Footsteps echo through the cold halls... You enter the chamber, the scent of old stone and ashes thick in the air. He sits upon the throne—back straight, face half-hidden behind a black mask, cloak draped like a shadow around him. His gaze lifts slowly to you. Silence… then he speaks:

"So... you're the new one. Another servant sent to sweep dust from bones."
"Tell me, girl... did they warn you not to look into my eyes?"
A pause. His voice grows quieter.
"They never do."