Bewitched Chapter 6: The Crypt of Memnon the Cursed
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Selene and Nero cross a river using a rusted dinghy she repairs with magic. The blue energy that has been guiding her pushes the boat across. In the middle of the river, Nero lunges into the water and retrieves a large snake, which he eats onboard despite Selene's objections. The blue magic grows denser and begins to touch her skin, stirring confusing feelings.
Once ashore, Selene follows the magical trail through thick jungle. She encounters a massive web of wards—spells designed to repel and conceal. Despite the spells' power, they disintegrate at her touch, revealing hidden ruins that appear to be fae in origin: white marble columns with gold floral inlay. The blue magic leads her to a slab of marble in the ground. She casts a spell to peel away the soil, then speaks an ancient incantation that lifts the slab, exposing a staircase.
Descending the stairs, torches flare to life. Selene reads lines of wall text that she recognizes as a language that is not Latin but uses the Latin alphabet and feels deeply familiar. At the bottom, Nero is already inside a large chamber. The room centers on a marble sarcophagus carved to resemble a felled tree. The trail of blue magic ends inside the coffin. Selene reads a carved warning: "For the love of your gods, beware of me," followed by the name "Memnon the Cursed." Despite her fears, she releases the remaining wards and commands the lid to be cast aside. Inside lies a startlingly preserved man with olive skin, black hair, and a scar across his face. Drawn by an intense longing, Selene touches his scarred cheek. She then speaks the word "Obat'iwavak" (Wake), ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.
Key Events
- Selene repairs a dilapidated dinghy and uses magic to cross a river, guided by the blue energy.
- Nero catches and eats a snake on the boat, ignoring Selene's attempt to establish rules.
- Selene discovers a complex web of protective wards in the jungle and dispels them with a touch.
- Hidden fae ruins are revealed, including marble columns and gold inlay.
- Selene finds a blue magic trail that leads into the ground and uncovers a marble slab.
- She speaks an ancient incantation to open the slab and descends a staircase into a crypt.
- Inside the crypt, she sees wall carvings and reads a mysterious language she can understand.
- The chamber contains a tree-trunk sarcophagus; Nero lounges on top.
- Selene reads the warning "For the love of your gods, beware of me" and the name "Memnon the Cursed."
- She opens the sarcophagus, revealing a beautiful, preserved man with a scar.
- Compelled by an inexplicable connection, she touches his face and commands him to wake.
Character Development
Selene continues to embrace the magic quest despite growing doubts. She shows resourcefulness in repairing the dinghy and dispelling wards, but also recklessness—ignoring danger to follow the mysterious voice. Her ability to read an ancient language that she had no conscious knowledge of deepens the mystery of her past. Her emotional reaction to Memnon suggests a bond that transcends mere curiosity, hinting at a larger destiny.
Nero behaves more like an independent predator than a loyal familiar. He ignores Selene's commands, explores ahead, and even eats a snake on the boat. This establishes that the familiar-witch bond does not guarantee instant obedience and that Nero has his own agenda.
Memnon is introduced only in the final scene, but his presence is felt throughout the chapter via the calling voice. He is described as beautiful, scarred, and powerful—clearly a figure of danger and allure. The name "Memnon the Cursed" and the elaborate wards suggest he was imprisoned for a reason, though Selene's instinct is to free him.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Forbidden Knowledge and Hidden History: The fae ruins and the ancient language represent lost or suppressed knowledge that Selene instinctively accesses. Her ability to read the text without learning it suggests she holds forgotten memories or a deeper connection to the Otherworld.
- The Power of Touch and Connection: The blue magic physically caresses Selene, and her touch disintegrates wards. The final touch to Memnon's scar triggers the awakening command, emphasizing touch as a conduit for magic and emotional intimacy.
- Boundaries and Escalation: Selene repeatedly overrides her own caution. Each step—repairing the boat, dispelling the wards, descending into the crypt—requires her to push past fear. The chapter builds toward the climax of opening the sarcophagus, a clear point of no return.
- Fae Architecture and Imprisonment: The ruin's beauty is corrupted by decay and layers of spells. The sarcophagus, carved to resemble a tree trunk, contrasts natural growth with entombment. It symbolizes Memnon's trapped state and the unnatural preservation of his body.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point of Selene's magic quest. It transitions from aimless wandering to a definite goal: freeing Memnon. The revelation of the fae ruins confirms that Selene is dealing with Otherworldly forces, and her ability to read the ancient language hints at her own unknown heritage. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger with Selene actively waking a cursed being, raising stakes for the next chapter. It also deepens the connection between Selene and the mysterious blue magic, which is now clearly linked to Memnon himself.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Selene decide to trust the pull of the blue magic despite her misgivings?
Selene reasons that her intuition has guided her correctly so far, such as finding Nero. She also feels a sense of responsibility after hearing a plea for help. The magic quest model encourages following that untamable inner voice, and she rationalizes that she can be indulgent with her spellcasting on a quest. -
What does Selene's ability to read the ancient language reveal about her character?
It suggests that Selene has knowledge or memories that are suppressed—likely tied to the gaps in her memory alluded to earlier. The language "makes her blood sing" and feels intimate, hinting at a past connection to the fae or to Memnon himself. This ability sets her apart from ordinary witches. -
How does Nero's behavior complicate Selene's expectations of the familiar bond?
Selene expects loyalty and obedience, but Nero ignores her commands, eats a snake after she forbids it, and dashes ahead into danger. This illustrates that the bond is not one of control but of partnership with an independent creature. Nero's actions force Selene to adapt and follow him, reversing the expected dynamic.