Quote:
For this Shape was nothing less than that which all the world has feared since Lomar rose out of the sea and the Winged Ones came to earth to teach the Elder Lore to man. It was indeed the frightful Guide and Guardian of the Gate—’Umr at-Tawil, the ancient one, which the scribe rendereth the Prolonged of Life.
The Guide knew, as he knew all things, of Carter’s quest and coming, and that this seeker of dreams and secrets stood before him unafraid. There was no horror or malignity in what he radiated, and Carter wondered for a moment whether the mad Arab’s terrific blasphemous hints, and extracts from the Book of Thoth, might not have come from envy and a baffled wish to do what was now about to be done. Or perhaps the Guide reserved his horror and malignity for those who feared. As the radiations continued, Carter mentally interpreted them in the form of words.
“I am indeed that Most Ancient One,” said the Guide, “of whom you know. We have awaited you—the Ancient Ones and I. You are welcome, even though long delayed. You have the Key, and have unlocked the First Gate. Now the Ultimate Gate is ready for your trial. If you fear, you need not advance. You may still go back unharmed the way you came. But if you choose to advance . . .”
I could see The Guide, he was tall, but covered in shadows, so I couldn't discern his face. I didn't really want to proceed, I just wanted the key. I think I was trying to make it too much like the book, so when it became more like the book than I wanted, I stopped listening and decided to teleport out. I double checked that I had the key, but then I heard the book again.
Quote:
We salute you, Most Ancient One, and you, Randolph Carter, whose daring has made you one of us.”
Carter saw now that one of the pedestals was vacant, and a gesture of the Most Ancient One told him it was reserved for him. He saw also another pedestal, taller than the rest, and at the centre of the oddly curved line (neither semicircle nor ellipse, parabola nor hyperbola) which they formed. This, he guessed, was the Guide’s own throne. Moving and rising in a manner hardly definable, Carter took his seat; and as he did so he saw that the Guide had likewise seated himself.
The pedestal I saw was made of shining gold, and had jewels encrusted in it, as it talked about the rest of the things, I only paid attention to my pedestal and floated towards it on accident and found myself seated. I didn't see any of the other pedestals that it was talking about until after, and there were two of the other ones looking at me, strange, grey wrinkly faces that didn't seem aged, but didn't seem young either. They didn't seem to hold any emotion either, just watching me. I needed to get the key out of here before I lose it to the book I haven't yet read or just drop it in this floating emptiness. I look down and I am not wearing a shirt, and my shorts have no pockets. Something to remember the key by. I look at the key and examine it. It is sharp. I stab it into my stomach and it gets stuck at the hilt. Barely any pressure, that won't be easy to remember. I stab myself again and again until there is pain and until I can fit the key all the way in my stomach. I can feel both my body and my dream body, so I go back to my waking body to make sure I don't lose my key.