The ritual on the altar continues.
Although the elderly man dressed as a noble has already turned into a terrifying creature combining a moth and human, the two gray-robed priests on the altar seem intent on continuing the process. As part of the ritual, they ignited some sort of strange incense and inadvertently scattered wisps of faintly scented powder while circling around the cocoon man.
The surrounding devotees fell into a trance and swiftly succumbed to sleep one by one.
Hank, who was lurking in the crowd, also began to sway his head, then held his breath as those around him started to collapse into slumber, faking an unsteady fall as well.
The incense and powder at the ritual exhibit strong hallucinogenic and hypnotic effects, even someone like Hank, a Transcendent, struggled to resist the powder's scent, despite him holding his breath in advance, otherwise he might have succumbed instantly.
