Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 33: Riches, Flare and Crystals

3RD POV

    Bandit 1: - At last! It's finally done!

The criminal exclaimed with triumph gleaming in his eyes, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls. He stood proudly before the golden door, now marred by a massive, smoldering hole punched straight through its center. The edges were scorched black, still hissing faintly with residual heat, while cracks spiderwebbed out from the blast's impact. The others took a step closer, awe and greed warring in their expressions.

    Bandit 2: - Hehe, I can smell the gold from here.

Then one of the cloaked mages stepped forward, eyes gleaming with anticipation and greed.

    ???1: - At long last. Our king will be pleased.

Scorlu patted the bandit's shoulder.

    Scorlu: - Good work. Tell your men to prepare. Work time is over. Now, it's time for the rewards.

The beast mage walked toward the fractured golden door, his steps calm and deliberate, while the cloaked wind mages and bandits followed close behind. The lingering discomfort from having their magic suppressed by the Nihil's presence clung to their nerves like a damp chill, but none of them cared anymore. That was only a minor irritation, one that would soon be forgotten, buried beneath the weight of reward. And sure enough, the moment they stepped through the threshold and into the dungeon beyond, they all froze in stunned silence. The chamber before them was enormous, more a subterranean kingdom than a vault. The dungeon stretched endlessly in all directions, its walls carved from ancient, obsidian stone, flickering with the reflections of countless treasures piled into shimmering mountains. Gold coins blanketed the floor like a second ground, crunching under their boots as they walked forward in a daze. Massive piles of gems, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds, spilled from shattered urns and cracked stone coffers. Ancient weapons of impossible craftsmanship lined the walls: swords that glowed with residual enchantments, staves humming with dormant power. Jeweled crowns sat atop skeletal remains still draped in royal silks. Golden chalices, ceremonial blades, and boxes of crystalline dust glittered in alcoves. The air was thick with age, magic, and greed, yet somehow, eerily silent. Columns of marble supported the impossibly high ceiling, each one coiled with chains and ornaments long rusted into place. For a long moment, no one said a word.

    Bandit 2: - Incredible.

The criminals lunged at the gold, taking a dive inside the mountain of coins, laughing. Scorlu said nothing, his expression unreadable, but his fists tightened. He looked around, searching for something.

    ???3: - Are you searching for what you want?

Scorlu didn't look at the wind mage, giving a simple nod in reply.

    ???2: - What is it exactly that you're looking for? Perhaps if you told us, we could help you find it sooner.

    Scorlu: - That will not be necessary. I already have the means to locate what I'm looking for.

The wind mages locked eyes with each other, a silent conversation between their ranks. Their intentions would become clear now that the treasure had been secured. From the very beginning, they had no intention of sharing anything with the bandits or with Scorlu. And since the entrance of the dungeon had been breached, they had no reason to continue their cooperation with the rest of the criminals, since they head outlived their usefulness. Slowly, underneath their cloaked hands, they began conjuring their spells and summoning their magic. It was the perfect moment to strike, while everybody else was distracted with collecting the treasure. However, a shout made everyone freeze in their tracks and turn around. Everybody looked at the hole in the door, where a bandit was frantically running towards them. His face was panicked, covered in sweat and mud.