[h1][center][b][color=7d0552]Communion pt.1[/color][/b][/center][/h1] [center][i][b]A Lethal collaboration with [@Gardevoiran] and [@ProPro][/b][/i][/center]
Mantis and the group left the scene of Sylph's demise. They regrouped with Farce and drove back toward the search and rescue operations. It was clear that everything they had simply was not enough to kill Behemoth. The best they could hope for was to mitigate the death and destruction it caused. Mantis forcibly rejected the thought that he had indirectly caused the Case-53's death. If she hadn't been influenced by him, she wouldn't have thrown caution to the wind toward Behemoth. 

Forcing himself into the present, he drove with speed and precision; evading debris, pedestrians and roadblocks. Healer followed on her bike not far behind. They reached a particularly large cathedral that was on the path of Behemoth's rampage. [hider=Cathedral][img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Denver%2C_Church_of_the_Immaculate_Conception.jpg/640px-Denver%2C_Church_of_the_Immaculate_Conception.jpg[/img][/hider]
People who never attended a church in their lives flocked to it like those same lives depended on it. Mantis parked the vehicle, flagged down Healer and spoke to his team, [color=green]”I'm going to try to get them to evacuate. They think a building will save them, but it’s distance that will.”[/color] 
[hider=Interior][img]https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1521936579152-a6f5ae52796e?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=934&q=80[/img][/hider]As they entered the front, crowds of people flooded the altar. A few priests were praying and attempting to give the people solace. The pews were flooded with people from all walks of life. Black, white, old and young. The beautiful cathedral was blanketed with lost souls in need of a shepherd. 

Farce followed behind Mantis, careful to not accidentally get crushed by anything. The building was surprisingly structurally sound, considering every step Behemoth took shook everything around just a little bit. Or it felt like that, anyway. Regardless, Farce immediately got to work as she grabbed some of the injured and started to help them out, being a supportive shoulder for a hurt gentleman and carrying a boy out in her arms.

Healer did her job well, as usual. Taking care of the wounded and even healing those who had injuries that were internal. People were amazed and claimed miracles were happening in God's house! That was not the response they needed. They couldn't have people staying here. They had to do something fast.

Clothed in his cape garb, Mantis marched toward the front of the altar where the priests gave out prayers and blessings. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disrespect them in the middle of their prayers. Another tremor quaked, signifying Behemoth's movement. Mantis could wait no longer. He turned to the crowd and shouted, [color=green]”YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE! BEHEMOTH IS COMING!”[/color] The people turned, somewhat shocked. Some muttered, [b]”Isn't this the one who was on the television? “[/b] The priests looked disapprovingly at him and continued their work. It was obvious they thought they knew something about this place that he didn't. 

Mantis shook his head. Their reactions were [i]wrong[/i]. They would get people killed. He released powerful feelings of terror and the phrase, 

[center][i][color=green][b]RUN AWAY!!![/b][/color][/i][/center]
into everyone within the vicinity. The feelings cascaded over them like a wave. People began scrambling for the exits in horror. They pushed and shoved one another for safety for several minutes. Thankfully, it appeared that no one was injured. These feelings were [i]overwhelming.[/i] Mantis continued releasing them until he was sure the civilians had evacuated. He purposefully attempted to avoid Farce, Healer and Axel with his powers. They still would feel some aspect of them, however. 

When he turned back toward the altar, a single elderly priest was kneeling, clutching a crucifix in his hands and praying fervently. Mantis felt compassion for the man, removed his mask, and knelt down on a knee next to him. He quietly muttered,  [color=green]”You have to go..do you want to die?”[/color] The man replied, [b]”My place is here. I've long ago purposed to never leave God's house until I, Father Hammond, leave this world for good.”[/b] Judah looked at him thoughtfully. The man [i]believed[/i] in something bigger than himself with all his heart. Judah respected that. He stood up and headed toward his allies. [color=green]”It looks like we're done here.”[/color]

