A circle of figures stood around a large stone altar, chanting in whispers to a forgotten spirit. The room was a large chamber with an endless ceiling and a cold floor. It was large enough to easily fit four scores of men. Two torches adorning the wide doorway emitted the only source of heat and light; other than that, the room was practically a cave.

The five figures surrounding the altar had their palms pressed together in prayer. The heavy black cloaks they wore hid their eyes, allowing only the tip of their nose and their moving mouths to be seen. Even though their eyes were hidden, a feeling of intimidation could be felt from them. Other than the prayers that were being chanted the room was utterly silent. Despite there not being any windows, a chilling breeze passed through the room, shaking the confidence of the torches' flames.

The pattering of small footsteps echoed in the long hallway just outside of the room. As the sound grew closer to the room it slowed quite deliberately. Who ever the person was, he or she was taking his or her time getting to the room. The heavy thumping of the newcomer's heart could be heard in the silence of the room. A woman dressed in the same black cloak as the other five stepped into the doorway and all chanting came to a stop. No one moved.

The woman was much smaller in comparison to the other five figures surrounding the altar. The cloak nearly hid her entire face, barely leaving room for her mouth to be seen. It was amazing she hadn't tripped while she was running towards the chamber. She heaved a deep breath and lifted her foot to approach the five... except her cloak was stuck underneath her foot and she tripped. A loud thud resonated throughout the room. The fires danced rapidly, as if laughing at her mistake.

Irritation and impatience surged through the other five in the room. The feeling was mutual as the woman pushed herself up from the ground and carefully made her way to the circle that was now watching her intently from beneath the shadows of their cloaks. They did not make room for to join the circle.

"You are late," said the one to her right.

The woman cringed at the condescending tone in the man's voice. It was one thing to be a late, it was another to be barely initiated and be late. Tardiness was barely tolerated and the consequences of not abiding by the cult's standards were not enjoyable.

"I forgot there was a sacrifice today," she replied with her head tilted down towards the floor. The ominous color of the stone floor seemed to have a magnetic attraction to her eyes.

"No excuses, Kara," said the man to her left. "Just because you've only been a member for a few days does not give you the right to create excuses. You know that there has to be six of us here to sacrifice to the Night Angel."

Kara nodded to her superior and glanced quickly at the altar where a body was laid. The cult's weekly sacrifice consisted of the worst criminals in Midcryu. It was their way of offering justice to the Night Angel in the hopes that he would bestow his blessing upon the cult and its endeavors. Kara wondered what the man on the table had done.

"Get in your spot and lead us in the sacrifice," said the man who had first spoken.

Kara nodded again and stood directly in front of the altar, facing the man who was curled up in a ball. Soft sobs could be heard coming from the criminal on the table. A pang of pity flooded through Kara's system. She didn't want to kill this man. She wanted nothing to do with his death. Just then, the criminal lifted his head to face Kara, a pleading look adorned his face.

"Please," he begged. "I didn't mean it."

Kara turned to the person on her left to protest only to be met by the condescending shadow glare that most members were accustomed to giving the newly initated. It was a hard concept for them to grasp. Delievering justice meant that you had to also deliver a part of yourself to the Night Angel. It took weeks before the newly admitted, like Kara, came to terms with the idea.

"He doesn't deserve to live," the man stated. "He did wrong and we must deliever justice."

"Bu-" Kara began.

"Begin the sacrifical rites," he ordered.

Kara turned back to the altar to find the man staring adamantly at her, hoping for pardon. With a heavy heart, Kara began the sacrifice.

"Life is empty," she began.