Chapter 4: The Light at the End of the Tunnel
An elegant, royal yellow robed and hooded figure, a golden scarf wrapped inside of the high collar of his robes rode into the great city of the Sandsea, land of Sek-Duat III, mounted on a saddled Sunspike. A specially designed leather and steel bridle upon the head of the desert reptilian, its protruding, bright yellow incisors making the bridle awkwardly shaped and unusable for a horse, or any other animal for that matter. On the vestment of the entity were patterns of a symbol akin to the Eye of Ra inscribed in a triangle, and beneath his hood lie a golden hawk mask with a beak made of blue painted steel, a mark surrounding the underside and outward side of both eyes. Strapped onto the back of the being was a staff, headed with a Sunstone, the area of the handle wrapped in layers of linen cloth, and the rest of the rod was made of dyed leather patterned in an interlocking fashion.
The immense city surrounding the being was bursting with life to the amazement of the bleak, inhospitable region around it. Traveling merchants were taking their eye to some Snapping Camel breeders' stocks for future trips into the harsh desert. A great number of the traders were from Sil, although there were also others from Swordhaven, Oaklore, Deep Root, Willowshire, Riverine Keep, Lymcrest, Granemor, and maybe even some from as far as Dragesvard, therefore many of them concluded that it'd be an unwise business decision, as the Snapping Camel would only be readily useful in the deserts of the Sandsea. In the center of the market district, there was a monumental fountain sculpture of Sek-Duat I and II, the water pouring from vases that they were both holding and positioned as though they were giving it out freely, the water emptying into two temple tanks. The gestures of the first two of the Sek-Duat dynasty in their statues being symbolism for their generosity as rulers of such a harsh land, as in the deserts of the Sandsea, water is either as valuable as or more valuable than gold.
The sandstone walls of the surrounding shops were painted in all forms of inviting colors, mainly those of the cool colors, sapphire blue and royal purple being the most popular. Shopkeepers often beckoning the exquisitely garbed figure with something along these lines, "Good sir, would you wish to buy a nice Hematite Hood to replace your wearing and tearing current one? A mere one thousand and five hundred and it is yours!"
The entity continued riding on upon his peculiar Sunspike mount, pulling on its reins as a means to tell it to stride on. Another trader came before the being, "You sir, I can tell are a man of elegance, therefore I offer you this Star-Studded Beltfor the cheap, mere price of five thousand gold! It is truly a once in a lifetime offer, my good sir!"
The being now tilted his head back to the merchant, his hood and golden hawk mask following suit, as he answered with, "You're right; it's been a lifetime since someone's tried to rip me off so." The storekeeper was in awe and gasped at the figure's response, one could tell that the trader was speechless and baffled that the robed man so easily could tell that he was being cheated immensely. "Now, if you don't mind, I have important business to attend to," The words could be heard from the hawk guise, "I need not be bothered by the calls of a novice salesman, who knows not the means to set prices correctly, for I am to be meeting with Sek-Duat III."
"My apologies then, if you are to meet Sek-Duat III, then be off with you! Make haste, don't tarry, the King of the Sands hates for people to be late! And please, forget that I ever existed!" The merchant, simply hoping that the entity would not come down from their Sunspike mount, responded trying to sound pleasant. The Sunspike was now making its way to Temple District of Sek-Duat's brilliant city, the sanctuary being at least five stories tall, likely with an elevated ceiling of Gothic architectural design. The front of the house of prayer was met with pillars of sandstone supporting a veranda with two sandstone statues of Sek-Duat I with an inviting gesture on both sides of the stepped entrance. Before the effigies lie two temple tanks of water, for all to enjoy, no matter their race or social status.
A priest of the Sandsea, a Master as could be told by his hood, pleased by the new visitor met him kindly, "Greetings, stranger, I have not seen you before, will you come in and take part in our prayers to the Light Lady and her hands, the Sek-Duat dynasty? We were just about to begin our midday sermons of Sek-Duat I's Humility."
"I'm afraid that I cannot partake in your communion, for I have a meeting with Sek-Duat III," The royal yellow robed figure answered, his golden hawk mask faced the cleric, and he continued by asking, "Though, I'm rather unknown to this city, as it's my first time here, so would you mind giving me directions to his majesty's palace?"
