FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 38

Lyndis traced a delicate line along the frigid iron door, her finger weaving an imaginary path until it met the unyielding frame. The surface beneath her touch remained untouched, devoid of scratches, an impeccable canvas of smoothness, unmarred by even the faintest whisper of dust. A meticulous examination from summit to base revealed a flawless expanse, a testament to the craftsmanship that fortified this imposing structure.

“So, why didn’t we just.” Merlia wiggled her fingers, pretending to be a ghost.

“And what silliness is this?” Asterion rose a brow with a grunt.

“Ya know, where we shifted through the stone.”

He answered with a cross of the arms and a snort, “The spell is pass through stone, not steel.”

Cheeks flashed red, “Well, they can’t have put steel around the whole thing could they!”

“Actually, they did.” Lyndis knelt, already sifting through thieves’ tools, procuring some lock picks and tension wrenches. “To stop exactly what you’re thinking.”

Here was the challenge, one that she was more than ready to begin. Two locks on either side of the vault door, needing to be picked at the same time. If there had been someone else their movements would have to be precise, requiring them to pick the lock in tandem, or find the key. The princess grinned, spinning a lock pick between her fingers, she was going to get both at the same time.

With a flourish of her wrist, she summoned her ghostly hand. Into it she handed off a lockpick with practiced ease, the translucent appendage taking position at the other side at her silent command. Lyndis crouched before her goal, testing the hand’s mimicry, it copied her movements precisely.

As Lyndis felt for the tumblers in the first lock, her real and ghostly hands moved in harmony, each responding to the other's subtle cues. The corridor echoed with soft clicks and whirs as the locks yielded to her command.

“Wish you luck Lady Lyndis.” Feku grinned.

“Don’t need luck.” She replied, slipping her pick inside.

Time seemed to hang in suspense until, with a final, synchronized twist, both locks surrendered, gears turned and clicked into place. The ghostly hand dissipated, leaving only the fading echoes of its magical assistance, while Lyndis shared a satisfied glance with her companions as the doors rolled open and ended with a dull thud.

“Don’t see doors like that, rolling.” Merlia whistled, “Leave it to the Lumarians to have something unique.”

Lyndis on the other hand was more focused on her own success than matters of shape of function. She’d never worn a bigger smile than this. With a twirl of a lockpick she’d proven that no lock in all the land could stand up to her tactics.

“Settles that doesn’t it!” She burst out, pumping her fist in the air, “Let it be known, I have the most agile hands in all of Sethera! Even two locks at the same time couldn’t stop me!”

“I can make song!” Feku happily smiled, clacking her claws.

“Course can see it now lassie, the nimble-fingered prodigy!” Merlia laughed.

“Already have few verses.”

“Enough celebration. We've got a mission to complete. Save the revelry for the tavern, where it belongs. I will lead the way.” Asterion strode forward.

Lyndis hardly heard the soft mechanical click as his hooves touched the stone. “Asterion!” she shouted, instinct already kicking in, having seen too many adventuring companions fall to traps. She tossed herself at the wall of muscle, arms wrapping around his furry form. He didn’t budge.

“Lyndis?” His head tilted, “What are you doing?”

“Was…trying to pull you out of the way of a trap.”

“You’re failing at that.”

“I can see that!” She unwound herself, trying to play off the redness in her cheeks, “Not my fault you weigh as much as a bloody dragon.”

“It was a good attempt!” Feku cheerfully smiled.

“Thanks, Feku.” She sighed.

“Welcome! I add this to the song!”

“Yea, let’s leave out that part.”

The hall of stone blossomed with the ethereal glow of mana lanterns, their radiant hues painting luminous tapestries across the towering pillars and crimson carpets that adorned the granite floor. An orchestrated dance of light banished the shadows, unveiling a spectacle that mirrored the spirit of Lumara itself. Every cherished artifact found its sanctum, distinguished by intricate carvings depicting gryphons in majestic flight, statues immortalizing vigilant knights, or pedestals cradling treasures too numerous to tally. A dragon's skeletal remains, suspended from the lofty ceiling by delicate wires, elicited a low whistle from Lyndis, dwarfing even the grandeur of Veledar threefold.

“Wonder where they went and got that one?” Asterion huffed, looking rather impressed.

