The Requiem of the Sheltered [Ipos - The Necropolis]

The feeling of being transported for the third time was likely was starting to become normal for them, but once again they would find themselves trapped in time and space before suddenly they reappeared in a different place. This time, however, things actually appeared to be quite nice. They were in a coastal city with buildings made of white stone with orange bricked roofs that were ornamented with golden statues on the peaks of some of the buildings. They would see long well-maintained roads made of concrete and brick, but mostly they would hear the sounds of rushing water as if one of them looked over to the water they would see this coastal city sat atop a giant waterfall.

While at first glance nothing in the city might've seemed like an obvious goal they would all soon enough see the large tower that sat near a bridge that went over the falls. If there was any place that seemed like it was garnering the attention it would sure as well be that tower as music could even be heard in the distance. However, another surprise was there when they arrived, Lir was standing a few feet in front of them and was looking around until he saw them all once again.

"Ah! The others, it's good to see you all once again, but wait where are the others?" Lir would start to comment before he had noticed some of them were missing and his tone changed from excited to worry. "You know the one group where that fellow suggested that the others give up and follow him."

Before they would respond, though they would get the chance to, they would hear the music suddenly getting louder and louder as it seemed to be right in front of them. The music would be a few soft harps being matched with pan-pipes with some sounds of chanting mixed in as it was as if they were all sitting in front of a stage for a moment. Then it finally started as The Chorus began to sing.

"Aah ahhh ahhh, The Audience has finally arrived, we've been waiting for you as the sun waits for the day

Ooo oooh woo, are you sure that they're ready? This story always causes dismay

Ready or not, the tale must be told, the lesson shall be shared, for all to behold

So quiet and listen, do not speak a word, this is our song, this is our tale

the epic of a woman condemned by herself, the truth of one's pathos

This is the tragedy of the Queen, the one that they called Ipos."

After experiencing the same feeling of being warped for several time, it seemed that Tenma had developed a resistant to it as the feeling was not as rough as the first time. He would be able to stand up just find after moving to the next area, no nauseous feeling nor weak knees. The swordsman would breathe in and out slowly, this was not the time to doubt Noir’s strength, she would make it out from the area in one piece. He would let out the air slowly, finally tried to make a decision. Worrying would only lead him to possibly a worst situation, so the best thing he could do was to trust that magician for now and to focus on himself as well as his group.

The one eyed man would notice his surrounding, seeming different from the previous area that he had passed. It almost felt like there was someone living here, although he wasn’t able to see anyone doing activity within the city.

“Ah, I am glad you are okay, Lir.” The swordsman would greet the bard with a bright smile, although he wouldn’t be able to answer the question that the man asked because suddenly a music started to play. He could notice the music starting to become louder, although he wouldn’t be able to see whatever was making the music. It was fascinating to be honest, especially when suddenly he could hear someone, no, multiple people singing each part of a particular song.

Tenma would listen tentatively to the lyric of the song and noticed that they demanded them to be quiet and listen, to not speak a word while they were singing. So the man would do that, he would listen quietly to the concert.

Relief struck Khalik faster than gravity. After all, it took a few moments for reality to kick back in after being atomically disassembled and reassembled in conscious seconds, but when it did it fell on him hard. For he too fell hard, right on the spot as his precarious head dive from the midway had transferred on the y-axis with none of the momentum.

A groan echoed through the bricks that his face was forcibly nuzzled into. A moment passed, maybe two, before any movement was spotted from the wanderer. Risen to his knees, Khalik would sit on his heels and coolly drink in the air around him. A steady hand cupped his overworked heart.

He had survived... Unfortunate.

However, he had not the time to dwell on his chaotic tendencies. Those who crossed the threshold with him were still about; and, most confusingly, Lir stood before them all once again not playing another little ditty. Sure, there were questions of where the musician had slinked off to in the midway that had crossed Khalik's mind, but was that more important than this music man not playing music?

... It probably is which explains the skeptic sheen in the young assassin's eye. However, before questions began slipping from their tongues a rapturous play was set to perform. These angelic voices made slipping in conversation rather difficult between the notes, for he loved a good story, and this one seemed of particular interest.

