Chapter - 70
The candles in the children's hands flared, the sickly green flames writhing like living things.
The black-robed fanatic standing at the pulpit, stopped smiling. His face twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated hatred.
"Heretic!" he screamed, his voice cracking. "You dare interrupt the cleansing? You dare defile this sacred ritual with your presence?"
He thrust his hands forward, fingers hooked like claws.
"Consume him!"
The green flames leaped from the candle wicks. They didn't burn the children's hands. Instead, they detached, floating through the air like five serpentine spirits, trailing smoke and a scent of sulfur. They swirled around the stage before diving toward the two massive, decorative suits of armor standing guard on either side of the altar.
The armor was ceremonial—heavy plate painted in the Temple's signature red and white, holding massive stone greatswords. They were supposed to be statues. Decoration.