“Just don’t tell the dragon.” Scoffed Merlia, “He’ll get offended they killed one, or this one be bigger.”

“Probably the latter.” Lyndis chuckled.

They traversed the shadowed expanse of stone, a designated path for visitors clearly delineated from the rest. At its culmination stood a circular section, housing a pedestal bearing a weighty tome – a repository of all the treasures sheltered within these hallowed walls, providing guidance on their exact locations. Stairs wound around this sanctum like a protective barrier, the stone enclave adorned with muted-brown tapestries adorned with ornate gold trim.

"Aye, this place gives me a wee bit of déjà vu from the vaults of dwarven kings." Merlia mused, sauntering around the pedestal. Her gaze flitted from one treasure to the next, never lingering too long on any single item. "Though, we dwarves have a better sense of style in decorating. I mean, who in their right mind stores all their coins in boring old chests?"

“As opposed to what, letting it linger upon the floor?” Asterion grunted.

“Aye, that’s where all the fun be.”

“It sounds like you wish to attract dragons to steal it.”

“Bah, that hasn’t happened in ages!”

“Just be glad the Lumarians don’t take after dwarves then.” Lyndis chuckled, making her way to the tome, “Else we’d be here for weeks trying to find this elusive scroll.”

Lyndis inspected the well-worn, thick leather covering the unassuming object, searching for any telltale signs of traps or nefarious intent. Satisfied with its apparent safety, she cracked her knuckles and flipped the cover open. The pages revealed an overwhelming array of items, ranging from simple potions to traces of artifacts with a history stretching back millennia. The inventory seemed limitless, a treasure trove of magical weapons, armor, and rings awaiting those daring enough to plunder these hallowed halls.

“If only I had the time.” She sighed, noting a rapier that could be wielded with but a thought. “But alas, bulls and their paperwork.”

“No time for your mocking, is the scroll here or not?” Asterion had taken to standing watch of the door, arms crossed. “I swear to Korde if that Viridian witch lied- “

“Hang onto your hooves, doubted I was going to find it on the first jump.” She waved off his growing concern with a laugh, “Go play with some weapons or something.”

“So, you’re saying, take what we want?” Merlia rose a brow, gesturing to one of the many alcoves, “I think I spied some rings I could, liberate, from our Lumarian friends.”

“Oooo we doing a stealing?” Feku seemed to dance around the pedestal, eyes bristling with delight.

“We’re looking for the scroll.” Asterion affirmed his position with a stomp of his hoof, “Not satisfying your need for thievery.”

“Says the one currently stealing a scroll mate.” Lyndis remarked with a grin.

“Just tell me when you find it.” He grunted, turning away.

“How about this?” Feku had snatched a hand sized bit of parchment with a series of runes upon it, where the kobold had gotten it from, Lyndis hadn’t a clue.

She was met with the minotaur’s stern gaze and a harsh snort, “That is a rune, not a scroll.”

“Oh.” She wrinkled her snout, stuffing it into her pack before procuring a leather gauntlet with a pair of feathers etched into the earth brown surface, “How about these?”

“Those are clearly gauntlets.”

“Right but make thing easier.” She sighed, stashing those away and rummaging around. As she worked her tail swished back and forth, the air filled with tiny grunts.

“Are you alright?”

“Fine, almost have.” She grunted, before pulling out a rolled up piece of art. “Look it’s a scroll!”

He frowned. “I feel you’re not trying.”

“She’s doing her best mate, leave off it.” Lyndis sighed, turning a page, “Though you must hand it to her, impressive since we’ve only been in here for like five minutes. Oh hey, look they have a dragon slaying lance in here!”

“Dragon lances?” Asterion perked up for a moment, before his composure hardened with a snort, “We are here for the scroll, not legendary weapons of legend.”

“I thought they were all destroyed or lost!” Merlia called over, swiping her hand across a desk and letting all the accumulated items fall into her open bag of holding.

“Guess not.” Lyndis tapped the page, “Wonder, should we relieve them of it?”

“Focus on the scroll.” Asterion replied.

“Bah, no fun, fine, we’ll focus on the damn scroll.”

Once they had found the general area of the scroll, a new problem arose before them. It was behind a door, unlike all the other assembled items. Wall to wall the door shimmered with golden runes around its periphery.

