[No, the prisoner's tantrum began afterwards! 
]
As Yttrian presses the center, the contraption moves around, rolling the circular stone slab to the side and into a fissure on the wall. The massive stone barrier that shelters the passage hums and trembles quite deeper than the explorers would have guessed, bringing a slight tremor into the hall they now occupy. At first, it seems that the trembling sensation will degrade into a full-blown rock sliding, even bringing the walls down. It does not happen, though, and in front of Yttrian a long, round corridor, opens. The darkness inside demands a few seconds from Yttrian's vision, but eventually surrenders, showing a horizontal passage that looses itself into darkness, some sixty feet beyond.
As for Harfik, his maneuvers lead him to land closer to the gate unscathed. Under the heroes' prowess, the voice of the western prisoner ends in a vague murmur, as if he was surprised to meet their skills. A task that took others' lives was no match for this group, after all. Now it is the eastern prisoner's voice that rises:
"Very well... Return and pass judgement if you wish. As you delve into the Sanctum, though, try to remember three things: we, too, were skilled as you are once... Long ago. The Teraphim never use direct means of confrontation. This is why they are rarely seen. They will most certainly use their resources to know you, weaken you and submit you."
"Know that you enter halls that should remain forgotten. Beyond, you'll find the seat of the Entente, where noblemen from the whole world gathered to receive blessings, training and parley with the Teraphim. Now what lingers inside can't be known, but on some nights we listen to their lament still."
"Lastly, remember what they did to us. Our bodies are indestructible, except by the opening of these doors and the resulting end of the energy flux that feeds us. You were right to doubt our words: there are nights when even I doubt my thoughts to be mine. Consider this, though: if they managed to do this to us, what would stop them from doing the same to others, placing them as soldiers, guardians, or... worse?" - he falls silent once more, hoping to have done some good.
"How nice of you..." - the western one starts once more - "Why should they believe you when you yourself confess the lack of control over your own thoughts and words?"
"Why should they believe any of us?" - the southern one finally speaks. "The only thing they should know for sure is that the decadence and brutality of this place drives mad anyone unfortunate enough to enter... The mad jailers that placed us here, the mad spirits that linger on the walls, the mad beasts that know not what they are... And the three mad prisoners that no longer speak for themselves." - he laughs a crazed laugh, leaving the heroes to their own efforts. Alas, as he finishes his speech, it seems that a cold, heavy air fills the place.
Yttrian can almost hear a cryptic moan coming from the black throat opened through the stone in front of him, promising to curse to the bones anyone foolish enough to enter; Lyllie almost feels the anguish of the creatures she leaves behind, identifying herself with them... They too have been touched by the Teraphim's curse, she realizes it now. Icosa, on the other hand, overhears once more that voice, that female voice, but now it is distant and incomprehensible, singing in the rhythm of a lament.
Above, the storm begins to rage. Winds throw dust and pebbles down the passage, agitating the rope. Strikes of sickly yellow light illuminate the halls below, making the faces of the prisoners clear in their horrid features.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=8858]hafrogman[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION] [MENTION=5044]Charwoman Gene[/MENTION]
