The seven men stood as soon as Priscilla and the third disciple stood just before the dais. They turned to face them before bowing to the level of their waists.
"Rise, dear priests." The third disciple waved slightly.
When Gordon and his team were close enough, more people came in. Seven men dressed like the third disciple walked on the walkway following a hunched old man don in green rob. The old man had his white beard flowing to his chest. In his hands, before his belly was a small golden bowl.
The third disciple gave a slight nod to acknowledge the appearance of the seven disciples and the abbot. After that, he moved to the side and nodded to Priscilla to do the same, giving way to the abbot who walked past the seven priests to stand before the altar.
"Disciples of the great Kasnaya, the seven priests and our guests, I greet you all in the name of Kasnaya." The abbot held out his hand and greeted. He then walked to the other side of the altar where an old woman stood with her eyes fixated on the man who was lying on the waist-high altar. The abbot gave the third disciple a look and after the latter gave a nod of approval, the abbot continued,
"Today, we gather here to present our greatest offering to our god, Kasnaya and the Celestial Mistress. We hope that they will be appeased and our people will be shown greatness." He smiled then lifted the bowl slightly over his head. He enchanted a few spells and a blue flame appeared on top of the bowl.
He then lowered the bowl near Eddie's chest before moving the bowl in three circles while reciting more enchantments. Then Eddie started shaking a little. This brought smiles on faces of the people present except on those who had been following Gordon.
After Eddie's shaking had stopped, the abbot lifted his head and looked at Priscilla, "His soul is now bound to our god, once he dies. Now it is your time to make the prophecy work for us, chief priest."
Priscilla turned to Wicker and gave a gesture with her head. Wicker nodded before walking to the dais. Brenda and Jack heaved in fear of what was about to happen. Wicker stood before the altar with his grip still tight on the spectral stick.
Priscilla started reciting her own enchantments with hands stretched towards Wicker. Three seconds passed and there was a flash which lightened the entire hall for a second. When it was gone, Wicker was engulfed in thick strands of lightning. He wailed in pain as he lifted the stick over Eddie.
"Pokthan, Shekham, Wintham." He shouted those words one by one before sending the tip of the stick to Eddie's chest. Upon contact, Eddie's torso lifted grotesquely before slamming on the altar. Dust floated in the air with his fall.
"It is over. My friend Eddie is dead." Brenda squatted and cried. "What?" Jack's eyes widened.
"Only Wicker was capable of healing him. With him under Priscilla's control, Jack, our friend is gone." Brenda lifted her red eyes and directed them at Jack. Tears were welling from them and speaking was proving difficult.
"This is the stage where his soul will now go to your god. Everyone, bow to the spectral stick." Wicker's voice which was now as eerie as it could get echoed. His eyes shone like they were two suns on his face. He looked savage and anyone who dared disobey him would maybe meet his end.
He wanted to proceed with his ritual when his sunny eyes caught the old woman standing on the other side of the altar. She caught his attention because she was not bowing like everyone within the hall was currently doing; she only hunched over the man who was lying on the altar, her eyes fixed on him.
"The spectral stick wants to take what belongs to it. It demands the respect of all. Why are you not bowing?" His question could only be heard by her and no one else. The palm of his hand that was not holding the stick was open before him, ready to make a mince meat out of her, should her answer fail to satisfy him.
For an answer, the old woman straightened and locked her eyes on his sunny eyes. This made him return his hand to his side. His eyes dimmed to normal and his face grimaced in fear as he stammered, "M-m-mother."