Legends of Amacia Srandi: Last Bastion of the Caverias
Chapter 35: Guardian of the Crypt

Forty minutes later after many turns and two more elevator rooms, the team stood before the doors of the Caverias Family Crypt in the center of the Labyrinth. Stopping thirty feet back from the massive metal doors of impossible obscene antiquity and make, Leila pointed, saying, “We’re here. There’s the entrance to our family’s crypt.”

Hannibal stepped to the front and gazed intently at the entire scene without approaching the magnificent but alien-looking oval doors that were formed from a metallic alloy completely unknown to Hannibal. It again reminded him of some of the more advanced areas of Tiamat with its alien alloys. Hannibal found it very strange these doors were oval, not the more traditional arch shape such as the one that allowed them entry into the Labyrinth. This made it look more like a bulkhead hatch on in a ship. The long axis of the oval door laid vertical fourteen feet in height with the short axis being six feet across with the lower portion of the oval door appearing to be embedded directly in the floor. At the floor level, the door spanned just five feet.

Spread across the oval metal door lay the most ornate image of the Caverias Seal Hannibal had ever seen. It appeared to be an enormous replica of the Caverias Seal etched in bas-relief deeply into the base alloy of the door across ninety percent of its surface. The Roc was depicted with its wings spread wide and its head looking down at whoever stood before it. Its giant taloned feet reached to the right and left respectively. The left foot held an exact replica of the Caverias sword that appeared identical in both size and make, right down to the smallest details. Its right foot however clutched a bizarre dodecahedral silvery ice-blue crystal of unknown type formed into a spherical sunburst. Individual slender crystals seven inches long tapering to a point grew from the central crystal’s nine-inch diameter central mass along each facet of the twenty-sided crystal, making it look like a spiked crystal ball. Yet, the crystal’s central mass didn’t appear to be uniform in constitution for the one crystal facet not sprouting a crystal ray appeared to be formed from a crimson ruby two inches across that appeared to penetrate into the depths of the main crystal’s central mass. This drew all attention to it. When Hannibal looked closer at the ruby center of the main crystal, he marveled, seeing a small gold icon on it that resembled the two-headed phoenix everyone saw on the armor of the draken side of the Labyrinth’s guardian at the maze’s entrance. Only then did Hannibal notice each ray from the crystal sunburst ended in a small scarlet rubies sharpened to fine points. Finally, he noticed the sunburst crystal seemed to glow with a bizarre phosphorescence, its source deep in the center of the crystal’s central mass. The alien feel of this bizarre glowing crystal sunburst caused Hannibal some pause and concern. It felt dangerous somehow, so he decided to be very careful of the door.

When Hannibal allowed his eye to leave the alien sunburst crystal in the Roc’s right taloned foot, he started taking in the full scope and beauty of the Roc bas-relief itself. It was overlaid with the purest gold and silver alloys with all manner of smaller precious stones and strange unknown crystals other than the sunburst crystal laying embedded in the image at strategic locations just in the same way the image of the draken/roc guardian was constructed. Silvery tinted ice-blue diamonds formed the eyes of the Roc with a single small crystal of the darkest black diamond inset into each eye to form the pupils of the eye. A large cluster of small crimson rubies formed the blood splotch over the Roc’s heart while strange crimson-tinted black diamond formed the talons on each of the Roc’s toes. Every feather was engraved and formed with the utmost precision and detail on the Roc’s entire form, down to the smallest downy feathers being depicted where appropriate. Even the feather’s colors were shown, right down to the crown of golden feathers on the image’s head. Despite the heavy dust and tarnish of millennia coating the image, it retained it’s incredible beauty and luster as one of the greatest works of art Hannibal had ever encountered. The detail of the image was so precise it almost looked like it was alive, and glaring at those before the door as if to challenge their presence.

