[KQ] Hush

Echo, she said. And echo it was. And echo it did. The wall all but crumbled as the reverberations from Amalia 's voice lapped against it, the thrum of her word shaking it loose from its foundations. In fact the humming was a palpable sound for the group as the structure before them collapsed, revealling a hidden room beyond. The air here was stale yet alive with vibrations, and the lantern would not be needed; veins of blue and gold peeped through grooves carved into the floor, the walls, the ceiling, welcoming them in with a warm glow. At the centre of the room a raised platform boasted a beautiful obsidian statue - the figure of a girl, young and virginal, her hands clasped in prayer. Only, as they entered the girl would emerge from the statue, flickering and translucent, like a ghost. The humming intensified, colouring her through with gold and grey, her hair a billowing halo about her head. She opened eyes the colour of static and graced them with a benevolent smile. "My children, you are come," she murmured without moving her lips - her words, soft and sweet, would whisper into their minds like a wish. "I am the Voice, and I am found. You have my gratitude." Her eyes flickered over Archebold and Samuel and she rallied further. Bright ones, you must be exhausted! Replenish yourselves." Her clasped hands parted to offer her wrists to the Ascended, and as she did so they seemed to become more solid, more corporeal. "And you who spoke the key to my freedom." She levelled her gaze at Amalia. "Would you become bright too?" Her lips parted to a joyful grin; the veins of light in the room seemed to pulse and rush out, deep, deep through the underground and beyond. Congratulations, gang. You have successfully completed this Key Quest and you will all receive credit! You are very much encouraged to leave a wrap-up post. Samuel and Archebold - should you choose to approach the Voice and feed, you will find your reanimating fluid replenished in full. Amalia - the Voice has offered you an opportunity to Ascend! Should you choose to accept, you shall become an Ascended.