“The Iron Throne will go to the man who has the strength to seize it.”
― George R.R. Martin, Fire & Blood
“It was not a comfortable Throne, this seat made of stone. But power was not supposed to be comfortable.”
― Elizabeth D. Marie, Chasing Cinders
Tabitha flew up getting closer and closer to the top floor. When she was just fifty yards away, a section of the top floor ceiling opened. Tabitha flew through the circular opening and into the throne room. She was followed by her friends and the Harkuns, but Tabitha had eyes only for the throne stationed on a large platform with several steps leading up to it. The throne was all crystal, every inch of it. It was so seamless and smooth, it looked as if it was shaped and cut to form its present structure. The throne itself was a dull grey, almost like stone. But Tabitha could see the glass-like features, and then it hit her. The Crystal Throne was dormant, the Crystal Pyramid was coming back to life. However, it needed the throne to fully function or activate.
Tabitha landed on the crystal floor and approached the throne; she took the steps calmly. Even though the throne was dormant she could sense it calling to her. As if it was happy to see her, waiting for countless eons to be claimed. Tabitha stood before the Crystal Throne, looking at it for a few moments longer. Then, she turned around to face the others. On the expressions of the Harkuns, she saw joy and hopefulness. On the faces of Kasca, Talin, Zula, and Sandra. She saw wonderment and disbelief, but on the faces of Balca, Malice, Lydia, and Nanina. Their expressions showed relief and expectation.
Slowly, Tabitha sat on the throne. The Crystal Throne burst into life; blue light filled the throne room. Then, the light retreated into the Crystal Throne. The throne was filled with swirling bluish light, it looked like water, but it was clear, and mirror-like in appearance. The throne was alive, but something was still missing. The Crystal Pyramid was not yet fully functional, so, Tabitha looked around at the throne. Tabitha’s eyes rested on a port compartment on the right armrest of the throne. The port was round and seemed to have an impression, the impression was shaped to fit a solid object. Tabitha held up the Rod of Might close for examination. Either end of the rod looked as if they would fit perfectly in the port. Tabitha placed one end of the rod into the port.
There was an audible click, it fit perfectly. Tabitha was still holding the rod when she heard the click. As soon as the Crystal Throne and the Rod of Might were connected. Energy flowed from the throne through the rod and into Tabitha. Her entire body jerked as the magic entered, she snapped her head to the ceiling and her eyes were filled with gold and silver light. Then, after a few seconds she relaxed back into the throne. But Tabitha’s eyes were still filled with gold and silver light, they were just not so intense as before. Tabitha held on to the rod, which was connected to the throne, and through the throne she became connected to the entire structure of the Crystal Pyramid.
Tabitha was not only connected to the Crystal Pyramid; she was the Crystal Pyramid. She and the pyramid became one, and she knew every inch of the structure. Tabitha’s very essence moved through the pyramid faster than the speed of thought. She became omnipresent while connected to the Crystal Pyramid through the Crystal Throne. It was like being in a security room watching multiple camera monitors. But it was more than that, it was hard for Tabitha to explain. As Tabitha’s essence traveled through the pyramid, she activated multiple runes that have laid dormant for thousands of years. Each rune activated connected to the next activated rune, sections of runes were grouped together. Forming a network and creating pathways to other runes. Every rune had a different function to perform for the Crystal Pyramid, all the runes were so intricately designed to perform a certain job. Tabitha thought that the creator of the Crystal Pyramid was a genius.
A thought just came to Tabitha, the one who built the Crystal Pyramid was Olana. The Harkuns think I am Olana, so if that is true. Does that make me a genius? Tabitha decided to table that subject for a later date, her essence was still going through the pyramid. Activating and connecting dormant runes. Tabitha started from the top-level going all the way down to the main level, and further down to the lower levels. When Tabitha was finished, it only took a thought for her essence to return to her body. Releasing the rod, which was still embedded in the Crystal Throne, she took a deep breath.
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Outside the Crystal Pyramid was a kaleidoscope of activity. The crystal surface of the pyramid pulsed with power and the magical particles in the surrounding area were drawn to the pyramid. Drawn to the runes carved in its very surface, carved to its very foundations. Then, the crystal at the very top of the pyramid erupts with blazing light that shot up to the sky of the Nether Realm. The blue beam of light shot through the sky; the spectacle could be witnessed for hundreds of miles around. Any demon which was within range could see it, and there were a lot of demons who saw the light. Those demons would rush back to the Courts to tell of what they saw, but they would be unable to explain the phenomena.
