User blog:The Weary TimeLord/Character Piece

Group character piece. Version One.

The sky waned in its light, glinting off the beige dusted peaks of the mountains as the last drops of energy from the three suns of the realm faded away from the horizon. Then sky draped itself in a final cloak dark as pitch and night was upon me. What had seemed like a shimmering opus of life in the iridescent hues of sparkling stars now revealed its twisted truth in the darkness. No longer was this a garden of welcoming gentleness and rest. No here was snare; a briar patch to catch the unwary and unprepared fit to be devoured by the hungering slavering ancient, horror that waited in the depths. I kicked at the dust which surrounded the grey stones on which we were standing, it stretched away in all directions, a veritable sea of ages, for we all come from the dust and one day return there. How many souls had been lost in this mire? I couldn’t say. But as my eyes roamed the hills and peaks I picked out flashes of white, fragments of ivory numerous in their shattered glint of life long gone. Icy winds stung at my exposed skin, and reaching up I drew the collar of my long coal coloured overcoat closer in aggravation. “What’s he doing? He’s been standing like that for twenty minutes. We should move to a more defensible position, we’re too exposed here!” The voices behind me belonged to my fellow wanders as they resounded in my ears.

The tone was layered in impatience, belonging to the ever energetic Marcus. He was an imposing figure with coffee brown skin, dark sable hair that fell about his shoulders, with similar scruff adorning his jawline, and deep grey eyes hardened by turmoil. His usual wears consisted of an azure coloured armoured vest, leather trousers, and dark high laced work boots; a fitting choice for such rugged terrain as this. Marcus by his very nature was an astute tactician, and a great warrior, sitting idly was rather uncomfortable for him as he preferred action to the eerie calm before the plunge. Understandable I supposed after all he was a force of change and good on the battlefield. Soon though a second voice rose in contest halting the grievances of the first. It was a quick reply which was steady, well measured in delivery, layered in a quiet certainty. “He’ll take as long as he needs besides we’re still waiting on Randal.” I couldn’t help but grin subtlety. That was Ghurn, and per usual he was the voice of calm reason amongst the din of chaos. By all well-deserved accounts Ghurn was an ordinary man his light brown hair, brown eyes, and fair complexion giving no details away. His rather uninteresting clothing choices only added to the misconception, the only unique accoutrement was a yellow scarf gilded in a pattern of golden stitches. After all who would think by sight alone that such a man had the blessings of a Goddess dwelling within his soul? I turned to face the pair from the craggy outcropping stepping off onto a walkway of cracked stone and wood, running my hand through my own hazel brown hair. Several shattered pillars and broken statues, cluttered against a caved roof were all remained of the abode now. Each were relics of a proud shining temple that once stood among a prosperous city. But that was no longer the reality, at least not more than a memory.

“I appreciate the thought Ghurn but Marcus is right, we’ve lingered too long already.” I thrust my left hand into the pocket of my suit coat the dark navy blue material rustling under my grip. Withdrawing my prize I pulled free a golden plated pocket watch engraved with sigils and runes befitting a gift of my Lilim lover. Flicking the cover open I studied the timepiece in thought. A rustling to my right alerted me to the presence of our final member’s arrival. “You’re late Randal!” Snapping the cover closed I glanced at the man, a question in my gaze. “You know how particular I am about time, yes?” A figure manifested, garbed in a grey fleeced cloak and tan leather armour with long curled boots that reached to just below the knees. He held a crooked staff made from a wood so dark that what meager light surrounded us seemed to bend towards it. A deep hood had been pulled across his head obscuring his facial features, which was probably for the best considering his morphogenic physiology. If most folks ever saw what Randal actually looked like it would shatter their psyches. “Sorry Nicholas. I got caught up in business with the Regent.” I rolled my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “In that case you have my sympathies Randal. I can’t fathom how you stand the gobshite. Right well be that as it may we have a job to do. Which means it’s over to you Marcus. What’s the plan?”

I gestured towards the master planner of our misadventure and Marcus gave a rushed nod and rapidly unrolled a scrap of parchment, laying it out on one of the few mostly flat pieces of stone that hadn’t been utterly smashed. It was a present day map of the area as it appeared now, a lifeless wasteland. “I know you all read the reports of people going missing in the settlements around the ruins. Well I did some follow up investigating with Ghurn. This expanse stretches out for several clicks in either direction. But here’s where things get interesting.” Marcus tapped on the map drawing our attention to several spots that had been circled and coloured red. “These spots are where the most people have been reported missing.” I eyed the parchment in confusion and scratched at my chin as I voiced my disdain. “They’re all over the place! Some of these areas aren’t even close to the settlements. So what’s the connection?”

Marcus snapped his fingers and grinned. “You’re right there Nicky the spots aren’t anywhere near the settlements, at least not the present day settlements! Ghurn show ‘em what you found.” The glee in the tactician’s voice gave me a moment’s pause as Ghurn began to explain the situation. “Well guys according to the local’s oral history this place used to be capital of a sprawling nation-state from thousands of years ago. They were a warrior like empire that subjugated a number of the surrounding cultures and bent them to their will. I was able to dig up a few of the old building plans and found something unusual…”  Ghurn had unrolled another set of plans and laid them next to the first. More areas were marked in red but they were part of the original city. “Every place where people were taken corresponds to one of the original settlements, temples, or city plazas. That’s the connection!” Ghurn pointed to the similarities between each parchment excitedly, showing where each person had been taken did indeed correspond to the building plans for the empire.

“That’s fine and all at least we know why people were vanishing in those places now. But why’re people disappearin’ at all if this place is thousands of years old? The reports only started three months ago.” Randal tapped the map in question and glanced between the group piquing our collective curiosity as we turned to Ghurn for the answer. “I’m getting to it; you can’t rush a tale like this Randal. So picture this, the empire was at the height of its power when a disaster caused the whole place to be consumed by the desert in a sandstorm that lasted an entire year. Some legends claimed it was the work of a vengeful Goddess who had been enraged at the empire’s cruelty. The legend I read was unclear on what the Goddess did but from what I can surmise she cursed the empire and it sank below the sands to be lost forever. There are some interesting verses included with the legend I think they have to do with the curse itself. Here I copied them down for reference. I can’t translate them but I thought Nick might be able to have a go at it.”

A scrap of paper was passed into my hand; unfolding it with care I studied the printing. “Hmm, it’s incomplete; (sigh) let me see now. ‘And I will move out’ no that could be reach. ‘I will reach out my hands’. ‘I will embrace’ what is that word? Lost, forgotten? Ah outcast, and innocent yes! ‘I shall inform… ’ No not inform, a shield, a voice perhaps?” A grumble went through the group, as they shifted around me to peer at the paper. “Ahem quiet please? Translations such as these aren’t easy you know, especially with a crowd.” Once everyone had given me the room I needed I continued. “Ah this is interesting. ‘They have suffered under…’ Something there what else? ‘My fury upon their captors will be as boundless’ hmm what’s the second part…oh it’s affirmative got it ‘hearts will resemble the stone of their empire.’ Second set of vowels here, quite unusual. ‘wipe all traces of their evil’ Uh huh let’s see what else, infinite mercy, second chance, blah, blah, blah. ‘dawn of a new age and their rebirth…’ Well it seems like a pretty standard curse. There’s wrath and destruction paired with a slim chance of atonement.”

