**”Vessel of Corruption”**
Althea squirmed and writhed beneath the gaunt fanatic’s touch. The bony fingers held fast. When the four plagued cultists holding Althea’s ankles began chanting in the dark forbidden tongue of demons, the young acolyte darted her frightened gaze amongst them. Whirling like heatless flames, the black light wreathed the woman’s claws, but suddenly the accursed energy plunged into the priestess’ navel. To Althea’s astonishment, she felt no pain. Instead a dull itch spread outward from her belly button. “What? What’s happening to me?!” the young cleric cried out. Craning her neck, she looked down to see the dreaded patchwork of black mold appearing in small spots around her navel. They almost looked like birthmarks, they were so small. But they were there all the same, and there were nine of them. Just like the nine glowing rings around the altar. And in that moment the priestess recalled the association of the number nine with death… Nihilipox, could that be the name of the demon lord of undeath? Though she wanted to delve deeper the memories from her studies in the temple library, another spiking sensation tore her from her thoughts.