[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/FBrdjSk/image.png[/img][h3]Malphas
Abode of the Illuminated[/h3][@Rune_Alchemist][/center]
A secret cult within the small, seaside village? How scandalous! Malphas couldn't help but feel as if he was truly among kindred spirits after all. As for the hunter's protests...

"[color=lightblue]Oh, but I beg to differ. I've learned quite a bit on my way here with the help provided, while still making it here on a timely matter![/color]"

Seeing Soyala vouch for him, Malphas blew her a quick kiss before they proceeded forward into the temple. As they entered, Malphas could not help but feel impressed at the finery of this secret temple. While it was a little drab and empty, Malphas was particularly interested in the paintings. He didn't look at them too long, however, for fear of his sanity.

"[color=lightblue]Ah, a thief [i]among us[/i], huh?[/color]" Malphas asked with interest as Soyala explained why he was brought here. "[color=lightblue]Well, if that's the case, I must ask how much time we have to scheme and surmise. Does the Illuninator wish for the burglar's head before they leave the temple, or do we have some time afterwards? It could be best to plan some sort of attack while they are exhausted, tapped of resources...[/color]"

Malphas began to think of the lessons learned during his brief time in this new world. Malphas thought of the communal gatherings the village had, serving dinner to everyone. Malphas also thought of the poisonous flower, and its effects it had on the deer. Finally, Malphas thought back to the beginning, to those who he had awoken with... To have the same divinity as he does, Malphas thought of them as powerful allies. At the same time, however, he could not ignore how they could potentially be his worst enemies in his further plans. To succeed in the task given to him, as well as further aide in establishing himself in this strange new world, Malphas would have to align these goals together when thinking of a solution...

... Luckily, Malphas did not have to think too hard as his eyes found themselves wandering to the painting of the man ripping his face off.

"[color=lightblue]I may have an idea, granted we have enough time.[/color]" Malphas professed, turning towards the rest of the group. "[color=lightblue]First off, I must ask... How much of those corpse flowers bloom in this temple? Two or three will suffice, so long as I can keep one intact and untouched for myself. I've got an obligation to meet back at the village. Secondly, how long will it take for you hunters to find a large enough beast to prepare for a feast? It doesn't have to feed the entire village, just a small group of adventurers.[/color]"

Malphas took off his mitts for a moment, stroking his chin with some thought.

"[color=lightblue]You said this girl, Lazhira, was an outcast? And she is traveling with others who possess similar blessings to myself, strangers wishing to establish themselves in this strange world... If that much is true, then perhaps we should give them what they yearn for: Acceptance, to belong, to contribute, and to find a new home.[/color]

"[color=lightblue]Instead of going through the trouble of meddling in that death trap ourselves, we prepare a hero's feast in their honor! Except, the main course shall have a... special ingredient. You wish to see what I have learned on my own, don't you?[/color]" Malphas grinned to the hunter who held a knife to his throat. "[color=lightblue]Killing the lot of them is unnecessary, and perhaps impossible with the flower alone as one of the blessings we were given was physical endowment, but I saw the effects of that poison first hand on an animal much larger than you and I. Between the flower's effects and their tiredness from traversing that dungeon, they shall be incapacitated at the very least, which should give us more than enough time to take what we need, what is rightfully the Illuminator's.[/color]"

Malphas turned to the image of the man ripping off his visage once more, a curious thought planted to his head.

"[color=lightblue]The Illuminator is known to have many faces, many guises, yes? Would they be willing to bestow that gift temporarily to those who wish to enact their will? I'm afraid of being... recognized by the others, you see. But if they see me as a friendly stranger, rather than myself, then perhaps they may [i]believe[/i] in me more, for just a moment.[/color]"