to my team," Raze said. "Have them coordinate with Helena about the new meeting location and emphasize the urgency, two to three weeks was acceptable when we thought we had time, now we need publication as soon as verification allows."

They finalized the last details, establishing exact timing and confirming everyone understood their roles. Anastasia would create her distraction at precisely noon when Temple traffic was heaviest, maximizing the chaos her scene would generate. Oziel and Raze would infiltrate during that window, locate Elizabeth and extract her within thirty minutes before security could organize proper response.

"This is dangerous for everyone involved," Oziel said, his black eyes serious as he looked at each of them. "If any part fails we could all end up imprisoned or worse, you're certain this Temple sister is worth the risk?"

"She helped us when she didn't have to," Raze said firmly. "She facilitated meetings that saved a child's life and now she's paying the price for that kindness, we don't abandon people who've helped us just because rescuing them is dangerous."

Something flickered in Oziel's expression at that, respect or perhaps recognition of honor he'd thought lost to the world. "Alright then," he said. "We move at noon, be ready for violence if the plan breaks down because Temple guards won't hesitate to use lethal force against intruders."

Movement at the doorway caught their attention, a small figure appearing with hesitant energy of child who'd heard voices and come to investigate. Thomas stood there looking dramatically healthier than when Raze had first seen him, color restored to his face and vitality evident in his movements.

Anastasia's entire demeanor transformed, the calculating strategist disappearing as maternal joy flooded her expression. "Thomas," she said warmly, moving to her son and kneeling to his level. "You should be resting, you're still recovering."

"I feel good," Thomas said, his voice carrying childhood enthusiasm. "Better than I have in forever, I wanted to see who was visiting."

"This is Raze Dragonheart," Anastasia said, pulling her son gently into the room. "He's one of the people who helped cure your illness, you should thank him properly."

Thomas turned to Raze with expression mixing curiosity and gratitude, his golden eyes so like his mother's studying the young cultivator with interest. "You made me better?" he asked.

"My friend Kael made the cure," Raze said, kneeling to match Thomas's height. "I just helped get it to you, how are you feeling?"

"Really good," Thomas said enthusiastically. "I can run now without getting tired and I don't hurt anymore, mother says I'll be completely healthy soon."

"That's wonderful," Raze said with genuine warmth. "You've been very brave through all of this, your mother is proud of you."

They talked for several minutes, Thomas's innocent questions about cultivation and adventure drawing out Raze's more playful side. The child's laughter was infectious, his joy at simply feeling healthy something most people took for granted but which carried profound meaning for someone who'd been dying.

Anastasia watched the interaction with expression that mixed happiness and lingering fear, seeing her son healthy and laughing while knowing the dangers still threatening them. This was what she was fighting to protect, this innocent joy that deserved to exist without corruption's shadow.

Raze could see the depth of maternal love in every line of her face, the fierce determination to keep Thomas safe regardless of personal cost. He thought about the game's timeline, about how in the original story Anastasia had died defending her son when Venn's operations finally collapsed into violence, how Thomas had been killed shortly after when the Syndicate eliminated loose ends.

Alex had arrived too late in that timeline, guided by the Goddess to another crisis while this family died because he wasn't there to prevent it. The hero's path had led him away from these victims, their deaths becoming footnote in larger narrative about defeating evil.

But Raze had swallowed that plot, changed the sequence of events by arriving early and helping before tragedy became inevitable. Thomas was alive and healthy, Anastasia was fighting back instead of dying helpless, and the hero would arrive to find justice already in progress rather than corpses requiring revenge.

"Thank you," Anastasia said quietly once Thomas had been sent back to his room. "For giving me this, for letting me see my son healthy and happy instead of watching him slowly die, whatever happens with the rest of this conspiracy, you've already given me more than I could repay."

"We're not done yet," Raze said. "Thomas deserves to grow up in world where corruption doesn't go unchecked and monsters don't hide behind authority, we're going to finish this and make sure he's safe."

They departed the sitting room and made final preparations for the noon operation, Anastasia coordinating with her guards about transportation to the Temple while Oziel checked his equipment with professional thoroughness. Raze reviewed the infiltration route one more time, memorizing details and identifying potential complications.

The carriage ride to the Temple was tense, three people sharing space while lost in their own thoughts about what was about to happen. Anastasia maintained noble composure but tension showed in small movements, fingers tapping against her dress and eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Oziel sat with the stillness of experienced fighter preparing for combat, his hand resting casually near his sword while his awareness tracked everything.

