[Suzerain of Sheol]

"All flesh is wasted," Thomas mutters, taking point without the slightest hesitation, showing no sign of the infirmity of age."He's right, though. No sense in all of us perishing where one will serve." He, too, casts a dispassionate glance toward Ei'lycia. He fully intends to use the girl as disposable fodder if the need arises, at least until she proves to be of some other use.

Diogenes comes to stand next to the old priest; something passes wordlessly between them, to which Thomas nods. Diogenes sets off toward the monastery, advancing in a circuitous route, probing in every direction with his psychic eyes for the slightest sign of other life-forms. Or death-forms. He detects nothing.

"It appears to be clear, at least the exterior," Thomas says. "Let's get moving. We have one objective. Retrieve the priest, and kill anything else on sight. He is our only priority. Him, and the crown upon his brow. Move out!"