Expanding his inspection beyond the door proper, Hannibal immediately realized he’d missed the fact the oval frame of the Crypt’s door was not the same stone as that of the Labyrinth’s corridors. Unlike the light gray andesitic granite of the corridors, the colossal frame of the oval doors consisted of an alien-looking dark grey stone that appeared to have traits of a mix of andesitic granite, black basalt, and dioritic granites. Furthermore, it also seemed to be infused with traces of iron, nickel, tungsten, titanium, even gold, electronium, and small crystals of indescribable color alien to anything Hannibal had encountered in his travels. The doorway frame itself consisted of one solid piece of this alien stone and completely filled the end of the passageway around the metallic door, creating a marked contrast with the more identifiable light gray andesitic granite of the passageway. Enormous runes two feet tall encrusted with the same silvery tinted ice-blue crystal seen in the alien sunburst held in the Roc’s taloned foot on the door lay spread around the entire perimeter of the frame as if it were a magical seal or ward against evil. Hannibal could not read the crystal-encrusted runes for they were as alien to him as the stone they were etched into.

Finally, Hannibal spotted a far more familiar sight: a two-foot square control panel with two different sized sockets intended to hold something, a large unlit crystal eye four inches across, and what appeared to be the screen of a handprint scanner. A knowing grunt rose from Hannibal as the growing feeling of déjà vu once again caused icy chills to race down his spine. He continued to take in the overall scene as the distant murmur of his team dully reached his ears.

“My God,” Thomas breathed, finally breaking the extended silence that had fallen over everyone once Leila announced they’d arrived. “I thought the guardian thing in the throne room was impressive, but this...is absolutely beyond comprehension. It’s stunning!”

“Merciful Ancient of Days,” Andrew breathed in awe, “This is the most magnificent depiction of the Roc I’ve ever seen, and it’s so lifelike. I’m overwhelmed by the majesty of it.”

“I agree,” Tau said softly, “This is truly a marvel to behold, a masterpiece of the utmost caliber. I’m truly humbled by the artistry and power of whoever created this image. Do you know who made this image, Miss Leila?”

“Not really,” Leila replied softly, “The legends say Ragnar Omicron had it created, but the tale doesn’t tell who actually formed the image or how. Its creation had been relegated to myth and legend by time I came around.”

“I’m sure somewhere in this fortress is the record of this magnificent image’s creation,” Assad suggested. “Something of this magnificence would surely have a record chronicling its creation.”

“It’s possible,” Leila agreed, “but I never found such a record, and I was Thoth’s scribe and historian while he was king.”

“I’m sure it’s here somewhere,” Tau reassured, “We just need to replace it. What do you think, Beowulf?”

Tau’s query brought Hannibal out of his brooding inspection of the door. “Oh, yeah I’m sure it’s here somewhere,” he agreed distantly, “But that’s something we can look into later. What should more concern you is the door itself. The Roc on this door is not the same as that on the Caverias Seal or Signet. It’s far more ornate with subtle differences in them, mainly the fact this Roc is actually holding two powerful artifacts. If everyone will notice, the sword in the Roc’s foot is definitely the Caverias Sword. Look, I will show you.” He handed the scepter to Harry, who readily took it without a word while Hannibal unslung the Caverias Sword from his back. Holding it up by its handle, he declared, “Look at this sword and the one the Roc is holding. It’s the same down to the finest detail.”

Everyone except Leila closely examined the Caverias Sword and the one held by the Roc’s taloned foot. Leila didn’t need to look for she already knew the Roc held a replica of the Caverias Sword. “It’s the same,” she announced categorically. “The sword held by the Roc is a detailed replica of the Caverias Sword...its veritable twin.”

“Son of a bitch,” Ned swore softly, “Hannibal and Leila are right. The two swords are exactly alike, but look at the one on that door. Doesn’t it look like a real sword embedded into the door itself?”

“Now that you mention it Ned, it does,” Harry agreed, looking closely at the sword held by the Roc. An ominous look of fearful concern rose on his face as he added sternly, “It’s just like the swords held by both the guardian in Kaal Bek and the one outside the Labyrinth here. I don’t like this, Hannibal. I think this Roc is another guardian golem as you call them. What do we do?”