"Oh, why, not at all, anything for one of his guests," the monk responded amiably. "You see the manors over there, correct?" He pointed over towards the Nobles' District as he spoke, and continued, "Well, when you turn around to leave, take a right to the Nobles' District, and follow the sandstone road to the steps of his Palace. Or, if you would rather, there is a way through the Temple, for High Priests to meet with the King of the Sands. Now, I must return to my Initiates soon and begin praise to the glorious Sek-Duat dynasty, so please, make your decision quickly."
"No, thank you, although I am grateful for the guidance, curate," The being replied.
"Anytime, now good day, honored guest of Sek-Duat III," The preacher returned, as he walked up the sandstone stairs and back into the temple.
"Rifroz, why did you have to spite the dragon?" Galvin jested to the Water Elf Rogue, taking his bow's handle in hand and grabbing an arrow shaft from his quiver. The butt of the arrow tip was a centimeter or two from his hand, the head was tipped in liquid Dragonbane, and the shaft of the projectile was between the string and the handle of the bow. My fingers grasped the linen bowstring, ready to fire an arrow into the scaly, winged beast of the winds.
"Does it matter why if he's already done it?" Illoz queried in response to Galvin's mocking. The Lightning Giant's spear in hand with a tower shield, with layers of Drake skin packed in the underbelly of the aegis, ready to be besieged with dragon's fire.
The sounds of the dragon were striding towards them being readily available with the occasional outcry shaking the foundations of the hollow, which was unusual for even a dragon. The vocal cords of the dragon clearly must have been superior, alongside its lung capacity. The silver wings of the dragon stretched as its slate scales bit into the rock of the bottom of the grotto, with the scraping of its talons against the sandstone nearing closer towards them. As it drew more proximal, the noise of the dragon's horns scratching against the ceiling of the cave became ear screeching. The group quickly had to cover their ears to keep hold of their thoughts for more than a few seconds.
The Wind Dragon now stood before the ensemble; its head hung low as to breathe its flames upon them, its sapphire eyes gazing at the three as juicy morsels. At this point, it jaws opened and it beckoned its magical breath to spew onto the hunters. The bright green, with a small hint of blue, fire spawned from the throat of the immense reptilian. As it began exhaling the conflagrations, its feathery wings spread in a V-shaped manner from its spine, with the upper portion curving as to conform to the ceiling of the cavity. From this position, one could see that the right wing's upper supporting bone was broken. The teal conflagrations met the rocky ground, and Illoz immediately held tight to his tower shield, as he crouched to try to cover his entirety from the flames. Galvin and Rifroz instead scampered to get some form of natural bulwark between them and the turquoise blazes. Illoz slowly motioned himself and his shield back towards Galvin and Rifroz. The Lightning Giant still attempted to keep himself covered from the dragon's fire as he did this, and he scraped the bottom of the shield against the sediment beneath him.
The Wind Dragon made another ear shattering roar in anger. The multitudes of spikes spanning across its titanic body, specifically at joints, moved accordingly to their connected body parts, as it whipped its tail towards the boulders. The slabs had given way and broke by the sheer force of the sweep. Galvin tried to move further away from the beast, as to get a better aiming position. Rifroz attempted to slip under the gargantuan reptile using the collapse of the rocks as a distraction. Illoz had to hold steadfast to the remnants of his hiding place, then climbing onto the fallen slab after it had completely fell.
Rifroz being beneath the belly of the beast, had to keep quiet to prevent from garnering attention from the colossal dragon. Galvin took more steps back, trying to get out of the wyrm's immediate thought process. Illoz, now upon the recently fallen stone slate, with his shield held adamantly, prepared for the dragon to strike. Unknown to the reptile, Illoz had his poison tipped spear in his other hand, the head of the spear a few centimeters behind the back of the shield. As the dragon stomped the collapsed slab, the Lightning Giant barely was able to remain standing as he was shaken by the brunt of the winged lizard's stamp.
