Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 33: Riches, Flare and Crystals

3RD POV

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

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. The others took a step closer, awe and greed warring in their expressions.

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

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

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

The beast mage approached the fractured golden door, the wind mages and criminals close behind. The lingering strain of Nihil’s suppression still clung to them, but they didn’t care. Not now. The reward outweighed everything. The moment they crossed the threshold, they froze. The chamber beyond was vast. Ancient marble walls stretched into the distance, reflecting the glow of towering heaps of treasure. Gold coins blanketed the floor, crunching beneath their boots as they stepped forward in a daze.

Mountains of gems spilled from shattered urns and broken coffers, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, all glittering in chaotic abundance. Along the walls rested weapons of impossible craftsmanship; enchanted blades still faintly glowing, staves humming with dormant power. Jeweled crowns sat atop skeletal remains draped in rotted silks. Chalices, ceremonial relics, and crystalline dust filled shadowed alcoves.
For a long moment… no one spoke.

    Criminal 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: - Looking for your mystery item?

Scorlu gave a simple nod in reply.

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

    Scorlu: - That won't be necessary. I already have the means to locate it.

The wind mages shared a knowing look, 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 others. And since the entrance of the dungeon had been breached, there was no reason to continue their cooperation. Slowly, underneath their cloaked hands, they began conjuring their spells. It was the perfect moment to strike, while everybody else was distracted....

    Criminal 4: - SIR!! The crystal ball has received a call from the captain of the Colorful Beasts!

Everybody looked at the hole in the door, where a guy was frantically running towards them. His face was panicked.

    Criminal 2: - What?! How is this possible?!

He turned to glare at Scorlu.

    Criminal 2: - You said their Captain would only call for daily reports!

Scorlu side-eyed him.

    Scorlu: - Yes, but I also said that something like this could happen. No worries, we'll deal with it.

He stepped out of the treasury and approached the captives. With a nod, the guards unlocked the cell and dragged out the awake magic warrior. The cyan-haired man tried to resist, but Scorlu quickly stung his neck. His body jerked, then went limp, pupils widening. At Scorlu’s command, the mage sat before the crystal ball and activated the device, as the room melted into the image of a lush green forest;another illusion cast by the light mage. They watched from behind the spell’s veil, unseen. They expected Silas Greythorn…. but instead, the image revealed a black-haired, red-eyed woman. Someone quietly gasped.