He was getting tired of these nauseous feelings from touching the gates. How much longer did he have to go through this? He would see lir as soon as he enters and grins "LIr my young friend it is good to see you. Remind me when this is over to talk to you. I have a job proposition for you" He would say before looking around at the city and see the tower. "That must be our destination. See you kiddies there"" HE says as he and shou begin running to the tower. Shou was quite a bit behind his master due to the size and strength differesnce.

Menat's attempts at avoiding the gargantuan flesh creature dubbing itself "The Janitor" proved successful as her hand met the third gate (counting the initial one from outside the dungeon). The sensation of being transported this time was actually a welcomed thing for the young Princess as her alternative would have been to protect herself from the fleshy monstrosity. If she were being honest even the sensation of being transported to a deeper area of the dungeon had started to feel more casual to the girl now that she had undergone it twice already, allowing her to appear in the new location feeling relatively unaffected compared to the last two times.

The new location was actually a breathtaking sight. The smell of ocean winds filled Menat's lungs as she breathed. Looking around she took in the numerous buildings made of sun-bleached white stone with slanted orange tiled roofs, some with golden statues topping these roofs. Winding between these beautifully built structures were meticulously cared for roads of brick and some substance Menat was unfamiliar with. Another kind of stone perhaps? It was by far a minor mystery on what kind of stone was used to make the paths before her as the sounds of rushing water filled the air. A surging river of sorts, from what Menat could tell from those few times her mother would put aside her work on their nation to teach her about the wilderness, that inevitably ended with a waterfall. It seemed the city had been built atop a waterfall that emptied out to a sea below.

Despite the varying heights and sizes of the buildings around her Menat was still able to make out what, at least to her, had to have been the obvious goal this time around. A large tower loomed off over the city from what looked to be the city's limits with a large bridge connecting the majority of the the location to it for access. If the sight of it alone wasn't enough to catch the young Fanalis's attention the melodies her superior sense of hearing could ascertain as originating from the tower was enough to hold her interest. Yet it seemed that her trek to this obvious destination would be put on hold for a moment or two longer as a familiar face seemed to be nearby, as if he had been waiting for the lot of the challengers that he had been separated from after their earlier performance before being transported off thanks to the second gate.

It dawned on Menat as she looked at him that she hadn't seen him since then. Sure they had all been separated and trapped in their own (At least for Menat) hellish rooms but they had all reunited when it came time to face the Janitor or escape with the aid of the the gate. For the moment she chose to keep this realization to herself, the distrust in the mysterious bard growing greater from it than when they first encountered him. He seemed happy enough to see those who had touched the most recent gate appear before him yet paused long enough to question what had happened to Eight and those that had entered to accompany him, everyone who had stayed behind as it would be in order to face the flesh creature dubbing itself The Janitor.

None of them would be able to explain about what happened before the music from the tower grew louder and louder as it seemed to grow closer. Harps soon joined the melody along with some form of flute and chanting soon following. By the time the source of the music seemed to come from beside their modest group voices had began to sing, hyping up a story of the the tragedy of Queen Ipos. Menat found herself struggling with yet another choice. With a title like the tragedy of Queen Ipos she was more than positive there had to be some kind of helpful information for anyone who was willing to pay attention to the song yet at the same time she also remembered how the beautiful Zubadiah had reached the most recent gate first. Sure they were all here together at the same moment regardless but it didn't mean Menat didn't have a strong competitive desire to be the first to reach the next area before the rest of the dungeon's challengers this time.

To stay and possibly earn some useful information or to make an attempt at getting a head-start over the others who would no doubt stay to listen themselves. This was Menat's new choice with either option leading to a less than idea consequence attached to it. Yet in the end she remained where she stood. Her desire to learn more about what she was to deal with seemingly far more useful than her desire to be brash and gain the lead for even a moment.

Piercer:

Nature's Scorn:

Flying Carpet:

Shard of Solomon:

Arriving first, Zub would survey her new surroundings, and Amnet write down the sights. Within the pretty coastal-town, she could see houses and roads; this place was no ruined civilisation, but a well-maintained facsimile. She looked at her companion Amnet, a question written plain upon their faces. Was this place alive, or only made to appear so?

