Many things happen simultaneously. The heavens churn, as the Beast of the Black creates things anew from sparks of the old. The Refugee and the Spider come to numerous mutual understandings, with the Knight keeping a watchful eye. The construct continues building its hallway, now that the blockage is gone.

And of course the old woman who has just reawakened. I don't use the name she uses, because she has forgotten it.

And more it seems.

"Magic? No, I'm afraid I don't have any arcane knowledge." The same gentle smile hangs on her lips as she answers the Shepherd, who is, as usual, frowning.

"We saw you do magic though, cast spells? When that thing from below attacked you."

The woman simply shrugs. "I'm afraid I don't recall that. Even if, as you say, that just happened. Now, we can focus on me, but as far as I know, I don't have any memories. So let's do something else instead."

The others seem horrified by this, or, well... not that a lot can be read of the movements of a space suit but I assume the Astronaut is horrified as well. The serene smile of the woman stays on her face as she explains. "I suppose I'll have them soon though, memories that is. But I don't mind this. There is no-one and nothing to miss, there is nothing to go back to. I am at peace."

Astronaut seems uncomfortable with leaving the past behind them. "Are you not curious about where you came from? Who you were before this?"

"I would be, if there was any way I could ascertain that any such answer was true. For all I know I was entirely fabricated and the moment I appeared was the instant I started existing. All that matters is the here and now and what will come in the future." She makes a small twirl as she speaks, taking in the surroundings once more with a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"So then, tell me of this place and its secrets."

And speak they do, the same information as the Knight gave, although paraphrased, but with a few additions, specifically the items that did not get absorbed by the Cube: The orb, the pendant, the die and the compass. And of all she learns, Valwen is most interested in these last few items.

"Could you show those to me?" She rubs her hands, a hunger she did not know she could feel in her. There will probably be a lot of those moments.

"Of course miss Valwen." The old woman frowns as the Shepherd empties his pockets onto the whitestone in front of him.

"No... No not Valwen; Valwen was someone else. Hmm, if I were to keep to your style… the Amnesiac? No. Vessel? Empty? Void? Ah, Reborn." She smiles as she settles on a name she finds fitting.

Shepherd seems confused at this. "Why not pick a real name?"

Reborn shakes her head. "It feels… sacrilegious. A name should not be thought up willy nilly. They can be bestowed or chosen, but that takes time. So for now I'm the Reborn."

"Now, let's get to it." She kneels and picks up the cube, turning it around before idly tossing it; Regaining interest as it rolls, showing more of a single color than it should. "Curious. Something extra-spatial perhaps?" She looks up at the others who stand observing. "Well what are you waiting for, pick something up and mess with it!"

And as if shaken out of a stupor all three bystanders get down to mess with one of the things. They spend some time on each of the items, but sadly it's not that simple to find out the properties of (seemingly) magical items.

They're still messing with the items when the Knight approaches, Refugee still attempting diplomacy with the Spider.

"Ah Miss Valwen, good to see you awake. I am the Knight or Knight. The Refugee is over there, talking to the enormous spider; I think it's safe now, it was flailing because it was attacked, but that's resolved. Nothing has happened since and I've left a guard... I propose we go check out the armory, or whatever we're going to call the statue hall. You can fill me in as we walk.