[color=yellow]”Something tells me the priest isn’t coming with… I-I’ll be outside in a moment.”[/color] Farce told the group as she stepped forward to the priest, kneeling on her own beside him and staying silent. She wasn’t one for all the religious talk and babble, but with that monster running around, she didn’t really have time to question beliefs. Under her breath, she muttered something quaint. [color=yellow]”If I die, please let me see my brother again.”[/color]

[i][color=gray]Huh. Here I wasn’t expecting that.[/color][/i]

She rose back to her feet and ran over to the rest of the group. [color=yellow]”Should we get a move on to the next building?”[/color]

As they were about to leave, Axel barked emphatically toward an area of the cathedral. Judah honed in on that area with his ability. It wasn't as clear as it was before his second trigger. It took more work to get it right. He began walking in that direction and sensed chaotic emotions from a room; indicating there were living beings in it. Only a door stood in their way. Judah attempted to open it, but it was locked. Then he knocked, [color=green]”We're here to help! Please come out!”[/color] 

Behind the door they heard, [b]”We are safe here in God's house. We will not leave!”[/b] The cries of a child began calling out to them. Indeed, they heard multiple children in the room! This wasn't a matter of choice anymore..but putting children in danger.


[color=yellow]”You guys aren’t safe. What’s attacking the city can kill Gods, you know! You guys need to get out of here, and quick!’[/color] Farce tried to go for the intimidation approach. Sure, it wasn’t the cleanest excuse, but maybe Judah could help them see the light in their actions. 

Healer shook her head, [color=teal]”They aren't going to listen to reason. We have to do something..”[/color]

Judah nodded and marched next to the door, took a breath and kicked it in with his combat boot. It swung open; broken from its hinges. Inside there were at least forty people, including multiple children. He entered the room, pointed to the exit and shouted, [color=green]”GET OUT NOW!!!”[/color] More emotions of terror entered the room. Hopefully scaring the people out of their insanity. 

It worked..for most of them. Twenty of the people pushed and shoved one another out of the way toward the exit. Four children cried in place. Sixteen screaming men and women ran toward Judah, Farce and Healer. They began to grasp at their clothing. Pulling and shoving them into the walls around. They yelled for all their lungs were worth. Judah tried to get free without injuring them, but they clung to his kevlar like ticks. Axel barked at the group. He even began biting one man on the leg who was grabbing Judah.

[color=yellow]”H-hey! Get off of me!”[/color] Farce asked as a bunch of people piled onto her and knocked her down, covering her in a dogpile and keeping her on the ground. The vigilante didn’t much appreciate that, and try as she might to get everyone off her, she just couldn’t do it. Though, she started to notice there were a lot more guys on her than girls… which forced out Whip, either from will or from figuring out how Farce’s power worked.

[color=steelblue]”GET OFF HER, PIGS!”[/color] Whip quickly started to shove people off her, knocking them into the pews of the cathedral and biting down on those who dared to get near her mouth. [color=steelblue]”You fucking shitstains don’t deserve to be knocked out by the heel of my boot!”[/color] 

Healer shoved and pulled people off of Farce until Whip arrived thinking, [i][color=teal]”She can handle herself. I may have to heal the people attacking her instead.”[/color][/i] She kicked one man aside who had charged her. She heard the crack of ribs as her boot connected. The man fell over in pain.

Judah struggled to free himself from the mob around them. Axel continued to bite down the man's leg until he let go of his master. The man scuttled away with a bad limp and fell onto one of the pews. The battle with the civilians was tricky at best. It would be [i]wrong[/i] to go all out on the mob. However, that wouldn't stop them from beating Lethal Force to a pulp with sheer numbers.

[color=7d0552]”Well well well, how ironic. It seems you have escaped only to be hoisted by your own petard…”[/color] came a deep, confident, and amused voice from behind the group. Patriarch had entered the cathedral, his walking cane tapping the floor with every step, echoing throughout the halls.