[h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
Novak's hunch about the mask was correct.  While it initially resulted in the pitch-black darkness expected from wearing an eyeless mask, a vision gradually coalesced upon his eyes.  As it grew clearer, Novak realized that he was seeing the temple through the mask.  The mask's sight was colorless and didn't extend very far, but he saw things that he had been otherwise invisible.  Orbs of light floated about the temple, and the floor underneath the idol glowed with the same silver light.  When he looked at Lazhira, her tattoos and eyes glowed in the mask's sight.  According to her, these masks were supposedly used by the Illuminator's priests to see the unseen, but she hadn't been able to use them.  If it were not for the mask hiding Novak's face, it would be quite clear that he had beheld something quite strange when looking upon Lazhira.

For a moment, Novak thought about asking Lazhira about her connection to the Illuminator.  She might be less keen on playing dumb if she knew that Novak had seen past her facade.  Alternatively, perhaps he could question her later, alone, but that carried its own risks.  And perhaps it'd be worth looking at Enli with the mask on, he considered.

Then it all happened.

On moment Novak was gazing through the strange mask, marveling at what he saw in it and what it might mean.  The next moment, Leannah had decided to put his theory to the test, removing the stone from the statue and plugging it into the wall socket and demonstrating considerable dexterity in the process.  Suffice to say, it definitely caused something to happen  Something screeched.  The temple began to rumble.  A voice echoed in Novak's head.

[i][color=silver]“The pit. Offer yourself.”[/color][/i]

Any ambiguity as to what the voice meant became clear as a hole opened up beneath the statue, sending it and Leannah plunging into a pit.  It seemed that Leannah had uncovered the deeper part of the Temple that Lazhira had alluded to. Novak lowered the mask off, a bit alarmed at the voice, and very alarmed at a hole opening up and abruptly swallowing his companion.  He rushed over to the hole to check on his companion.  It was difficult to discern anything through the blinding light of Leannah's light sphere, but he at least was able to see that she was still moving. 

[color=ed1c24]"Leannah, are you okay?  Are you hurt?"[/color]  Novak shouted into the pit, hoping she'd be able to reply.  His first thought was to use the rope to pull her out, or to lower someone if she was injured from the fall.  Unfortunately, it seemed that the hole opening up was not the only thing that the stone had triggered.  A disgusting-looking black liquid began to drop from the ceiling and form into hostile-looking animated blobs that began to slowly inch themselves towards the remaining group.  If that wasn't bad enough, it seemed that the brush covering the temple had caught fire.  It appeared that opening a passage to the rest of the temple was not without consequences.

At this point, offering himself to the pit might end up being the best option.

[@Rune_Alchemist][@Click This][@Crusader Lord]