>>6313726Joining her in her search, panic settles in as you come to the same conclusion Toppel does: save for that persistent perfume, the recess is empty. Blank. Bare. And as the spicy scent finally diffuses into the rest of the room, all you can do is face reality head-on:
Someone got here before you… long before you arrived in Umberal, you think–maybe even before you came to Zoral!
“It’s… <span class="mu-i">gone…</span>” Toppel whines, her big eyes shifting to yours with renewed panic! “The notes…!”
Your analysis of the situation is put on hold as a low, rumbling growl reverberates across the chamber–turning to face its origin, you relax a bit when you remember Obber’s, well, <span class="mu-i">situation</span>...
Until you realize what he’s reacting to.
“<span class="mu-i">This….</span>”
You recognize the voice almost immediately–-but while before it was booming and leaking almost religious fervor, now it sounds almost…
Reverent?
“<span class="mu-i">Is the most hallowed place… their eternal prison…</span>”
It takes you a moment to identify the speaker–sharp teeth, broad mouth, a slightly-slurred intonation… bobbing above the ground like a beach ball in the water floats your pursuer…
It’s only now that you realize the Mox’s eyes are missing. His trembling lips curl into a Cheshire grin as he drifts over to you like a menacing party balloon.
“<span class="mu-i">Quiet. Blessed quiet… You can hear them, you know… if you listen…</span>” Pursing his lips in concentration, you and Toppel freeze up as one of the long caskets you examined slowly creaks open… but relax a bit when you sense a faint tingle of magic on its lid. A mage hand?
“<span class="mu-i">Dead… long dead… but NOT dead…</span>” Continues the professor with a quiver in his tone, “<span class="mu-i">I hear their screams… their regrets… imprisoned within the cramped confines of their moldy meat… no death, no rebirth… their cycle stopped with their Empire… not for them, no no….</span>”
Floating over to the cracked casket, the Mox gently shushes whoever–or <span class="mu-i">whatever</span>--lies within.
“<span class="mu-i">Gave them eyes… tongues… gave them sight and speech and sense… not enough…</span>” A strangled noise wriggles free of the Professor’s dry throat. “<span class="mu-i">Never enough…</span>”
His trembling grin turns your way once more. “<span class="mu-i">Just… just a bit more, you see, just a bit more… another leg… another lymph node… a favor for a favor, you see, a favor for a favor–salvation…</span>” Another cough leaves his broad lips. “<span class="mu-i">... for salvation… from this cold, dark world…</span>”
Huh. Well he hasn’t killed you yet, so…?
>LEAVE!>Ask him a few questions (suggestions to follow!)>GET HIM!>Take some relics and dip!>Write-In! 