"Enough!" - An imperious voice with a feminine outline shook the void.
"You are engaging in behavior that is inappropriate for light carriers. Stop this madness immediately!"
In the midst of the void, an image familiar to each of the vagrants arose. It is probably the conflict awakened her from her slumber. Like a strict mother, she squeezed into them with a reproachful and stern look.
It took just a few moments for everything to disappear - Israfel was set free by the will of Great Mother, Eris. Achelous left as alone as its only possible for such complex mind as Vagrants were - they were two but there were much more, listening to their song. "Their disobedience of Ours will could not be ignored and left unpunished, Eris."
"We seen. Yet, the Darkling is on the Edge of Light. The Oracle. They already made their step to reborn, yet still has much to learn and embrace." - Her voice softened.
"We have another, more fitting four our cause carrier for you. Leave the Israfel in peace."
She touched Aсhelus's consciousness, calming him down with the waves of warming light.
"The Oracle serve the other goal. The other role. As the keeper of this sacred place. Not many of them is left. Each of them important. Their knowledge is important."
– Hey, whoa, the scenery was good, why'd you do that? – Israfel asked, annoyed.
Whatever the Incubus was trying to do, he was clearly not amused with the Exarch's antics. He was mentally preparing himself to twist the consciousness and perception once more to evade whatever psychic assault was coming. It would not be impossible to endure but quite troublesome to take on. It would not be impossible to break the shackles but it would take too much energy without the right opportunity. It was time to play the waiting game, learning a lesson or two from Zoners. Sometimes you gotta take a step back to take the big lunge forward.
The bubbling cancer of the former Oracle's mind did not answer the attack. It trembled, budged and retreated, still providing an ever growing mass of absurdity.
Fortunately, he did not have to search for the right angle of attack: Eris made her entrance, finally ordering the Incubus to step down. Back on his feet, Israfel removed his helmet and rubbed his eyelids, sighing.
– Thank you very much, Eris. That would be rather time-consuming to resolve on my own.
He was not sure if the incubus would listen but it was worth a shot. He said loud and clear:
– This one should have a better idea of how humans work by now. If you wish to seek out a particular individual as a host, I suppose you already understand the differences between people's aptitudes. Please, don't pick the wrong candidates for a job like this in the future. It could be worse than a waste of time, it could be a waste of useful assets. It's prudent to be responsible with the resources that your collective might need again in the future. I hope you understand my reasoning.
The words from Israfel's mouth has reached the recipient; not even a minute since he was release, as the room walls started to gloom with glyph more ancient that mankind itself. The language of Elders, that served many purposes and could explain everything in a few words, unlike the Darklings screech and snitch. Such a show was required to show power, to fear - even if a subject to comprehend was a schizo broken man - his body was trapped in the cocoon of telekinesis, floating over the floor.
"You live of the Elders' will; does not something familiar to Ours flow within your shell? We feel it, but yet within you we sense something else. Arrogance." Israfel could suffer the pressure that went all around his body, like a hand grabbed a branch and started to crush it, until it will begin to crack. "You have succumbed to the failings of your humanity - you squandering the gift of the Greater Light to you. What was given, can be taken away."
"Leave us!" - and powerful wave pushed Israfel out of the chamber, closing the doors for him to step into the sacred rooms forever. Acheous went silent, bypassing Israfel's mind like it was nothing but a lifeless stone.