Atlas, just a moment before had stood there in total bewilderment, staring at the entropic magic he could see through his own vision, the odd lines became sigils on his palms. Atlas wasn't even slightly educated on magical things, always being a man that preferred the simplicity of combat with grit and steel, so the symbols meant nothing to him. Bewilderment turned to confusion in the next moment as he noticed the priestess' aura flicker and fall. With the grace and speed of a cat he was at her side and caught her in his arms. However, this took his attention away from the ominous presence that wasted no time in turning the whole temple into a swirling torrent of flames. 

[b]"Atlas, take the priestess."[/b] Normally, a flippant remark would've made its way out his mouth and onto the floor for the Nobleman to pick up and shove up his... But instead a guttural groan seethed from between his teeth as Atlas pulled his sash down around his mouth in automatic reaction to protect from inhaling the smoke. It burned him that he couldn't have cut the mysterious arsonist down immediately because he had sacrificed those crucial moments to catch the priestess. He heaved her over his left shoulder, while his free hand clutched at the hilt of his blade. 

That's when Vexia acted swiftly in their defense against the falling debris. The colorful auras from under her sleeves began to beam with fluorescent "light" within his sixth sense. They became distracting as Atlas noticed the magic accumulating at the point of Vince's wand as well. Like an orchestral director he manipulated some flames to create an opening. Atlas had to quit paying attention to the magic around him as it was creating a cacophony in his vision. He followed his charge's orders and bolted for the door. But like any man used to combat, he was used to multitasking, dancing on death's door with a barrage of questions within his mind trying to assess the situation. Everything about this was off. Where were the guards? Why would the priestess call them forth with some eerie message of fateful binds and then faint before the unknown arsonist had even begun assailing them with flames? The whole situation stunk of sabotage. 

Before he had made it out the door, Atlas took the chance to quickly pocket the Priestess' pendant with sleight of hand. With the help of Vincent's magic he was going to get to the bottom of this. Stepping out of the opening made for them by Vincent, Atlas turned to the rest still inside, beckoning them to hurry. He could barely see their auras midst the haze of magic that permeated the air heavily. "Move quickly!" 

In the back of Atlas' mind was the enigmatic group Vilicus, the question of their involvment, and if they were involved, the thirst for their leader's head on a pike.