“Well what’s it say?! Don’t leave us in suspense Nicky.” Marcus prodded my shoulder stirring me from my mental fog. “Hmm? Ah well it says, and this is rough by the way. But it says: ‘I will reach out my hands to embrace all the outcasts, the innocent and persecuted. They shall be my people, and I shall be their shield and voice against all who would harm them. Long have they suffered under this tyranny. My hand will uphold them in mercy, and my fury upon their captors will be as boundless as the sands. I will make the tyrants hearts resemble the loveless stone of their empire, which was built with the blood of my children. I will wipe all traces of their evil from this realm, to be swallowed by the dust. But my compassion is as bright as the suns overhead, and as a new day must always come so shall a new age arise. One in which even monsters shall be reborn in mind and soul to know the love of another. When that age arrives may even these loathsome creatures have their cold hearts opened to that warmth. If they can learn to love another then may they be reborn. And the once cruel empire shall become a sanctuary for those who were once outcasts.’ That’s all of it.” A hand waved over the paper directing my gaze to a small phrase. “What’s that?” Randal voiced in curious tones. “Eh I think it’s the name of the Goddess, Bass…Basket? I don’t know.” I shrugged while Randal grimaced in thought. “Well that explains where the people are going at least I think it does. But it doesn’t explain how, so we’re gonna get captured aren’t we? ”

“We are not getting captured Randal.” Marcus retorted grumpily “Now I need you to see if you find an entrance or a portal. If we can find how these people were taken we might be able to find them and if they’re trapped we rescue them. Or at the very least explain to whoever’s in charge that stealing people from their homes is frowned on.” Randal nodded obligingly and moved to the front of our group, stepping up to a shattered pedestal. Striking the end of his staff against the stone he began to murmur to himself while taking up a serene almost reverent pose. Randal’s head had lowered and his hands clasped over his staff defensively. Soon a brilliant verdant energy began coalescing around his body and the elements themselves moved to his command.

Fervent gusts of wind began to assail the landscape throwing enormous plumes of sand into the air and releasing what was buried under the tons of stone. A roar whipped across the air as a dark cloud formed blotting out the stars. Rain fell on the pedestal forming a torrent that aided the winds in their task. With a loud crash the pedestal spilt and flew apart in two sections. A lightless tunnel burrowed downwards like a gaping maw, while cobwebs stretched across the entrance mirroring strands of sticky drool. “What’s that smell? It’s like…flowers?” Ghurn had leaned forward towards the tunnel as he tried to place the scent that wafted up from the void below. “Whoa Ghurn don’t move!” Marcus thrust out an arm and pulled the overly enticed architect back from the edge. “We don’t know what’s down there, we need to be careful ‘kay? Nicky scan the hole with that gizmo of yours, see what you get.” I replied with barely restrained annoyance as only old men can conjure. “It’s called a Sonic Screwdriver you philistine.” Fishing deep into the pockets of my overcoat I pulled out the ‘gizmo’ happily. The tool was rebuilt by my dearest Vellantha and resurrected with her skill in Magi-Tech as a gift, after its destruction so many ages ago. The main body was comprised of a wooden handle carved from a branch of the King Oak, with the permission of its presiding spirit of course. The wood was treated in a dark molasses hued lacquer that highlighted the fey rings of the carving. A series of three silver metallic rings attached along the sides, and matching metal end held the device together. While a quad of brass bars segmented along the wood in intervals offered a tight grip before slimming down into a silver metallic neck. Glowing in the dim light was a small angular crystal set into the end of the metal, the emitter of the device.

Feeling the grip in my hand I hummed in assurance for here was an old friend across many perils. Tapping the device gently in my palm the crystal was soon alight in emerald rays, and the soothing trill of the device struck back against the darkness of the tunnel. Sweeping my gaze to the crystal I scrutinized the results. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, they must think we have no brains between us! I’m getting truly staggering readings, saying everything’s safe and great just beyond the passageway.” Marcus huffed and glowered towards the tunnel. “False readings?” I nodded in assent “Precisely, utterly simplistic mystical scattering field, it was no trouble cutting through. There’re people down there all right numbering in the hundreds if not thousands. Frankly with such a simple security device I believe the dwellers figured us for an insignificance not set to be a threat. I’m unsure whether I should be amused or insulted.”

“I say insulted!” Randal griped angrily as he repositioned his staff readying for confrontation. “Calm down Randal or you’ll have an aneurysm.” Ghurn swatted at the priest with his arm while I smiled sympathetically at the Druid. “You’re not helping me there Ghurn.” The priest retorted. Soon the pair was fighting as a pair of brothers would, not enough to hurt, just enough to test their skills. Marcus was quick to intervene and break up the tussle with a growl of disapproval. “Hey quit clowning around Ghurn, and Randal take a breather before you pass out. We need to focus.” With a frown he stomped away from the duo and settled on an overturned stone pillar next to where I was standing. “(Sigh) Why do I always have to be the parent of the bunch Nicky?” I glanced up from my introspective musings at the tired warrior and patted his shoulder. “Eh you think too much of it Marcus, you’re older than they are that’s all.” A scoff came in my direction as the befuddled man let his gaze move towards the stars. “You’re older than all of us Nicky. But that’s not what I meant by asking.” I let a chuckle pass my lips and shoved my hands in my coat pockets. “Ah I suppose not Marcus. But I’ll do you better, you’re asking the wrong question eh? It’s not ‘why must I be the parent’ but rather ‘why do they see me as a parent.’ Look at it this way; you’ve lived your life, seen much of the world and how it works, and raised a family. You are on the plateau of change my friend. You’re wiser from you experiences in the wider world, but you still haven’t lost the joy of living that comes with age. Those two are still young, relatively speaking anyway. Immortality hasn’t fully settled on them yet, and they still have much to learn. I suppose they see you as a bit of a guide through all this.”

This seemed to raise the spirits of my companion and he grinned before his eyes went wide. “That’s it! We need a guide! Boys grab your gear we’re moving out!” With the word given we all went into a frenzy of activity as everyone began to prepare for what lie ahead. Each of us readied ourselves in our own way. Randal was drawing sigils in the sand, his fingers tracing some hallowed pattern in meditative skill to consolidate his bond with the elements of life. The grey edges of his cloak now appeared to be alight with green energy that crackled and sparked against the night sky; while howling winds sprung up around him, and his face had become formless and dark like the void. Ghurn had let his unassuming complexion drop away in much the same way a butterfly discards his chrysalis. A foreboding helmet covered his head like a silver crown letting only the light of his pupils through as they now shone orange as embers. Plates of silver armour surrounded his form while bands of molten plasma linked each section together resembling rivers of magma. In his grip he held a dark sword with a curved guard and glinting edges. Marcus had knelt down and was removing several items from a sackcloth bundle a survival kit of sorts, tidying them with care and precision. Among the various blades, bundles of flint and tinder, and assorted charms was a long handled mace. The weapon molded in crepuscular hued steel and imbued with a crimson core of chaotic energy resembled a demonic firebrand when utilized.

“I found it!” Marcus was up and on his feet in a moment rushing to Randal with a talisman of some variety which the two seemed to ponder over before glancing and pointing at me and Ghurn. “You ever get that ‘this is going to go from bad to worse’ feeling when they stare at us like that?” Ghurn had sidled up next to me and I regarded him keenly as I puzzled over his question. “Mm quite often, so much so I just try and ignore it nowadays. Why? Are you getting that ‘bad to worse’ vibe from you patron? Have the gods invariably damned our quest?” Ghurn shrugged and chuckled beneath his helmet. “No but whenever those two get together and start scheming I always say an extra prayer to Her Holiness for strength and courage.” Running my hand through my hair I returned a grin of my own. “Hmm mind if I get in on that? You could pass on a good word of two, to the gentle lady. Something simple like: ‘Oh your esteemed Holiness, Nicholas here I’m not usually religious but desperate times and all that. If you would find it within your infinite compassion to stymie whatever half-baked scheme my colleagues are concocting to get us all killed I’d be most appreciative.’” Ghurn looked back and forth between myself and Marcus and Randal, while the former of pair was now grinning quite madly. “You know what I think an extra prayer or two would be a good idea. I’ll just, go get my spare incense.”