They would soon realise, however, that they had not arrived first. Nay, the bard Lir stood before them with his lyre and enthusiasm at hand. His presence made her wary; how had he arrived earlier, and where had he been? She was not ready to accuse, however, and came to greet him and the handsome Tenma.

At their sides, she listened to the subsequent siren-song. Her ears pricked when she heard the name Ipos; indeed, it seemed Amnet had done the same. With quick glances, they confirmed their thoughts - this Ipos was the Djinn they had come here for. They were one step closer to uncovering the secrets of the Dungeon. But what would the tunes of this Dungeon reveal about their Ipos? What might they learn about the all-mysterious Alma Torran?

As he looked around before he knew it he was being teleported yet again. But this time he was feeling alright. Nothing was wrong with him. This made him feel happy. As he made it pass the gate in one piece. Ghost would look on to see the others here as well. Well the ones that went thorough the gate. But he did not see the other group. The ones that stayed behind. This was something else. But it was what it was. Looking on at the new place. He was amazed to see how lovely it looked. But he could not dwell on the sites for too long. Especially as he looked over at the building. That was playing a angelic sound. But as he was about to walk. He would see the man from earlier appear. Loz or Liz no Lir was the name and a smile on his face.

As he looked on he would start to talk to the group. But at last. He was talking about what Ghost knew all along. Well kinda did. But Lir would say Ipos. What a lovely name and the name of the one who is in charge of this place. He would sit back as he wonder what tale he had to tell. But it would sure to be a rather curious one.

The music would continue, it played softly and stayed around the group, and in fact, it would be surrounding them as Silva and Shou would find out as they would clash into a sound barrier and bounce back. Everyone who had passed through the gate was now within a 15 meter tall and 20-meter wide bubble that would be slowly moving forward down a path towards the tower.

"It began with a child born with no name, lost to the desert born hidden in shame

she was brash, young, and patient, lost in anger and pain

Her sisters were beloved, and she was defamed, left to her death

till a man saved her life took her as his, she would learn all of his ways

quick to a lesson and quick with a weapon, she was a natural eager for attention

With her as his ward, she traveled the lands, became eager to please him, eager to be him

her mother had been murdered, and she was a bastard to a prince

her life had become an organized mess, preparing and training throughout adolescence

in the time that had passed her father had taken the throne, it had caught her attention

while her sister obsessed over scepter and crown, it had changed her intentions

with her training nearing its end, she could only think of one thing to do

so she returned to her old home, armed with new knowledge and thoughts of revenge.

confronting her father she told him her story and what she knew of her mother

it had not been an accident, it had been him all along, blood on his hands it soon became father like daughter

She ended his life and ended her scandal, she took the throne herself, and the name of her mother.

Now audience have you been listening, this had just been the beginning. if you keep coming you shall see where we are going."

The swordsman would be focusing himself to listen to the song, putting each and every words to his head so he could quickly make a mental note. The lyrics shared a tragic tale, a story about revenge and Tenma would frown upon hearing that. He knew he shouldn't make that kind of expression, so he cover the lower half of his face with his hand, fully admitting that he wouldn't be able to keep his calm. It almost felt like a reminder for him, for his own revenge story. But with a deep breathe, the man regained his composure as his signature smile appeared on his face once again.

The general would then wait, eager to listen for more part of the song quietly.

As he followed along the walk way. He would be sure to listen in on what was being told to him. Ghost would have a smile on his face as he. Started to put the pieces together. Thinking to himself on what was being said about this queen."So she was a child of a prince who took the throne by force." It seems someone is quite the odd with revenge. But what does that have to do with music? Guess I will have to continue and find out." As he said that he would walk just behind him but he was over to the right side of him.

Ghost could only listen at this point as he indeed wanted to know what happen next and how she ended up here.

Free from the folly, but not of the fall, Khalik's demur of his companions naivety once again proved beneficial for his brow needn't become more red. Of course, he rose to check on his unfortunate acquaintance, through means not of his own.

