Wrath Of The Inquisitors: A Storm Hawks Story

Chapter Eight - The Black Gorge

As the Inquisitors made their way to the entrance to the Black Gorge, the High Inquisitor pondered his next move. He knew that Aerrow was planning something. He knew that the Black Gorge was a treacherous place that holds many dangers. Despite this, the High Inquisitor refused to let the opportunity to destroy the Storm Hawks escape his grasp.

High Inquisitors: Inquisitors. Tonight, the fall of the Storm Hawks is at hand. The time has come for us to fulfil our duty to Master Cyclonis. Be mindful of your surroundings. The Storm Hawks are plotting something. Do not let your guard down.

With that, the High Inquisitors led his men down into the Black Gorge. They searched the dark maze like catacombs for the Storm Hawks. Soon enough, they came across the Condor. The Condor seemed to have been abandoned. 

High Inquisitor: Inquisitors. Form up. 

Following their leader's orders, the Inquisitors formed up around the High Inquisitor and slowly approached the Condor. As they got closer to the Condor, one of the Inquisitors triggers a trip wire. The trip wire releases a large pile of scrap metal on the Inquisitors. The Inquisitors were able to get out of the way as they readied their weapons. 

High Inquisitor: Stay ready!

As the scrap metal piled up, loud screeching was heard. Before they could react, the Inquisitors were swarmed by a pack of Vulca Bats. The High Inquisitor readied his Crystal Powered Bident, but the Crystal powering it has been drained of power. Despite this, the High Inquisitor was able to hold off the Vulca Bats. As the bats retreated, the High Inquisitor gestured his men to converge on the Condor. As the Inquisitors entered the Condor, they found it to be empty. After searching the Condor, one of the Inquisitors reported to the High Inquisitor. 

Inquisitor: High Inquisitor! We've searched the Condor and have found no trace of the Storm Hawks! 

High Inquisitor: Keep looking, Inquisitor! They couldn't have gotten far. They're plotting something. Sweep the Condor and the area around it. I want no stone left unturned. Am I understood? 

With that, the Inquisitors began to break off into separate groups to cover more ground in their search for the Storm Hawks. One group searched the area outside the Condor while another searched the Condor with the High Inquisitor. Suddenly, Radarr pops out of nowhere and jumps on the High Inquisitor's face. Before the High Inquisitor could react, Radarr began to scratch the High Inquisitor's face. The High Inquisitor grabs Radarr and throws him to the ground. As the High Inquisitor recovers from Radarr's attack, Radarr begins to scurry away while an Inquisitor tends to the High Inquisitor. 

Inquisitor: High Inquisitor! Are you all right?! 

High Inquisitor: What are you doing?! After that rodent!

With that, the Inquisitors began chasing after Radarr. As Radarr led the Inquisitors through the maze like catacombs of the Black Gorge, Radarr led them through a pathway. Once there, Radarr crawled through a small hole. 

High Inquisitor: We're breaking down that wall! We're not letting those Sky Knights get the better of us!

Without hesitation, the Inquisitors began the process of breaking down the wall in order to continue their chase for Radarr. As they moved to break down the wall, one of the Inquisitors was approached by a small creature. Without hesitation, the Inquisitor pushes the creature aside and resumes his mission. 

Inquisitor: We're almost past this wall, High Inquisitor!

High Inquisitor: Don't stop! I want that wall broken down! 

Once they break down the wall, the Inquisitors continued their chase for Radarr. On the way, they pass by a tar pool. Suddenly, the tar pool transforms into a Tar Monster and attacks the Inquisitors. The Inquisitors were caught off guard as the Tar Monster grabs Inquisitors and throws them off the chasms and into the abyss. The High Inquisitor lunges at the Tar Monster and impales it with his Bident. He repeatedly stabs it until it retreats back into the tar pool. 

High Inquisitor: Storm Hawks! You cannot stop us! I will find you! Do you hear me?! I will hunt you down!

With that, the High Inquisitor led what was left of his forces deeper into the Black Gorge. As they traveled deeper into the Black Gorge, the High Inquisitor began to see hallucinations of Master Cyclonis. 

Master Cyclonis(Hallucination): Be relentless, High Inquisitor. The Storm Hawks are unlike anything you have ever hunted before.

High Inquisitor: The Storm Hawks...pawns of the Sky Knights! They are a stain upon our glorious society and all of Atmos! Weak, corrupt and arrogant, they must be punished! The Sky Knights shall be purged! 

As the High Inquisitor spoke to himself, the other Inquisitors looked at him with both concern and confusion. The High Inquisitor then began to recite his vows. 

High Inquisitor: I am the fist of the Cyclonian Empire. I am the righteous justice of the Cyclonian Empire. I will punish all enemies of the Cyclonian Empire. I will purge them from Atmos. I pledge my body and mind to you, Master Cyclonis until death takes me.

In that moment, the High Inquisitor was stricken with Gorge Madness. His obsession with hunting down the Storm Hawks, his fanatical devotion to Master Cyclonis and the Cyclonian Empire and how his affliction of Gorge Madness has sent the High Inquisitor on a downward spiral that may threaten his mission. For now though, the High Inquisitor led his Inquisitors deeper into the Black Gorge.