"The tomb…" Nea began, her voice calm once more, but now tinged with reverence. "It's said to hold a trial—one that must be overcome to claim the true legacy of the time when Mezes ruled. Legend says the pharaoh wielded power on par with the gods—able to command creatures of the underworld as his servants, and build a desert kingdom untouched by time."
Ren raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward, his expression half-impressed, half-skeptical. "Wow. But… how come I'm only hearing about something that grand just now? I mean, this world's packed with legends, but that one sounds too big to be forgotten."
Nea shook her head slowly, hugging her knees as she stared into the shrinking fire. "I'm not sure. But most people forget the stories of the past. We—our tribe—have lived there for generations. These stories were passed down from our ancestors, who refused to leave that land, even after the great tragedy that wiped out Mezes' entire civilization."
