Purity spat away from the altar, his eyes narrow. What did that bird know anything of power? What a weak-willed thing- not even a gembound, some creature worked up about how he should watch himself about how he didn't know what would happen to himself.

That fear. He could still taste it in his psyche. Of course they would fear for what he'd become. They would fear. He would become greater than , than the caves with this. He would be so, so powerful, so far above everyone, so--

He shut his eyes, breathing in through his nose. He was spiraling. Letting in and out a sigh, Purity licked up lips in an anxious manner. His haunches lifted and he paced from side to side, eyes tracking the floor below him. He needed something to do. He needed fresh Oil, needed- craved...

He licked his teeth again, hissing under his breath, before leaving the altar's side.

Like clockwork, he'd returned a couple of days later, ragged from his fight with the Lurker. Even if it was over quick, it still bruised him, and it would have killed him if he hadn't killed it. This time, though, he took his time arriving- and he shook his head as he entered the hole, tail dragging behind him.

"Hello, again," he said to no one in particular, casting his gaze on the pristine, white altar, his tongue darting out to lick his lip. He was so close to cracking this, so close he could taste it, and he let out a hoarse breath when he pressed his forehead to its side.

"I suppose everything's been good," he spoke to it, curling up at its base and pressing his back to it.

Sleep came easily to the exhausted feline. Dreams were to be filled with chaos- not nightmares- something to conquer. He would figure this thing out, and he swore to that.

Purity awoke with a jolt. Something screamed in the back of his mind- a tender moment, splattered by blood, fire curling about his throat and yet cutting at the same time, choking him-

Purity let out a rattling breath. His eyes shut, and he shook his head free from the nightmares, discomfort rippling through his coat. Another one... He scoffed, coughing, and stood, pushing away from the altar and stretching out. First order of business was to clean his coat- and when he licked back, he could feel the wounds he'd acquired in Canis, leaking their black oil and staining his pelt.

He curled his lips at that. How disgusting. And yet, he needed more, and he let in a long breath, teeth bared to the thought of it.

His eyes turned to the altar. Perhaps a vacation was in order. He had been here for too long, and he barely got out anymore, and there were new... Things, to find. What if there were more altars out there? Was this the only one? Shaking his head, Purity stood and took one last look at the voidlit hole, its comforting yet rattling whispers curling around him as he left.

'I'll be back,' he'd promised, setting his eyes forward and slinking away.