It took a while but eventually we were all set and armed for what lay ahead. As the lot of us crept forwards down the winding opening it became rather apparent that the entrance to this sunken crypt had seen grander days. The smell of flowers grew more pungent as we moved towards the source. But I felt as though we were being lulled to ruin. Stones from the interlocking brick walls littered the floor in shattered piles and masses of web hung from the ceiling like a tattered burial shroud. Randal was at the front using his magic to light the corridor in a faint green hue and his might over sand and wind to clear the debris from our path. Marcus went next, his mace blazing in red and white flame providing more light and the thought of safety while he used a piece of coloured flint to mark our path. Ghurn had coalesced his mental image to produce a tangible spear and shield made of ember-light. Water soaked into my shoes and up to the knee as we delved deeper. Soon skittering noises began to rise from the bowels of the chasm. Snikt-Clack-Snikt-Clack. A tap on my shoulder alerted me to Ghurn “Hey Nick, you might want to let your temporal sorcery loose. We shouldn’t be caught off guard in a fight. Besides maybe you could stabilize the tunnel?”  Marcus flicked his head up from the front and gazed in our direction. “He’s right Nicky this whole place feels unstable, I don’t want it to come down on our heads!”

Shrugging I did as instructed, with but a thought my cobalt blue eyes were changed becoming golden orbs brimming with energy. Golden waves of fire and lightning spiraled around me, hallmarks of my connection with the Time Vortex. The world around me spun in a whirlwind before cracking into shards of silver glass. All at once reality ceased to turn and then it bends and ripples, burning at the edges like an old video tape stuck in its cartridge. Stone, wood, rubble, and all manner of debris was hauled up from the chasm and rejoined in its proper place secured to the now pristine tunnel, as new as it had been when it was first constructed. With a wave of my left hand I let the whole picture settle as my hand danced in fervors of flame. Straightening my dark blue necktie I hummed in approval and the world snapped back to motion. The guys had varying reactions to the altering of chronometric reality and we trudged on in silence for several paces as they adjusted. Snikt-Clack- Snikt-Clack. Unnerved by the silence I ventured a thought to the openness.

“So Marcus what was that talisman of yours for?” Snikt-Clack-Snikt-CLACK “Oh I bought it from a Warlock in Dragonia, it’s designed to seek out safe passages through enemy territory and...” SNIKT-CLACK “Sorry to interrupt but does anyone else here that?” I pointed to the roof of the tunnel in confusion. The series of nods in agreement made my stomach turn over. “And here I was hoping the noise was in my head.” Randal tentatively let a glimmer of his verdant light shine towards the high ceiling revealing the silent partners in our journey a ‘bed of scorpions’ of at least six Girtablilu in number with more drawn to us. “Everybody run!” Marcus was quickly ushering us through the tunnel as we were pursued rapidly then he disappeared from view through a hole in the tunnel. By the time the rest of us realized what had happened our mad dash of momentum carried us over the edge and though the opening. Dropping downwards into a lit room I landed a tad roughly, thankfully though my face stopped my fall. “…Ow…”

After several seconds of lying in a crumpled mess Ghurn and Randal pulled me back to my feet and helped me into a stable standing position. Once I regained my senses I realized we were in a large corridor. Vaulted ceilings stretched overhead ending in triangular cross joints while sandstone pillars elevated the room into multiple levels as hidden alcoves embedded with raised sconces let the light of torches dance about the room casting flickering shadows. Gleeful laughter poured out into the corridor, reverberating off the stone and archways as it seemed to surround us on all sides. “Well that’s not creepy at all.” Randal scoffed from the side of the room as the noise rose to a crescendo.

“At least there’s an ambiance to the tomb, makes it feel lively.” Ghurn smiled happily and shrugged. Nodding agreeably I patted his shoulder. “Eh it could do with some throw pillows; maybe some nice curtains, a few coats of paint. I’m thinking ‘Sunshine Yellow’ and ‘Cerulean Blue’ really brighten up the place you know?” By now we were surrounded by hordes of sex starved Mamono. Mummies, Anubi, Girtablilu, Sphinxes, Khepri, they all swarmed into the room, with the silver glint of weapons in their grasp. But we were too deep in the conversation to care; even Randal was getting in touch with his interior designer. “Maybe they could put a nice shrine in the corner, something tasteful like one to Wadjet, or Sobek.” Randal pointed at a corner excitedly as he scoped the area out. “Hey Ghurn you’re the architect, feasibly how big a shrine do you think we could get in that corner without it looking gaudy?”  Ever the expert Ghurn paused and studied the area intently with a look of utter seriousness on his face. “Oh maybe seven feet tall.” Marcus for his part was swinging his mace idly by its strap undaunted by the odds and kindly indulging our prattling thoughts as he interjected his own. “Guys could we focus please…Although what about some accent lighting, to give the place a sense of occasion?” I grinned mischievously. “Ah an exemplary idea Marcus.”

While our delightful conversation continued the Mamono guards of the temple had fully assembled before us though they seemed perplexed by our lack of movement. Marcus winked and whispered “Now remember this is strictly a rescue only mission. Let’s try talking first.” Randal snorted in quiet laughter as we huddled together. “When has talking ever worked out?” Ghurn just shook his head at the Druid and pointedly retorted. “What about when we investigated that haunting in Praemonstratenser Abbey?! The nun was sweet and a very pleasant conversationalist.” Randal looked queasy upon remembering our outing to the convent, I couldn’t say I blamed him either. “Really Ghurn?! Sister Saenger von Mossau was a Satanist, not that I’m judging, getting religion can be a healthy form of self-expression and community. But amongst her many vices her apparition was wandering the halls of the convent whist bereft of her head! Which she held in her hands!” I glared at the architect as he shrugged sheepishly. “She was still quite well spoken.” We all stood still for a moment letting the thought sink in before the communal resolve broke and we began smiling like fools. Whispering low enough not to be heard I smile at the group. “So do you think we’ve confused the lot of them enough yet? And who’s going to talk to them?” I flicked my left hand over my shoulder to point at the soldiers. Giving a nod, Marcus grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me towards the now restless hoarde. “Thanks for volunteering Nicky!”

“What?! Wait you can’t, fine…Hello there I’m Doctor Nicholas Hawthorn. These are my friends, Marcus, Ghurn, and Randal.” I pointed to each of the guys in turn. “We’re here to ask you to stop taking people from the surface. Their families are distraught with worry, so if you could please stop doing that it would be marvelous.” A peal of grating laughter poured into the room and an Anubis with caramel brown skin and matching eyes stepped forward wearing the sort of patronizing grin I loathe. “Now darling Hawthorn…” “It’s pronounced ‘Doctor Hawthorn’ madam.” “…Darling Hawthorn I don’t know if you’ve noticed but you’re outnumbered here. I promise you, the men we took are cherished and very happy. They wouldn’t go with you willingly. Besides why leave? The world is different, sick and weak. Humanity is caught up in violent wars, disease, and famine is everywhere. We can rebuild our empire we can save the Humans from themselves. With my kind in charge there would be no more war, no more suffering and death, only love. That’s all we want, peace for us and you!”

I shook my head and grumble under my breath. “I admire your goals I truly do, but you’re going about it the wrong way. By kidnapping these people you are provoking retaliation, you are starting a chain of events which will lead to the destruction you so desperately want to avoid. Don’t you see by forcing your will on Humanity no matter how well intentioned it is, it will simply end in violence?! Let me mediate a truce between you and the surface settlements, find common ground between your peoples.” The Anubis grinned, but it wasn’t friendly it was dark, like a hunter cornering its prey as it goes for the kill. “Aren’t you four strapping men lonely? Let us show you our hospitality; I’m sure we can find ‘common ground’. Stay awhile, stay forever.” The Anubis perked up coming close and brushed her tail around my torso as she let her eyes grow hooded, no doubt in a feeble attempt to subdue me. “I can make you very comfortable here darling.”