Hannibal sighed as he glanced at the sword in the Roc’s taloned foot, seeing it indeed was a blade embedded into the very door itself. Slinging the Caverias sword, he said grimly, “You may be right, Harry. I thought something smelled funny about this magnificent carving. We’re going to have to be very careful here.”

“So what do we do, milord?” Kwahu asked fearfully, finally speaking up after having not said a word since the team entered the fortress. “Is that really another guardian thing like we saw outside?”

“Yes,” Leila confirmed. “The Roc here is not just there as a decoration. Like the guardian at the entrance to the Labyrinth, this Roc is a security mechanism designed to repulse all but those of royal blood who wish to enter the Crypt. To enter the crypt safely, Hannibal will need to place the Caverias Seal in the large socket on the control panel. Next, he’ll need to use the signet and place his hand on the scanner pad. Once the machine is engaged with signet and seal, the machine will test him to make sure he’s of royal blood with scans of his hand, face, eyes, flesh, and blood. Once his identity is confirmed, the door will open.”

“What happens if the machine doesn’t replace what it wants?” Samantha asked bluntly.

With a grim sigh, Leila declared, “I’ve never seen it happen, but the legends say if someone not of Caveria blood attempts to get into the Crypt, the Roc will vaporize them with some sort of energy beam. As I said, I never saw that mechanism engaged, and hope I never do.”

“I know you do,” Hannibal said soberly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “You have such a gentle heart to be burden by such atrocities.”

“Wait a minute,” Harry intruded urgently, “I just thought of something.”

“What is it, bud?” Hannibal asked, noting Harry’s insistent tone.

“It just occurred to me that if Thoth reprogrammed the guardian at the entrance to this maze, then what’s to say he didn’t do the same here?” Harry suggested darkly. “The procedure Leila spoke of may not work anymore if Thoth changed the programming parameters on this machine too.”

“That’s a very valid point,” Tau agreed. “We all saw how the guardian of the maze acted far differently from what Miss Leila remembered. There’s no reason to think Lord Thoth didn’t do the same here to protect his wife. After all, he knew this was to be his last stand. You should approach this machine with extreme caution and respect, milord.”

“Indeed,” Hannibal replied with a raised eyebrow. “Now I’m beginning to understand why I feel a bit uneasy about this door now. You may very well be right about Thoth changing the combinations here. I think the best thing to do is approach this just as I approached the guardian at the entrance to the maze. Its AI may be sentient, same as the guardian at the Labyrinth entrance if Thoth truly altered the programming of this one too.” He looked up at the Roc bas-relief and saw its crystal eyes flickering softly in the light with an internal radiance. The suddenly sensation of being watched by an intelligent being filled him, causing his countenance to falter for a moment.

Seeing Hannibal’s reaction to the glowing eyes of the Roc, Enoch said, “That Roc is alive isn’t it, little brother.”

“I think it is,” Hannibal admitted soberly, “I felt a suddenly pulse of intelligent watchfulness come from it. It is watching us, even if it is just a machine, which I’m not sure is the case anymore. It’s starting to feel more and more like the guardian at the maze entrance. Don’t anyone approach the door until I say it’s okay.”

“Don’t worry,” Harry answered, “We’re going nowhere near that thing now. I don’t relish being burned to ashes by it if it thinks we’re the enemy.”

“That’s why I’m doing this,” Hannibal said grimly, “If this guardian is part of the fortress’ greater AI network, it will recognize me and not activate its security mechanisms.”

Selina stepped close and grabbed Hannibal by the arm, saying softly, “Be careful, my prince. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Trust me, princess,” Hannibal replied softly. “I’ll be careful. I don’t plan to antagonize anything that may haunt this door whether it’s a spirit or sentient AI.” He planted a quick kiss on her lips before turning his full attention to the door before him. Speaking to the door as if it were a living entity, he declared with authority, “Now my friend, let’s see if I can convince you we’re on your side. I’m going to touch you now, if you will permit it.”

