Main Hall - Fort Pyro
Black marble streaked with red, the floor shines almost with an inner light, as you gaze through out the hall your eyes lock on the balcony and the hot air rising up from below, possibly from the open caldera of the volcano. A black stone pedestal, several feet across, several black rods leading from it, up into the ceiling.
Contents:
Karin
Zhagtin
Rhinn
Obvious exits:
Priestess' Room Entrance Hall
Lucious stands alongside the ranks of other soldiers, watching silently as to keep from risking his tail.
Karin slowly stalks from her quarters, her cloak of dragon wings a blue that is almost black, there is a glitter in her eyes, fanaticism laced with something else, and a satisfied smile lightly curls her lips, she looks around slowly, nodding once to Fireheart. She pauses a moment, giving people a few seconds to make themselves ready.
Lucifer stands at at-ease, watching with ever readiness to follow the first order cast out to the others. If indeed he is needed, he will go to it with full glory toward the almighty Viktiss.
Rhinn stands chained to the wall by wrists and ankles, having a nice vantage point over the area. He hangs from the bonds, his gold scales no longer shiny and bright, black leather clothes torn and missing in many places. His shirt is all but gone, the pants hardly some rags hanging around his legs.
Lucifer glares up at Rhinn, the Aldani, however unknown to him, must be of some traitor against his god. Extreme prejudice, hate, and disrespect can be seen in his eyes towards that one.
Fireheart grins, standing near High Priestess Karin's quarters, resplendent in her leather outfit, weapons at hand. She grins evilly, ready for what is about to take place.
Karin nods with a sly smile towards Rhinn, still having said not a single word, she slowly stalks towards the alter, her wings spread, showing off the cloak she wears made from the wings she has cut from others who have went to feed Viktiss's hunger, with a slow measured pace, slow enough to almost be torture to the observers she walks to the alter of Viktiss.
Lucifer licks his lips hungry for the blood of the Aldani.
Fireheart simply waits patiently by the entrance High Priestess Karin came from. A wicked smile graces her lips tonight.
Kalstin, a young warrior-in-training, waits eagerly, licking her lips in anticipation. This dragon, this -Aldani-, is everything she has been brought up to hate, and she can barely contain her hatred of his black spines. But, she stands in the assembled crowd, near the warrior Lucious, muscles tense and eyes hungry.
Lucifer shifts his weight edgily, cold, hard eyes set with the Aldani's. Edging on inpatient, he shifts again, tail swaying too and fro in anticipation. Shifting yet again, he shakes his head, mumbling something about "bastard", and "kill".
Karin finally reaches the alter, slowly she turns to look over the alter into the caldera of the volcano below her, the heat shimmering the air around her, she slowly lowers her head, wings spreading and then kneeling in supplication, a soft surration of her voice, barely audible as she prays to Viktiss.
Fireheart bows her head as her Elder kneels and prays, silently mouthing out the ritual prayer with her from where she stands.
Kalstin glances over at Lucious, and grins. "Hey" she whispers, "isn't this great?" She licks her snout again, quickly.
Lucifer glances up, eyes moving over the one voicing her opinion towards him. Grunting faintly with an evil smirk, he nods, bowing his head faintly, "Better than great, this is what I live for.." his words are silent... deadly.
Zornach stands to one side of the crowd, leaning somewhat tiredly on his spear. Old and battle-scarred, he nears the end of his useful life as a Warrior but fire still burns in his remaining eye. Garbed in full battle dress, he waits for his moment, prepared to give of himself one last time in Viktiss's name.
Surrounding the room, along the walls at distant intervals, other priestesses silently pray along with their High Priestess. Slowly, it turns into a chant, very soft at first, very low. It remains a soft hum, like a gentle breeze at the back of the mind.
Karin rises slowly, giving what is to come all of her dignity, slowly she stands, then looks to Zornach, she smiles softly to him and nods, ignoring everyone else for the moment.
Zornach straightens to full attention, head lifted and single eye straight ahead as Karin's gaze falls on him. His spear is held upright, as straight as his posture.
