Book Two Chapter Sixty Six: Opening Tomb Path

Book Two Chapter Sixty Six: Opening Tomb Path

The instant Sewer Bard grabbed the golden crown, lights went off, the ground started shaking, and the seals carved into the tomb door started to glow, before flaking off.

Oh, Definitely Bad Guy said in a tiny voice. That was not something the runes had mentioned.

What did the runes say? the Chosen One asked, sounding genuinely curious. Like, is there actually a whole new rune language? That seems super unlikely, just in terms of effort.

It is not that they are a one to one language, as such, Definitely Bad Guy started.

Pharaoh! Sewer Bard bellowed as the tomb door ground open. We seek an audience with you!

The music only Qube could hear blasted in her ears. It was a dark, terrible tune, not in the sense that it was terribly played, but rather as if the music itself was warning her that they had done a terrible thing.

Was the music judging the morality of her actions? That didnt seem very polite. Theyd had very sound reasoning for breaking the seals that theyd been warned would unleash a terrible tyrant over the land! The music just didnt understand the nuance of the diplomatic situation they were dealing with!

Still, as clouds of dust billowed out from the opening doorway, Qube had to admit that she was starting to feel a little uneasy about what theyd just done. It probably didnt help that Sewer Bard was laughing in a way that was starting to remind her of the Evil Emperor.

Yes! Sewer Bard shouted, holding the crown over his head with both hands. We, and we alone, have decided to seek you out! Come, pharaoh, and parlay with us, so that we may determine your fate! That is the power we hold!

Um, Sewer Bard, Qube said timidly from behind the man. We dont want to threaten the pharaoh; after all, he might be a victim of circumstances. And if he does happen to be Evil, well, we wouldnt want to put him on his guard, would we?

Sewer Bard coughed, although whether that was from the dust or embarrassment was hard to tell.

Of course, he said, lowering the crown slightly. I dont know what came over me. I think I must have been caught up in the moment. My apologies if I frightened you.

Before Qube could reassure her dear friend that him starting to sound like one of the most reviled men in all the kingdom (who also happened to have murdered all those near and dear to her) hadnt scared her, a deep voice boomed out from the now open door.

Who dares approach the pharaoh? The walls and floor, which had stopped shaking due to the door opening, started shaking again with the power of the voice. The Chosen One, standing directly behind Qube, grabbed onto her, and started looking slightly nauseated.

I swear, the motion sickness is getting worse, he muttered to her.

[Lesser Heal], she whispered, wrapping him in the soothing spell. He squeezed her shoulder in thanks.

We already told you that we wanted to talk to you, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady reminded the powerful tyrant. Because someone wanted to give you a chance to defend yourself before we decide whether or not to kill you.

Again! Qube hissed. Potential victim or foe! Please no threats!

All the dust and dirt finally cleared away as Sewer Bard stepped towards the now-open entrance. Qube peered over his shoulder and gasped as she looked into the tomb.

Hundreds of golden pots littered the room, and torches ensconced to the walls flickered to life, the warm torchlight reflecting off the golden objects, creating a dazzling effect. A stone chest was open, golden coins spilling out of it and onto the floor in a way that seemed very untidy and impractical, and the walls were covered in mystical-looking pictures.

While Qube had never personally been inside the Royal Treasury, if she had ever thought to picture it, this would be what it would look like. Well, minus the giant golden coffin with someones face painted on it in the middle of the room that was resting on a slope for some reason. But, aside from the corpse-holder, the rest of the room was gorgeous.

Still Sewer Bard played on. Whether it was because he wanted to make absolutely sure that whatever spell was powerful enough to control a pharaoh was well and truly shattered, or he was annoyed about once again being ignored, Qube wasnt sure. But he was playing passionately, faster and faster, the mana thickening until it suddenly stopped.

Sewer Bard, now gasping, fell back and turned to the party. Everyone except for the Chosen One removed their hands.

Its done, Sewer Bard said.

CAN I REMOVE MY HANDS YET? the Chosen One yelled.

Yes, Sewer Bard said.

WHAT? the Chosen One replied at full volume.

Noble Patron, you can remove your hands! Sewer Bard shouted, exasperated.

I CANT HEAR YOU, IM COVERING MY EARS! the Chosen One bellowed back.

Qube closed her eyes, and wished that, for just a moment, the world would end. Just a minute or two, to help her try and wrap her head around reality and how very, very silly it sometimes was.

Instead, she sucked in a deep breath, turned around, and gently tugged at the Chosen Ones hands. He grinned at her as he let her pull down her hands.

I wasnt sure it was safe, he said mischievously.

Dont worry, she said, hitting him full force with her Understanding Smile, its safe now. Ill make sure to ask Sewer Bard to give you a special signal, like a thumbs up, next time, though.

He winced slightly at her smiles impact.

Okay, okay, he said, I wont mess with him again. For now, he added as an afterthought. I make no promises for future me.

Rather than continuing to indulge the Saviour of All, Qube turned to look at the potentially very powerful pharaoh theyd just cast a spell on, to see how he was coping with having all his illusions suddenly ripped away from him.

The pharaoh hadnt moved. While it was impossible to tell where he was looking unless he turned his head, she had the feeling that he wasnt looking around, or examining the space like the others had. Instead, he just stood there, taking in a steady breath every few minutes.

Notable pharaoh, Sewer Bard said grandly, having recovered from spending all his mana and having to interact with the Chosen One, we have freed you of your compulsions and illusions. We seek to know what events occurred to place you in this tomb, sealed off from the world.

This got the figures attention. His body shifted, so his unmoving face was turned towards the Bard. Could he see through the painted eyes? Was it similar to the magic that the Rockie constructs used to see using their own painted-on features? But then, why didnt his features move?

There was something very eerie about that silent figure, with his eternally still expression, standing there in a glittering tomb. Then his gold-covered fists clenched.

We were betrayed, the pharaoh said to Sewer Bard. And we will seek our vengeance. The sands will run red with the blood of those who turned against us.

Oh dear. Somehow, Qube didnt think the spell had made him less aggressive. This was going to get messy.