The Queen of the Underverse - Chapter 6
- Donovan Evans-Foto Dono
- 9 hours ago
- 12 min read
Notes From Foto Dono: Yesterday was my birthday. 🎂 I hope it was a good one. I’m writing this a few days in advance, so if it turned out badly... well, that’ll be a fun surprise for all of us when this posts. 🎁🎉🫠
I must be mad. 😵💫 I had to polish edits for three installments instead of one, make the pictures, and spend a disproportionate amount of time wondering why I’m not supposed to use the words just and really anymore. 🤔✍️
Apparently, according to grammar tools and ChatGPT, they’re “filler” and weaken the sentence. Redundant, even. Sometimes I wonder if they’re talking about me. 🫣
I mentioned before that I’m not really a writer. I’m sure it was just in a previous post somewhere. 🕵️♂️📄
On a positive note, my son has read what I’ve written so far. Says I’m off to a good start.
The bastard. 😑👊
Previously on The Queen of the Underverse… -
Commander Rebecca Lopez, stranded in space after a micrometeoroid storm, saves her crewmate but is cast adrift. A mysterious door appears in orbit, and stepping through it, she lands in the surreal realm of the Underverse. There, Queen Lyra welcomes her—but when Rebecca tries to return home, she accidentally unleashes the Dente Nocturn, a nightmare creature that feeds on fear and memory. Barely surviving the encounter, Rebecca is rescued by enchanted gnomes and wakes in the Queen’s Residence, forever changed. She’s survived an attack by the Dente Nocturn… but at what cost?
Ye saga continues...
Chapter 6 - My Name Isn't Dorthy, Bitch
“Look, Miss Rebecca…” Chalky said as she walked down the hall with Rebecca, her feet making a clackety-clack sound as they went.
"Just Rebecca. No 'Miss,' 'Ms.,' or anything like that—just Rebecca."
“Fine! Rebecca, look, we need to see Queen Lyra. She summoned me and you. Today is her last day. If you have any questions about anything, about your home, about firecloak,” she pointed at the markings on her body. “Now’s the time to do it.”
"Are you sure this purring is usual?" Rebecca said as she touched her arms again.
“Honestly, I have no idea at this point. What you did shouldn’t have happened. So I’m gonna go with, ‘It’s better than the alternative.’ Seriously, I left you alone for less than 15 minutes.” Chalky said, quicken the pace. Her marble feet clacked on the wooden floor.
“There’s an alternative?” Rebecca matched her pace.
“Would you rather it be growling all the time?” Chalky picked up the pace again down the hallway.
Rebecca nearly tripped in the pants she wore as she struggled to keep up pace as they almost jogged down the stately hallway. It was adorned with paintings of a young girl and presumably her mother, Queen Lyra. In each one, they were smiling and embracing each other. Suddenly, the young girl vanished from the paintings as if she never existed. The Queen was seen holding and smiling at no one. Rebecca shook her head. “What the…? “
She wanted to inquire about the paintings, but then she noticed Chalky was leaving faint footprints on the wood floors as he hurried. As they moved past several ornate doors, signs with written text were posted.
The first sign read as they passed: No running in the hallways.
“Ignore it,” Chalky said. “We ain’t running, just walking really fast.”
The second sign they passed read: That means you, Chalky. Look what you’re doing to my floors!
“Look, it won’t matter too much after tonight anyway,” Chalky said to no one.
There is something called manners, even at the end of things. - The sign above the hallway intersection read just as they turned right.
“Who are you talking to?” Rebecca asked.
“Oh, sorry, I’m just talking to the Queen’s Residence. You know..“ She gestured to a sign above a door that read: Hello, Rebecca Lopez. Nice to meet you.
Chalky continued, “The place where the Queen makes her home. It’s not taking the loss of Queen Lyra well. Neither am I. However, I still have a duty. And we need to hurry.” The clackety-clack of her footsteps quickened a little more.
“The house is alive?” Rebecca muttered. Well, I’m talking to a living marble statue, and an electric blanket has possessed me. Some weird ass paintings. Fuck me. She hurried to keep up.