Running my hand through my messy hair I blew air out my nostrils. “Nope sorry can’t do that. I’m a married man, besides you’re not my type.” The Anubis snarled in anger showing her sharp canine like teeth. “If you won’t do things the easy way then we’ll take you by force, and you’ll learn to love us! At arms!” The army of Mamono surrounding us drew their weapons and grinned lasciviously. I rolled my eyes and groaned. “So be it, so much for talking. Alrighty then no more Mr. Nice Gallifreyan it is.” With one quick motion I flung out my left hand, now emblazoned in golden hues, striking the odious Anubi in the chest. The force of which sent her unconscious body spiraling through the air before she crashed into a pillar across the room with enough force to crack the stone work. The loss of their commander enraged the rest of the soldiers and they rushed us in a wave of metal and Demonic Energy. A group of four Khepri swarmed towards me and, ran full tilt into a magically manifested orange wall. “Oh that’s gonna leave a mark! Thanks Ghurn!” In the space of a picosecond I manifested my own sword in golden light and pulled her free from the scabbard on my right hip. The blade glinted in the torch light before luminescing in a fiery amber hue of temporal energy. Spinning around I deflected a series of strikes from a particularly adept Sphinx before overwhelming her with my own skill and speed in a blaze of golden energy. Letting the world slow to a crawl I spun my flaming blade through the air and took out a pair of Mummies with a few well-placed hits which ushered them into unconsciousness. Leaping over a wall of angry Mamono I landed next to Marcus who was busy bringing his mace to bear on an unfortunate Ghoul, the hit sent her pirouetting through the air like a ragdoll ballerina.

“Hey Marcus how’s it going?” I was back to back with him as a ring of Mummies closed in around us. “Oh good, except for the undead army.” He replied sarcastically, while knocking out a Khepri in a blinding strike of crimson energy. “That’s nice an-Duck!” A rather self-assured Girtablilu had gotten in close for a number of fast attacks with her stinger. It was a costly mistake on her part as I dispatched her with a carefully positioned slash to her abdomen. “Ugh, this is vexing. Say you got any more trinkets or talismans that might be helpful here buddy?” I fended of a number of Mummies quickly cutting them down with a plethora of strikes and jabs, while Marcus dug through his bag in a frenzy looking for a specific item. “Yes, maybe, where is it?!”

Three really peeved Anubi carrying spears advanced on us while Marcus was busy. “Just concentrate on finding the thingamabob, I’ll deal with them!” Slicing through the spear of the leader I twisted away from her, landed on the floor and kicked her footing out from under her. If she was peeved before then she was utterly rabid now. “You’re going to pay for that you cur!” I did not have time for this, ironic I supposed. “Sorry ladies, must dash!” In a moment I’d zipped around the trio in a blaze of lightning; my sword finding the weaknesses in the armour as I moved and they were subdued within microseconds. “Marcus any time now would be good!” A blast of verdant power drew my gaze towards the lower edge of the corridor. “What in the world? Hey Marcus hold tight, I need to check on something!” I watched as he snuffed out several advancing Mummies by smashing his mace into the ground; the resulting shockwave created a burning iridescent swell of scarlet fire that flung his would be attackers away violently. “Sure Nicky just make it fast.” Renewing my speed as time slowed around my form I took off in a storm of amber fire.

Reaching the site I found Randal trouncing a smattering of Ghouls and Girtablilu. Conjuring a tempest of raging wind Randal was throwing the disoriented sods around and cackling gleefully as the gale force wind rendered them powerless. “You never told me you could juggle; hmm very nice form there.”  Sauntering over I watched the spectacle as a few more soldiers rushed in. “(Sigh) It’s always something set to spoil the fun.” The druid priest sighed as he slammed his hands against the stone floor. “You might want to take a few steps back Nicholas.” I watched as Randal’s skin began to stretch and pull apart exposing the musculature and ligaments underneath while bones contorted and rearranged their position. Thick black fur began to sprout covering over this creature as the human garb was discarded. Soon a shape resolved itself from amongst the chaos; a behemoth wolf standing taller than the columns and limbered with rage. Saliva poured from the maw of the beast which reflected four rows of glistening spear-like teeth. Huge claws longer across than my arm sprung forth from each paw carving deep gashes in the stone floor as if they were made of soft paper. Green pupils shaded in mystic energy were the only remnant of the Druid Priest’s inner spirit. While the incumbent army was shivering in fear I was grinning widely. “Damn that’s a neat trick!”

Moving forward towards the enemy this therianthropic wolf let out a howl which shook the foundations of the temple. Then he bounded into the fray, striking out with fury and power, his claws and tail used to great affect against his foes. I knew full well that Randal would hold himself back enough only to terrorize or lightly injure, after all for all his mystique he had a code. I could respect that, so I took a few moments to watch the wolf prowl amongst the ‘sheep’. Randal was batting away at soldiers on either side; sending the unlucky ones flying and the rest scurrying backwards for fear of his massive paws. His head turned to glance over his shoulder, and I’d swear he winked at me, before he charged straight though the main line of the defensive block scattering soldiers and weapons in a cloud of dust, stone, fur, and fangs. It was an odd maneuver to witness but very effective as Randal smashed through any resistance and all attempts to stop his rampage were frankly moot. Every defensive attack seemed to simply bounce off Randal’s hide with the most delightful ping-ping-ping noise. As more and more of our enemy were being flung around like chew toys I couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity and an idea sprung to mind. Rushing over to a set of doubled pillars I grabbed a spool of loose rope, quickly tying it into a makeshift net. “Randal, hey Randal!” Getting the wolf’s attention I pointed to the net excitedly. “Hug the line and hoof it!” Randal obviously got my gist and swept up a number of Mummies before punting them towards the net in force. “Ah ha! Good shot!” Hearing a thud behind me I spun around to see Ghurn standing there shaking his head. “Having fun Nick?” I saw Randal knock a few more into the net and roared with laughter. “Most assuredly Ghu--Goal! Yes! …What were we talking about again?”

Shrugging Ghurn just waved for me to follow him and I fell into step with him as he explained while we crisscrossed the room. “Marcus found a talisman to help us find the missing locals but he needs cover while it works. Since Randal’s distracting most of the soldiers that leaves us watch his back.” I nodded drawing Galadhrim once more as the blade brimmed in power. Marcus was holding his own against a set of Sphinxes. Spinning his cold metal weapon around by the strap he created a powerful vortex of smoke and flame which seemed to drain the Demonic Energy from his attackers leaving them sapped and powerless. “Hey guys I found something that should work.” Marcus presented us with a small key ornamented in bronze metallic sheen. The top was shaped to resemble a skull with ruby eyes and a row of grinning teeth, while the end was cut into jagged edges adorned in black steel. “That’s the plan a skeleton key? Hmm nifty, so what do we do now?”  Marcus smashed through a line of Mummies and bounded over to us. “Yes but not just any skeleton key, it’s the Skeleton Key, the original created by Linus Yale Sr. in 1823!” I quirked an eyebrow at the excited strategist in curiosity. “And how did you come into possession of an artifact like that, let alone know who that man was?” Giving me a wink Marcus bypassed me and moved towards one of the walls of the temple. “It’s called a skeleton key for a reason Nicky, best leave it to the imagination.” Scrunching up my face I took the hint. “Eh, right then moving on.” Turning on our heels Ghurn and I faced down yet more oncoming warriors. “Shall we?” Ghurn nodded in the direction of the troops, and I smiled waving at them. “Mm after you sir.”

