Episode 19

'''Episode 19: Burning Devotion. '''

Ikar has been set ablaze by two Gongoozler followers, claiming their allegiance to their Disciple and no one can stop them except The Shepherd party. The party goes head to head against the cultists in the flames, armed with powerful magical abilities and even powerful hound creatures assisting them. One of the cultists goes up against Wood Taiji in particular, talking about his eyes and possible future sight ability he possesses, and how useful he is. The cultist then uses memory erasing powers on Wood, putting him in a vulnerable, confused state in the middle of battle, forgetting their interaction completely. Taylansta is able to kill the remaining cultist, but not without some casualties. Gemevieve almost melts in the flames, but is saved at the last second by Callisto. Gem then attempts to kill the last cultist, but cannot bring herself to take their life. They are knocked unconscious, and dragged away to be questioned when they wake up. Some letters are found on their body that details an indecipherable code of letters and scribblings, furthering everyone’s confusion.

The Cult of the Gongoozler shows itself to be quite terrifying and mysterious yet again, and while the cultists here were defeated, the town of Ikar was not salvaged. The town is burnt down completely, displacing all of the people that live there. The Shepherd crew is left distraught and emotional at all of this, trying their best to help in whatever way they can. Callisto even snaps at Gemevieve, saying how betrayed and enraged he feels that someone would do such a thing, and wishes to be left alone. Ajax leads everyone away from the scene, and is going to bring them somewhere nearby to recover.