They soon approached what Rebecca assumed was the door to the throne room. A sign there read: It's 10 minutes until sunset.
Chalky hesitated for a minute to compose herself and opened the door. “Hey, Your Majesty. How’s it going? I brought her, just like you asked.”
Queen Lyra was facing the balcony, watching the pink sun. The golden hour dancing through her coppery red hair shimmered, and her light blue skin sparkled slightly. She looked much like this when she saw her in the Garden, maybe a little less sparkly. She had her back to them.
“You took your sweet time, Chalky. If I had time, you’d get a new nickname, like late for dinner or something.” The Queen spoke, but she wasn’t speaking harshly to her.
"Sorry, Ma’am. There was a bit of trouble with the firecloak. Our guest and the little fiery rascal kinda became friendly, if you know what I mean." Chalky was looking at the ground and pawing it with her foot.
“Well, no matter… I’m glad you’re both here. I’ve only got a short window left.”
“Uh, Ma’am,” Chalky interrupted. “They uh.. Kinda became more than friends. They, uh.. Bonded.” Her voice trailed off as she said the last part.
The Queen paused for a moment, then laughed. “It’s okay, Chalky. Come here.” She kept gazing at the sun as Chalky approached and stood in front of her. She opened her arms and looked at Chalky, saying, “Come here.”
Chalky stepped forward and began to cry. Queen Lyra comforted her, gently patting her on the head. "Thank you, Chalky. You were my favorite Attendant, you know, in the end." She wiped the dusty tears from Chalky's eyes and added, "Now I need to speak with my little Dorthy before it gets too late."
Rebecca was standing behind them both. “I keep telling you my name is Rebecca Lopez. I’m from Earth…”
The Queen cut her off and said, “Yes, dear, we know all that already. Look, could you please stand in front of me? I’m about to die soon, and I want to do it while watching the sunset.”
Rebecca stepped in front of the Queen. She started to speak again, but the Queen spoke first. "Time is short with me, and I need to help you quickly. So, if you could be quiet for a moment, I’d like to share some important information with you. If I make it before sunset, you can ask me any question you like. Just make sure it's the right question."
The Queen spoke warmly, “You’re in the Underverse. I won’t go into all the details, but it’s quite different from your universe. As the name suggests, it’s beneath it. Sort of. We’re a bit pressed for time, so I’m currently unable to offer you physics lessons. Some call me the Queen of it, but I don’t rule over it—that’s a longer story.”
She softly continued, “I’ve lived for a very long time, but nothing lasts forever, and I’m currently dying as we speak. I understand you want to go home. If you had arrived before everything ended, I would have happily sent you back. Back then, I had plenty of power, but now I barely had enough to heal your wounds from the Dente Nocturn — and that was a close call. Still, I’m upset that I couldn’t help you find a way home.”
She brought the Key from her robes. “So, I’m returning the Key you took from the Doorwhere to Everywhere. You’ll need it again when it’s time to go back to Earth. Just don’t use the Doorwhere in the Garden of Nowhere again.” She set the Key in her lap.
She gently took a simple yet beautiful ring with a blue moon carved into it from her finger. “I’d like to give you my ring as well. Think of it as a special signet ring, similar to those used by royalty on your planet. It doesn’t give you a title, but it carries my blessing and allows access to certain areas that were once only available to me. Be cautious—if you show it to anyone, they might laugh at you or even try to steal it. So, please take care of it; you’ll need it to help you find your way back home.
The Queen took a deep breath. Rebecca could see the sunlight fading behind her.
“It’s also important to know that the Underverse is unstable. This is an unrelated problem that’s beyond your control. It’s happened before, and it will happen again. In the past, someone like me could step in to minimize the chaos and limit the damage, but now I’m the only one; there’s no one else like me right now.” She looked sadly at Rebecca before looking back at the sunset.
The Queen took another deep breath.
“Also, I must warn you that the Dente Nocturn has your scent. It was held back by ancient forces long ago, but those restraints are starting to weaken, and the creature is getting closer to freedom. It is a living nightmare, driven by the primal instinct to hunt, and it will stop at nothing to finish what it once started. It will hunt you down.”
