Apostle Matheus: Blood must be shed, and our blasphemers eliminated. You have proven your unwavering devotion.
Apostle Matheus: Roger the Green Chair, Meyer the Petty Plague, and our human brother, Legers the Dead, welcome to the Hall of the Sufferer.
Wrapped Man: Arrgh ... Uggh! sob
A bundled person wrapped in red-stained cloth writhes in a cage, giving out vague, muffled sobs.
The Apostle steps into the shadows, gently caressing the trembling body.
Apostle Matheus: Shush, child. It is rude to disturb our precious feast.
The bundle quiets at the touch, though the trembling continues, causing the binds to clink and chafe.
Apostle Matheus: Very well. Remain silent.
He withdraws from the cage and places his hands on Roger the Green Chair's shoulders.
Apostle Matheus: Brothers and sisters, our arcanist siblings and your bountiful offerings gathered have greatly enriched the coming ceremony of the Sufferer.
Apostle Matheus: We rejoice to see such devotion from the faithful, yet we are troubled by the sorrow and abomination now filling the world!
Apostle Matheus: Yesterday, two intruders broke the ritual of revelation, and stole from us the key to the gates of Elysium.
Apostle Matheus: The precious gift of Elysium granted by the Sufferer before THEIR agonizing sacrifice has been blocked from us.
Apostle Matheus: You should have kept the secret of the key.
A prolonged silence follows.
Roger the Green Chair: L-let me use my green chair to grill this shameful rat! I'll make him talk, spill the secrets he hid, and present his flesh to you as an offering!
Apostle Matheus: Well, well, Roger, such a caring brother.
Apostle Matheus: Your offering is appreciated, yet our siblings have already torn his chest apart and still no secrets—Just another careless fallen brother.
Apostle Matheus: This is our final warning: the ceremony for the Sufferer draws near. I would keep a close watch on every one of our flock. Let not one among you linger alone, nor be held above suspicion.
Apostle Matheus: And the Bell-Ringer who gave out our secret is here, in front of you. Tell me, which one of you would bestow on him our final mercy?
He fidgets with the key of the cage purposefully.
Wrapped Man: sob Urghhh ...
Legers stands, breaking his silence.
"Clink—"
The cage door opens. The trembling lump falls to the ground and wriggles like a helpless maggot.
Legers: whistle
Glawackus Mutant: roar
Two shadowy creatures descend the wall from above with predatory motions.
Legers: Good, eat your fill, children. Until it's done. Not a single stain left to offend our Apostle.
The drooling critters tear at the wrappings, dragging the body across the floor, leaving a trail of fresh blood.
They deliver a heart-rending howl before disappearing back into the darkness with their feast.
Apostle Matheus: Our thanks, Brother Legers. All, be seated, and enjoy the feast!
...
The banquet ends, and the remaining guests have now dispersed.
Apostle Matheus: You may be just a recent convert, still you have more than proven your devotion with your zealous contributions.
Apostle Matheus: But my child, something still blinds you, fetters you. That which deprived you of your control of the New Age Market? A thing that threatens to hobble our fast-approaching ceremony.
Apostle Matheus: Trespassers from the St. Pavlov Foundation, treading across our sacred sanctuaries as if they were their gardens. This failing of yours could reflect poorly in our esteem for you.
Apostle Matheus: Brother Legers. The coming of the ceremony cannot be delayed, and we will soon run out of patience. Retrieve the key.
Legers: My word is my bond. I will find it.
The Apostle wipes the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.
Apostle Matheus: All is now prepared, but we still seek the one who will lead us through the ritual, a child overflowing with pneuma. Yet, not a single soul now among our flock is qualified.
Apostle Matheus: We must seek the one who will guide the faithful on the transcendental path, to forsake the world, and become one with the Sufferer.
Apostle Matheus: I'm sure you understand what is expected of you.
Apostle Matheus: Speak to no one about this sacred mission.
Apostle Matheus: Find the one worthy of our ceremony for us, and for yourself, Legers.