How unsightly naïve he was to forget the Golden Rule of Ipos— the one and only truth in this dunge-anigans— "When thou hearest the angel's choir, thou shall get up-eth to down-eth with the boogie-woogie;" or in laymen's terms (translated as non-eth terms), when the vocals rise to the medley, so too does the poor dungeon-goers.

Flight, levitation, whatever one wished to call their current method of travel, he'd slip onto Silva and promptly shushed the jabbering old coot with but a finger. He motioned for him and Shou to dust the air off and follow him. Even if his acquaintances would give way to distrust, the drifter still moved with assuredness to the Zuzu, Tenma, and possibly even Menat, if she was close enough.

To each he tapped lightly, to spare him the briefest seconds of the narrative; and, though he loved to wrap their ears in chatter, his opened lips fell silent. After all, he needs not words when a mere glance could say it all: their fellow adventurer, the one deemed villainous and crazed from their early arrival, was once more in their ensemble; a liability which may needs redressed, promptly if so provoked.

With his good deed turned in, he returned his ears to the narrators, and any critiques he'd save for once he heard The Tale of Ipos at length.

Hearing her tale, Zubaidah would listen intently. She loved a tragic drama, despite her own experiences, but she found its mysteries better. Of course, she also had her doubts and confusions, for why would Ipos make her tale known? Zubaidah did not remember Gamigin or Furcas doing that. She thought that it might be the Djinn’s trial; the Dungeons had similar formats, but different challenges. If that were the case, she thought it best that the tale be kept remembered. Indeed, her companion Amnet was noting each word upon paper - a much better medium than her mind. But what could she glean from the tale herself...

Menat had decided to count her lucky stars that she had thought better of the idea of simply running off in an attempt to gain the lead on her fellow competitors. Watching Silva and his large friend slam into a barrier of pure sound before being thrown back towards the rest of them did bring a chuckle to her lips from what felt like something ripped right from a comedy. The fact that she had avoided the same thing happening to her didn't exactly make her feel worse about their display either. But her delight at their antics soon turned to a series of groans as the group was once more encased in a bubble intended to transport them, much like once they had finished singing in the first area before arriving at the gate. Without anything else to do the young Princess simply took a seat in the bubble, finding it a good chance to rest and regain some of the energy she had burnt off while escaping the from the Janitor and whatever was in the room she found herself in prior to that.

The voices continued to sing their tale of Ipos. Many facets of their story caught Menat's attention, mainly how the woman was a warrior princess who had taken on her mother's name and her father's throne once she herself dispatched him. 'Is the djinn a warrior Princess as well then?' She found herself wondering silently. 'I can't speak for the stuff about her relationships with her mother and father but if she's a Princess who loves battle like me then maybe there's a chance I can form some kind of kinship with her when we meet!' She continued to think excitedly.

"yeowhhh! " The old man would shout out as he his a magic wall and is thrown back into his large, sumo apprentice. They were all stuck inside of this giant bubble apparently and would have to stay here till their voyage ended it would seem, perhaps? Or maybe just till the song story had ended. He would sit on the floor of the bubble sulking as he listened to the tale. He found it interesting, a daughter left to train, a mother betrayed, a father scheming. He wondered how this story  was connected at all to this dungeon? Perhaps this would give a glance to how the dungeons were formed or where they came from?

Around the necropolis, everything seemed to stay peaceful as they were gently guided along by the sound bubble. The multiple voices seemed to switch to just singing notes for a moment as they were brought closer and closer to the large tower. At the gate, other people seemed to be rolling in who were trapped in their own bubble as they would hear the same song as the others. As the original bubble had gotten about halfway through the song had begun to pick up for them again.