Kalstin grins toothily at Lucious, her tail swishing excitedly like a hatchling's. "Well spoken, warrior." she is silent for a moment, and then she growls softly. "Hyrr..What's taking so long? My claws itch at the sight of Aldani flesh.."
Lucifer watches eagerly, the lust of blood resting whole-hearted in his eyes. Wiping his mouth he licks his drying lips once more. As the moment draws near the tension within his muscles grows, he would pounce hundreds of feet if asked to. He nods, growling his compliances along with Kalstin, eyes raging, "My claws ache, my skin sweats, I would kill hundreds to watch this moment.." Glowering softly he watches.
Karin hisses softly, glancing at the crowed, seeking out who is disrupting such a sacred moment, she pauses a second, then gently, kindly almost motions for Zornach to join her before the alter, actually stepping aside to make room for him.
Fireheart leads the soft chant in the background. She starts to sway to the tune of it. Slowly at first, but as the chanters' voices start to rise with the proceedings, Fireheart begins to slowly, softly start swaying around the room, like in some sort of graceful ballroom dance. In that dance, she reaches out to Zornach but not actually touching him, she entices him to step forward to her, to the High Priestess who awaits him.
Rhinn stands up as straight as he can, trying to make a good show of Aldani, though he hardly makes a brave sight..
Kalstin shifts her weight from foot to foot, as in a trace. Her eyes follow the hypnotic, graceful movements of the priestess, and her nods respectfully to the elder Warrior who is seeking his final honor.
Zornach inhales deeply, chest expanding with his breath, then exhales and steps forward with parade ground precision. He can't resist a good look at the graceful priestess enticing him though, and does his best to balance dignity befitting a veteran Warrior with a Vehrakt's appreciation of the joys of the flesh.
Lucifer shuts-up soon-after, watching respectfully, every now and then shooting a glare at the Aldani Rhinn.
The soft tapping of a staff on the floor heralds the dragoness, Maya's, arrival into the hall.
Fireheart continues her slow, seductive dance around the room, for all to see now that Zornach is near Karin. She steps out the rituals of honor, both to her God, Viktiss and to the honorable warrior, Zornach. The chanting keeps her pace and time, the hum rising in pitch to fill everyone.
Karin holds still, she is only the director for this, the honor is Zornach's and Viktiss's, she smiles encouragingly to Zornach, for the moment ignoring all else, though her eyes narrow and flick over to glance back at Maya.
Lucifer smirks at Rhinn, then giving a faint salute towards Zornach.
Rhinn watches curiously, wondering what barbaric ritual this is.. not daring to interrupt the proceedings, eyeing the arena full of hostile eyes.
Another female warrior pulls Maya off to the side, but where they both can get a good look at the proceedings. She hisses at Maya, "You almost missed it!"
Zornach turns to face the assembled as Fireheart dances the ritual flawlessly, assuming an at-ease posture with his back to the volcanic crater and his wings lifted wide to bask in the heat of his god's throne. His unscarred eye shines with passion, dedication to the ways of his people and utter devotion to Viktiss, the Red-Fanged One.
Maya looks straight forward as she walks into the hall, with the staff that hardly ever leaves her side, and she keeps her attention to herself so that she does not notice Karin's glance, but she is pulled aside by a female warrior, and she says back, "I made it though. I couldn't miss this for anything, as it will tell me more about my new self."
Lucifer grins, the time draws near.
The female who grabbed Maya nods and hisses to her, "Then keep quiet and don't interrupt, or they might get in their heads to take *you* next!" She then looks, watching with practically glowing eyes at the proceedings.
Karin smiles with a quick nod of satisfaction, feeling the rightness of this, and Zornach's readiness and willingness, she motions him closer, to stand besides her before the alter, with a kindly smile she steps back a little, and bows to Zornach, finally she speaks, "Welcome Zornach, Warrior of Viktiss."
The chant and Fireheart's dance calm down until the chant is once again a very soft drone in the background and Fireheart is standing opposite Zornach from Karin. She too, bows to him as her Elder does, yet she remains quiet as Karin speaks.