Illoz began making strides towards the claw of the leviathan, keeping his spear close to him. While the Lightning Giant distracted the titan, Rifroz took the opportunity to begin climbing onto the side of one of the Dragon's feet, the numerous scales serving as support while the Water Elf rogue scaled its paw. His two daggers hanging nearby as he ascended, with two circular wires each running through a hole in the guard in front of the handle, from his leather, pouched belt. They had to be handled this way,as he lacked sheaths for their serrated edge and unusual shape, with another blade extending from the blade side of the end of the curved guard before the grip. Due to their being suspended, Rifroz had to be immensely careful to avoid making them hit each other and make a clanking sound, though he also had to keep them from smacking the scales of the dragon, if he wanted to live at least.
The Lightning Giant, who now stood directly beneath the bottom of one of the dragon's many talons, took his Dragonbane-tipped spear and lodged it precisely into where the claw meets the toe itself. The spear penetrated through the scales, with Illoz's strength to back it, forced its way into a blood vessel. The artery, now open, discharged the wyrm's blood with haste, causing the feathery winged reptilian to unleash an outcry of agony. The sanguine liquid covered Illoz and his surrounding area as it simply continuing spewing for the relatively small wound.
Rifroz took the commotion as a means to safely maneuver his way to what he presumed was one of the dragon's major ankle tendons. He relieved one of his daggers from being suspended in the air, now taking the grip of the blade in hand, as he clutched a proximate set of scales to keep stable footing on the colossal beast's foot. With some degree of balance now assured, the rogue took his knife and slashed continuously at the sinew, in hopes of disconnecting some major muscle from bone. The twin set of blades and the serrated edge of the main one being most advantageous for this.
Finally, the rigid plates gave away to the keen dagger, revealing the open tendon. The crafty Water Elf slicing the sinew with his knife, tearing an important leg muscle from the bone. The grey Dragon, upon noticing the cut tendon, discharged another tumultuous uproar of turmoil, now determined on devouring the devious, lithe scoundrel. Galvin took heed of the wyrm's ferocity, and readied an arrow to try to divert attention from Rifroz, in hopes that it'd save the fool's life. The arrow fired with great velocity, though the projectile met only the hardened scales of the foreleg of the winged behemoth and was deflected.
The dragon now maneuvered its neck and other legs to position its head within a small distance of the daring imbecile, ready to close its jaws on raw Elf flesh and muscle. Its eyes fixed on the Water Elf, with no other thoughts in its mind at the time than to consume the person who injured it so. Galvin took another poisoned arrow from his quiver and pulled back the string after he got the bolt into the correct position, with the bowstring at its most tense, he discharged a new projectile. The arrow took flight, Galvin having aimed for the Wyrm's ocular organ this time around.
To Rifroz's fortune, the projectile met the soft, moist tissue of the dragon's optic; a sharp pain besieged the wyrm as its nerves surged wildly with agony. The poison that tipped the head of the bolt now floated about afflicting the cells as it swam through the damp tissues. The gargantuan, winged reptile turned its head, peering about with its single fully functional eye in aspiration of discovering the perpetrator of this horrendous deed. With the Lightning Giant camouflaged by the blood of the colossal, flying lizard. Galvin stood out alone as the lone potential culprit for this appalling, atrocious act, even more so with his bow still in hand.
With fury overtaking reason, the Wind Wyrm tried to rush towards Galvin Veldrin, entirely forgetting of its sliced tendon. Galvin remained still, fear left him paralyzed, as he watched in awe. Illoz shouted to Rifroz, as soon as he noticed the rage of the flying behemoth, "Rifroz, get down from there or you'll be squished to death!" The Water Elf gave no verbal response, rather instead he simply attempted to jump into the Lightning Giant's arms, as he knew that there was likely no time to try to climb down. To his fortune, Illoz was within jumping distance from his height, and he made it.
Galvin continued staring awestruck when he remembered the cut sinew, as well as the fallen rock slate, which the dragon had broken with its tail earlier. Galvin now felt a resurgence of hope, from what he could figure on the position and size of the dragon, he knew that it would land on the sharp, jagged ends of the shattered slab which should be able to penetrate the bulwark of the hide of the beast and kill the wyrm, which made it convenient that it was one of the obstacles between him and the reptilian leviathan. The winged lizard began sprinting haphazardly, its unusable foot causing it to trip on itself, its body slowly descending and collapsing onto the ground below. Its head falling just a bit past the toothed edges of the slate, meaning that the spikes protruded through the scales protecting its neck.