The Queen smiled at Rebecca, her breathing labored. “Do you know why I called you little Dorthy?”
“The whole Wizard of Oz thing?” Rebecca asked.
“Partly. I had a daughter a long time ago who looked just like you do now.” Queen Lyra smiled at Rebecca.
“You want to go back home to your family. I wish I could be the Good Witch or even the Bad Witch and send you on your way. But instead, I’m just an old woman, even if I don’t look it. There’s no yellow brick road or fun companions to guide you.”

She gazed out at the sun. “My poor little Dorthy. She’s been gone for so long.”
Turning back to Rebecca, she said, “Take the ring and the key, head to the Unwritten Library, and find The Queen’s Den. It’ll lead you to the next step in finding the right Door, which will take you home.”
The queen paused, catching her breath. “You can also take Chalky, she’s bound to the ring now. That’ll be her punishment for leaving you alone.” She kept her eyes on the pink sun setting.
“What?” Chalky exclaimed. “Yer Majesty?”
"She's kind of like a Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow all rolled up into one. Look, you now have a fun companion." The Queen smiled, and her eyes started to close.
The sun's rays were almost gone. "Wait, I have a question!" Rebecca shouted. Queen Lyra opened her eyes. "Please, tell me, if I travel here and there and survive, will I see my family again if I do these things?”
Queen Lyra closed her eyes. She was disappointed in the question, but it was understandable. She answered, "Yes, Dorthy, you will." Then, the Queen stopped.
Darkness filled the Queen's chamber, and Rebecca could hear wailing from the halls of the house and Chalky.
Rebecca stared at the Queen. She wanted to find some sympathy for what happened here. Someone died in front of her again. It wasn't a family member like her father or grandfather. It was a blue-skinned, red-haired woman who had told her she needed to go on a quest to find a way home. She was probably missing her son's birthday because of this. Her friend Sarah was probably kicking Lloyd's ass around NASA for leaving her in space. Her daughter was perhaps pissed as well at her for not coming home. And Mark, she started to cry now, and was probably getting the message she had recorded.
It's all because of a stupid door in space that appeared. It was probably this woman's fault. She reached out and yanked the key and the ring from Queen Lyra.
Chalky said with a face full of dusty tears, "Hey, you should have some respect."
Rebecca turned on Chalky, “Respect! I’ve been ripped from my home dimension, or whatever, and told I need to go on a goddamn quest. Apparently, I’m going to be chased by the thing that basically just killed me already and I’ve only got a fucking key, a ring and you!” She stabbed her finger at Chalky.
“So, If she wants some goddamn respect she’s going to have to earn it.” She looked over at the Queen’s body. “My name isn’t Dorthy, bitch! It’s Rebecca and I’m going to get the fuck home.” She was crying angry tears now.

“Now take me to my goddamn space suit, and then we are going to the Unwritten Library place.”
"But what about Queen Lyra's funeral?" She sobbed.
“I don’t give a damn.”
“But….
Rebecca put on the signet ring. “I thought you were bound to this thing?”
“Well, yeah. But I’m not your slave, but I will follow you. I’ll help you too when I can. It’s just that.” Chalky hiccuped. “I loved her.”
Ahhh… Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!. She had to say that… Rebecca said aloud, “Fine. This better not take too long. Take me to my suit. There are some items I need to collect.” She walked past Chalky as she exited the room.
“Yes, Ma’am! And thank you, Ma’am!” Chalky said, wiping the dusty tears from her eyes.
“Just call me Rebecca, just Rebecca.” She stood at the entrance with her back to Chalky and said, “Please.”
“Yes, Rebecca.” And Chalky followed Rebecca out of the Queen’s chamber.
The sign on the door read: Well, that went better than expected, Mistress. I wish I could really help them.
The text changed: Hmmm.. The stables may have something left they could use. I'll check.
Time ticked, and the lone blue moon, Thalune, began to ascend; the Queen's still form appeared to slumber, her fair blue skin subtly radiant. Copper locks cascaded over her shoulders, bestowing a deceptively youthful air.