Ghurn’s technique was most impressive to behold. He took the lead and struck out with a flurry of blows with his sword while orange spears manifested to aid his charge driving back the forces at the sight of his ferocity. This was precisely what he wanted as a smattering of ethereal chains then rushed through the crowd disarming and restraining anyone who tried to flee. Soon half of the group attacking us was either battling the constructed spears, Ghurn’s blade, or trying to free themselves from the vice grip of spiritual chains. Taking out a few of the stragglers with some quick blade work of my own I advanced on what remained of the now terrified group. “My compliments Ghurn, that’s quite a display. Ah by the by love the sword design, they don’t forge weapons like that anymore.” Throwing out his hand Ghurn conjured around twenty crossbows made of ember-light. They volleyed bolts into the rest of the guards giving us cover while I sliced through the more armoured and resistant Girtablilu that shrugged off the attacks. “Thanks Nick it’s just a skill I acquired over the years. The sword is called Tejasvin, I forged it myself.” Locking blades with a Mummy I shattered her weapon in an explosion of golden light which sent her rocketing into the wall. “What about you? That sword’s pretty unusual, where’d you get it?” Turning I let a storm of temporal lightning fly from my blade which ricocheted off of the floor and walls knocking away scores of soldiers and leaving scorch marks around the room. “Ow, sorry that was a tad much! They’re going to be sore when they wake up…Hmm? Ah she was a gift from the Elves of Middle Earth. I named her Galadhrim in respect of the warriors who created her.”

“Neat no wonder I’ve never seen a sword like that before…As much as I’d like to continue the conversation it seems we have more company.” Ghurn pointed to even more Mummies, Khepri, and a particularly large Sphinx running towards us. Tilting my head I scrutinized the oncoming force. “Marvelous, well you have to admire their persistence at least.”Ghurn glanced at me, his previously pristine armour was now caked in dirt and grime as he regarded the horde. “What are we going to do?” Grinning brightly I patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry I have a plan!” There was silence for several seconds as the knightly scholar stared at me expectantly? “So what’s the plan?” I shrugged in defeat. “Ah I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that question.” Ghurn squinted at me in mortified disbelief; at least I think it was mortified disbelief it’s so hard to tell with that helmet on. “So you don’t have a plan?” I smiled sheepishly and raised my hands in the universal ‘I don’t know’ gesture.

Continuing to cut down the more courageous Mamono that approached in a swath of blinding light I shrugged and mumbled. “Eh I always tell folks I’ve got a plan. That seems to comfort them somewhat during life threatening situations. Then I just work with what I’ve got. So what’ve we got, detractors and positives…?” I clapped my hands together in a giddy rush for ideas. “…Well detractor, we’re trapped far below the surface of the scorching desert, detractor we’re surrounded by sex starved Mamono who are none too happy with us, detractor there seem to be an awful lot of them and only four of us we’re going to get passed around like that bad bottle of wine everyone re-gifts at Christmas, (sigh) this is depressing.” Running my hand across my face I groan in despair. “Wait a minute what about positives? Let’s see, positive Randal’s distracting a good chunk of the forces with his wolf form, positive Marcus is working on an escape route and he’s clever, positive you’re an architect, and bloody positive fortunate favours the desperate! Come on Ghurn I have a plan!”

Running across the room to one of main support pillars I wrung my hands together forming luminous sparks and aurous bolts of chronometric fulguration. “Ha-ha this is brilliant! Alright get ready Ghurn!” A tap on my shoulder stopped my madcap idea mid stride. “Uh want to fill me in Nick?” I turned to Ghurn in confusion as the issue brimmed to mind. “Ah yes you’re not Telepathic are you? Yes, I’m used to working with Vellantha and she, hmm well no matter. Right well here’s the idea. This temple is thousands of years old, and it’s falling apart. Being underground must put quite the strain on the infrastructure right? So they’ve had to adapt, tunnels, rooms, walkways, everything in here has been rebuilt a time or two so everything’s all jumbled and recreated.” Ghurn nodded tapping the stone work in agreement. “I’d agree with that, it looks like it’s been patched over a lot. This place would’ve looked very different when it was first built. Where’re you going with all this?” I chuckle and smack the stone with the palm of my hand. “You hit the point already kid. This place was vastly different all those centuries ago. Using my abilities over the Time-Space Continuum I’m going to revert the architecture of this sunken temple back to its original build. Hopefully things we have changed so much that it’ll cause a storm of confusion.” Ghurn laughed as the idea seemed to click in his mind. “All those rearranged stairwells and rooms you’re creating chaos!” I clicked my tongue in affirmation. “Ah but not just idle chaos, that’s easy, chaos with a purpose! And don’t worry no one will end up stuck in a wall or trapped in an impenetrable chasm forever. I’ll translocate all the people who were here back to where they were along the timeline, so they’ll be safely repositioned.”

“That’s a neat plan Nick but why do you need me?” Glancing over my shoulder I flicked a thumb at the growing number of amassing warriors now charging towards us at full tilt. “I’m going to shift the rest of the temple back to how it used to look in order to cut off reinforcements. But I can’t afford to shift this room with the four of us in here. I don’t know the layout all that well and it could place us in a worse situation than we’re already in. I’ll make some minor alterations but nothing too expansive in scope. I still want to confound the lot of those pests and I think you’re ember-light constructs will do the trick nicely, so go crazy.” Wisps of flickering energy joined with golden hues in a kinetic storm. “Ember-light? That’s a new one on me.” Ghurn muttered. Shrugging I grit my teeth in concentration. “What wrong with ‘ember-light’? I felt it had a bit more pizzazz than just ‘magic construct’. Would you rather I called them orange building blocks?” This got a chuckle from my compatriot as the plan came to fruition. “I guess it does…Hey are there going to be any side effects to time traveling without the TARDIS?” Patting Ghurn on the back I smiled before reaching into my overcoat to pull out a small white confectionary bag. “Here have a jelly baby; it’ll help counteract the nausea from the temporal spillage.Well no time like the present or rather the past eh Ghurn? Let’s get down to business.”

Throwing out my left arm I let a swath of flaxen chronometric energy pour into the corridor. Ripples formed on the surfaces of the walls and the pillars. The world distorted like an oil painting that had been set on an open flame and melted into a liquid mess of coloured shapes and shadows. As the scene around us grew still, quietness pervaded in the room. At least for a few moments until the world contorted once more and every moment strung along the line from the present to the past fractured into glass. Each shard held a series of events out of place and out of time. Focusing myself across the expanse of centuries I let the progression of ages reverse themselves, bending to what came before. Specters and shadows of people spun through a void of moments and disappeared as the room cracked away. Stone and sand swept through the corridor demolishing, and rebuilding in old patterns. As the room settled into its new, or rather old configuration there was a cry of dismay and alarm from the Mamono garrisons. Chuckling I gestured to Ghurn. “Your go my friend.”

Ghurn was quick to act sending out a labyrinthine concoction of walls, stairwells, false doors, and crumbling alcoves leading to nonexistent balconies. Under the shadows cast by the dismal torchlight it was near impossible to tell which routes were reality and which were illusionary. One thing was certain, running into a construct wall hurt just like the real thing if the howls and hurled pejoratives were any indication. “What happened to the doors?! Why have the walls changed their shape?!” The disarray was thoroughly amusing and I fell into a fit of laughter. “Nicely done, you’re quite the conceptualist Ghurn. Escher’s got nothing on you. Well let’s see how Marcus is getting on.” '''GRAAAKl! BOOM!'''