Maya nods her head with a look of utter seriousness upon her face, and she becomes quiet with a click of her fangs, her eyes faintly lustrous. Her head moves toward the proceeding, her eyes watchful - standing there, listening and learning.
Zornach pulls his spear close and turns to join Karin before the altar, backlit by the ruddy glow of the living volcano. "Greetings, Karin, High Priestess and Favored of Viktiss. I give myself into the claws of He Whose Wings Bring Night To The World."
Lucifer eyes the proceedings, the crystal optics within growing red with pure hate for the Aldani. Without even trying to clear them, his eyes watch the warrior and high priestess, his respect for them is clearly shown, ever tensing with each closer moment.
Karin stands and steps close to Zornach, a quickly whispered conversation with he, unheard by any save maybe Fireheart, then she nods slowly, and in a soft voice, "Join me in prayer, you have earned the right to stand here with me.", then she turns to face out into the caldera, kneeling with her wings spread again and lowering her head.
Kalstin's heart fairly flames with pride as she sees the priestess conferring with the elder warrior. This ceremony overwhelms her. To have honor such as that. It is something only dreamed of by a young trainee.
There is noise at the rear of the chamber, and the main doors swing inward with a carrying boom. Through the portal strides Zhagtin, in full metal-adorned battle harness, his War spear gripped crosswise before him. His wings are half-mantled behind him, tail lashing with slow powerful sweeps as each step brings the clash of claws on stone. Jaws slightly agape and spines erect down his back, he strikes a fierce image. He makes his way directly to the forefront of the crowd, and draws himself to attention there. As Zornach's gaze falls upon him, he salutes the old Warrior with a lift of clawed hand to fanged jaw.
Fireheart bows her head as the chant starts it's slow rise again, bringing with it the slow swaying from the Priestess. Her movements are less seductive and more respectful, as if she is bowing and paying homage with her mere movements around the crowded chamber. At first, it's not very noticeable, but the chanting of 'Vik-tiss, Vik-tiss' works its way around the room, slowly being picked up by everyone in the room.
Lucifer begins chanting along, unable to help himself.
Karin softly whispers her prayers, helping Zornach with the unfamiliar words, the prayers she and Zornach share with Viktiss are ones known only to those who give themselves to Viktiss totally, after the prayers she holds a moment of silence, then she stands, a hand reaching to gently grasp Zornach's arm and hand, a kind smile on her face, "Are you ready sir?" you can tell she truly means the honor, respect for the aged warrior clear in her voice.
Intently, Maya listens to the chanting, and her tail with its own will starts to sway slowly behind her, as her fanged muzzle opens and starts to incant the same thing that the other Vehrakt are. Her fingers clutch around her staff, as she notices the arrival of Zhagtin, shortly dazzled by his darkness before she returns her attention to Karin's voice.
The chanting continues, "Vik-tiss, Vik-tiss..." With each voice added in, it rises in pitch, until it gets louder, the beat coming quicker. Fireheart's dance becomes quicker, her sheathed spears on her back flashing as she swoops and glides, bends and bows, circling the room faster and faster.
Zornach is silent and still for a long moment, gazing across the altar, off the ledge, into the churning air of the caldera. With Karin's grip on his arm he rises, slowly, straightening to full attention again as he faces his destiny. "I am ready, High Priestess. My duty done here, I go to serve my Lord Viktiss beyond the fire. He turns to face the crowd, "Remember me, my brothers and sisters. Follow me when your time comes, I fly before you to his embrace." He turns slightly and brandishes his spear in the direction of the Aldani prisoner, and snarls, "Remember me, Aldani. Remember this day, for our spirit can never be defeated!" He turns, and with surprising energy vaults the altar to land on the precipice beyond with wings spread. "For VIKTISS!" As his bellow echoes and resounds over the chant, he leaps into the air above the crater, fans his wings to hover once, and dives full into the depths and the lava waiting there.
