Akoni had never reached the guest in the Citadel, much to his irritation. A telepathic message had found its way into his head, a little magic trick he had taught to many hunters in the DHO before his retirement. A specific command that would deliver information to him, no matter where he was, in case the organization ever had need of him in the future. The message came from one of the higher ups, stating that they had an important mission for Akoni that couldn't be trusted to anybody else. The old mage sighed, weary, but changed course to be transported back to earth.

Upon his return, the details were given. There was some strange goings-on in an old church that they felt a strong desire to investigate. His eldritch knowledge, combined with his strong mental resistances, made him the ideal candidate to go on such an excursion, and unlike all the previous missions they had tried to pass off on him he no longer had the excuse of "I'm retired." The impending apocalypse had a way of wiping clean such concerns. Begrudgingly, the old mage accepted, and the Charred Council even gave their blessing (or what passed as such, at any rate) so long as be brought the information back to them. When every major faction was attempting to play Armageddon to their benefit, it was best not to be caught off guard, to know all the pieces of the puzzle as it were. With their permission, Akoni was off to investigate.

Apparently there had been reports of some sort of order or cult claiming to ascend to angelhood. Most would probably laugh off these reports, but Akoni knew better. There was precedent, after all. It wasn't so long ago that the Son of Sparda had taken on the misguided Order of the Sword and their evil patriarch. The reports showed that the members believed they were ascending, when the reality of the situation was that they were being turned into demons. Judging by what he had seen of Mary, they hadn't quite stopped, but the Order was in a much better state with the new leadership.

Then of course was the Lumen Sages, a group entirely built around the worship and ascension of angelhood. Ok, so it worked out a little differently from that, but the idea was there. Blessed with holy powers and the ability to summon angels for assistance, they are under contract to battle demons until they die, upon which their souls ascend to the Laguna, who feed on said souls to strengthen the Hierarchy and create new angels. The devil was in the details, but the general idea of "ascension" was still there, though Akoni considered it more of a curse.

Upon his arrival, the location did not immediately give itself away as a bastion for the Order of the Sword nor the Sages, but the old mage knew not to discount the possibility right off. More likely something else entirely was going on here, so he had to keep an open mind, but to discard known precedent could prove lethal. The cathedral did not immediately jump out as special to him, but a great deal of research may yet be required. Rather than focus on one location immediately, he decided to get the lay of the land, explore the surrounding area, to make sure that it was safe and secured. Plus sometimes the best way to get answers was simply to ask. Akoni could see through most lies, the benefits of being such an experience wizard even if most of his powers were out of practice. He set about exploring the grounds.

Within minutes the old man felt a chill in his bones, a different kind than the usual aching of his arthritis. The day had been bright, but darkness loomed overhead. A thick fog smelling of ash and flame now surrounded him. A bit agitated, he cast a minor spell to fashion a small bubble of oxygen around his nose and mouth with the purpose of keeping the fog from entering his respiratory system. A small precaution against an unknown force.

A few minutes later Akoni spotted three figures in the distance, hidden amidst the fog. He approached, slowly and cautiously, so as not to give any indication that he was dangerous. Once he had gotten close enough, the old man couldn't help but groan aloud. [color=dodgerblue]"Silas."[/color] The Sage was in the presence of two others. One appeared to be young boy of white hair and a calm, serene attitude. Akoni could feel the aura of this boy's presence to know he was not a boy at all. With a small blue glow of his eyes Akoni took in the not-child's name: Kushiel. He turned his attention to the other, a woman in a white dress with long red hair. Another flash of blue and he knew her identity as well.

[color=dodgerblue]"Greetings Fiametta. Archangel Kushiel."[/color] Akoni ignored Silas in favor of introducing himself to the two strangers. [color=dodgerblue]"My name is Akoni. I'm here under the authority of the DHO to investigate..."[/color] He glanced down at the charred, blackened bodies of the creatures that had been recently slain. [color=dodgerblue]"Probably those things."[/color]