The way Hannibal spoke to the door amazed the rest of the team since they could not fully comprehend what Hannibal sensed about the alien door and its mechanism. Walking cautiously to the center of the door, Hannibal reached out to touch it, but hesitated for a moment. Looking up at the eyes of the Roc, which now glowed with obvious internal brilliance in response to Hannibal’s close proximity to the door, he whispered, “Please, my friend; see who and what I am, and know we’re your friend and in no way wish to desecrate your charges sealed within.” He reached up and gently touched the door on the lower chest of the Roc with the hand bearing the Caverias Signet.

For a moment, nothing happened, eliciting a relieved sigh from Hannibal. Then a rumble emanated from the door as it physically shuddered. The Roc’s eyes blazed like spotlights, shining down on Hannibal for a few moments before returning to its previously smoldering glow. This startled Hannibal, yet he kept his hand on the door for just touching the amazing image helped him control his fears. At the same time, the crystal-encrusted runes around the door suddenly glowed brightly and the control panel lit up as if activated by some unknown switch. “Here we go,” Hannibal murmured, keeping his focus on the door and everything about it. The abrupt activation of the door caused the rest of the team to recoil in fear with gasps of alarm, yet they held their ground. They fidgeted nervously, keeping quiet in fear of the now awakening guardian on the door.

“Who dares disturb the rest of the Caverias clan,” the Roc image rumbled ominously in deep menacing mechanical tones. “Speak now or face obliteration.” The terrible challenge audibly spoken from the Roc image shocked all present, especially Leila, who stared fearfully at the image with her mouth agape.

“Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes, descendant of Ragnar Omicron Caverias of the Silver Eyes,” Hannibal replied emotionlessly. “I and my companions seek entry to our family’s crypt to pay our respects to our most honorable ancestors, most wise guardian of the Crypt.”

The beam of light from the crystal eyes of the Roc narrowed and bathed Hannibal’s face in its glow as if scanning him. “Caverias gene seed recognized; proceed to the security panel to confirm your identity and gain access to the Caverias Crypt, Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes. Do not engage the panel if you doubt your line or worthiness. This is your only warning.”

“Thank you for the warning, my friend,” Hannibal stated in a cordial manner as the light beams from the Roc’s crystal eyes ceased, “I appreciate it.” With that, he lifted his hand from the Roc image and immediately made his way to the panel. Once standing in front of the panel, he looked at it closely for a moment before looking back to Leila, seeing her utter shock. A sober smile crossed his face as he said, “I take it the guardian here has never done that before, has it Leila?”

“No,” Leila answered in a stunned tone. “It’s never spoken or scanned anyone from the image itself when touched. This is something completely new to me.”

“Then we can only assume Thoth changed the programming on this guardian as well,” Assad commented. “You should be very careful, milord. You don’t know what other changes Thoth made here beyond what we just saw.”

“I’m well aware of that,” Hannibal replied grimly, “I will proceed with extreme care, but there’s something about this place that’s stirring up my memories. I swear I’ve been here before and as strange as it sounds, I know how to get past this guardian, just as I somehow knew how to deal with the guardian of the maze, and the main lock on the bulkhead door outside. I can’t explain how I know the protocols for these guardians. I just do and replace it very, very disturbing at this point.”

“The Lord is showing you the secrets of this place,” Selina called out. “That’s how you know the protocols for these machines. Just trust Him and don’t let it shake you. We all believe in you.”

“That we do,” Enoch agreed, “It’s no longer any doubt that you are the Last Caverias and the unmitigated master of the ancient machines. Please, don’t doubt yourself now. Disarm the guardian and open the crypt so we may lay Thoth in his proper place and pay our proper respects.” Everyone else agreed, offering their emotional support and belief in Hannibal’s mysterious ability to tame the ancient machines.