With all the runes in the pyramid activated and functioning, Tabitha opened her eyes to see everyone was still looking at her. Although, it may have seemed to Tabitha that it took her some time to turn on the Crystal Pyramid all the way. In reality, it only took her a few seconds. Since her essence traveled the entire pyramid faster than the speed of thought. Tabitha blinked away the sensation of becoming one with the Crystal Pyramid. It was like being a part of something familiar yet alien. While Tabitha was trying to sort out her feelings on being one with an ancient fortress. Sudan stepped forward and addressed her.
“My Queen.”
She bowed and continued.
“Great One, have you reestablished your connection to the Great Crystal Pyramid of the Nether Realm?”
Queen? Great One? Reestablished? The First Warrior and the other Harkuns must be truly convinced that I am their once dead leader. Of course, I did just reactivate a dormant pyramid. So, who can blame them for thinking I am Olana? Tabitha knew trying to explain who she truly is may cause problems. Best case scenario, the Harkuns would believe she was confused about her true identity. After all, she did die. The worst case would be the Harkuns believing in her story and concluding she was an imposter. It could mean a fight, and Tabitha did not like her chances of a fight with the Harkuns.
“Yes, I have reestablished my connection with the pyramid. The runes have been activated and connected to the network, but it will take six days for the Crystal Pyramid to be fully operational from what I understand.”
Sudan smiled, and the other Harkuns were looking pleased at hearing that the Crystal Pyramid would rise once again.
“My Lady, may we now pledge our fealty to you. I know we have failed you in the past, and do not deserve your forgiveness. But if you will allow it, we shall serve you once again even though we are unworthy.”
Woah, Tabitha thought as she saw the expression of happiness change to sorrow on the Harkuns’ faces. Whatever happened to Olana in the past, they must feel responsible for not preventing her death. But Tabitha had a feeling that Olana’s death was not their fault. Something was off though, she looked at the Harkuns carefully. The throne room was large, big enough to fit thousands, perhaps tens of thousands. While Tabitha was one with the Crystal Pyramid, she had viewed all the Harkuns in her pyramid. And then it hit her.
“Sudan, where are the rest of the Harkuns? From what the Crystal Pyramid has told me, there are only twenty thousand Harkuns in the pyramid. Where are the others?”
Sudan immediately fell to one knee with her head bowed.
“Forgive us my Lady, at the time when the treacherous god Romanto slew you. His forces were already inside the pyramid, it took us a long time to dispel them. During which many Harkuns gave their lives to achieve that goal. And then we lost more brothers and sisters in the Nether Wars. Many Nether Lords sought to invade the Crystal Pyramid and usurp your throne and claim your mantle. Many Harkuns died to prevent this from ever happening. We all waited for your promised return, but many of us were beginning to lose faith. We are ashamed, we have failed you.”
Sudan jumped back up to her feet, startled when Tabitha slammed her left fist on the throne’s armrest. There was a shockwave of power which echoed throughout the throne room.
“No! You have not failed me! None of you have!”
Tabitha declared, then she took a deep breath and lowered her voice.
“We were betrayed, and we suffered for it. I made the mistake of believing that the God of Deceit and Treachery would honor the truce he himself negotiated. I was a fool, and you all paid for my foolishness. You have endured and survived the worst defeat in the history of the Crystal Pyramid. Know this, the comrades we have lost, the ones we love who are no longer with us. They did not die in vain; I have returned. And in time, we shall have vengeance and justice. But for now, we shall rebuild.”
Tabitha blinked multiple times, shocked at her own words. Where the hell did that come from? Were they her words, or were they the words of the other personality inside of her? This split personality disorder is getting more and more willful. Just as she finished the thought, all twenty thousand Harkuns within the throne room roared their approval at her words. The sorrow that had recently plagued them was gone. Now, all the Harkuns had looks of determination. Great, me and my big mouth. Now, they’ll expect me to follow through on my promise of vengeance and justice. But Tabitha had to clear up some things first. She was still on thin ice; she needed to tread carefully.