The burden of power

We met with Isaiah and fine tuned some details on our next actions. While the others took some time to handle things on the vessel itself, me and Isaiah went back to the Zigurath. Isaiah needed to handle a rather delicate matter. A woman he... buried.
 
From what I understand, it was during the process of attaining the power and purpose he now wields, but it was precisely because of that that his state of mind led him to such a course of action. Given he wishes to try and fix his mistake, I wished to aid him however I could.
 
When we reached the Zigurath we were greeted by Arsis as well as Vara, the sister to the poor boy we failed last time we were in town. She's recovering well. Better than expected, even. Enough that she tried to harm us and very well could have achieved it hadn't we reacted quickly.
 
Arsis, as it turns out, has been getting more into the chaotic side of being the rebel figure she ought to be. She's now being refered to as the Iron Maiden by some folks, there's masks and even a proper organization behind it. It's dangerous as all hells, but I can't help but feel proud of her for doing so. Reminds me of the pit fight days, really. Except in her case she's actually doing it for a good reason and I just wanted to raise hell to be a little cunt. Still though... a few weeks and she already got a name. Damn.
 
Due to the nature of what we were about to do, as well as the fact we are likely a known quantity at this point around town, Arsis sugguested we go in wearing the 'uniform' for those following the Iron Maiden. I was delighted, really. Sadly, our incursion into the town did not go as well as we hoped. Isaiah tried his damnest, to the point where I am certain I could feel some of the magic he was attempting to cast... but his expression once he rejoined us told me everything we needed to know. The lady was impossible to recover.
 
Our way back was marked by a somber tone. I wanted to help Isaiah but... I don't know how. It doesn't help either that once we were able to rejoin with everyone, a multitude of revelations hit us.
 
One of them was the fact our contract is now putting us in a situation where we must kill a child. We all agreed this is a line we won't cross, but the issue at hand is if we stop things out cold just like that, we put ourselves, the alliance, and the child in question in mortal danger. We'll have to be sneaky and figure out some way to save them without making it obvious we are doing so, or at least, figuring out an alternate way to achieve the goals they wish for. Matt and Orion are working on gathering information, and I will attempt to join them after having a conversation with Isaiah about what happened out there.
 
Isaiah, much alike Akiyama, is now being burdened by not just what happened to the woman back in town, but also the fact a cult appears to slowly but surely be forming around his figure, whether he wishes for it or not. The weight of his actions is now immense. I... Tried talking to him. About the complications that come with it. The fact he has to weigh lives against each other. The fact they are demanding him to do horrid things.
 
I fear I only made it worse.
 
I apologized, tripped over my words... I just... something clicked in my brain half-way through my own sentences, the hap-hazzard way I was doing the exact same thing those forces are asking of him. Rationalizing it. I realized it was because I had done similar things in the past, with my job as Marquis, but... that didn't make it feel right. Not anymore.
 
I'm going to attempt to rejoin the others now, hopefully help attain some information that can be used to save the child from his impending doom. If nothing else, it'll help me reconsider my words for next time I talk to Isaiah.