Quoted By:
>Abracadabra
...your extraordinary MAGYCKAL POWERS! Of course! The dart of wisdom flies true! You always did save the best for first.
But first, before you get carried away, you seem to have forgotten something. It is of course
>[AROUND A WEEK AGO]
and you are naturally ensconced
>[WITHIN THE SECRET BUNKER].
Ahem! With that clarified, you can remember your first glimmer of magyck like it was yesterday— which, indeed, it was. Yesterday, that is, and you were not WITHIN THE SECRET BUNKER, but within the SACRED CHAMBER, which admittedly is— yes, alright, that is a location WITHIN THE SECRET BUNKER. But significantly more sacred! After events you will recount at a later point, you and many lessers were gathered outside said chamber, awaiting the TEST OF FATE that would mark you as an apostle, a true believer, a CHOSEN ONE— or would (as rumor had it) strike you dead. Dead! And still, the seething hordes gathered. The weary and the desperate. The battered and the broken. People yearning, <span class="mu-i">lusting</span> for deliverance, salvation, hope— or judgment. This woman would provide it to them.
Also, you heard she was very famous, which may have accounted for some of it. A portion of the crowd, poor mewling sheep, may not have comprehended what they were getting themselves into. Not you. You were one of the very last to enter the chamber. You had heard the terrible noises ring from its hallowed halls. You remained while others around you, weak of soul and stomach, fled the premises. You remained because you knew in your marrow that you, WAYNE BERA (name temporary), were worthy. That you <span class="mu-i">would</span> be chosen. Yes, you had always known this to be so— had brushed off the jeers of the narrow-minded like water off the proverbial duck.
Still, the sacred creak of the CHAMBER DOOR sent shivers down your spine. You knew it was the sound of your impending destiny— but had not anticipated your destiny sounding quite so in need of oiling. It was of no matter. You strode in with fantastic ease.
The HERO-QUEEN was in the center of the SACRED CHAMBER. The CROWN of the HERO-QUEEN lay upon her brow, sparkling in the lampent glowbe-light. You remember her speaking thus: "You're sure this one isn't busted?"
She was not looking at you, but at an empty space to her right. "Well, I'm just saying, it hasn't been going so hot—"
Thus she spread her gloved hand and gestured to the wall, beside which was piled some warped and groaning bodies. Some were of men. Some of beetles sized like men. It was terrible to look upon, as well as confusing.
The HERO-QUEEN shrugged her weighty shoulders. "Okay, whatever. Hey, chum. You're here for the TEST OF FATE?"
Yes, you spoke.
"Cool. Very cool. Loving it. All you guys, you've got a lot of balls, and that's what I like to see around here. Will you have enough balls, though? I dunno. <span class="mu-i">They</span> didn't. Do you?"
Yes, you spoke. You have far more than enough balls.
(1/3?)
