[Arikana]

Ei’lycia had returned to the room she’d been given to stay in, her dinner sitting to the side upon the table. As she sat before the table, absentmindedly eating her meal, she reflected upon all that she had seen tonight.

‘My eyes, they could see everything entirely. A dissection of all, whether organic or inorganic, every last hidden aspect revealed to my newfound eyes. I wonder how much further I can develop this power, and what else I can use this power for.’

Putting the thought aside, she focused on her eyes, as her theurgic energy flowed back to the apex of her corneas, the same x-ray-like vision from before consuming her sight entirely. 'Amazing, I can see the absolute details of all I lay my eyes upon, the bed, this table, the carpeted floor, even my own body. Hm, this new ability may be useful after all.’

As she continued observing everything at an infinitesimal degree, she felt one of her usual headaches being creeping up on her, signalling the soon-to-be present voices. Again. In a hurry to ignore them for the moment, she recalled her theurgic energy as said energy receded back to her core. While she still held control over her bearings, she focused back on her observations from roughly an hour prior.

‘Those people, I wonder who they are and what they’re doing here. There has to be someone I can ask for more information, but who? Who can I ask?’

At that moment, an image of the older man she had met a day prior flashed through her mind, realization that though she may not completely trust him just yet, he definitely exuded power and wisdom. Something she could take advantage of at a time like this.

Stifling a yawn, she hurried out the door, running along the numerous hallways in search of Zaccheus. She looked in this room, that room and was beginning to think she’d never find the middle-aged man when she managed to stumble upon a large, empty hall. Sparing a glance at the far end of the hall she noticed several men dressed in billowing, white robes, whom she assumed were priests based on the ornate detailing which embroidered their clothing. Letting out a hasty sigh, she jogged down the centre aisle with hurried steps, her question for the clerics already in mind.

Just as she reached the front row, with great speed, she blurted out, “Excuse me, sirs!” She began, garnering the attention of the few clergies before her, who turned to face her, heads tilted slightly in curiosity, before she continued, “Um, do you know where I may find Zaccheus right now?”

With a watchful eye, Ei’lycia observed as the males before her exchanged brief glances with flashes of concern, curiosity, and hesitation. However, they all seemed to shake of the fleeting emotions as the one in the middle replied, “Come with me, young one, I shall lead you to him.”

As the priest who had spoken, lead Ei’lycia to the uttermost rear end of the chapel, not a sound could be heard save for her soft, padded steps and the quiet thuds of the clergy’s movements. A few minutes later, the man stopped before a door and pushing it open, he allowed for the young girl to enter first, before shutting the door behind him. With a quick, ”Wait here,” uttered toward her, he entered past another door. Moments later, he returned with Zaccheus in tow, and his iron sceptre in hand, as the priest headed back out to the chapel.

“So Ei’lycia, what can I help you with at this hour?” Zaccheus inquired, his eyes alight with intrigue.

Furrowing her brows as she gave some thought into what she should say, before finally deciding and opening her mouth to speak. “Sir, I was taking a walk earlier and happened to come across a group of people whom a patrol crew had stopped just outside the city gates. I was wondering if you could tell me more about these people as well as the need for the scouting part. As I recall, you said Thyatira is a fortressed city, therefore why do you send out such a heavily armed sentry group?”

“I have patrol units track the movements of all new visitors that come upon the city as a means to ensure that nothing but peace dwells within Thyatira. Though we seek to eradicate the evils from the world, we are but a peaceful metropolis. So anyone that dares destroy this peace which I’ve worked hard to develop, will be dealt with accordingly.” Zaccheus replied, this words slow as he ensured his words were laced with a persuasion in hopes to acquire the unyielding allegiance of the young theurgist before him.

Ei’lycia’s face remained blank as she took in what was said, before asking her other question, once more. “Alright, then what will become of the new arrivals to this city? A theurgist amongst them, I sensed none. So I doubt you’ll be attempting to recruit any of them, so the question remains. What is to become of them?”

Zaccheus furrowed his brows in slight confusion before he answered, “These people you speak of, I know of their presence, yet the reasoning behind their arrival is still a mystery. I was actually on my way to thoroughly access them, would you like to come along, m’dear?” He suggested, proffering his hand to lead her there.

Uncertainty at this turn of events flashed across Ei’lycia’s face, though as quickly as the fleeting emotion came, it left, leaving none but a blank facade in its place. When she finally opened her mouth to speak again, the words fell out at a much slower rate as she said, “Very well, I shall come along.”

Her hand never reached out to his, rather it simply ushered him to lead the way. So they left the room they were in and headed out to meet these visitors, and patrol unit, in question. Along the way, Zaccheus ordered two platoons of his soldiers to come along as a means of extra security, in case it were needed.