#1 The Pyramid of DOOM
Introduction
The Story So Far...
Heather was so terrified she could barely think.
She chastised herself and her decision to enter the pyramid. She didn’t know how she was standing in front of it, but once she was, it seemed to be the only visible structure for a hundred miles in any direction.
Now she was floating, unable to move her limbs. An invisible force was carrying her deeper and deeper inside the pyramid. She could breathe, but the air was thick and rancid.
Was this a dream? She wondered.
Heather tensed her whole body and screamed with all her might, trying to break free of the dream, but instead of her voice screaming, she heard something else.
A deep rumbling laugh that made her blood run cold because it was not the loving laughter of joy, but that of an excited psychopath who’s caught an animal he intends to torture before killing.
*
The ancient pyramid stood tall and imposing, surrounded by a desolate wasteland. The Gyptians, an advanced ancient civilization that had long since vanished, had built it.
Its purpose was to contain an ancient evil that had been plaguing the universe since the dawn of time. Living things were food to the Pyramid, so it consumed the souls of all who entered, growing stronger from their life force.
Over the millennia, the pyramid had become more intelligent and cunning. It adapted new ways to lure victims into its grasp. The latest victim was Princess Heather, a beautiful young woman with a kind and gentle nature.
The pyramid called out to her. It told her stories about an imminent threat to her father that filled her with dread. Feigning benevolence, the Pyramid led Heather to find a very unusual object. One part playing card and one part elaborate metal sculpture. The multiverse key emitted a slight vibration when touched, but only for a moment.
Less than a breath later, Heather stood in the pyramid’s desolate world, looking up at the enormous monolith. She still had the card in her hand, but there was no longer any vibration from it.
As soon as Heather entered the pyramid, she knew she had made a terrible mistake. The walls were alive with strange moving glyphs, and the air was thick with an otherworldly presence. Heather tried to run, but her legs betrayed her. It trapped her, unable to move, but conscious of everything.
The pyramid had a deep-seated contempt for all organic life. Like a cat with a mouse, it played games with all who entered, promising them a chance of survival if they could beat it.
Heather’s fate was different. The Pyramid had no intention of consuming her, as she was much too valuable alive. So it would keep her safe in the most difficult place to reach inside the pyramid.
She would be its bait, and from those who followed to rescue her, the pyramid would feast like it hadn’t done since it landed on the Gyptian home world millennia ago.
*
King Batshi sat with his head in his hands, uncertain whether he was more terrified or angry.
Heather was the light that illuminated his world. She was missing, and he did not know how to find her. The Princess was much beloved by all, but she was also reliable. She wouldn’t disappear without a word or a note. The King was certain she had been taken and that when he found whoever had kidnapped her, he would destroy them.
Batshi had already put out a bounty for her safe return. The bounty was a staggering amount of money, and scores of people had turned up to express their intent to claim it. The King hoped many more were just getting on with finding her.
Besides the common folk, the King had set his Chancellor to recruit the toughest, smartest and most accomplished fighters, soldiers, trackers and detectives. Fifty-four people in all, recruited from all over the world.
The King called them his Vanguard.
They were the best of the best.
None of them were prepared for what was about to happen.
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