"Time is your friend, Time is your enemy, time waits for no man and turns all to memory

as the years went by and the young queen became wise, her nation did grow

as scorn turned to love she turned blood into gold, her work and her effort making her old

even as the world turned to darkness, she cared for her people and took on each mess

There was much to do and she thought herself best, her friends advice not taken

she and her people took on every problem, she planned and she thought

considering every solution, then she took action with success as her plan

she built up her record, triumph year after year, and touted for her wisdom

as she reached close to her thirties her people celebrated her rule, a song and festival, all in her honor

she had felt that she had done as she had desired, her wishes had been fulfilled

with her sitting in glory and wielding her strength it was then that her sister decided it was her turn

the youngest of four and the least capable to be told, but like her family, they plotted the same

In the shadows an ally who had always shown love, Ipos' sister stabbed her in public and left her for dead

her attention to the crowd she called for support, she had expected their love and received their disdain

they supported their queen who laid dying there, her grit and her hatred had kept her alive but now in her pain she wished had died

She knew that she couldn't and she knew that she wouldn't, she held on to her sister's surprise

but before she had noticed she would turn on old friends, unleashing a beast she killed her sister's supporters.

The pain and the anguish had driven her to stand, pulling the blade further, she could only stand watch in horror

with bloody step after step, she approached her baby sister, and Ipos had cried pulling blade from her side

Ipos would succeed where she had failed, the killer would die the queen in pain, crying, but still yet alive

and it is sad as she failed her family, friends, and even her people, would you believe we're still not at the end?"

As he was listening to the tale of the main character. He was not surprised at all. At what had happen. This is the same story with different characters. But he was indeed loving this tale yet it was a sad one. A Queen not knowing who she really was. Not knowing that she was confusing her people emotions for others. But he looked on as the story teller. Said what he said. As Ghost would smile he would look on.

"I could believe it. After all she is now a dijinn. So that is what I want to know. How did she become one. That is the question for the moment?" As he said that. He would remain quiet yet again. As he waited for him to keep on going with the tale of his lovely Ipos. But he was kinda confused at the notion that he thought they was beings that was created not made into. Ghost truly had more to learn.

The magician known as silva sat as he continued to listen to the song. This was all very interesting to the old man, it was almost like one of those stories he read as a child. They sister betrayed thatn takes revenge out of rage and fury. He was still not sure what this song had to do with this dungeon? Was this city they see an actual place in the world where this ipos girl was the queen? If so how would an ancient city get inside a dungeon? He would maybe learn more about these questions as he further advances, perhaps not.

Did someone say something superfluous? No? Must be a ghost then; one other than himself of course as his prodding seemed to go unsung beneath these trochaic meters. Unheard and seen, the drifter drew his distance from allies and friends alike, but in particular the younger of the two magicians in his company. After all, he hadn't need of his cliché dialogue rotting his brain, nor his flashy spells searing eyes.

Once settled to the edge of his echo chamber, he gave thought to story so far. Yes, yes, he had given his reservation just a moment ago, but he would not be an I-Sabbah if words kept him abated, and he would not be Khalik without relinquishing a hindersome promise or two.

Objectively, the Tale of Ipos was a tragedy which spelled a compelling listen from the trickster for he was quite fond of such novellas, especially those who fault the demise upon their charming protagonist. It seemed Ipos intended to follow in suit; however, throughout its passages the theme of betrayal echoed over and over again. Prolific as it was, Khalik speculated on sudden subversions of his expectations the orators may play. Yet, this only embolden the inkling of suspicion burrowed in the back of his cerebral.

Why?

Why breathe life into fiction if not to let live in reality? Let alone why bring in this ruckus now? What purpose was this narrative if not a distraction? Unless it wasn't a distraction to begin with, but a forewarning of what awaits.

He recalled the sweet aria of outside, the medley that lead his ear to this magical adventure. It was ominous and ghastly, and only the handful in company dared to tarry in its grim tune.

The Tale of Ipos was tragedy, but whose to say the tale was finished.

Well, he supposed a few more meters may put this conjecture to rest.

The story that was being told within the song would quickly take a dark turn. After she reached her glory, her sister decided to plotted against her and dared to stab her in front of the crowd. A rather naïve decision on Tenma's opinion... but it was clear that the younger sister was not a good schemer after all. He couldn't really decipher if it was a jealousy or not, but somehow it had that kind of implication. Oh well, she might be blinded by her own jealousy, making her unable to think straight.