As the keen teeth of the rubble slipped through the bulwark of the scales, blood vessels were opened, and the throat and windpipe penetrated, meaning that the main means of getting oxygen to the dragon's lungs now being blocked forcefully. The sharp, serrated edges of the collapsed slate now had blood overflowing and pouring down onto them. The fallen beast opened its jaws, as if to roar. It was unable to muster the energy though, and its head collapsed onto the ground once more about halfway through. Its eyelids gradually and gently sweeping over both of its ocular organs, as more sanguine liquid poured from the wounds which were its demise.
Zolkt now in his joy stated to me, "Ah, now that you've agreed to my terms, shall you ride a newly matured Earth Dragon home to Deep Root? It'd be a terrible thing if you had to walk back, it's such a long, dreary walk, not to mention dangerous, and as well it would truly be a shame for another death to ruin my currently ecstatic mood." It surprised me that this being would take some degree of care for my safety, considering that it had stated and continued with a tad of detail on the possibility of killing me in cold blood for the actions of an ancestor of mine.
It seemed like Zolkt made a beckon to this creature through his roots, meaning that it was likely underground slumbering. Zolkt was probably apt to persuade it to carry Razen home though; otherwise he wouldn't risk it if his words were to be believed. From the ground burst the forearm of the beast, the livelihood of the shallow root plants on the previously occupied space flying out in all directions. Its talons dug into the grass and foliage, as it pulled its body through the dirt. First, its right arm became fully exposed, then more of the ground gave way and the head, neck, and left arm revealed themselves.
The young adult Dragon of Earth had a horn upon its top end of its mouth and just a tad above its nostrils, like most others of its kind, although the horns it had upon the back of its head were more akin to that expected of an Energy Dragon. In that, four horns spawned from both sides of the back, descending down along the jawline, and progressively decreasing in size. As it continued to uproot itself, its chest became easily visible, and on its back were vines wrapped around the first protrude close to its neck, all the way to where the tail began. Under these vines were, despite what one would presume, no further protrudes aside from the two previously mentioned seemed to be evident. The creepers were certainly intended to be a makeshift for a saddle to prevent the scales from biting into the flesh of the rider.
Zolkt now spoke aloud, to where me and Zayn could hear as well, "So, newly mature dragon, do you understand the terms of our agreement? You are to carry young Razen home, with my companion, Zayn, overseeing to his safety from your jaws, and in return, you will receive some of that which some of you dragons hold so highly, that object being treasure, bah, the frivolous thing it is means little to me." The dragon unable to speak common, instead growled in a seeming pattern, which I presumed was Draconic.
Zolkt realizing that it was unlikely for me or Zayn to know Draconic fluently, had translated, "Fair enough, Earth Elemental, I will carry this 'Razen' to his home in exchange for your treasure upon my return." The Earth Dragon nodding in agreement as it listened to the eloquent tree. Zayn didn't seem quite as ecstatic about the idea, though, likely displeased with the thought of being an overseer for my safety. The Earth Dragon, being somewhere between fifteen to twenty feet tall, made a peaceful, even graceful, strut to me, the plants on the back of the reptile seeming more like premeditated decoration than a makeshift saddle, considering the multitudes of flowers and vanity plants making the majority of the wrap over its back.
I looked at the dragon's back and saw no means to climb up onto the vine encasing around, what I presume was, her back. Zayn realized this as well, and stretched his wings out while walking towards me. The feathery extremities made an obtuse angle, measuring about one hundred and twenty degrees. His hands opened, his talons tearing through some pouches that my father had put into my leather belt. He flapped his wings, their turquoise feathers forcing the wind down, as the Theemis elevated me and himself to the reptile's backbone. He focused mostly on maintaining the correct elevation, which meant that I had to figure where to try to land.