Huge piles of stone and dirt began to fly into the air as the floor was torn asunder. “Ah that can’t be good. Marcus you better hurry up with the plan!” I yelled across the room to the now haggard man. “Okay we’re ready get over here quick!” Just as we reached the wall that Marcus was working on, the floor erupted in a shower of debris and a massive Sandworm burst forth. Her blood red compound eyes stared at her fallen comrades before letting out a mighty bellow of rage. “Ah feck!” I swore loudly as this leviathan of the desert keyed in on us and lunged, her segmented jaws opened to reveal a pink hued woman scowling in contempt. A shadow of black smashed into the side of the worm toppling her over and snarling challengingly. “Thanks Randal!” Marcus called out as he finished his inscriptions on the wall and placed the key against the stone. Immediately a white outline of an ornately crafted door formed against the solid barrier and a passage was created from nothingness. Ushering us through the entrance I was greeted by a new room. It was a very pretty abode with shining stone floors, ornately hewn columns, and winding staircases made of polished marble. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to admire the craftsmanship as the wolf form of Randal came skidding into the room. The Sandworm had thrown him through the entrance and now she was livid, as she started to charge us.

Marcus was back at the wall trying to close the portal but seemingly having little success. The Sandworm slithered closer, and closer picking up speed as she moved. “Close it Marcus!” He scowled and turned the key over in his hands. “I’m trying, it’s tricky.” The worm drew closer still a trail of dust forming in her wake. “Marcus she’s almost to the door!” The key was glowing and he seemed to struggle against some unseen power. “The thing’s not being cooperative!” Marcus muttered while drawing a set of glyphs in the air desperately trying to close the doorway. He soon began to simply beat the key against the stone work trying to make it function. “The key won’t release its hold on the door I can’t shut it! A cloud of grey smoke rose up as Randal reappeared in his humanoid guise. “I could try shattering the stone, and stack it together to create a barrier.” The Druid shrugged reluctantly as his suggestion was risky but it was all we had at the moment. “Do it fast!” Marcus shouted as the Sandworm was nearly on us. With a blast of verdant energy from his staff Randal ripped the stone of the ceiling apart bringing it down in pile that blocked the entrance to the room. When the dust settled from the rubble a shout of anger could be heard through the miniscule gaps of our makeshift barrier. “This won’t keep me out forever!”

Sighing I ran my hand through my hair. “I hate to agree with the worm but she’s right. That won’t hold for long. We need to find the captured people and get to the surface.” Marcus began grinning happily and pointed towards the far end of the room. “Well I think we found someone who can help.” The object he was pointing to was a grand bejeweled sarcophagus that was raised on a pedestal. “Mm Marcus buddy. We tried negotiating before. You saw how that went, if we couldn’t get anywhere with the guards what makes you think this’ll be any different?” Marcus held up the skeleton key once more. “I told you this was no ordinary skeleton key. There was a reason it was the first. It doesn’t just unlock doors it creates them, more than that it can create a doorway that leads exactly to what the user needs most! What we need most is to find the kidnapped locales, and to safely get them out of here.” I scratched at the back of my neck in thought. “And you think she’ll be more receptive and open to negotiating peace? What about that cuckoo Anubis?!” Marcus shrugged approaching the pedestal and inspected the sarcophagus. “I don’t know Nicky, but it looks like the sarcophagus hasn’t been opened recently. Maybe the Pharaoh hasn’t woken up in a while and doesn’t know what’s going on. Maybe that Anubis was just a crazy steward trying to keep order until the rightful ruler got back.” I clicked my tongue in thought. “Uh huh…Fine open it up.” Marcus snorted with laughter. “It’ll be fine Nicky, you’re too tense.” The four of us stepped up onto the pedestal and grabbed a corner of the lid; with a heave the whole front came loose and clattered to the floor with a bang.

The woman within the crypt was stunningly beautiful. Her figure was smooth and Junoesque, befitting a regal lady. She possessed rich umber skin that would rival the resplendent sands of the desert above. Shimmering locks of long sable hair fell in waves about her form. A crimson dress covered her body and gold plating covered her arms and neck which only added to accenting her splendor without overshadowing it. Marcus drew his arm up reaching out for the lady laying undisturbed in her slumber. Swatting his hand away I scowled. “Haven’t you seen any films?! Don’t touch the lady!” A grumble of agreement from Randal came near the edge of the pedestal. “Yeah if she wakes up and curses us I’m blaming you.” He pointed at Marcus in annoyance. Shrugging, we all withdrew to contemplate our options. “Should we just wake the lady up and try to explain?” Ghurn had crossed his arms and leaned against a pillar in thought as he proffered his idea. Gesturing around the room Randal groaned at the mess. “Look at the place it’s turned to rubbish! And we did that! You think a lady who’s been asleep for centuries is going to talk to the guys who broke into her temple and knocked her servants unconscious?!” I slumped down on the cold stone steps and frowned. “Randal’s right, we’re in trouble here. If we do wake her up who’s she more likely to believe? Us, the uninvited tomb raiders or her servants, the trusted souls she put in power.”

“Let’s find out shall we my dears?” A melodic voice flowed through the air weaving its way into the room. Turning I felt a wave of dread wash over me. Standing over us atop the pedestal was the woman from the crypt, her crimson eyes glowering down at us. Her footfalls rang out against the stone steps as she descended to the floor sparking waves of red energy behind her. Upon reaching the landing she made a sweeping gesture and a throne manifested from the floor. “Please make yourselves comfortable. That shouldn’t be too hard seeing as you’ve already invited yourselves into my home.” As soon as the words passed her lips I felt my strength disperse and I sank to the floor, as did my allies. Struggling to speak I tried to voice our side of the story but the words were stolen from me with but a glance of the monarch’s eyes. “No, don’t talk. Words are easily formed and twisted to a purpose so as not to be trusted. I shall view your mental eye and ascertain the true nature of the facts.” The world faded and blackness took me, and there was nothing.”

“…My lord, are you awake?” Sitting up I rubbed the back of my head. “Ugh what a whammy.” Being helped to my feet I dusted off my dark overcoat and blinked against the light. Shifting from side to side I felt my bones crack and pop back into place. “My Lord Thoth, are you okay?” Straightening my navy blue necktie I glanced around the room. Marcus, Ghurn, and Randal were on their feet and recovering from the same ill effects I had suffered. “My Lord?” The lady from the crypt caught my eye; she was following me closely with a dejected sorrowed look framing her face. “My Lord Thoth I apologize…” Waving my hand I quieted the distraught woman before rubbing my aching head. “Why do you keep calling me that? I’m not…” A firm hand gripped my shoulder and spun me around from behind. Coming face to face with Marcus he pretty much dragged me into a far corner of the room. While loudly proclaiming: “Unfortunately Pharaoh Auset has uncovered our deception, she knows who we are.” He bent down and whispered to me. “She had a look through our minds. Good news we aren’t in danger and she’s agreed to negotiate with the surface. Bad news, she thinks we’re gods in Humanoid form.” I rubbed at my head and nodded happily. “Mm negotiations that’s nice…'''Wait what?! '''What the hell did you do?” Marcus backed up and scowled. “Don’t look like that Nicky. She made the jump I never said anything, nobody did. I guess she looked at our heads and what with the mystical abilities and Immortality combined with her long sleep, she just, assumed that we were you know gods.”

Running my left hand across my eyes, I felt like peeling off my own face in angst. “Right uh still groggy. What did she call you all?” The group huddled together and we whispered and soon enough the picture was clearer. Suffice to say that the Pharaoh had awoken only a handful of times once she and her subjects were reborn as Mamono. The last time had been nearly seven centuries ago and much had changed. Now she was back in unfamiliar realms, unknown to the world above. It appeared Auset viewed each of the four of us as a specific theophany, though garbed in the appearance of ‘Human form’ to deliver a message. Namely in Auset’s eyes the message was that her penance for her previous crimes as a tyrant was at an end, and that her curse was lifted. The Pharaoh had even ‘discovered our true names’ Marcus was Montu, Ghurn was truly Ptah, Randal was Kek, and I myself was Thoth. I puzzled over the names as they buzzed about in my head, desperately scouring to recall the Egyptology lectures Daniel had given me years before. Pursing my lips I ran my hand across the stubble on my chin whist murmuring to myself. “Hmm, Mon-Montu, odd I don’t reme--” Minutes passed until I hit upon an epiphany as a block in my mind broke away.