Karin slowly walks up to the precipice, her wings spreading as she basks in the heat from the volcano, she cries out her joy at a Warrior's sacrifice, then lifts her voice in prayer, standing at the precipice with her wings spread wide, the hit air eddying around her.
Fireheart ends her dance abruptly as Zornach starts to speak, ending it in a kneeled bow next to Karin, before the warrior and the volcano beyond. The chanting rises to a fevered pitch as he speaks and dives!
Fireheart stands up after the brave warrior's sacrifice, arms raised, wings spread as Karin's are. She cries out, chanting, "Vik-tiss! Vik-tiss!" The crowd starts to cry out, chanting with her. The chamber resounds with all the voices combined in a cry to their god.
Karin turns to face the crowed, then slowly steps up to the alter, her gaze flicking over the gathered people, then she cries out, "Remember Zornach always, for he gives everything to Viktiss, honor his memory always. For Viktiss!!
Zhagtin pumps his spear above his head, prominent among the worshippers honoring Viktiss and Zornach. "Vik-TISS! Vik-TISS!"
Maya's full attention is solely on Zornach when he begins to speak. She continues to chant, caught fully into the moment, with eyes sparkling and the tongue in her muzzle flickering out at times. She nods her head in his direction after his words to the Vehrakt assembly, and her eyes widen slightly as the old warrior suddenly leaps the alter and dives into the precipice of the volcano but quickly narrow into slits, her breathing almost excited as the old one disappears into the lava on his trip to Viktiss.
Rhinn blinks at the finale, shaking his head and letting it droop in stark contrast to the fanatic frenzy around him. Ritualized suicide, how lovely. He lashes his tail a bit, inadvertently breathing a thin tongue of flame in his anger and distaste toward Zhagtin.
Karin lets peoples fervor die, standing silently with her wings spread wide.
Fireheart eventually lowers her arms and wings, letting her chanting subdue for the moment. The chanting and cries in the room slowly subdue with her. They all look to the High Priestess, waiting for what comes next.
Karin smiles, a cruel look in her eyes, she motions to someone at the back of the hall letting them know that it is time to bring the thief out to be seen by all.
From the wing step a pair of burly, grim-faced guards. Gripped uncompromisingly between them is an unimpressive specimen of a Vehrakt, a thin and decidedly shifty looking sort in battered form-fitting black leathers. But his expression is horrified, as he has been allowed to watch the willing sacrifice, and knows that he is next. "N-no, not y-yet, I have seen the light! I swear t-to Viktiss, I will serve him faithfully!"
Fireheart stands, arms now crossed over her chest, twin spears glinting from behind her as she glares at the one being brought forth. She hisses at his lack of control and at his blatant display of cowardice.
Zhagtin lowers his spear and watches with a nasty smirk on his jaws, reddish eyes agleam as fingers caress the haft of his spear. Oh, this is going to be -very- entertaining!
Karin smiles cruelly, a soft evil chuckle coming from her, "You will serve Viktiss, for all time. Though there is a way that you may win free......" she leaves that statement hanging there, to drop to the shining floor, she motions to Fireheart, "Have him prepared, before us all."
Sarreshev's face suggests there was a rodent somewhere in his lineage. He nods eagerly at Karin, seeing a possible rat hole to escape through. "I assure you, you won't regret it, I shall devote myself to Viktiss!" he says rapidly.
Fireheart just grins evilly, stepping before the coward. She looks to both dragons who hold in their arms, motioning to them discreetly and silently. They roughly turn the coward around, so his back is to the priestess and each grabs the wing nearest, pulling it to each side.
Sarreshev's face suggests there was a rodent somewhere in his lineage. He nods eagerly at Karin, seeing a possible rat hole to escape through. "I assure you, you won't regret it, I shall devote myself to Viktiss!" he says rapidly.
Sarreshev gives a grunt and cranes his head over his shoulder, seeing his wings spread, the connection suddenly clicking.. "I-I-ah, this isn't necessary! Please, I won't cause any trouble, I can pay you well!" he starts at the guards, pleading for a release.