The majority of the plant covering seemed thick, with some the sides being more meager, as flowers alone decorated them. One could easily see that little thought was made on safety for someone trying to use the wrapping as a provisional protection from her scales. Zayn quickly tired of my lack of getting onto her back, and simply dropped me down onto her backbone. "Now, hold tight, Razen," the Theemis began, and continued, "I doubt that you've ever ridden a Dragon, let alone one without a proper saddle and reins, so I'd suggest hanging onto that vine shawl as though it were dear life, for you see, it probably is." Immediately, I took heed of Zayn's advice and clasped the vines and other plants of the female dragon's covering, hoping that her stride wouldn't knock me off or rip through the decorative greenery.
A new arrangement of gnarls could be heard, Zolkt translating once more, "Is the boy ready yet? I'm growing tired of him defiling my gown." Her expression, after Zolkt deciphered and rephrased her words, was one of bitterness and resentment, likely to that she had agreed to do this, as she likely didn't originally realize that it'd ruin her attire. Her love for her wardrobe seemed peculiar for a dragon, even a female one.
"I'd guess so, madame," I responded, and I found it fortunate that Zolkt knew Draconic. If he hadn't, then none of us would've understood a thing she said.
With the curate's directions, the yellow robed figure was able to make his way to what he was certain was the Nobles' District. The manors being made of similar, though more intricately done, painted stone to that of in the Market District. Metal winged scarabs, the body was plated in gold and the wings in silver, served as the doorknobs of a majority of the mansions. The doors had a small spyhole for viewing anyone who would attempt to enter their chateau to verify their guests' identity for fear of a beggar to have the audacity to come to their gateway. Drifting from the entrance, the walls were home to elaborate stained glass windows, showing effigies of their respective owner, though possibly dated, and their ruler, which was one of the members of the Sek-Duat Dynasty, be it the First, Second, or the recently seated Third.
What few bystanders made their residence in this district gave way to the entity's Sunspike, for fear that the tan reptilian, with its many yellow spikes and fangs, might take a liking to their meat. The desert native lizard to one's surprise, didn't try to pounce upon any of them though. Its harden knee plates, similar if not identical in color to its spikes and fangs, moved accordingly to its legs, as it strode further on the sandstone road, a slight gale sent sediments and grains of sand towards the rider and his mount. The sunstone nestled in the top of the figure's staff glistening with light from the SandSea's blazing sun, although the light seemed rather ethereal for such a jewel.
Beside the rider were more of the lavish homes of the aristocracy, each seeming more intricate than the last. The figure presumed that this meant that he was on the right pathway to Sek-Duat III's Palace then. It wasn't long until before the Sunspike and the entity above it were met with the Palace Guard, men and women in unique uniforms, the helmets, pauldrons, greaves, boots, and breastplates were a stark contrast to what one would expect, they were made of the blue to green chitin of the Scar Scarabs. The helmet had a fabric covering the face from the nose following the cheekbones to the jawline and wrapping over their neck, along with circular frames surrounding pressured glass giving the attire an outlandish appearance.
Behind the armed defenders, was another set of statues of Sek-Duat I and II, although this one differed from the others. In this one, the two rulers were surrounded by people upon their knees as they extended their arm and hand, the gesture implied that they were beseeching their people. The loyalty of their followers seemed impressive, and it was likely that that was the meaning behind the sculptures. Nonetheless, the spears of Sek-Duat III's Watch jabbed at the Sunspike, forcing its rider to give a word of warning, "Best not bother the mount of a guest of Sek-Duat III, I doubt that pointing spears at my pet Sunspike is exactly endearing."
One of the men, possibly the Captain, asked the rider through his mask, "A guest, you say? Your name, stranger?"
"I am indeed a sojourner of your majesty's, and my name? It should be put down as Szayan," the figure answered calmly, clearly not unknown to this process.
"Ah, yes, Szayan, I'll be honest, I expected an Elf, but I could see you being a Szayan," the man returned, "Now, you do have a good day, for you are honored to meet with Sek-Duat III, therefore I bid you adieu, Szayan, as I am merely the Head of the Gate's Guard. Enjoy your stay at the palace."