“Ah ha, now if I recall Daniel’s lectures correctly Marcus, Auset believes you are Montu the falcon headed god of war, protector of the dynasty of the Pharaohs, given your skills in combat it was a fair conclusion. Ghurn I think the fair lady pegged you as Ptah the lord of craftsmen and god of architects, which makes sense given your ember-light constructs…Randal was a tad harder to place, I remember the name ‘Kek’ from several readings but it took a minute to connect the dots. Kek is the god of the primordial, the shadows, and the shifting darkness that existed before land was created. Don’t let it go to your heads. We have to let her know we’re just men alright?” Turning on my heel I was set to address the lady who was standing at a respectful distance away from the four of us. “Hey wait what about you?” Marcus tapped my shoulder and pulled me back into the group. Shrugging I divulged what I could recall to memory. “Pharaoh Auset called me ‘Thoth’, fitting I suppose. Thoth was associated with magic science, and the written word. He was the ‘Reckoner of Time’ being in charge of the regulation of events and history. Right now let’s go clear this whole thing up.” It took some time to resolve the situation with the Mamono we had fought being quite annoyed at the thrashing they received. As well as clearing up the debris created in the fight. But eventually we were able to sit down and discuss how to move forward. In the spirit of the new future Auset had formed a table and chairs for us to sit and hold our talks. As we all grouped around the table we settled in for the long hours to come.

Several Hours Later

“We were cursed for our apathy to the suffering of others, and the cruelty we inflicted upon them. Now our curse by the Goddess Bastet has been lifted and we have been reborn in a form that we may bring peace and prosperity to this land, at least that’s what I believed. But you four lords tell me that I have slept intermittently for nearly five thousand years? I know now you are not gods and yet from what I saw in your minds the world has advanced to create spectacles of magic and industry. It has effectively moved on without us. So where can we fit in?” Marcus was the first of us to raise an idea as he stepped around the table to face the Pharaoh directly. “Auset look, you’re right the world is different, but you’re different now too. Maybe this can all be a clean slate, a second chance to get things right.” This lifted the monarch’s spirits and she breathed steadily in relief. “A second chance, I would like that very much. I have not walked above for so long but I want to. Though what you told me of my guardswoman Rehema troubles me deeply. She has always had a bold spirit and a strong will to do what she sees as right in her mind. I hoped her transformation would help curtail her rebellious streak, it appears this is not so. I must make amends for the ills we caused, we only wanted Husbands to love but if they desire freedom I shall grant their wish.”

I shook my head in amazement. “Hmm well madam I do believe the gesture will go a long way in assuaging the fears of the peoples above. Though I do not believe any of the men that have found wives would take the offer to be separated.” A knowing smile passed between Auset and I. “I take it you know this feeling well Nicholas?” I let my mind wander, reflecting on my past, a contented warmth filling my tired form. “Mm I would say so I’ve been a married man for several millennia now. That sort of love is encompassing and uplifting, when you find the right person it’s life changing. But I digress from the point at hand, something I do quite well.” Standing from my seat at the table I shove my hands in the pockets of my raven hued overcoat and walk to one of the pillars that had deteriorated from the pressures of age. “Now it seems to me that you want to be part of the world above, a commendable goal. First things first though I think this underground shamble should be restored to better states. There was a line in a manuscript of the curse leveled upon you…Hmm let me think ‘And the once cruel empire shall become a sanctuary for those who were once outcasts’ if I recall correctly. Does that sound like anything you or your subjects might be interested in creating?” An effulgent smile spread over Auset’s features and she looked almost giddy. “Yes it does, and you four would help us?” A look passed between myself and my three friends, a consensus reached in inevitable conclusion. “We’ll help you. It’s just a rudimentary question of relocating the temple ruins via the surrounding landscape, and reconstructing them to proper condition. It shouldn’t be too hard.” Randal murmured from under the confines of his hood.

Coming together the four of us quickly put our heads together and a plan was formed. Randal was the point man for the operation as he would be using his sway over the elements to carve a safe path to the surface and haul the temple back to the world above. Ghurn would stabilize the structure itself using his ember-light constructs as brace points on the now dilapidated rooms and corridors. I would keep the temple in a state of temporal stasis thereby keeping everyone safe with the transfer occurred. Marcus would be overseeing the crucial undertaking using his many talismans to make sure our brains didn’t explode due to the stresses placed on our bodies by the influx of mystical energies. Setting ourselves up for what lie ahead, things were turned over to Randal, who took the lead in our cockamamie scheme.

Raising his staff the Druid let loose a shockwave of verdant energies, which swept across the length of the room. Instantly a gash ripped along the floor while the walls of the temple shook and the floors trembled and quaked apart and we began to rise. The very light of the torches flickered into shadow. A bright orange iridescence flared up beating back the darkened shadows and halting the collapse of the ceiling. Lending my own talents to the mix an explosive current of golden lighting flew about the room. Time seeped to a standstill per my expectation, and all was going well. Meanwhile Marcus was dashing about throwing artifacts at us from his trove of oddities. “Here Nicky hold this. That pipe was owned by Samuel Siegfried Karl von Basch it’ll let me measure your blood pressure and heart rate! Considering you’ve got two of ‘em it’d be best to keep a close watch there. ” A carved smoking pipe was tossed into my hands which I regarded with some mild amusement. “Eh whatever works, thanks Marcus.” With the quick move Marcus then threw an ornate silver and gold necklace to Ghurn. “Don’t drop that alright it belonged to Helen S. Mayberg, thing’s priceless. It’ll detect abnormal brain functioning, and signs of trauma.” Scrunching up my face I scrutinized the item now in Ghurn’s possession. “Helen’s a friend of mine Marcus. I do hope you didn’t go to any extralegal means to acquire that particular item.” My face hardened as I glowered over the now worried collector until my façade dropped and I burst into laughter. “Ah no worries Marcus, I’m only messing with you. I’m sure you got that necklace by auspicious means.” Marcus recovered his composure and dug through his bag once more, pulling free a final item to complete the puzzle. “Here Randal catch! It’s a scalpel of Harvey Cushing’s I was able to dig up.” The item in question was tossed to the priest, glinting under the orange, gold, and verdant hues of mystical energy as it sailed through the air. “Don’t throw that you moron, I don’t want to be impaled!” The now rather cross Druid tucked the scalpel away on his belt and turned back to tunneling upwards towards the surface with a scoff. Though I heard the hooded conjurer mumble to himself something along the lines of ‘The phrase ‘dig up’ is rather suspect’ before he resumed his work. Sharing an amused look with Marcus I chuckled and continued to weave my craft throughout the interior of the temple.

