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"Derinkuyu, an underground city in modern-day Turkey," murmured Tanael, walking to his bookshelf and grabbing a thick tome.
"A city? Underground? How is that possible?" Was such a thing realizable? Caves and tunnels, yes, but a city implied much more than that.
"The deepest accessible point of this cave system is 180 feet below the earth's surface. However, it is assumed that only a quarter of the entire labyrinth has been discovered and uncovered so far. We are, therefore, talking about a construction that extends over several levels into the earth. It is thought to have housed up to 50,000 inhabitants and their pets. There were living, sleeping, meeting, and storage rooms as well as a wine press, dungeons, and a monastery," Edward explained, his excitement growing immeasurably.
"Several floors? Under the ground? How was it possible to live there without oxygen?" Chris now joined in.
"There were shafts, over 15,000 in total, that led up to the surface and provided air and communication with the outside world. This ventilation system reached up to 287 feet deep and was also used to transport water. But two things are really interesting for us," Edward leaned further over the table. "Firstly, experts still disagree on what this underground city was used for. For defense or to escape the unbearable climate? But then, why were so many churches found? Secondly, it is assumed that Derinkuyu was connected to another underground city by a nine-kilometer tunnel. What was hidden down there that was so valuable that it had to be defended with two underground fortresses?"
Tanael placed the open book on the table next to the papyrus. It showed pictures of caves and passages.
"This here is Derinkuyu, as it was discovered by chance in 1963 and has since been uncovered. Its origin is estimated to be around 2000 BC, but it could just as easily be much older," the angel said as he continued to turn the pages. "Another thing worth mentioning is the so-called cloverleaf church on the seventh floor. It is laid out in the shape of a cross, and the longest part of the room is 82 feet. Almost huge enough to accommodate a large part of the underground population. But who or what exactly did they worship there? That is not known."
"I think we can agree that this Derinkuyu definitely deserves a place on our shortlist so far," I summarized the conversation.
"I'm sure of it. But I have to disappoint you, Myrina. The list won't get any longer. Many underground cities were in the same region, but none were as special and important as Derinkuyu. I can't think of any other sacred site that meets the specifications mentioned in the papyrus," Edward revealed to me disappointingly.
"Does that mean we have to go to these three places?" I asked the group.
"We won't have any other choice," Tanael agreed.
"Super! I'm in! When do we start?" Edward's enthusiasm was infectious.
"You're not going anywhere," Tanael growled, however, and the literature student's smile fell from his face.
"And why not?" he growled back. He was brave.
"Because we still don't know what role you played in the group's betrayal and Alex's death." The angel's words were harsh but justified. Nevertheless, I felt sorry for Edward, who looked disappointedly from one to the other until his questioning gaze lingered on me.
"What makes you think I could have betrayed you? I, too, have lost my best friend." I had never seen so much honesty in his eyes. It reminded me of that moment when he had told us about his parents and his mother's execution.
"You know..." I stammered, and it was hard to mention the accusation, but he deserved as much honesty from us. "You brought the Koran with you. The one from your father." Edward just nodded.
"There was a name written on one of the book's first pages. John Adam Nash. Why do you possess a forbidden book that apparently belonged to the number one Knight of John? The man who tried to kill me and then all of us?"
Edward's eyes grew wide before he lowered his gaze.
"I realize now I should have told you everything from the beginning. It's my own fault that you don't know for sure whether you can trust me," he mumbled and lifted his head again.
"You should know that my father was a theologian." Like the first time, it seemed difficult for him to talk about his parents. "He always questioned a lot of things; that was his character. He was a thinker and not a follower. When the Brotherhood came to power, he sat down and read all the books he had kept hidden from the Knights. In search of answers to the questions, we were also asking ourselves. Who are these Knights? Where do they come from? And why do they think that women must be deprived of their rights and freedom to save humanity? I remember he sometimes spent days in a secret room in the cellar, emerging from it more hopeless each time. Until the day he met Mr. Nash at a gala. Like a man possessed, he then rummaged through the various holy scriptures again, including legends and myths in his research. He had the uneasy feeling that something was wrong with Mr. Nash. He noted his name at the front of those books where he found a reference to this mysterious leader of the Brotherhood. He didn't mark the relevant passages for fear that his books would be discovered and his findings found." Edward sighed once and furtively wiped a small tear from the corner of his eye.
"Instead, he summarized his notes in a notebook with the help of symbols and signs he had invented. However, he had this book with him when ..." He had only whispered the last words. "When he jumped into the flames at my mother's funeral pyre."
The room was tranquil. Hecate's eyes, which must have seen a lot in her long existence, widened in shock, as did Tanael's.
"That is why I have joined you," Edward finished his explanation, now full of strength and drive. "Because I want to continue my father's work and hunt down the one who has caused my family so much suffering. The one who made me an orphan. John Adam Nash!"
CHAPTER 20
I'm sorry I didn't tell you in the first place. I wanted to. So many times. But something always came up," Edward confessed sadly.
"Myrina, what do you say?" Tanael now turned to me. I looked at him in surprise. Was he really going to habitually ask me for my opinion now?
"I believe you, Edward. My doubts about you and your loyalty were obviously unfounded. You can come with me to the holy sites for all I care. You were and are part of the team." After I said that, Edward's irises began to glow.
"I see it the same way as Myrina," Chris agreed.
"Then everything is settled," Tanael suddenly said. Before I could respond, he continued. "And Edward. Your father was right. There is something wrong with John Adam Nash. I've been following him for centuries, but I still haven't figured out who he really is. But one thing is certain. He's not human."
