In their shock at the opulence, they had missed quite possibly the most ornate structure in the room. Placed exactly in the center was a throne. It was surprisingly not halfway up to the ceiling, but instead seemed to be just slightly large for one of the Ancients. It was covered in carvings of the faces of thousands of ancients, almost like someone had carefully stacked up all their severed heads and formed it into a chair. With intricate linework between them and an impossibly smooth curve around them.

“Why don’t you tell me why I shouldn’t kill you where you stand.”

Sitting atop the throne was an Ancient. He had a deep, booming voice, almost like it was echoing from the back of a long-forgotten cavern deep beneath the waves. His face was a mix of smooth and sharp crystal, with the jagged crystal forming a sort of pseudo beard and hair combo. His eyes were stern and burned with a passion so intense that it felt like his gaze alone could melt steel.

For a moment all four of them stood frozen. His expression didn’t change, but he shifted in his throne as if he was about to stand up. For some reason this shook Michael free, and in a panic he started to talk.

“Look, we’re just confused and a little lost. This place was supposed to be a paradise that was filled with bored people, not some sort of war zone. We just want to know what’s going on.”

The man set his gaze straight on Michael. After a moment he leaned back in the throne. “Your words ring true. Perhaps my subject you have taken prisoner with your evil magics can explain this all better to me.”

“Prisoner? No, she isn…”

SILENCE!

His mouth didn’t move, but an ear-splitting command echoed out from his throne as his eyes flashed a light chartreuse yellow. He curled a fist under his chin and leaned to the side towards them.

Michael tried to speak, but his voice had been sealed away. His lips wouldn’t even open as the threatening aura of the Ancient lorded over him. Similarly, Sharon and Carolyn were almost shaking as their mouths seemed sealed shut. All while Avialian had a look of sheer horror on her face.

“I command you to explain your master’s circumstances to me accursed slave.”

“I do not…”

“Speak up! How can I discern your truth if you don’t speak with conviction?”

Avialian was clearly shaken, and through the fear Michael, followed shortly by Sharon and then Carolyn, put their hand on Avialian. She seemed to find comfort in this as she started to relax. After a deep breath in and out, she was able to compose herself enough to speak.

She spared no detail as she explained everything that had happened since she met with Michael and the others. To his benefit, the intimidating Ancient never interrupted. He simply stared at her unflinching as he looked almost like a statue. When she finally finished, he nodded and leaned back into the throne. Slowly he interlaced his long spindly fingers in front of him.

“Your story is quite troubling indeed.” He looked away from them and towards the main entrance to the throne room. With a snap of his fingers a familiar looking warrior walked in.

It was the Ancient who had fought the giant Sharon summoned. He bowed his torso forward as he said, “Yes oh great one?”

“Explain to these interlopers what you found in their puppet.”

“Corruption.”

The Ancient on the throne turned towards the four of them again, with an unamused glare. “That’s right, corruption.” His eyes slowly panned over each of them, until they settled on Sharon. “Witch, I do not care for your reasons, as I am sure you have convinced yourself they are justified, but before I have you killed, tell me how you did this.”

Michael had never felt so terrified in his life. More so than with the book, his body was screaming at him to run. To flee into a small dark hole and cower there until everything was over. Still, there was something else. A small glimmer of light. Backed into a wall, Michael had nowhere else to go.

“Leave her alone!”

The Ancient on the throne was nonplussed, but the soldier who was bowing stepped back in shock.

“Know your place boy. Otherwise, it’ll be your crystal shattering beside hers.”

“Don’t you see what you’re doing?” Michael’s legs felt like jelly. Like at a moment’s notice he would faint from raw fear. “You heard everything and still think we’re here for nefarious purposes? Sharon studies ancient civilizations and found out about this place and wanted to check it out is all. She didn’t come here to destroy you guys, heck, she said you were the ones who were going to rule over the world.”

“How can you speak?” the soldier blurted out. “Under the pressure of the throne, how can you stand against the great Triddian?”

Sharon, Carolyn, and Avialian’s eyes shot wide as the soldier said that name. Michael could swear it sounded familiar, but he didn’t know why.

“Young Maghuif, your candor is not appreciated in this moment. Now leave us.”