Lots of talking. Lots of caution. Lots of discussion. He should be glad for communication, all things considered, but instead, Aiv just found it all tiresome. They barely had anything to go off of, and here they were, talking as if their amassed knowledge would help them at all. They knew not of the monsters they were going to face. Knew not of the truths that made up this twisted world. All they had were the words of a Goddess that was much too small and much too weak, as well as no real guarantee that what they were tasked to do was correct.

And thus, in a world so full of unknowns, what was necessary wasn’t muscle-crippling, mind-immobilizing, time-wasting caution, but instead, the bravery to take steps into the darkness and crawl out of this tomb of a shrine.

The paths were too narrow in consideration to the weapons that they were gifted with, and among the group, it appeared that only Ihosha, the three-eyed individual, bore an ability that allowed them to see into the darkness of the western and eastern passageways. Others bore weapons too cumbersome to use properly, though the bow and halberd showed promise, if they knew how to use those at all. Green eyes flickered back to the slab that shadowed him, before going to those that still meandered meaninglessly.

Well, no.

At least one person amongst them had the audacity to do something outside of flap their mouths off passive-aggressively. As the ripple echoed on, however, it was clear that such gentle provocation did not warrant a response from the tremor within.

[b]“Perhaps your anchor would bring in a better response, sailor boy,”[/b] Aiv said, [b]“Or maybe you could trip and fall into this abyss as well, Isabelle? Would s-”[/b]

The rest of his jest was cut off though, by a moan, a cry, a groan. The coming of a horde, of the believers that Nera had spoken of as corrupted beyond repair, blighted wraiths of a broken world. The screech of metal against stone was enough to show how dangerous they were, and the lunacy, the desperation in their tones caused his expression to twist in disgust. Holding onto their weakness and clinging onto a goddess of the ephemeral, these ghouls truly had nothing in their fates left but death.

[i]Endless tranquility and eternal peace.[/i]

Aiv grasped the writhing mass that refused to have a proper form, and dragged it closer towards him. Beneath his fingers, it was cold to the touch, stone-hard despite its organic aspirations. A low breath exited from him, rasping out like a deathrattle, before he brought the weapon upwards, slamming it down once more.

[i][b]“WE!”[/b][/i] A grand proclamation of unity resounded through the chamber and into the passageways, dust lifted and slime pulvernized. [b]“Are the emissaries of the Goddess Nera, She Who Resides Over and Within the World of Dreams, here to liberate you from your mortal shells and deliver you to the paradise that awaits!”[/b]

The pillar of sin rose and fell once more, another echoing crack sounding.

[b]“The Tribulations have ended, and Salvation is at hand for the devout! Come forth, faithful lambs, and prostrate before the deliverers of Rapture!”[/b]

Ah, he felt sick.