[i][/i][i][/i][h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
Novak pondered what the hunter told them.  It was a lot to take in.

[color=ed1c24][i]So, if this goddess gets free, this entire region will be swallowed up by the oceans.  [/i][/color]Novak was rather unnerved by this notion, and by the hunter's claims that the Illuminator had tormented them with nightmares.  [color=ed1c24][i]If I were put through an ordeal like that, I'm not sure what I'd do.[/i][/color]

It seemed they believed that Lazhira must be the one who was eroding the seal.  Novak wished he could disbelieve it, but after everything he had seen of the mysterious girl...it made a lot of sense.  Novak knew that she knew more than she let on, and that she had powers of some sort.  Furthermore, shortly after she visited the temple, the fog became more widespread, implying that the seal had weakened even further.  It was always possible, he supposed, that someone else was behind it, using Lazhira as a scapegoat, but the fact remained that this seal was weakening and there was a good chance that someone was behind it.

Lastly, the hunters mentioned that Enli's death was to turn the rest of the village back to the Illuminator, and to draw out the culprit behind the seal's weakening.  Perhaps that was why the Illuminator was antagonizing the Kyrinth, to drive the people away from it and to him.

[color=ed1c24]"This sounds pretty serious, Nobunaga,"[/color] Novak said to his companions.  [color=ed1c24]"If this seal is at risk of breaking, it's not just the village that'll be in danger."[/color]

He didn't want to reveal his connection to the Illuminator, not under these circumstances, but there was information that it might be useful to share.

[color=ed1c24]"I didn't want to say this, Nobunaga, but the hunters' suspicion of Lazhira isn't unjustified,"[/color] he spoke up to his companion, visibly worried.  [color=ed1c24]"When we accompanied her to the Illuminator's temple, it became very clear that while she tries to hide it, she's not some simple village girl.  She appeared to be familiar with the temple's layout, almost as if she had been there before.  She has knowledge of past events that transpired there.  And I'm fairly certain she has supernatural powers.  And..."[/color]

Novak hesitated to speak, unsure how everyone present would react.  He glanced at Nobunaga, at Akando, and at the captured hunters.

[color=ed1c24]"...I think I know what she's up to.  She seeks an orb that used to reside in the temple, which from what I have gleaned is a key to the seal.  I've also learned that the Illuminator doesn't want her anywhere near it."[/color]

[@Rune_Alchemist][@VitaVitaAR]