Hannibal nodded with a grunt, saying, “I hear you. Thanks for the pep talk. Now it’s time to let the guardian confirm my identity and open the door.” He looked over at the Roc image, seeing its crystal eyes smoldering with light from within. “Okay, here goes nothing,” he announced, leaning in close to examine the security panel. Hannibal immediately noticed since the panel had lit up with every speck of dust having been electrostatically repelled, showing every detail. “All right, I guess we start with the Seal,” he declared, fishing the Caverias Seal out from beneath his chainmail shirt. Unhooking it from its chain, Hannibal gently pushed it into the larger socket until it clicked into place. The moment it did, the lighting on the panel brightened noticeably while the Seal once again glowed as if it had just emerged from the forge. The hand scanner’s screen glowed prominently in a strange shade of gold that seemed to be a mix of gold, silver, mercury, and electronium. However, the crystal eye at the top of the panel remained dark. In fact, it was the only part of the panel that hadn’t responded yet.

Hannibal instantly triggered the Draken Gauntlets so they collapsed back into their vambrace form. Looking first at the signet on his right index finger, and then at the small socket in the panel meant for it, he sighed deeply, screwing up his courage. “Everyone should be ready for this,” he stated bluntly. He balled up his right fist and pushed the signet into the small socket below the Seal while placing the flat of his left hand on the scanner, whispering inaudibly, “Okay Lord; show me how to tame the guardian and open the door.” Instinct took over and Hannibal pushed hard on the signet while turning it clockwise, seeing this lock was exactly like the ones at both the entrance to the Labyrinth and at the outside bulkhead door. It gave inwards with a deep metallic grating. The signet socket disk rotated half a turn and sank into the panel two inches before bottoming out and stopping with a loud bang. The security console blazed brightly, casting shadows when the signet ring and disk hit the connection link. The glowing Caverias Seal sank a quarter of an inch into the panel and started rotating slowly counterclockwise. At the same time, the crystal eye lit up with a silvery ice blue light while the hand scanner’s screen shimmered, becoming almost liquid, swallowing Hannibal’s hand up to the wrist. Hannibal smiled wryly, seeing this security panel was a variation of the security panel at the Labyrinth’s entrance.

“Are you okay,” Nemesis called out with concern upon seeing Hannibal’s hand swallowed by the hand scanner.

“I’m okay,” Hannibal replied confidently. “This panel is almost like the one at the entrance to the maze. So far, it hasn’t hurt me, though I’m thoroughly stuck in this thing. I cannot lift my hand out of that ooze on the scanner screen, and my ring hand is likewise being restrained. I’m committed to the lock now. Trust me. Now that I’m engaged with the machine, I’m getting a real feel for it and how to unlock it.” Hannibal focused back on the panel and tried to turn the signet counterclockwise. It immediately responded rotating a third of a turn while sinking into the panel until it had swallowed Hannibal’s hand up to the wrist. When it stopped the second time, a loud bang echoed from the door and Roc image on the door while the sunburst crystal in the Roc’s taloned claw now shined brilliantly. At the same time, the Caverias Sword replica in the Roc’s other taloned claw started to glow bright white with an audible hiss being heard. The crystal eyes of the Roc now blazed in an unearthly brilliance. The blazing Caverias Seal stopped turning counterclockwise with a grinding clunk before it started rotating the opposite direction. The crystal eye on the security panel right in front of Hannibal immediately pulsed, flashing a blinding light into Hannibal’s eyes and face, causing him to freeze for several moments as the hand submerged in the golden liquid of the hand scanner abruptly felt as if it had been plunged into a vat of molten gold. Fiery pain filled Hannibal’s form and despite the paralysis, his face contorted in agony, but he didn’t cry out from the pain. He held fast until the scorched feeling of his hand faded away ten seconds later as the paralysis lifted. A groan of great relief escaped his lips with the pain vanishing, though it felt to Hannibal that his entire hand had been burned off completely.