The robed individual said nothing in response to the guardsman, instead the entity looked at the exterior of Sek-Duat's palace, the sandstone, making the external portion of the pyramid, was painted gold, most likely to verify and back the wealth and power of the Sek-Duat lineage. The hooded figure jumped down from his tan, sand colored, mount, his robes and scarf fluttered in the air for the short descent, and now he took his pet by the reins to a nearby stable, which he assumed were the royal ones, considering the elaborate carving and painted wood. The character opened the gate, leading his Sunspike inside of it, then closing and locking it quickly. From there, he made his way to the steps, made of the same material as the rest of the exterior.
As he began his way up the stairs, the entry hall of the palace was in sight, its beautiful decoration evident, as there were banners and tapestries hanging from the ceiling. The drapery was depicting the history of the Sek-Duat dynasty in a wondrous series of images. The embroidery told of a man clad in elaborate linen and gold, one could presume that he was to represent Sek-Duat I, being granted divine right to rule by Celeritas, the Avatar of Light herself. The banners bore the winged scarab, a symbol of the Sek-Duat lineage, as well a symbol akin to an Eye of Ra inscribed in a triangle, identical to that which was on the onlooking individual's elaborate, royal yellow robe, and then surrounding these two emblems was an oval with outgoing triangles using teal, green, and red paint.
The entry hall had two temple tanks, lined with golden platters, bowls, flasks, and cups, black paints of winged scarabs on them, with the latter two not being filled with fruit, while inside and on the bowls and platters were an array of fruit. Most native of the fruit were to the SandSea, with some exceptions, those being the pineapples, oranges, grapes, and apples. Now the figure cared to look at the ground below, noticing that the rough sandstone from the previous steps was now replaced with an intricate carpet, in it were the embroidered depictions of the three Sek-Duats, going in chronological order starting from the entry hall. The image of Sek-Duat the First was the most interesting of the three members of the lineage, due to the helmet of a Guardian sitting on a nearby pedestal.
The next room had split off into multiple pathways, if one counting go back out to the entry hall, there were six ways to go. If one were to say that before the figure was north, and to return to the previous room was south, then the other four directions divided off to his ordinal directions. The entity figured that the path in front of him was likely to the throne room itself, and the passages diagonal to him to other sections, like the banquet hall, Sek-Duat's private quarters, the orchestra practice hall, state apartments, the palace libraries, among others one would expect in such an immense palace. The robed individual continued on forward, and he hoped that his previous assumption was correct.
Before the figure now was the throne room. Hung from the ceiling were more tapestries of the previous rulers of the Sek-Duat lineage. Sek-Duat II had the more peculiar one now, as he held an intriguing object, which was a specter of pure light, and its rays shining upon the people of the Sandsea. The respectable amount of art dedicated to the Sek-Duat dynasty made the entity wonder as to who was receiving the commissions for these works of embroidery. Aside from the hangings, there was the symbol akin to the Eye of Ra inscribed in a triangle made of gold. Its circumscribed circle, made of the same material, surrounded it, and twelve spikes protruded from the edge of the circle. This likely embodied Solaris, which seemed fit when one considered the connection that Sek-Duat III's ancestry with himself included had to the element of Light.
The golden and linen clad emperor sat upon his throne, which was on a raised platform. Atop the center of the seat of royalty sat a sculpture of a hawk, and its wings outstretched the inside edge of the two being parallel to another. The arms of the chair ended off with golden scarabs, and it was upon this that Sek-Duat III's glided gauntlets, vambraces, and couters rested. The sovereign's face was hidden by a mask, much akin to those used for sarcophagi in the Sandsea. A pedestal to the king's right boasted an array of fruit that were likely exotic in the desert. To his left, there was a flame lamp that had an excessive size, if one considered the tiny blaze inside.
The royal yellow robed figure began, "I would suppose that you're his majesty, Sek-Duat III? Regardless, I am here upon the request of the Emperor of the Sandsea."
"Ah, I would presume then that you're Szayan?" Sek-Duat III replied seemingly disinterested, as his arms remained limp and lifeless.
"I might as well be, though calling me Szayan is not exactly correct," the individual responded, and continued, "I would prefer to discuss with fewer eavesdroppers though, so may you please send your servants off?"
