CHAPTER 178: Shadows in the Rain

CHAPTER 178: Shadows in the Rain

The rain pounded against the tall windows of the lobby, drawing liquid curtains on the glass. Fénix, in his impeccable black suit, approached Marcus, who was waiting for him by the imposing entrance door.

"Enid sent you?" Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "You barely get out of the medical bed and they're already sending you into the field."

"Looks like my break was shorter than expected," Fénix replied with a shrug, though his eyes showed determination.

Stepping outside, they unfurled their black umbrellas. The city was wrapped in a grey mantle, the sound of traffic mingling with the constant patter of rain. Their destination rose in the distance: the Frauenkirche Cathedral, its twin towers piercing the leaden sky.

"The mission is simple," Marcus explained as they walked. "The parish priest reported a hunchback lurking around the cathedral, stealing sacred objects. Our job is to... persuade him to leave."

Fénix frowned.
"Sounds excessive for a simple church thief."

"That's what I thought," Marcus admitted with a slight smile. "But you know Enid." He paused meaningfully. "Do you realize? You've almost been at Enid Corp for a year now. Things have changed a lot."

Fénix looked at the cloudy sky, stopping for a moment.
"Too fast, Marcus. Everything has happened too fast."

INT. FRAUENKIRCHE CATHEDRAL - DAY

Upon entering, the air changed; it was warm, heavy with the scent of incense and old wax. An elderly priest approached them with a calm step.

"You must be the ones sent by Miss Drakewood," he said, in a serene voice that resonated in the empty nave. "She informed me of your arrival."

"That's right," Marcus confirmed professionally.

"The individual I told you about is elusive," the priest explained. "He moves through the oldest parts of the cathedral. Some parishioners claim to have seen his shadow." He handed them an ancient key. "You have full access. By the way, Miss Drakewood comes often. She sits in the back, always in silence. She's a woman who carries a great weight on her soul."

Fénix took in the information but remained silent.

Fénix and Marcus begin climbing the stone stairs leading to the upper rooms of the cathedral. Each step echoes in the silence of the place, accompanied by the distant echo of rain hitting the stained glass windows.

"Did you know this cathedral was founded in 1905?" Marcus begins as they ascend. "The Berlin Cathedral was designed by Julius Raschdorff and rebuilt after World War II. It's one of the most iconic places in the city."

"You always have historical facts, don't you?" Fénix comments with a slight smile.

"Someone has to bring some culture," Marcus replies, shrugging.

Both meticulously search the rooms on the upper floor. Empty halls, dusty pews, and small private chapels reveal nothing out of the ordinary.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone here," Fénix says, closing a door after inspecting it.

When he turns towards Marcus, he notices something at the end of the corridor. A hooded, hunchbacked figure is standing there, watching them from the shadows.

"Hey, you!" Fénix shouts, pointing at the stranger.

The figure startles and begins to run, their footsteps echoing down the hall.

"Let's go!" Marcus exclaims as both launch into pursuit.

The hunchback proves to be surprisingly agile, zigzagging through the corridors and throwing random objects to block their path. Heavy candlesticks and books fall to the floor, but Fénix dodges them with ease.

"Stop!" Fénix shouts, quickening his pace.

Finally, the hunchback trips on a lifted carpet edge and falls to the floor. Before he can get up, Fénix grabs him by the collar of his tunic, lifts him, and slams him against a window. The light filtering through the clouds illuminated his frightened face as Fénix holds him at the edge of the void.

"Give me one good reason not to kill you right here," Fénix growls, his eyes fixed on the stranger.

The hunchback raises his hands in surrender, trembling. His voice is soft and fearful, but genuine.
"Please, don't hurt me! My name is Ivan. I'm not a thief... I only take what's left over. I don't want to bother anyone."

Fénix watches him carefully. There's something in Ivan's gaze, a mix of innocence and honesty, that makes him hesitate.

"Why are you here, Ivan?" Fénix asks, loosening his grip slightly.

"Because I have nowhere else to go. I've lived in the cathedral's rooftops since I was a child. The father lets me stay, but I never tell him when I come down. I don't want trouble."

Marcus, who has caught up to Fénix, looks at him skeptically.
"Are you sure you're not stealing anything sacred?"

Ivan quickly shakes his head.
"No, I swear! I only take old candles or bread they don't use anymore. I would never touch anything sacred."

Fénix observes him for a few more seconds, looking for any sign of a lie, but finds none. Finally, he moves him away from the window and sets him gently on the floor.

"It's okay, Ivan. But you'd better be telling the truth."

Ivan nods frantically, grateful.
"Thank you... thank you. I don't want to cause trouble, I promise."

Fénix crosses his arms and looks at Marcus.
"Looks like we need to talk to the father about this."

Marcus nods, though he still seems somewhat distrustful.
"Yeah, but let's not take our eyes off this guy."

With Ivan walking ahead of them, the three return to the main altar to clarify the situation.

Back at the main altar, Fénix observes the father with a critical eye while Ivan stays behind him, nervous. Marcus crosses his arms, waiting for someone to break the silence.

Fénix finally speaks, his tone firm but calm.
"This isn't what it seems. Ivan is not a thief or a danger. He's someone who lives here because he has nowhere else to go."