A tiny blue light, akin to a firefly, drifted in from the balcony, circling her and shimmering like a star. Soon, another followed, this one red, then yellow, then green, until a multitude of vibrant lights swarmed around her, twinkling as if the stars themselves had descended for a final audience with the Queen. Her gown swelled as if stirred by an inner breeze, and her hair began to illuminate. A crimson glow emanated from her eyes, intensifying until her entire being shone brilliantly. The light converged into a sharp point extending from her chest. It then traced her form, flowing upwards to that apex where it gathered into a small, twinkling spark before completely dissipating, leaving her body devoid of light.

The swarm of colors left out through the balcony window, and the new twinkling light hovering over the Queen's body remained behind. Eventually, they left, too. A faint voice could be heard in the wind: "I'm sorry, Rebecca. I hope you'll forgive me in time."
Just after dawn in Amberford, a tiny black hole the size of a grape appeared right in the Memory Market. It was so small that most people wouldn't have noticed it unless they were paying close attention; sadly, Kai happened to be standing exactly there when it suddenly appeared in mid-air.
The news of Queen Lyra’s passing was announced last night from the Queen’s Residence. Kai, being a devoted follower of Lyra, received this heartfelt message directly from the Residence itself.
There were dark times ahead; Kai knew and was prepared for them. He had packed his belongings and was ready to shift to one of the Safe Havens until things settled down. True, no one alive had experienced the last Underverse change; there had always been a queen to protect the citizens of the Underverse. With the last Queen gone, everyone had to find shelter and hold on to the hope of survival.
Kai was uncertain about what would happen when the Underverse was reborn. Queen Lyra had only said that it had happened before and would happen again, and this time, the people should seek shelter as soon as possible. However, most people didn’t believe her or understand her warning. Even though Kai struggled to comprehend her words, he had faith in her. His family had believed in her for countless generations, and she had often been right. So, with his bags packed and his house locked up, he set off toward the shifting zones in hopes of finding Safe Havens.
He tried to persuade Shean, but Shean was adamant about staying with the younglings. He was stubborn in that regard. Kai’s family was gone, and lately he had grown close to Shean. However, Shean didn’t share his beliefs. Well, they were also complete opposites. Kai was 29 with sandy blond hair, hazel eyes, fair skin, average build, and average looks. Shean was Chameloid with ebony skin and red lines, blue eyes, and was 89 years old. You couldn’t get more opposite.
Thinking about Shean, he nearly decided to stay. He paused in the alley near the Memory Market to check his backpack, weighing his options. That’s when he noticed the hole. Of course, the Memory Market was known for its tricks, so he initially dismissed it as nothing. But it was more than that. What made it even more unsettling was the hole that had noticed him. Before Kai could scream, it struck him quickly, like a bullet to the head, and he was dead.
#
Kai, or someone resembling him, walked out of the Memory Market, whistling a lively tune and smiling. Anyone who knew Kai would say he was up to something. He waved enthusiastically at the kids playing in the park, and they waved back, recognizing him.
Asher opened his stall for the lunch crowd when he noticed Kai approaching. "Kai, I thought you were leaving us after Queen Lyra's passing."
"Uh, no. I can't go now. I'd miss all the fun. Besides, I'm expecting a special guest any day now." Kai flashed a wide smile full of teeth. "Do you need some help, Asher?"
Asher had known Kai for almost 15 years, and this was the first time he had ever offered to help him. "Are you dying or something? Why the sudden offer?"
"Oh, I died already. I'm just killing time until everyone catches up. Here, let me help you with that."
Asher stared blankly as Kai assisted him with setting up his stall, smiling and whistling. Asher thought, "Why do I feel like I should be running away?"

Next on The Queen of the Underverse…
Rebecca and Chalky hit the road on an enchanted motorcycle, heading for Amberford—but not without a few magical detours and existential arguments along the way. As Rebecca grows increasingly desperate to find a way home, mysterious doors, shifting maps, and unsettling truths test her resolve. Meanwhile, danger brews in the background as Kai prepares for his guest. Secrets will surface, alliances will be tested, and not every door leads where you hope.
Don’t miss Chapter 7 – These are the Voyages.
© 2025 Donnavon Evans
July 15, 2025
Comments