"A shame." The words are correct, in case someone is able to hear them, but the tone is utterly deadpan. Merrin has seen a lot of strange and horrifying things in her travels across the galaxy, including cruelty beyond measure, and all of this reminds her of those who hurt themselves for the nebulous promise of a better life.

The hurt, in this case, is literal and physical. But it's unbelievable what hope and faith and fear can do.

"In spirit, perhaps," she says. "Have you?"

Moran had pointed them in the direction of the inner sanctum which, she assumes, means it's at the very center of the temple. She'd scouted around the place weeks ago, just to get an idea of where Caius was holed up, and she uses her mental map now to keep heading inwards.