Before Percival's boots had even fully crossed the threshold, a booming laugh echoed off the stone walls.
"Haha! He lives! The world is still turning, and the Hero returns to us!"
Baron Eutheo stood from his throne, his theatrical bombast returning in full force. He was completely different from the man Percival had seen before he entered Hollowcreek.
All the fear of treason had completely evaporated. The wrinkles left his face and he was all smiles now, descending the stone steps with wide, sweeping strides, his emerald coat billowing behind him.
He opened his arms as if preparing to embrace an old friend.
Percival stopped walking. He stood perfectly still, his blue eyes locking onto the Baron with a look so chillingly flat that Eutheo's arms awkwardly lowered before he closed the distance.
