Dust hung heavily in the air.
The once black marbled floor now appeared to be a mottled grey as dust settled there. Pillars lined the sides of the room, more a decoration than a structural necessity, with sconces attached. Silken tapestries that adorned the walls, depicting battles and wealth and glory, now hung in tatters as time has taken its toll.
Against the back wall of the room, upon a thick marble dias, sat a masterfully carved throne inlaid with gold and gems. Upon that throne, there sat a figure cloaked in robes as black as midnight itself. Pale, bony hands sprouted from the deep sleeves, and a face not dissimilar to that of a bare skull peaked out from beneath the wide hood.
For the first time in centuries, the eyes of the figure flickered open. The eyes were dark, and tinged with an unnatural yellow. They glanced around the room, examining what remained of the once elegant chamber. With a raspy sigh, the figure flicked a finger up from its resting place, causing flames to spring to life within the sconces upon the pillars. The figure rose slowly from its throne, bones creaking and joints popping, veritable cries of protest for such sudden use of a body so old.
The figure whispered to itself, traces of long forgotten languages entwined with one another to form a solid and single purpose, a spell. As the figure grew quiet its body began to quiver, muscle once faded with time now stretched and grew with renewed vigor. Skin once wrinkled and sagging now tightened and smooth. The entire body of the figure groaned as its transformation took place.
Rejuvenated, the figure began to make its way toward the door, leaving a trail in the dust. As it reaches the door, it traces with its fingers along old arcane symbols etched centuries ago. They begin to glow in a faint blue light before once more fading. The door opens slowly, grinding across the ground leaving marks in its wake. Light spills across the figure, almost taking it aback from its sudden appearance.
This place was much different than the figure remembered.
That was going to change.