Chapter 39: The Queen’s Chamber
The further they walked, the stranger Asphyxia became.
The bright lights of the central districts slowly faded behind them.
The roads became narrower.
The buildings older.
Magic signs flickered instead of glowing steadily.
Some alleyways were crowded with merchants selling questionable goods.
Others were occupied by people who clearly didn't want to be seen.
Kai kept his hood low.
The dirty cloak smelled terrible.
He was beginning to suspect Alice had chosen it specifically because it smelled terrible.
"How much farther?"
Kai asked.
"Not far."
Alice answered.
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"And I was right."
"How?"
"Because now we're closer."
Kai immediately regretted asking.
Raj sighed.
"Don't argue with her."
"Why?"
"Because she'll keep going."
Alice looked proud.
"I like you, Raj."
"I know."
They eventually stopped beside a rundown building squeezed between two abandoned warehouses.
It looked forgotten.
Like it had been left alone for decades.
Alice walked toward a wooden plank leaning against the wall.
"Here we are."
Kai looked around.
"Where?"
Alice kicked the plank aside.
A narrow opening appeared behind it.
Silence.
Kai stared.
The opening stared back.
"That's a wall."
"It's a secret passage."
"It's a crack."
"It's a secret crack."
Raj rubbed her forehead.
"I can't believe this actually works."
Kai crouched beside it.
The opening was barely wide enough for a person.
"This leads to the Queen's residence?"
"Yep."
"You're serious?"
"Usually."
Kai looked at Raj.
"Is she serious?"
"No idea anymore."
That was not reassuring.
Alice stepped inside first.
"Come on."
The passage was surprisingly large once they entered.
Dust covered everything.
Ancient wooden supports lined the walls.
The air smelled stale.
"How old is this place?"
Kai asked.
"Older than the city above it."
Alice replied.
The tunnel continued upward.
And upward.
And upward.
Kai lost count of how many staircases they climbed.
Every time he thought they had reached the top, another flight appeared.
"How many floors does this building have?"
"Enough."
"That's not a number."
"It is if you don't care."
Kai sighed.
Raj laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
"I hope not."
After what felt like an eternity, the passage finally ended.
A large metal door stood before them.
Alice stopped.
Then turned dramatically.
"We have arrived."
Kai looked at the door.
"This is it?"
"This is it."
Raj facepalmed.
Again.
Alice pointed at the double doors.
"Beyond this lies the Queen's chamber."
Kai immediately straightened.
Finally.
The entire reason he had come to Asphyxia.
The letter.
The warning.
The organization.
Everything led here.
Alice smiled.
"Prepare your words carefully."
Raj looked emotionally exhausted.
Alice pushed open the doors.
The chamber beyond was enormous.
Kai stopped walking.
This was not what he expected.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city.
Neon lights illuminated the room from every direction.
The skyline stretched endlessly beyond the glass.
But that wasn't what caught his attention.
Arcade machines lined one wall.
A massive shelf overflowed with games.
Several vending machines stood in the corner.
A couch occupied the center of the room.
Snacks were scattered everywhere.
A suit of armor stood near the window.
Half medieval.
Half modern.
Entirely ridiculous.
"Is this really the Queen's chamber?"
Kai asked.
"Yep."
"Why are there arcade machines?"
"No idea."
"You literally brought me here."
"And?"
Kai felt a headache coming.
At the far end of the room sat a large desk.
Behind it rested an oversized leather chair.
Turned away from them.
Facing the city.
Kai looked around.
"Where's the Queen?"
Alice walked forward.
Past the desk.
Past the chair.
Then sat down in it.
The chair slowly rotated.
Raj immediately covered her face.
"I can't do this anymore..."
she whispered.
The chair finished turning.
Alice crossed one leg over the other.
Then casually removed her eyepatch.
And placed it over the opposite eye.
The same eye Kai had seen on the giant screens.
The same eye from the speech.
The same eye from the posters.
The same eye from everywhere.
Kai froze.
Alice smiled.
A very smug smile.
"Welcome to my abode."
Kai blinked.
"..."
His brain struggled to catch up.
"..."
Alice spread her arms dramatically.
"I am the Queen of Asphyxia."
She paused for effect.
"Alice."
Silence.
Kai stared.
Raj stared at the floor.
Alice continued smiling.
Kai pointed.
"You..."
"Yes."
"The Queen?"
"Yes."
"The actual Queen?"
"Yes."
"The one on the giant screens?"
"Yes."
"The one we were trying to find?"
"Yes."
Kai slowly lowered his hand.
Then looked toward Raj.
"You knew."
"Obviously."
"You knew the whole time."
"Obviously."
Kai looked back at Alice.
Alice's smile somehow grew wider.
"Surprised?"
Kai thought about it.
Thought about the eyepatch.
The speech.
The building.
The suspicious behavior.
The restaurant.
Everything.
Then sighed.
Alice immediately slammed both hands onto the desk.
"YES!"
She stood up triumphantly.
"I knew it would work!"
Raj groaned.
"It was the most obvious reveal in human history."
Alice ignored her.
Still celebrating.
Meanwhile, Kai suddenly realized something.
He had finally reached the Queen.
And somehow...
She was the strangest person he'd met so far.