“Samples and scans completed,” the Roc guardian rumbled deeply. “Caverias gene seed and royal blood line confirmed. Anomaly of the Silver Eyes identified and confirmed as a marker of the gene seed of Ragnar Omicron Caverias of the Silver Eyes. Omega level telepathic, telekinetic and elemental power identified and confirmed. Darkness scans show subject is clear of the Taint of the Darkness and Chaos. Identity of Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes, descendant of Ragnar Omicron Caverias of the Silver Eyes confirmed and recorded in the system. Security confirmation is needed for access to be granted. Identify yourself for voiceprint verification and speak the security code to lift the lockdown on the Crypt.”

Without hesitation, Hannibal rotated the signet ring clockwise one quarter of a turn, saying with grim authority, “Lord Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes, descendant of Ragnar Omicron Caverias of the Silver Eyes, the Last Caverias and rightful King of Amacia; eia domintus eloi carinae commorium Thoth Emmanuel Caverias arzaxus shiar undar fltagn set morbius crondar geriarax si vulthoom.” The alien syllables poured from Hannibal’s lips as if he were fluent in the alien tongue, which no one could understand. Hannibal himself marveled at how the words just came forth without any forethought.

A loud hum rose from the door and the security panel after Hannibal finished speaking the alien words. A loud click followed as the Seal stopped rotating, and the Roc image once again spoke, saying, “Voiceprint identification confirmed and recorded. Security code accepted and confirmed. Crypt lockdown lifted by the order of Lord Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver eyes, the Last Caverias and King of Amacia. Welcome to the Crypt of the Caverias, milord. Doors will open once you identify who of your group may proceed into the Crypt.”

“Everyone present is cleared to enter,” Hannibal declared, “Furthermore, I grant permission for anyone with the verified Caverias gene seed to open and enter the crypt, along with anyone they deem worthy to enter.”

“Order received and recorded,” the Roc image replied. “Scanning those present to identify and allow access per your order, milord.” The crystal eyes of the Roc image flashed, sending out a powerful scanning beam to identify and record the identities of those present. After doing several sweeps, the Roc image declared, “Scans complete. Five individuals located with Caverias gene seed along with eleven individuals not of royal blood, but clear of the taint of the Darkness and Chaos. No threats detected from them. Warning, two individuals detected as potential threats! The mark of the Dark Powers has been detected in the mechanical components of the cybernetic organisms known as Nemesis and Josephine Nariko Keleb. Threat level high; system armed for repulsion and neutralization.” The crystal eyes of the Roc image blazed red in an ominous manner.

“Stop,” Hannibal barked sternly, “Stand down, guardian. Nemesis and Josephine are not to be harmed. They are powerful allies who turned from the Darkness that created them and have proven their loyalty to me in battle repeatedly. The Taint has been purged from them, though they presently retain the mark of the Dark Powers’ tech as a reminder of where they came from. Do not neutralize them. Perform a deep scan of them to verify they are allies and family.” Turning to Nemesis and Josephine who had very concerned looks on their faces, he ordered, “Be still and do not resist the guardian’s scan. Open your mind and heart to the guardian and let him see you are with us. If you resist its scan, the guardian will kill you and I won’t be able to stop it.”

“As you command, milord,” Nemesis replied formally with just a hint of fear in this voice. “I will not antagonize this guardian since it clearly saw Josephine and I had been altered by the Emperor.”

“I’m with Nemesis,” Josephine agreed in a trembling tone. “Besides, I have nothing to hide. Let it see I am not with the enemy and only wish to pay my respects to the fallen Caverias who lie within this sacred tomb.”