The queen, who already stained her hand to kill her own blood, her father, would dirty her hand further even though it would kill her feelings. The last part would only make Tenma sigh softly as he was able to tell that Ipos, the queen, would kill her own sister who plotted to kill her. But he wondered, how painful for her to ended up killing her own blood.

Her armour glistening, Zubaidah would look towards the gleaming city below. She had found its pristine condition strange, and the story it had harboured stranger. But she would leave such matters for later, since Amnet had recorded the information down. She could consult her notes whenever it was necessary, and it was important the tale of Ipos be heard. This was a city from Alma Torran - she was certain there. It was not a city she had read about, her knowledge limited to the tome she always carried around, and she did not want to check. It would seem almost like a cheat if she found that tale within those pages. Instead, she sat down within her bubble and listened.

Activated her Song of Terea (Fork of Terea | 10 magoi) since Zubaidah has apparently not received her clothes again. Retconned so that she has used Song of Terea for the last two posts, using the platinum dress to clothe herself.

The song continued for the otherwise captive audience still contained within the floating bubble. At some point the lyrics halted with only the sounds of melodies filling the confined space. The Meridian Princess wondered just how long it would continue on for. Her inability to do more than sit and listen was really beginning to be tested. The song resumed with the second verse, explaining how through time and effort Ipos managed to make her nation flourish greatly. Yet she was foolish enough that she believed to know best herself and not take the advice of those close to her. Once she had reached her thirties her youngest sibling betrayed her and attempted to leave her for dead with the aid of a knife. 'In public?!' Menat found herself questioning silently with surprise, the twist of betrayal from someone she had loved drawing the Princess into the Queen's tragedy once more.

Menat found a sense of pride and, perhaps, joy for the once queen as the voices continued to sing. The story continued with how Ipos fought through the pain of her sister's blade buried in her body and turned against those that supported her sibling and refused her help. Her sister seemed unscathed as well as, as the song claimed, Ipos did what her sister was unable to and ended her sibling's life saddened and in pain. For a moment it made Menat think of her own siblings. Especially the twins. She wondered how she's handle things should one, or even both, turned on her at some point like Ipos's youngest sister. The thought contorted Menat's face like she had just tasted something foul.

She didn't like or want to think of that possibility any longer than the few short seconds she already had. For now she decided to simply return her attention to the woman's tale.

While they listened to the song they would begin to notice that they were finally upon the tower and there was a door that inside was a staircase that would likely lead towards the gate from how the bubble had kept leading them there. Though as they were getting closer the song would enter another part as they got closer and closer.

"In the year's tears and blood can be washed away, but the pain, shall never, ever fade.

A decision must always be made, neither right nor wrong, we must all go on

and as wrinkles grew on wrinkles and grey turned to silver, a queen still did age

Her throne had been saved, but her fame had been damaged, diminished, and weakened

even with her love by her side, she was left to mourn while her nation rested in scorn

her people were upset, by the potential coup and the bloody answers Ipos gave

However, she did not falter, Ipos continued to rule, forever wreathed in darkness

with a dress darker than darkest blacks, and soul wore by the loss of her sister

the trust would be slow to earn back and her dreams had been haltered

but she had earned the trust, of a man wiser than the rest

he had warned her of darker things to come, a future worse than the one she was living

with a chance and power, a golden staff to rule with from her mighty tower

a tool for a queen who despite being shunned, would bleed and fight until the job was done

she prepared for darkness and in darkness, she grew, to fight for the light, she would do what she must

then it would come the day that the war had come, the battle was hard, and the battle raged on

her people in danger, she did all that she could, holding her rod, she did what she did best, she went on

she sang and she sang and gathered her power, from the top of her tower, she blasted the town with a beauteous sound

it lifted and it risen a barrier of protection, she gave all that she had, and lifted her people

a city in the sky, encaptured song, they were confused, but she would keep going and going

protecting them from every which blast had come, it had dawned upon her, she might not make it

but in a single second, she had decided, that that did not matter for she would finish the job."

