Jolting at the loud proclamation that challenged the bearers of light, Ihosha stared wide-eyed at Aiv for a few moments. Its skin crawled at the declaration and its hands tightened around the staff, trying to ignore the unsettling sensation. Glancing worriedly at the southern passage and hoping nothing had been disturbed there, they wound up sighing in relief as the lights continued to flicker softly from above. Ignoring the remark from Dwyn, Ihosha instead shuffled up towards the northern passage to try and get a better look at whatever was approaching them. 

Eyes widening in surprise at the twisted bodies that lumbered towards them, Ihosha felt the urge to run well up for a moment as every little detail in the dark revealed themselves. It disappeared quickly though, fading with the initial surprise, especially as one of the “leaders” began to speak. The others? Were they not the first of Nera’s chosen? Or did he refer to the mutilated shamblers that seemed to be the fodder they left?

Musing time was interrupted as a familiar, if unwelcome, sound filled the chamber before the walls seemed to rumble slightly at the impact. Ignoring the others and focusing on the lantern bearer’s actions instead, Ihosha cursed under its breath as the result of her clumsy attack seemed to just be two slightly smaller, if no less dangerous creatures. “Gah!” A bit annoyed, Ihosha could only hope that the others didn’t tire as quickly as the clumsy one if they fought more carefully. 

For now, Ihosha wanted to make sure that the lanterns didn’t work at a range though, or this would just be an uphill battle against the odds. Grimacing as the third eye cracked open, it became easy to count just how many lantern holders there were as each lantern lit up with the faint aura of magic. With a muttered prayer, Ihosha tugged on the small well of energy it could feel and focused on one of the lanterns.

[quote]Once again their third eye felt drowned in the presence of the light, how dim it might've been in reality, causing them quite an accute pain. But the number became clear in that split moment. Indeed, five of the lanterns remained, with only the faint trail of pale light signifying a destroyed other laying somewhere among the shifting and writhing forms. The smoke itself seemed to have some source of magic seperate to the light, interestingly enough. And in the final glimpses of the short second of vision, they also witnessed another peculiar thing. A darkness loomed within these beings, like a parasite having united with their flesh. It was not a physical thing, nor was it entirely magical either, existing among the bodies and flowing throughout them. It was like an emptiness, a void almost. These 'things' felt oddly familiar, somehow. Was this extra detail granted because of their dark gift? Only more questions, but so little time to ascern them. 

Closing shut, the eye began to bleed some sable-colored blood again, throbbing from the painful exposure to direct light. It might take a moment for her to recover and use such a power again. Ihosha would feel a slight weariness overcome them from tapping into the truer potential of the ability, but not enough to deter them from doing anything else in the upcoming moments. 

A strange feeling soon came across them, like they were being watched themselves. The extra perceptivity was not the only result of using the eye, it would seem. Though what that exactly meant was beyond them.[/quote]

Hissing, Ihosha planted the staff against the floor as they reached and up and clutched at their forehead. Trying their best to ignore the warmth that flowed through their fingers, Ihosha coughed and called out, "One's down, just five le-" 

Freezing mid-sentence at the odd sensation of being observed, Ihosha felt goosebumps form all over their body as a shiver raced up their spine. Twitching nervously as they pushed off the staff to fully stand, Ihosha took a few unsteady steps forward before she joined the others by the north passage and gripped the staff tightly, ready to fight against the horde. "Smoke and light are both magic..." Ihosha informed the others, albiet it wasn't as helpful as they hoped. They'd need to take a longer look to actually discern what each did, and Ihosha really didn't want to feel that dreadful sensation again...

"They seem empty as well. Consumed by blight?" Ihosha's muttering sounded uncertain as their grip shifted on the staff, waiting for the horde to draw close enough. "I can try to find out more, but can you "whole ones" hold them? The lanterns will revive any fodder you kill if you tire yourselves on them."