Karin chuckles softly, she turns to the alter and removes a short obsidian blade, motioning to the guards to hold him firmly she almost gently strokes the tip of the blade along the thief's flank, drawing a faint line of blood, "But it is necessary if you wish a chance to leave here alive.", she motions for Fireheart to get the irons to keep the wounds from bleeding too much.
The guard to Sarreshev's right openly sneers at the crass offer. Is the prisoner so weak that he'd try to bribe his way out of the very clutches of Viktiss? He raises a fist to cuff the worthless cur, then thinks better of it and looks to the priestesses first.
Karin notes that she just gave Fireheart a great honor, though most would not think so.
Karin says, "Hold him well guard."
Sarreshev tries to squirm away from the blade, yelping loudly at its touch. "No, no! Really! Riches! Money! ...Slaves? I can get you anything you want! Wait, please!! Not that, anything but that!" he degenerates into sniveling and begging incomprehensibly.
The guard grins wickedly and nods to the High Priestess, lowering his fist and taking an excessively tight two-handed grip on Sarreshev's arm. "Try not to scream TOO loudly," he hisses with sadistic glee in the dragon's ear.
Zhagtin makes a sound quite close to a contented sigh, grinning his approval as one finger traces the honed edge of his own spear. Ah, if only it could taste the traitor's blood... for this craven excuse for a dragon is a traitor to everything the Vehrakt believe.
Karin chuckles softly, actually responding to the thief, ever so lightly stroking the blade down the juncture of wing and body, then pressing in, slowly sawing at the wing membrane, separating it from his flesh.
Fireheart opens her eyes wide at hearing this blatant bribery of a priestess. She then grins wide, her eyes narrowing to mere slits as she hisses, "Oh you *shall* pay well. You shall..."
Karin says, "You have nothing that I need, and the guards do not need that which you could give them."
Maya stands straight and tall, her every sense focused on the scene, especially her observant eyes. She clutches her staff tightly, her taloned thumb brushing over it, slowly. Her tail languidly sways side to side, and her expression is almost thoughtful.
Karin slowly lifts the blade up to her muzzle, blood dripping from it, she makes sure that Sarreshev can see as she almost tenderly licks the blood from the blade, she casts a glance at Rhinn, her gaze telling him that soon this will be his fate as well.
Fireheart looks off to the side where a brazier of hot coals awaits. A long, leather-wrapped handle sticks out of it, a hot poker ready for only Viktiss-knows-what. She grins, awaiting the High Priestess's next command. She enjoys this part, hearing the screams, watching and smelling the blood....
Lucifer grins, enjoying the show.
Karin grins evilly, nodding to one of the guards who then grabs the thief's head and forces him to watch, she lightly strokes the tip of the blade over the thin line of blood, then with a quick thrust slides it into the flesh, slowly she saws at the thief's wing membrane with the blade, going slow so that he will feel every stroke of the sharp blade through his flesh, with a flourish she lifts the freed flap of wing and nods to Fireheart.
Lucifer's expressing is livid with enjoyment, loving every moment.
Sarreshev screams steadily, barely taking time to breathe as his wings are gradually removed, struggling as best he can with the huge guards holding him.
Fireheart stands patiently aside, arms still crossed and waiting. Her twin spears glint from the light of the volcano behind her and the torches around the chamber.
Lucifer wishes within he was one of those guards, or even better, was there to torture the thief..
Maya narrows her smoky blue eyes into mere slits, hiding any expression there, as Sarreshev screams in the pain of having his wings progressively removed. Her tail that once was languid, flicks more noticeable now and Maya leans on her staff, thrusting out one of her ample hips. Her expression is contemplative, and her muzzle is turned to the side, her mind deep in thought regarding the scene she is witnessing. It does not frighten her.
The room is quiet except for the faint chanting still continuing from before by the priestesses surrounding the chamber. All eyes are on the spectacle of the coward being striped of what makes him a proud flying dragon. The tension builds until it can be felt, like a presence so thick you could almost touch it.