"Of course," the Emperor of the Sands answered, "Begone with you, as well as to the guards, we have no need for your services this eventide." The guardsmen and attendants immediately followed the command of their sovereign, and they exited the throne room with expedience. Sek-Duat III started again, once they all had left, "Now, you were going to say about how it is not exactly correct to refer to you as Szayan?"
"It is so, for you see, Sek-Duat III, I am not Szayan," the hooded figure spoke through his hawk mask, "Rather, I am his bearer, to be exact. I serve as his mouth and means of travel more often than not though, so I may as well be him."
"His bearer? Your usage of the term confuses me, is Szayan not a being in of himself?" Sek-Duat III queried.
"He is an entity all of his own, but he is currently residing within the sunstone nestled in the head of my staff," the entity returned, and furthered with, "As for my true identity, my current state of being is much akin to your own, Sek-Duat."
"Is that so?" the King of the Sands asked, "Then please, indulge me into my own nature, stranger."
The hooded figure removed his glided hawk mask, which revealed a rotting face. His flesh was cracked, and its pigmentation faded to a blue gray. Dark violet rings enveloped his rotting eye sockets. He now spoke, his lips falling apart as he forced the words from his dying mouth, "I told you, Sek-Duat III, I know your contemporary condition of living, or rather undeath, all too well. I know that you also are a lich aligned to light, much like myself, though I see not what bound your soul to the Plane of Light. Nor can I claim to fathom to begin to what is your phylactery; perhaps you don't even have one."
"You're a lich of the Plane of Light as well? Most interesting," Sek-Duat acknowledged his guest's ghastly appearance, which was befitting for a lich. He moved on to remark, "Well, since you're serving as the mouth of Szayan, do tell him that he has a most abnormal, yet fitting, choice for his hand. Although, on that note, might I know your name, since we're of the same in the terms of being."
"I'll tackle the matter of my name firstly, since I have some degree of pride," the light lich's lips continued to fragment, "My name is Bazrir. As for informing Szayan of his peculiar selection of servant, I would deem that as unnecessary."
"Why so?" Sek-Duat immediately inquired curiously.
Bazrir clarified, "You see, Sek-Duat, Szayan must, well, rest in the sunstone or another light source for so long, after which he can manifest temporarily. Eventually, he'll have to return to a light source and become inactive once more. I do believe though that my time spent getting to your palace, as well as the city itself, should have been sufficient time for him to slumber, therefore I call for you, Szayan!"
At the break of his words, his summon was answered. A radiant being with no discernible form materialized itself before them, and rays of light surged from its body as though it were Solaris incarnate. It realized that it had emerged from the sunstone shortly. Its speed seemed otherworldly as it began giving itself shape, yet despite that the way in which it moved gave the feeling of laziness rather than haste. It was likely around ten seconds until a fully formed Szayan stood before them.
The luminous entity looked at Bazrir and Sek-Duat, then questioning the latter, "Why have you requested for me, Emperor of the Sandsea?"
Sek-Duat paused before he spoke, "I...well, I had requested you to meet me here, as I had heard that you had an offer for me. I intend to hear the terms of this offer, and see if this alleged agreement is worthwhile."
"Oh that, well, Sek-Duat, I offer you that which I know that you wish for, though with some delay as finding the exacts on the spell will take some time," Szayan began, and expounded, "I know where it all is, mind you, therefore I offer you the opportunity for true eternal life in exchange for free and open access to your libraries as well as permission for discussions with you on the Planes, moving between them, and the celestial bodies within them. Do you find these conditions acceptable?"
"Did...did you just offer me true eternal life for simply knowledge?" Sek-Duat was shocked by the few requests that Szayan made for such an immense offering.
"That would be an accurate description of my proposal," Szayan answered posthaste.
The Sun King jubilantly responded, "Who wouldn't accept to those terms? I easily benefit immensely and lose little."
"Much the same, Sek-Duat," Szayan remarked, "For you see, knowledge on the Planes is more valuable than a spell which grants eternal life to me, at least, in regards to my current aspirations and desires. Worry not though, for I suspect that we'll have a similarly mutually beneficial proposition in the future, perhaps not soon, but I predict that it will occur."