Chapter 230: Elimination

    (3rd Person POV)

    Hundreds of followers huddled together, resignation and hopelessness weighing heavy in the air. Just as they began to believe all was lost, Joshua and Elena''s words about divine protection sparked a fragile hope, though questions about this protection lingered.

    As more frightened followers streamed into the chamber seeking refuge, the ground suddenly convulsed beneath their feet.

    "We''re under attack!"

    "The Sacred Knights found us!"

    "We need to run!"

    Panic erupted as people scrambled in all directions.

    Joshua and Elena tried calming the chaos, their voices lost in the din. Finally, Elena channeled her magic, her amplified voice cutting through the pandemonium: "FEAR NOT! This quake is our Lord''s doing!"

    The crowd froze, confusion replacing terror.

    "Watch!" Joshua called out, spreading his arms wide. "Witness our Lord''s power!"

    The shaking continued, but now the followers saw it with new eyes. Walls stretched and reshaped themselves, corridors expanded, and new chambers formed before them. The rough cave transformed into something magnificent - circular halls branching into multiple levels, wide corridors illuminated by warm light, and living spaces appearing as if carved by an artist''s hand.

    Storage rooms materialized along the outer rings, while water access points appeared at regular intervals. The honeycomb pattern of private quarters spread across each level, offering both community and privacy. What was once a cramped hideout became a vast sanctuary, every detail crafted for their protection and comfort.

    "Our Lord provides!" someone shouted, and others took up the cry as their fear transformed into wonder.

    Elena watched the transformation with satisfaction. She caught Joshua''s eye, sharing a knowing look with her fellow devoted follower.

    He approached her, keeping his voice low. "Do you know about the protection our Lord mentioned? The true extent of it?"

    Elena''s smile widened. "Come with me. There''s something we need to see."

    Together they navigated the newly formed corridors, climbing a hidden staircase behind an ornate tapestry. The passage led to a small chamber, where both stopped in awe at what awaited them.

    A gleaming globe dominated the room''s center, its surface etched with intricate patterns. Above it, floating images showed the underground chamber''s entrance and the surrounding area. They could see followers still arriving, seeking sanctuary.

    Suddenly, knowledge flooded their minds - understanding of the globe''s functions washing over them like a wave.@@@@

    "So we can control who enters," Joshua breathed, studying the control interface. "We have power over the entire sanctuary''s security."

    "Look," Elena pointed to the entrance view. "The barrier''s already recognizing our people. See how it lets followers pass through automatically?"

    "Remarkable," Joshua marveled, watching another group enter seamlessly. "The divine power can distinguish friend from foe."

    They exchanged amazed glances as they absorbed the scope of their Lord''s gift - not just protection, but a complete sanctuary system under their control.

    For a moment, silence gripped the chamber. The cultists stared, minds refusing to process the scene before them. Then screams erupted as panic took hold. They scrambled for exits, but Lance and his knights moved with practiced efficiency.

    Steel flashed in the firelight. Blood splattered across ritual symbols. The massacre was methodical, thorough.

    When silence finally returned, Lance surveyed the carnage with cold satisfaction. "Search the district," he commanded his knights. "Find any cult members who weren''t present. The Scarlet Flame must be extinguished completely."

    Throughout Aurora Flats, mysterious deaths struck in the night. Wealthy merchants found dead in their beds. Aristocrats meeting fatal "accidents." Each victim shared a hidden connection - membership in The Scarlet Flame.

    Even the elite couldn''t escape. Lance''s forces, backed by local police, raided exclusive gatherings in mansion ballrooms and private clubs. Social status offered no protection as cultists from prominent families were dragged away in chains.

    Their attention then turned to The Celestial Hand. This cult preached transcendence beyond mortal flesh, believing a cosmic event would grant them ascension. They viewed their bodies as mere temporary vessels for their "celestial spirits."

    The Watcher Beyond, their leader who claimed to see past the veil of reality, met a decidedly earthly end. His death marked the beginning of another systematic purge.

    Headlines spread across the city:

    "Sacred Knights Cleanse City Of Cult Corruption"

    "Prominent Families Implicated In Cult Activities"

    "The Celestial Hand Falls: Leader Executed"

    These public executions sent a clear message - no cult would be tolerated, regardless of their members'' wealth or status.

    Other cults across Angel City trembled at the headlines. The brutal efficiency of Lance''s purge left no room for doubt - the Sacred Knights would show no mercy. Secret gatherings disbanded, ritual items were burned, and followers scattered in terror.

    Then Lance and his Sacred Knights arrived at their next target - the supposed headquarters of the Dionysus cult near the old church.

    But where they expected to find another nest of heretics, they found only empty streets and ordinary buildings.

    "There has to be an entrance somewhere," Lance muttered, his eyes scanning the area. "Search everything."

    But hours of investigation yielded nothing. No hidden doors, no suspicious movements, not even a trace of cult activity.

    "Lord Ashford," one knight finally broke the tense silence. "Could our information be wrong?"

    "Perhaps the investigators were deceived," another suggested, frustration evident in his voice.

    Lance''s eyes grew colder with each passing hour. "Keep searching. They can''t have vanished into thin air."

    Deep below ground, Elena and Joshua watched the Knights'' futile efforts through the sphere''s interface, sharing knowing smiles.

    "Should we show them another dead end?" Joshua asked, his fingers hovering over the controls.

    Elena suppressed a laugh as she watched a knight walk straight through a hidden entrance without seeing it. "No need. The Lord''s barrier is working perfectly. They could search for days and find nothing but empty alleys and solid walls."