Raze felt anticipation building as they approached, the plan was sound but execution would determine success or catastrophic failure. His Combat Reflex was already activating, perception sharpening as he prepared for potential violence if stealth failed.

The Temple of Light loomed ahead, its white marble and gold trim gleaming in midday sun. The entrance showed the same increased security Raze had observed that morning, guards checking everyone who attempted entry with systematic thoroughness that spoke to orders from highest authority.

"This is it," Anastasia said as the carriage stopped near the entrance. "Once I create the scene there's no going back, the Pope will know I'm involved and will retaliate accordingly."

"Thomas will be safe at the hidden house," Raze assured her. "Your guards know to take him there if anything goes wrong here, focus on the distraction and trust we'll get Elizabeth out."

"I'm trusting you with my life and my son's future," Anastasia said, meeting his eyes directly. "Don't make me regret that trust."

"We won't," Raze promised.

Anastasia departed the carriage with the regal bearing of offended nobility, her entire demeanor shifting into the role she needed to play. She approached the Temple entrance with purposeful stride, her voice already rising in aristocratic outrage.

"I demand to speak with Pope Reginald immediately," she announced loudly enough to draw attention from everyone in the vicinity. "My husband Lord Regent Venn has made substantial donations to Temple operations and I require explanation for why services have been suspended without notification."

The guards at the entrance moved to intercept her, their expressions mixing professional courtesy with growing alarm at dealing with angry noble woman. "Lady Venn, please calm down, if you have concerns they can be addressed through proper channels."

"Proper channels?" Anastasia's voice rose further, drawing crowd of onlookers. "I've been using proper channels for weeks while Sister Elizabeth who was treating my son suddenly stopped visiting without explanation, I demand to know why Temple is failing to provide services my family has paid for generously."

The scene was unfolding perfectly, security attention focusing entirely on managing the increasingly vocal noble woman while crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. More guards were called to handle the situation, priests emerging from inside Temple to attempt diplomatic resolution.

Meanwhile Oziel and Raze slipped from the carriage on its far side, using the vehicle as cover while they moved toward the Temple's eastern wall where service entrance was located. They navigated through the gathering crowd with practiced ease, two figures in unremarkable clothing drawing no attention while everyone watched Anastasia's performance.

The service entrance was exactly where Anastasia had described, small door partially concealed by decorative stonework and designed for staff use rather than general access. It was locked but Oziel produced tools from inside his coat, picking the mechanism with efficiency that spoke to skills beyond simple swordsmanship.

Click.

The lock opened and they slipped inside, entering the Temple's service corridors while Anastasia's voice continued echoing from the main entrance demanding papal audience and explanations for interrupted medical services.

The interior was dimmer than main halls, utilitarian passages designed for function rather than aesthetic impression. They moved quickly but carefully, Oziel leading with the confidence of someone who'd infiltrated secured locations before while Raze's Combat Reflex tracked for potential threats.

The service stairway was ahead, narrow passage ascending toward upper chambers where Pope Reginald maintained his private residence. They began climbing, each step bringing them closer to Elizabeth and deeper into danger if they were discovered.

Voices echoed from above, staff discussing the disturbance at main entrance and debating whether they should assist with managing the angry noble woman. Oziel and Raze pressed against the wall, holding absolutely still while the speakers passed nearby without noticing the intruders.

They continued ascending once the voices faded, reaching the third floor where papal chambers were located according to Anastasia's information. The corridor here was better appointed than service areas below, rich carpeting and expensive art speaking to resources directed toward leadership comfort.

Two guards stood outside ornate double doors at the corridor's end, their presence suggesting the Pope's primary chambers and potential location for imprisoned Temple sister. But those guards would need to be handled before they could search for Elizabeth.

Oziel gestured for Raze to wait, then moved forward with frightening speed and precision. His sword cleared its sheath in motion too fast to track properly, the blade's flat striking both guards across their temples before either could react or raise alarm.

Thud. Thud.

Both collapsed unconscious, taken down by someone who clearly had extensive experience in nonlethal incapacitation. Oziel dragged them quickly into a side room, removing their weapons and binding them with their own belts before they could recover.

"We have maybe ten minutes before they're discovered or regain consciousness," Oziel said quietly. "Find your Temple sister quickly."