Golden patterns of lighted chronology joined with verdant rays of natural precision and magmatic conceptions of the mind while each of our allotted talismans disbanded any ill effects to our physical forms. Concussive winds howled through the corridor as the temple rose towards better heights. Cracks split through the stone work being sealed over with flickering sutures. Stings of flaxen lighting arced through the stone tunnels and vestibules connecting the expanse of the temple; before cascading into a conduit of pure temporal flame that held every passing moment together at the seams of reality. “Here we go people, if you want to pray do it now. Otherwise get ready for a hell of a ride.” Marcus yelled over the mad din of noise assailing our senses. Ghurn took the oppertunity to whisper in a language I couldn’t pinpoint, a prayer to his patron no doubt. Randal was cackling maniacally, eh at least he was having fun. Quirking an eyebrow I grinned and shook my head. “Might as well make the most of it…♫Doctor my eyes have seen the years, and the slow parade of fears without crying…♫” Marcus tilted his head giving the most confounded look. “Are…Are you singing Nicky?” Nodding I smile broadly. “Yep, helps me concentrate. Jackson Browne’s ‘Doctor me Eyes’ 1972 release. Not as popular as his other stuff but still good. Mm I miss the seventies that was great music. I lived through years a few times actually. Sometimes I can even parts of them.” Rolling his eyes Marcus just went back to monitoring our vitals. “I could try a different era if you’d rather. How about Elvis? People still like Elvis right?” A groan of annoyance rose from the group as Marcus muttered ‘How long is it going to take to get to the surface?” Randal grinned with a Machiavellian simper. “Oh a few hours maybe longer. Hey Nicholas, you know anything by The Rolling Stones?” Scratching at my chin I frowned contemplatively. “Hmm I certainly do.”

Three Days Later.

“I’m sore in places I didn’t know existed and so exhausted.” Marcus had slumped next to me on a sandy dune overlooking the now proudly rebuilt temple and I smiled at the worn down man. “Hmm I know the feeling.” The sun was setting, bathing the enormous temple walls in reds, purples, and yellows averting the prior twisted landscape and transforming it into a comfortable oasis. The negotiations with the leaders of the surrounding settlements had been a long, grueling affair. Our group had served as impartial mediators in the dispute to help smooth the road as it were. Over many meetings, compromises and heated exchanges Auset had crafted a treaty with the converging nation-states in record time that benefited all parties involved. It was a testament to the pharaoh’s diplomatic prowess and her open hearted nature. As a show of trust the captured men were free to do as they pleased though as I predicted none chose to leave their new brides. The rise of the temple also caused the barren ground to blossom again, creating a paradise that stretched far across the desert. Thousands of people flooded in to the rebuilding empire within a matter of days in an effort to create new lives, just as the prophecy had predicted. “And they say providence is just wishful thinking” I mummer to no one in particular.

A glittering light refracted off of the grains of sands heralding the approach of three figures moving across the dunes. Standing I dust myself off and offer a hand to Marcus. “Come on we can’t lounge around all day while there’s work to be done.” Hefting the warrior to his feet I patted him on the back before moving off along the shifting sands towards the approaching figures. All the while Marcus called out exasperatedly. “But Nicky we’re done…The treaty’s finished…Wh-What work?” Clicking my tongue I pointed at the three discernible shapes coming closer now revealed to be Ghurn, Randal and Auset, and back to my disgruntled buddy. “I have to get you three back to your proper points in time and space. If I don’t get you back soon your wives are going to come after my hide. And personally I like my hide where it’s at. Plus I want to square a few things away with Auset.” Stopping in front of the Pharaoh and my other two friends I shove my hands in the pockets of my overcoat and wait for Marcus to catch up. “…Gah…You are fast…Geez.” Smiling I glance at the poor man. “I’m quite spry for my age. You need a second or are you going to be okay?” Getting a thumbs up from Marcus I smile sympathetically before taking it as sign to continue. “Well my lady I am sad to say we have to bid you farewell for now. It has been an enriching few days to be able to see your people flourish once again. Thank you very much for the opportunity.” Taking Auset’s hand I shake it gently. “Are you certain that you won’t stay longer? The four of you were such a blessing; if you hadn’t come along I would still slumber. And we could certainly use your expertise in rebuilding our home.” Shaking my head I sighed. “Afraid not, I have to get these three home post haste. Besides you’ll do fine on your own, I have every confidence in you my lady.”

Smiling gently I turn on my heel and pull my Sonic from my over coat pocket. Pointing the emitter towards a sloping dune I let my thoughts form an order, and a ray of emerald light sprung from the device. Within seconds the familiar and comforting wheezing and groaning noise filled the air, a gust of wind stirred particles of dust into the air and a tall blue box fades into view. Striding over the dunes I lean against the blue paneling of my ship. My three friends were still saying their goodbyes so I busied myself checking over the windows and signage to pass the time. But soon enough all good things must come to an end as Ghurn, Marcus, and Randal made their way to the TARDIS. Fishing a key out of my trouser pocket I unlock the doors and usher the trio inside leaving only Auset and I standing out in the sun. “Then this is goodbye?” I nod leaning back against the doorway, though the saddened expression of the Pharaoh confused me. “You think we’re leaving forever? No, sorry to say but it’s not that easy to get rid of me or the others. It may not be tomorrow or even a hundred years from now, but I’ll be back to check in on you. That’s a promise.” Auset’s features brightened immensely and she surged forward and hugged me. “When you do come back you won’t be disappointed, this whole place will be flourishing beyond your wildest dreams!” Patting the lady’s shoulder I pull away gently. “I’ll hold you to that; you’re going to do marvelously. Now keep your eye on the box, this is where the fun starts.”

Stepping backwards into the interior I give a final short wave, before closing the blue exterior doors. Walking further in I pass the interior set of silver doors which swish closed with a mechanized whir. My footfalls resound off the metallic obsidian as I passed through a doorway framed by slate grey columns. Grand archways molded outward from the columns crafting a gothic cathedral overhead. Pedestaled spotlights were set around the area bathing the room in amber light; while inset swirled stone monoliths sat atop the light fixtures adding a sense of grandeur to the space. My three cohorts were already milling about aimlessly as I arrived. Approaching the main console I smiled happy to be amongst familiar settings. The console was a fairly standard design with six control sections aligned in a hexagonal shape though I’d altered it to my taste over my many lives. To add to the motif the panels themselves were now hexagonal in design with black as the main colour and silver accents. And each section was pushed slightly out from the main column to provide more space. A vast array of buttons, switches, dials, and readouts covered every part of the six sections while a gentle emerald glow emanated from the screens. Rising into the air was the time rotor, the focal point of the control console. It was comprised of a clear ‘glass like’ pillar inlaid with sectioned crystals in the base and a bullet shaped metal circuit faced downwards near the top of the rotor. A segmented metallic collar covered the top of the time rotor which then expanded out into a hexagonal fixture comprised of three inverted levels. Each level grew larger as they reached towards the ceiling. The first level, and the smallest of the three, glowed gently with inlaid amber light panels to provide more sightlines for the crew. Each of the following two levels branched into two larger hexagon shapes that retained the coal coloured design which was accented by argent metal.

Humming mindlessly to myself I set back into my routine of flipping switches, mashing commands into keyboards and generally pacing about the console attending to minor changes. Time travel after all was more an art than science at least in certain regards. Glancing up from readjusting the space-time coordinates of the first drop off point I regarded my friends. We were such an eclectic gathering of souls, varied in our talents and gifts, as well as our demons and yet we had our places in the tapestry of life. Maybe I was getting more sentimental and thoughtful with age. Whatever the case may have been I shook my head to unclutter my thoughts. “Alright then everyone ready to go?” A mummer of lively chatter had sprung up as everyone had piled around the console. But a chorus of agreement poured in that it was definitely time to get going before we pressed our luck and our wives came searching for us, like last time. As a collective shudder was shared around the room I reached out for the dematerialization lever but diverted at the last moment. Acting on instinct I flicked on one of the scanner screens around the console with a sharp buzz. Auset had stepped back from the TARDIS watching expectantly. Whispering to myself I voiced my realization. “Good luck Isis, Goddess of the sick.” Then I pulled the dematerialization lever. As the crystals in the central column began to move, the wheezing and groaning of the engines filled the room, and we slipped away into the Time Vortex.