Karin grins a little as Sarreshev screams, almost as if its music which she enjoys, slowly she licks the thief's blood from her blade, then with a vicious slash she slices up, cutting through the remainder of the wing membrane, the blade making a sickening sound as it thumps into the living bone at his wing joint, the wing held on only by the wing's bone, she slowly moves around the thief, letting him watch as she licks his blood from the blade, feeling she has done enough for now she slices quickly, the blade sinking through the wing membrane right at the join of the thief's intact wing, then rapidly slicing down, with a flourish she moves away from the thief, letting him recover a moment, and realize his condition before nodding quickly to Fireheart.
Lucifer's grin doesn't spread, it bursts, he would laugh, but that would be inappropriate. "Viktiss.." he chants slowly, barely audible, under his breath, but held at tone with lingering power. He doesn't enjoy this, he lives for it.. the sight, smell, taste of blood on the air.. He licks his lips again, wishing he could use his sword a bit..
Another warrior takes up Lucious's chant, "Vik-tiss...Vik-tiss..." It slowly spreads throughout the chamber.
Fireheart grins evilly as she actually steps back, putting a bit of room between herself and the screaming thief. She speaks out, to him and the crowd, "You offered payment. You can not buy a Priestess, nor a God. But you can give offerings... She let's her blades finish her words as they sing from their sheathes in a deadly dance, suddenly in Fireheart's hands. She swings them, twirling them with deadly, practiced ease before all to see, and for Sarreshev the coward to see from over his shoulder...right before they sing out as one towards the coward's back. Sarreshev screams out in pain, his voice going raw from the shear pain of it all as his wings slide off his back with a gruesome sucking sound. Anyone looking at Fireheart sees her standing as she was before, her arms crossed over her chest, her spears behind her back once again sheathed. It's almost as if a dream, except for the blood dripping from each spearhead. In the guards' arms, Sarreshev faints from the pain. His wings how lay limply in a puddle at Fireheart's feet, blood running and dripping into them from the stumps remaining on his back.
Lucifer can't help but give an evil chuckle, eyes watching over the blood, eyes burning with lust for the blood and pain to be dealt to the coward. "Vik-tisssssssss." he hisses out, eyes alight with pleasure and the glory of offerings to the almighty god.
Zhagtin chuckles with a low rumble from his chest, and zealously joins the chant.
Karin nods again to Fireheart, letting her apply the irons to the wounds, a lower preistess joins Karin, holding a bucket of what looks to be melted snow, with ice still in it
Fireheart steps back, waving to a lower priestess standing by the brazier of hot coals. She grabs the wrapped handle and pulls out a glowing metal poker that is split into two ends, about shoulder's width apart. Seems they need a tool like this often enough to bother having one made. The priestess carefully hands it over to Fireheart who takes it and a chalice from another priestess. She steps up to the unconscious coward, catching some of his free-flowing blood in the chalice before stepping back up, jabbing the hot brand onto the stumps, cauterizing the wound, filling the chamber with the scent of charred flesh and scales.
Maya's most base instincts in her new body flood to the fore and her eyes open wide, and her tongue licks out against her muzzle, as if she herself can almost taste the blood that Karin has consumed from the blade of her destructive blade.
Fireheart just gins wickedly as she hands over the hot brand to the priestess and steps over to Karin herself, kneeling before her, chalice raised up in offering.
Lucifer growls with hunger... for blood.
Karin waits tell Fireheart is down and has returned the brand to the fire, when Fireheart offers her the chalice she lifts it up, a soft chant coming from her before she drinks it, letting the blood dribble down her muzzle and chest, she carefully hands the chalice back to Fireheart, then takes the bucket of Ice water and throws the water over the thief.
Zhagtin lifts his muzzle and inhales deeply, relishing the scents of charred flesh and fresh blood. His tongue flicks and traces his fangs, and he fills his lungs with the scents that make him feel so -alive-...
Maya's nostrils pinch shut for the briefest of instants at the smell of charred scales, her old body lingering beneath the new rebelling slightly, but no sign of fear does the brown dragon show.
Rhinn tries not to breathe, unable to avert his eyes from the savagery before him, wondering if this one too is destined for the caldera..