As they were captured in the song themselves they would suddenly feel that their ride had stopped as the first bubble of patrons would suddenly realize that they were at the tower finally. If they were to walk inside they would indeed seem that the staircase leads to a gate near the top, what made it so obvious was the glow and the fact that the stairs had no banisters and the stairs stopped exactly at the massive golden gate. Though the song was still going, it would follow them and whoever would enter would hear the last verse as if they would choose to climb up towards the gate.

At the entrance of the room, Hyperion and Noir would suddenly find themselves warped through into a bubble of sound with the rest of their allies. After their tussle with Solomh, also known as the Janitor this would likely be a respite. They would now be treated to the same song as the others as they were dragged through the story themselves.

Notes; Eight and Noir will be at the tower after another proxy post, for all in the tower it takes two posts to reach the top.

As he walked on he would be listening to the tale of the Queen. A person wanted to save her people even if they hated her. It was something to be behold and only meant one thing to him. Heavy is the crown and that is why only one king or queen wears it. But to say the least. He was starting to get chills. It was starting to get really cold for him. Not that it was cold but because. Of what was going on around him. Ghost would look up as he saw the tower. Pretty soon they was in it. That ride had him thinking. Just what kind of person would this Ipos elect as her own to let them have her power?

This was getting all to real for him. As he looked up to see a glowing door. Ot was clearly the one he needed to go through. While listening to the last part of the tale. He would began his walk to the Queen of this tower.

The more Menat heard of Ipos and her story the more her heart went out to the queen. She had been betrayed by her own family and made to look weak before her people. Yet even though they had turned against her due to her bloody and violent justice against her sister she still followed the path she believed in. Still did what she thought best for her kingdom and its people. A wise man had come across her path with warnings of dark times, at least according to the song being sung. It continued on to sing of how she had been given a golden staff by the man. A method of preparing for these dark times to come Menat assumed.

Still the story went how a war had come to her kingdom and yet she took a valiant stand to protect her people. The staff she had been given had channeled and amplified her powers as far as Menat could tell from the story and allowed her to create a protective barrier around her entire kingdom not unlike that of a magician's borg. The queen had done far more than simply create a barrier to protect her people. The staff, or her own power perhaps, had allowed her to lift her entire kingdom up so as to house it within the sky. A feat that struck Menat with such awe and amazement at the very thought alone. But that sense of awe shifted from the queen's feat to that of Ipos herself. The voices continued on about how she had realized that her power was finite and that each blast her barrier protected her people from was another reminder that she might not make it to the end of it all.

But she had resolved herself. She knew her job was to keep her people safe, even if they no longer sang of her praises like they once did or saw her in a darker manner, and was resolved to see that job through to its completion. Menat found her heart aching for Ipos. The story thus far had been one of tragic betrayal to such a proud and caring woman. In a way it made her think of her own mother and how she was bearing the weight of their own growing nation on her shoulders. It made her realize she needed to be someone her mother could confine in, a pillar of support that could help her carry that burden. A djinn of her own would surely be far more of an aid to that cause than if she were to simply attempt to use her own power.

The bubble halted, popping just outside the door to the grand tower it had been carrying their group to. The realization brought Menat back from the depths of her thoughts as she made her way inside. The inside of the tower was actually, more or less, completely void of anything excessive. The main aspects of note were the stairway stretching from the ground floor where they all stood right up to a glowing golden gate. With nothing to indicate she was supposed to take an alternative action Menat would begin to put her legs to work, like a proper Fanalis, and break into a brisk jog along the stairs.

Hyperion having traversed the gate, ending up in this new region. His experience with this dungeon was definitely life-changing. The trap at the first portion of the dungeon that had guaranteed his death and if the dungeon hadn't chosen to spare him, he wouldn't be alive right now. For the second portion of the dungeon, he desired to tame the creature but it was beyond his power. Showing him the true power of the dungeon and sparing him a second time. "Third time is the charm."

Hyperion was happy to make it out with Noir and Diana. Diana kept her hands to her ears, and trying to get her hearing back. Hyperion would glance at Noir, he was able to tell that she stayed along to protect him and only stayed because of him. Hyperion had been selfish, not only was he risking his own life, but the life of others. "Are you okay?"