A large hovering steampunk car glides across a black desolate desert at blurring speeds during a bright sunny day. White steam constantly spews from underneath the roofless car. Sitting relaxed and perfectly poised on the passenger’s side is Loc, a young tall suave looking man of African-American ethnicity with black eyes and hair. He’s wearing a blend of 1800s attire and ancient looking clothing, gold mechanical goggles, and a long braided ponytail protruding from the back of a neat flattop haircut. Driving is Aldrog, a massive nine foot tall individual who’s body is completely hidden under knightly gold steampunk armor. On Aldrog's back is a giant meagerly stitched together leather backpack. An opened dusty old red book materializes onto Loc's hands. It displays a rough, hardly readable, map.

Loc: We’re nearing it Aldrog, slow down.

Aldrog: Yes sire.

Loc sighs as Aldrog pulls a lever, resulting in the vehicle slowing down.

Loc: Formalities Aldrog, formalities.

Aldrog: Oh! Yes of course sire— I mean Loc. Please forgive me.

Gidget, a short three foot tall individual wearing overalls but who’s body is completely covered from view by clothing, springs out from a wooden box on the back of the car. Gidget is constantly seen with goggles covering his eyes and a gold monkey wrench in hand. He’s quite lively and animated compared to the more slow and lumbering Aldrog, but he has a rather deep voice compared to Aldrog’s high pitched one.

Gidget: Did you say we’re nearing it again Loc?!

Loc: Stop the rail car!

The car comes to a screeching halt as steam briefly hides it from view. Loc stares at the entrance to a ruined temple that’s blocked by giant rubble.

Loc: This is it.

The others sound surprised.

Aldrog: Is that so Loc?

Gidget: Now are you really really sure this time Loc? I mean we are after the unfindable and we’ve been out here for days.

Loc: We’ve found it. This time I’m sure of it.

Aldrog: The queen grows restless when you’re away from the city for this long you know.

Loc materializes mechanical golden gloves and fits them over his hands.

Loc: With any luck she’ll worry herself to an early grave.

Gidget: Bold words from a soon to be dead man.

Loc: The only strumpet I’m weary of is the Queen of Queens. And once we acquire this heirloom the balance of power will be restored.

Gidget: If. You mean if we acquire this so called mythical heirloom of yours. And if the Queen of Queens finds out you’ve been playing around in the Forbidden Wastes she’ll hold the whole kingdom hostage again.

Loc gets out of the vehicle and so does Aldrog.

Loc: And do you know why Gidget? Because she knows as well as I do that the key to ending her thousand year long regime of terror dwells within this vacant land.

Loc slides his goggles over his eyes and raises his arm to Gidget.

Loc: Are you done with my spear?

Aldrog: Why don’t you let me take care of that rubble Loc? You’ve already used up most of your steam.

Gidget passes Loc a beautiful golden steampunk looking spear. Its design is both regal and mechanical with a small engine housing vents at the base of the blade.

Loc: No, that’s quite alright Aldrog. I like to take every opportunity I can at practice.

Gidget: It’s really difficult to believe we can find the power to match a queen’s in this great big pile of nothing.

Loc smirks as the engine on the spear activates, sounding a beautiful and lovely mechanical hum while spewing white steam. He chucks the spear into the pile of rubble, lodging it in place. Loc's eyes briefly flash bright black through his goggles and an explosion occurs from the spewed steam. The glove on Loc's right hand spews a small amount of steam and the mechanical spear flies out from the smoke of the explosion back to Loc's hand.

The smoke clears and the way to the temple's interior is clear. Gidget whistles in awe. Just for a brief moment Loc looks proud of his handy work as he lifts up his goggles.

Gidget: Not bad Loc.

Aldrog: You’re getting better by the day sire— I mean Loc.

A loud ominous hum echoes as cold blue mist escapes the cave. Aldrog and Gidget step back terrified. Loc keeps his composure.

Gidget: Did you feel that?

Aldrog: I believe we should turn back Loc. This doesn’t feel right.

Gidget: You said it Aldrog. I feel like stepping one foot in there would result in our deaths.

Aldrog: Something cursed is dwelling deep within. My scales can feel it.

Loc studies the entrance with an almost trance-like gaze. His eyes glow as he slowly approaches it.

Loc: Strange. I feel a warm presence tugging at me to enter.

Gidget: Wait Loc!

Loc: You two stay here. I’ll be right back.

Aldrog: What? But sire—

Loc: That’s an order.

Loc enters the cave. Aldrog and Gidget look panicked.

Aldrog: So we are going to go after him, right?

Gidget: Something tells me doing so would be fruitless. I hate to leave him by his lonesome but we don’t have a choice this time.

There is a pause as more blue mist howls from the cave.

Aldrog: You know what Gidget? I think he’s going to find it this time.

Gidget: Find what? The fabled Witch Tier? Bah! The whole world and even the Queen of Queen’s herself have been searching for it for nearly a thousands years. Hell if he just found something we could sell for a decent price I’d be happy.

Loc traverses the interior of the ice temple. It looks just as pristine as it did when its last visitors walked through. He marvel’s at the architecture as he slowly passes through the beautiful hallway.

Loc enters a great room at the end of the temple where its walls are made up of waterfalls. He notices a small floating diamond-shaped mechanical device floating above an altar at the end of the room. The winds pick up and he halts upon hearing a deep masculine voice.

Masculine Voice: Loc Hezekiah Ben Massadah! I watched as your kingdom continues to be defiled by that deplorable queen, and I have heard their cries for justice. Take in my spirit, take up my sword, and reestablish the kingdom of your forefathers, my son.

Loc drops to his knees in reverence.

Loc: But how can I challenge the power of a queen Great Spirit?

The floating device hovers to Loc’s hands.

Masculine Voice: Take thy sword and treat her well. For it shall grant thy nation the power to sever the head of the Queen of Queens, the mother of witches and harlots.

Loc looks at the device in fascination.

Loc: Even the Queen of Queens?

Masculine Voice: Never forget the teachings of your forefathers, my son.

The light from the device recedes and the winds disappear. Loc stretches out his hand.

Loc: Wait!

The device spreads apart and Rivna’s crystal body appears in Loc's arms. He looks completely awed as her unclothed body slowly turns back to flesh. She’s unconscious and a flat diamond shaped crystal is embedded into the base of her neck. Loc materializes a green blanket over her and picks her up.

Loc carries Rivna to the entrance of the temple. Upon stepping out he looks horrified to see Gidget and Aldrog in iron chains. Five soldiers clad in heavy knightly red steampunk armor are holding their chains. Commanding them is Heldine, a pretty and pale regal looking young woman with red eyes and hair. She gives Loc a sinister lustful smile.

Heldine: Hello darling.

Chapter End