Lucifer's eyes flicker with a rage, wishing it could go on forever..
Karin slaps the thief, attempting to get him to wake, a cruel glitter in her eyes, "Do you still wish to avoid your fate." she asks softly.
Fireheart stands back, stepping to the side, allowing the thief an unblocked view of the waiting caldera aside from the High Priestess hovering over him. She crosses her arms over her chest, softly chanting with the soft drone that floats throughout the room, a glint in her eyes and a savage grin on her face.
There is a faint but growing grumble from somewhere, the black stone slab before the alter moves slightly, sinking into the floor a few inches, then silence reigns again.
Sarreshev blinkblinks a bit through the haze of pain and fear, hissing once. "How?" he asks weakly, eyes darting as if by habit.
Lucifer glares harshly, watching silently, the chant still softly floating through the air. The taste of blood on air only heightens the sense of hate and glowering, harsh and evil grin spreading his face.
Karin chuckles softly, "Come." she says softly, having the guards help the thief up, she slowly walks to the depression before the alter, "Stand here." The thief really has no option, the guards drag him over weather he wishes to or not and leave him laying on the black slab that is sunk into the floor, the grinding sound comes again and slowly the slab starts to sink, Karin says loud enough for all to hear, "Its simple, you must fly away.", then she steps back, knowing the magic woven into the stone when it was first made long ago will hold the thief in place until he is below the level of the floor.
Lucifer can't help but chuckle at the irony, he could fly away... if he had wings. The evil grin widens again, his eyes twinkling with delight.
Fireheart grins wickedly, having seen this performed many times over. She continues chanting, letting her voice raise louder, bringing the volume of the chant up to a higher pitch as well. She then lets the chant continue on it's own as she starts up the chant of Viktiss's name once again. "Vik-tiss, Vik-tiss..."
Karin walks up to the alter, smiling out to the crowd, "Viktiss is pleased this day, hold him in your heart for his strength is ours." she chuckles softly, "For those who wish you may go to the balconies and see how that one meets Viktiss."
Fireheart just steps up next to her High Priestess, watching the view from there beside her. She watches, the fires of the magma glinting and reflecting off her already bright eyes.
Lucifer grins, just watching without but the movement of swaying back and forth. Twinkling, his eyes are drawn t watch yet more intent than ever.
Maya moves forward toward the balcony closest to her, so that she can curiously watch what is going to happen to the thief, Sarreshev.
Karin smiles and watches down the hole, staring at the thief on the slowly descending platform.
Sarreshev's cries fade as he sinks below ground level, toward the boiling molten rock, his flesh starting to sear in the heat..
Karin chuckles softly, looking up at Rhinn for a moment, a smile in her eyes before she returns her gaze to the thief.
Rhinn sags against his chains, fighting off a wave of nausea at the sickening proceedings, exhausted both physically and emotionally.
Zhagtin strolls forward, as close as protocol will allow, and cocks his head to listen to the descending, blubbering screams... the grin he turns on Rhinn is wide, serrated, and utterly predatory.
Karin chuckles softly, "Some never learn, if he would jump his pain would end much faster, but they struggle to keep to life, well after there is no hope.
Fireheart just watches the slow decline of Sarreshev, ignoring who these proceedings truly were meant for. Her eyes reflect the fires below, giving an visual impression of her name, Fireheart.
Zhagtin rumbles, "much like the expression on their faces when they are transfixed on your spear. That moment before they realize they are dead..."
Fireheart nods to her Elders words, speaking back, "They cling to the hope that they may yet be free of such a fate. but Viktiss claims us all in the end."
Karin nods, "It is better to meet your fate with honor and courage."
Zhagtin has to agree. "Better to face it willingly like Zornach."
Fireheart just nods silently as the thief's screams reach a high pitch. He has reached the level of the magma itself...
Zhagtin lifts his head, savoring the crescendo, the climax... perhaps Sarreshev will serve noble Zornach in the realm of Viktiss, an eternal slave to the true Warriors.
Karin looks up at Rhinn, "Soon we will see how you meet your fate."