They began systematically checking rooms along the corridor, moving with speed balanced against caution to avoid triggering additional security. Most chambers were empty or contained personal effects and administrative materials, nothing suggesting imprisonment.

Then Raze heard it, faint sound of metal scraping against stone coming from behind a door near the corridor's far end. He gestured to Oziel who moved to the door and tested the handle, finding it locked from outside.

Another moment with his tools and the lock clicked open, revealing what lay beyond.

Sister Elizabeth sat against the far wall in chains, her wrists and ankles bound with iron shackles marked with suppressant runes. Her torn habit had been replaced with prisoner's gray garment, her golden eyes widening with shock and hope as the door opened.

"Raze?" she whispered, disbelief evident. "How did you find me?"

"No time for explanations," Raze said, moving to examine her shackles while Oziel kept watch at the door. "We're getting you out of here but we need to move fast."

"The chains are enchanted," Elizabeth warned. "Suppressant runes preventing mana use, I can't break them myself."

Oziel knelt beside her, examining the shackles with professional assessment. His sword came up in precise strikes, the blade finding weak points in the iron with expertise that spoke to extensive knowledge of restraint systems.

Crack. Crack. Crack. Crack.

Four strikes and the shackles fell away, suppressant runes breaking as the metal split. Elizabeth gasped as her mana suddenly flooded back, the restoration of her cultivation base after hours of suppression bringing tears to her eyes.

"Can you walk?" Raze asked, helping her stand.

"Yes," Elizabeth said, testing her legs despite obvious weakness from prolonged restraint. "I can move, we need to leave immediately, the Pope knows about your investigation and he's warned Lord Venn, they're hunting for all of you."

"We know," Raze said. "That's why we're evacuating to secure location where we can coordinate final preparations, but first we need to get you out of this Temple."

They moved back into the corridor, Elizabeth supported between them as they navigated toward the service stairway. Anastasia's voice still echoed faintly from below, her performance continuing to hold security attention while they extracted their target.

But as they reached the stairway entrance, shouts erupted from behind them. The unconscious guards had been discovered or had regained consciousness, alarm spreading rapidly through the upper chambers.

"Move!" Oziel commanded, his sword drawn as he took rear guard position. "Get her down the stairs, I'll handle anyone who follows."

They descended rapidly, Elizabeth's weakness slowing them but not stopping their escape. Footsteps pounded above as guards rushed to pursue, shouts growing louder as the Temple mobilized to stop the intruders.

Raze's heart hammered as they reached the ground floor and the service entrance they'd used for infiltration. Outside they could hear Anastasia still arguing with Temple officials, her distraction ongoing despite the chaos erupting in the upper levels.

They burst through the service door into afternoon sunlight, Elizabeth blinking against the brightness after hours in dim chambers. The carriage waited where they'd left it, driver alert and ready for rapid departure as instructed.

"Go!" Oziel shouted as they reached the vehicle, practically throwing Elizabeth inside before turning to face the Temple entrance where guards were emerging in pursuit.

Raze climbed in after Elizabeth while Oziel followed, his sword still drawn and ready. The driver didn't wait for confirmation, whipping the horses into immediate gallop that sent the carriage lurching forward.

Shouts echoed behind them as Temple guards emerged fully, some attempting pursuit on foot while others ran for their own mounts. But the carriage had momentum and Anastasia's distraction had bought crucial seconds that translated into escape distance.

"We did it," Elizabeth gasped, still processing her rescue. "You actually came for me, I thought I was going to die in those chains."

"We don't abandon people who've helped us," Raze said, his heart still racing from the extraction. "You facilitated our meeting with Lady Anastasia and now you're part of our team whether the Pope likes it or not."

The carriage raced through capital streets toward the merchant quarter and the safe house where they could regroup. Behind them the Temple of Light descended into chaos as the Pope discovered his prisoner had escaped and his corruption was about to be exposed.

The game had escalated beyond simple investigation into open conflict, but Raze felt confidence rather than fear. He had legendary swordsman at his side, sources willing to testify and evidence ready for publication.

The thought of what was coming sent shivers down his spine, the danger was real and the consequences of failure catastrophic.

But Raze wasn't afraid, not with Oziel Radcliffe guarding their escape and Anastasia coordinating their next moves.

They were going to finish this, going to expose the corruption and bring down everyone responsible.

And nothing was going to stop them.

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