The blazing red light in the Roc image’s crystal eyes shifted to a deep magenta, sending out powerful scanning beams that examined both Nemesis and Josephine from head to toe. “Scanning the cybernetic organisms called Nemesis and Josephine Nariko Keleb,” the Roc image rumbled sternly. “Processing, processing; scans complete.” The scanning beams from the crystal eyes of the Roc image ceased and its eyes reverted to shining silvery ice-blue hues as it reported, “Deep scans show no dark influences on the mechanisms of the subjects with all traces of the taint having been removed. Conduits allowing the Dark Powers to take control of the subjects have been fused and annihilated in both subjects. Spiritual scans show no contamination of the organic or the mechanical elements of each subject by neither the Darkness nor Chaos. Strong moral structure based in the Light detected with great emphasis on familial connection to Lord Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes. Memory scans show the turn from the Darkness to the Light with focus on Lord Beowulf Hannibal Caverias being the catalyst for the shift in allegiances. Threat level of cybernetic organisms Nemesis and Josephine Nariko Keleb now reduced to safe. Neutralization protocols discontinued. Does milord wish for them to enter the Crypt?”

With a relieved sigh, Hannibal said, “Yes, my friend; they have earned the right to pay their respects to those who lie within the Crypt. Please allow them access along with the rest of those present.”

“Access granted to the Nemesis and Josephine Nariko Keleb,” the Roc image announced in a neutral tone as opposed to the menacing tone it used a few minutes earlier. “Access is also granted to Lord Beowulf’s other companions. Do you wish to reset the system to its default setting for easier access with the lockdown now lifted?”

“I do,” Hannibal stated, “Reset the system so biometric scans in conjunction with voiceprint identification with the security code can be used to verify access.”

“Order received and enacted,” the Roc image answered in its machine voice. “Do you wish to change the security code, milord?”

“Yes,” Hannibal answered, “Revert to the code used before Thoth Caverias’ last change to the protocols. However, I want the lockdown code he programmed for the lockdown to remain as a backup only to be used if the system is once again locked down.”

“Protocols reverted to standard security measures with the last changes made by Thoth Caverias recorded and cataloged as ordered, milord,” the Roc image declared, “You may proceed to the last step of the unlocking protocol to physically open the way.”

“Thank you, my guardian friend,” Hannibal replied amiably. “You have done well to vet our worthiness to enter this sacred space.”

“Such is my task, milord,” the Roc image stated. “Finish the sequence and you may proceed with your companions unhindered into the sacred Crypt of the Caverias.”

With a relieved look on his face, Hannibal rotated the signet counterclockwise a third of a turn until it stopped and slid in another full six inches with a bang. The console blazed and the Roc image suddenly shined like the sun, briefly blinding those watching in stunned fearful wonder. “Open sesame,” Hannibal crowed humorously not able to help himself. The hand-scanning pad that had seemingly eaten his hand suddenly pushed it out. Hannibal gasped in astonishment when he suddenly felt and saw his hand emerge intact from the scanner pad. He thought for sure nothing was left of it. He stared in awe at his intact hand that felt and looked whole. Two seconds later, the recess Hannibal had his ring fist in rumbled and gently pushed his fist out, releasing the ring once the disk holding the ring snapped back into its default position. The shining Caverias Seal rose out of its socket and stopped just short of falling out. It dimmed to a soft glow as it waited for Hannibal to retrieve it.

“Well done, Lord Beowulf Hannibal Caverias of the Silver Eyes,” the blazing Roc image chimed musically. “Well done indeed. The Way is open.” The door suddenly hissed loudly followed by a deep rumble of ancient tumblers moving within the door and the surrounding wall. With a thunderous boom, the blazing Roc image went dark and the door started sliding laterally to the right as Hannibal looked on. It hissed loudly as the seal broke, sending out a gust of fetid stale air that smelled of ancient death. The fetor was so potent it made everyone gag and cough from the stench. Fortunately, the stench dissipated quickly. The rumbling of the ancient servos moving the door filled everyone’s ears. After nearly a minute, the door completely vanished into the wall, leaving a portal of almost palatable darkness looming beyond so dark the light from the passage only penetrated six feet into the dense almost palatable darkness beyond.