[Salone]

Na'lsa began to tremble. The pangs of hunger had begun to lightly paw at his resolve, and the Chaplain's ranting read like a menu of fine dining to him. Keeping up appearances was quickly putting a strain on him. This was something he would have to practice. He was...

He smelled the sweet aroma. That off-metallic smell of blood. He quickly scanned the room, yearning to know the source of the sweet sustaining nectar. His eyes found the Chaplain, along with a small scrape that he acquired when he had been thrown back in to his desk. It was small, but it had been enough. His hunger was growing.

Na'lsa fought back his urges with a small groan. He eyed the priest as he spoke, his voice sounding weary.

"Let them come. Let them all come. They will be met with a hunger stronger than theirs."

[Suzerain of Sheol]

The Chaplian smiles at that. He seems far more relaxed now, and it is clear that he is an old man who has in fact fought many wars, far from a contrite priest of peace.

"That is what we are, no? Humanity. the true demons. Such myriads we have slaughtered...."

He at once smiles as though at a fond memory while the ghosts of tears mist in his eyes.

"Regardless," he goes on, "An escort will arrive in short order to bring you before Lord Zaccheus. Can I offer you refreshment in the meantime?"

[Salone]

The only refreshment that would slake Na'lsa's hunger at the moment would be his hungry maw devouring the Chaplain before them. It took all his will to stifle back the hunger, the urge to consume. Cain had been a lovely fuel for his growing fire, but it was quickly becoming unstable. In his mind he saw that he only had two options: Slake his thirst, or ignore it and eventually be consumed by it in all-out madness. But for the moment, he willed himself to ignore it.

"N-No thank you. I don't plan on eating just yet."

[Espy]

Dante raised an eyebrow under the blindfold, noticing how the inky aura trembled, barely under control. He, on the other hand, barely needed to think about the offer.

"That would be--! I...I mean, food would be much appreciated. And a drink. Of anything." Preferably lots of expensive food, he mused to himself, trying to remember the last time he ate something half-decent. Succor capsules got rather...nasty...after a while.

[Suzerain of Sheol]

The Chaplain gives a tight nod toward Dante. "Of course." He gestures to his guard, who promptly marches out of the room, presumably to alert the kitchen staff.

"If there is one thing we have here, it is the semblance of civilization. Even for those of us who remember... it suffices. It is life of a sort, better than your usual fare, I'm sure." He smiles to show he means no offense by the comment. "I am Thomas, by the way. I've served in Zaccheus' clergy for nearly twenty years now, done some good I'd like to think. So." He leans back, crossing his arms over his chest. "What of yourselves?"

Just as he says that, however, something stirs in the ether, subtle and quiet, a voice that only Na'lsa can hear.

Make no indication that you are hearing this. I am straining myself to my limits to mask my presence from the priest. Now hear me, through the blood of Cain that flows within us both. You must resist your hungers for a while longer yet. Something is coming, impending upon you even as this man bides his time. I believe it is the Celestrine himself. Na'lsa, listen to my words: you must proceed carefully. Do not make him your enemy, I do not believe he means us harm. This burden falls on you, I trust you to bear it. There will be many feasts to come, just see them through this.

[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.