Volcannus walked out of the portal and unloaded the sack in front of a very angry Luna. She roared, spilling dragon saliva all over his face.
"Luna!" Abbigail, hearing her dragon, climbed out. "Behave yourself!" She turned to the Netheran. "Sorry about that, it'll come off, eventually."
"Oh, great." Volcannus cleared some juices out of his eyes. "Now I can't wash my face for how long?"
"Two weeks, by my experience." She mounted Luna.
"Queen Abbigail, my lady." Volcannus held her hand in his. Abbigail's heart skipped a beat. "Much lies ahead for the both of us. I will do what I can to destroy many of the Nether portals before Pythus can learn of my betrayal."
"Thank you for your help." Abbigail fidgeted slightly on Luna's back. The dragon grunted impatiently. "Well, thank you and no thank you. I did not enjoy the prison cell experience, but I guess it worked out in the end." Luna spread her wings. "I hope that we meet again, Volcannus." She took off, sending dirt and dust flying.
"The honor is all mine, Que… Pfft! Peh!" Volcannus spat out a mouthful of debris.
"Let's see here," Volcannus rummaged about his room in the Nether. "A diamond pickaxe is best for mining obsidian, and hence destroying the portals. I remember I have one somewhere… Found it!"
"Kiki, stay home alright?" He let the baby ghast out of his pouch. "I don't think you should come on this journey." The baby ghast tilted forward and back, mimicking a nod.
"Now, to business." He headed out into the Nether plains. "One meter here is eight meters in the overwold, and Pythus can't reach me so easily."
Abbigail returned to the stronghold and entered the portal with Luna. As they emerged on the platform, the Eye drifted away from the fortress, over the void. "Does this mean…" She mounted Luna and they followed the Eye into the void.
"Where do you think we are headed?" Abbigail said after about half an hour flying in the dark. The Eye had led them so far away from their entrance that not even the vast continent of yellow rock could not be seen. Yet the Eye continued floating in front of them.
Finally, a small yellow dot blinked in front of them. It became larger and larger, and at long last, an island appeared. Luna almost crash landed, sprawling out on all fours, grinning with eyes closed and mouth wide, happy to find solid ground again.
"So this is where the Trial will take place." Abbigail muttered. The Eye shook left to right, disagreeing with her. "Are we going further?" The Eye bobbed up and down. It floated away and hovered near a cave in a small hill.
"It's that... membrane we had at the portal." Abbigail said. She put her sword through. Its tip vanished. But when she pulled it back out, the tip materialized. "Should I just… go in?" The Eye bobbed again. "Okay, here goes." Abbigail took a deep breath and stepped through.
She emerged into a large hall. Along the walls were three archways, each with a small patch of membrane at the entrance. On the opposite wall, was a collection of stone tablets inscribed with ancient lettering. Abbigail took out the translating slip Volcannus gave her and began deciphering the message.
Vellcome, mi King, to the Trials,
Vhere only the Vorthy vill prevail.
For in your past, you has failed,
To guide us in the vorld's sharp gales.
To prove yorself great and true,
Three tests you must go thru.
The first, of strenth, for what is he,
Who cannot fight for those in need.
Blade of purple vill guide your path
Thru parkor, combat, and a bath
The second, of intelect, since no man shall lead,
Vith brains of cobble and tumbleweed
Crown of Ender vill show your way
Think, and you vill see the light of day
The third, of virtue, as no man can plan
Vithout a compass in his hand
This one, you are on your own
Good luck, may you reclaim the throne.
Abbigail breathed deeply, and stepped through the poral titled "Strenth."