Wood incense burns and the moon grows brighter. Xerxes, who is now an adult, has been summoned to the ceremonial chamber to receive his Marking of Strato. This mark is magic-based and will cover his body as he spends more time in the Sect, turning him into a physical manifestation of their god. As soon as he was given the mark, he came as a result of the new magic of Strato coursing through him. The statue of Strato watches in the last panel as the High Priests finalize the ritual.
Note: The sketch still needs some more details.
This is also a survivor story on several characters' parts, including Ravi, Xerxes and Osric, for those who need reminding. We'll get to the tender stuff again very soon, I promise {:^> (and By My Hand which is completely loving erotica, for those on the $10+ tiers)