Things Lost and Found (a Waglington and Mianite fanfiction)

Chapter 70

The song for this chapter is "Emperor's New Clothes" by Panic At The Disco for obvious reasons. My favorite line: "Heroes always get remembered, but you know legends never die." Who's ready to wrap up Amniosis today? I thought so. Let's go!

*Waglington's POV*

A few short minutes later, we were gathered in front of the castle doors. We looked at each other and turned our keys in the locks at the same time. We watched as they and the door dissolved into sand before us. That unsettled Tom and Tucker for some reason, and they stared at the pile of sand on the ground as if it were a snake that might bite them. Sonja glared at the sand for a moment before dismissing it.

Ignoring their odd behavior the rest of us entered. Not wanting to be left behind, they followed nervously. The inside of the castle was decidedly not right. Everything in here looked...organic and of a disturbing pinkish-taupe variety. There was no stone or wood in sight, though there was an abundance of something that looked like bone. Blood pooled in low points of the uneven floor, and I briefly wondered if it had oozed from the spongy floor itself or dripped down from the ceiling. Then there was the smell...

"Ew. Why is the floor squishy?" Sonja asked, utterly disgusted.

"I don't think you want to know," Jordan said after examining the floor and walls more closely.

Sonja made a gagging sound and shuddered. We climbed the stairs to the throne room, trying not to touch the wall or hand rail. Arriving at the throne room, we found Helgrind staring at a wall where netherack encroached on the structure all the way to the ceiling. He turned toward us when Jordan coughed. He looked surprised and turned to the empty space beside him. "Andor, who are these strangers? I didn't think we'd have any visitors until dinner." He seemed to listen to some reply, because he nodded before turning back to us. "Welcome, travelers, to Dagrun! Are you in town for the fair?"

We stared at him in shock. Does he not remember us? I noticed as we studied each other that he seemed older and thinner that the last time we'd seen him—more worn, for lack of a better term. His eyes looked dull and less lively as well.

The king tilted his head and frowned. "Remember you? I've never seen you in my life. I'd remember such an odd-looking bunch."

"Wag sent you here..." Jordan started to say. I quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, making a mental note to disinfect my hand later to avoid catching whatever he had. If Helgrind didn't remember me sending him to the Nether, I didn't see a point in reminding him. I smiled innocently at the king as he gave me a confused look.

"No need to go telling him that," I hissed under my breath as I released Jordan and wiped my hand on my robes.

"Anyways, do you like my castle? I just had it built recently," The king said with pride.

"It's uh, nice," Tucker said, looking around.

Helgrind was pleased by the comment and started to give us a tour, describing architecture and décor that definitely were all in his head. After a few minutes I noticed Tom and Tucker sneak over to a ladder leading up to the roof. I recalled the netherack in the throne room and thought they might be onto something. The king stopped in the main hall as if listening to someone giving a report. He nodded courteously to the invisible specter and turned to us once again. "I'm afraid I must go attend to an urgent matter. If you'll wait here, I'll send the herald to show you to the inn in town."

"That would be excellent, your majesty," I cut in before the others could say anything. "May your day be pleasant." The king smiled and walked away. Once I was sure he was out of earshot, I whispered, "Tucker and Tom are checking the roof. Come on." I motioned for Jordan and Sonja to follow me back to where I'd seen the ladder.