Snippet #2404577

Lady Samsara opened her eyes but it was not the Crystalarium that she saw...

Her arms were covered in gold bangles and rings with enormous gemstones. The chair beneath her was gilded and wrought in gold. She was on a tall dais looking over an ancient city set deep inside of a thick jungle.

Lady Samsara moved but her head was strangely heavy. Her hand reached up and touched a headdress. It was made of metal, most likely gold too, and something soft like feathers.

Her eyes looked down at the rest of her body. Lady Samsara was dressed in dark blue linen that could very much so have been more conservative of her body. She wanted to blush but for some reason it felt comfortable. There was no shame is showing so much of her dark, tan skin to these people gathered.

And there were people gathered, hundreds of less ornately dressed citizens of this perplexing civilization. One of those people, a man, stepped forward bearing a chest of gold. He walked up the stairs that led to Lady Samsara's throne and placed the gift in front of her.

The woman didn't know what to do. She nodded. Yes, that was the right thing to do. Goddesses nodded. Lady Samsara blinked. Goddess? Surely not! That was an utter absurdity! How dare she think herself a goddess when she was nothing but a mere huntress.

Lady Samsara looked down at the box and then to her side. Tugark. He was standing near her. He was dressed in an odd assortment of armor. She could not see his face but Lady Samsara knew that it was Tugark. A comforting feeling washed over Lady Samsara as she looked on her friend. A smile spread across her face.

Tugark came forward and took the box. He turned to Lady Samsara, took a knee, and present the box outward to her. She smiled and leaned forward. Lady Samsara took the box and placed it in her lap. Every single eye of her people watched as she opened it.

Lady Samsara lifted the lid. It made very odd and foreign sounds. It clicked.

A small arrow shot out and struck her directly in the throat. Lady Samara's heart rate surged and she dropped the box. Her hands clasped at her throat. Blood spurted between her fingers and her eyes were wide with shock, surprise, and betrayal from her people.

Tugark growled and began to slay those closest to him.

Lady Samsara's vision grew dim. Blackness curled in from the corners of her eyes. She focused on Tugark as the world became dark.

The goddess sputtered out five words... and died.

"K'korro thakt ne dennaht zawaeh, Tugark," Lady Samsara croaked in Tugark's arms. She did not open her eyes. She repeated herself over and over again in a harsh but faint whisper.

As Glixenheimer pressed the button the woman's voice chimed all around the room once more.

"Welcome to the Crytalarium. We at City 18 keep records of those who travel to our wondrous home. Please state your name, species, and other important specifics to register as Visitors to City 18. Clearance passes will be administered if applicable. Thank you."

A light flicked behind the diamond desk. It took a moment but a woman eventually was projected with a welcoming smile and patient eyes.