“Not very subtle is it.” Lyndis scoffed, “Basically a giant sign, here I am.”

“Just like the dwarves make.” Merlia grinned, “It’s more like a, come if ya dare lass. Question is, do ya dare?”

“What sort of question is that? Course I’m going to dare it.”

“Just be careful.” She gestured to two knightly statues on either side, each a foot taller than Asterion.

She’d nearly forgotten that had happened before back in the Forest of Despair. Hand on her weapon she approached with upmost care. Lucky for them the Lumarians had not decided to add that protective measure to their valuables. “Keep an eye out for me lads. Just in case we have any more other surprises lying in wait.”

“Ya dun have to tell me twice lass.” Merlia chuckled, as she turned to glare out at the room with her bow at the ready.

Asterion put a hand on her shoulder for a moment. “May Kord guide your hands to success.” With his words came a warmth that wrapped around her, reaching down to her fingers. “Guidance.” He muttered as she rose a brow, “In case you need a bit more.”

“Because of the runes?” She scoffed, punching him in the shoulder, “Thanks, but doubt I’ll need it.”

“And you have my song.” Feku pulled out her violin, strumming off a series of notes. That too seemed to leave the princess’ fingers tingling.

“And here’s enhancing your dexterity with cat’s grace.” Merlia winked, poking her in the side.

“Okay, okay, enough magical assistance.” She rolled her eyes, “Else I won’t be able to say it was all on me.”

“Though what about those runes?” Asterion snorted giving a gesture, “Can you disable those? They appear to be glyphs of warding, they could explode right in your face or cause who knows what number of other spells to trigger, for all we know you could be sent to a different plane.”

“I was getting to that, and why I brought you along.” Her arm rested on his back as she led him over, “You and Arcturus can disable that magic stuff, that little bit of extra that the ole elbow grease can’t take care of.”

“And this doesn’t ruin this image of yourself doing it alone?”

“Not at all.” Patting him she let him work, more than happy to ignore his questioning look and heavy snort. When he was done the runes had faded. “Now let’s see what lies behind the door shall we?”

With all the magic coursing through her veins to aid her natural skill, she performed her usual lockpicking with exceptional flair. Once her pick was inserted, she completed the entire endeavor faster than she’d ever done it before. The tumblers clicked, the door pressed inward, revealing the room beyond. She stood, smiling wide as mana lanterns within.

Though not as vast as the main vault, this chamber commanded no less awe. Spacious enough for three gryphons to stretch their wings and was four times their height. Gilded stone adorned the walls, depicting the poignant tale of a human and gryphon prince who chose to unite their destinies and people for the epochs to come. A crimson rug lay untarnished, forming a regal path devoid of any debris. It guided one’s gaze toward a trio of chests positioned at the room’s heart, rising from the floor like giants to gaze upon it’s domain. Above, stone gryphons sprang from the walls, their talons extended, and expressions frozen in a powerful screech.

“Question is which one.” Asterion tentatively entered, searching around.

“It’s a trap.” Lyndis sighed, already plucking the energy crossbow from her belt. “Three chests for one bit of treasure, yea, I smell a mimic all over this.”

“A mimic?” Feku tapped her claws together, head pivoting back and forth as she searched for this ‘mimic.’

“Takes on the appearance of items throughout the realms, funny little buggers, course funny if you call large teeth and crazy amount of eyes funny.”

“And they be eatin people.” Merlia wagged a finger, “Course they don’t be frequented populated areas, why here ya think?”

She gave the dwarf a skeptical glare, “Think of who we’re dealing with.”

“Right.” She plucked her bow from her back, knocking an arrow. “So, which one ya figure?”

Asterion crossed his arms, dismissing them with a snort, “Why would they have a mimic in their treasure vault?”

“Look around you.” Lyndis gestured to the walls, pointing out several more depictions of kings and queens long since departed. “I’m guessing what you’re about to steal is for use if the royal was to kick the bucket.” She pressed the activation rune on the crossbow’s side, letting its hum fill the air as she levied the weapon to the right chest. “Just watch.”

“Stop!” The minotaur pressed down upon the crossbow, fear twisting within his gaze, “You might destroy the scroll inside.”

True, these were powerful or unimaginably rare items, who knows what could happen. With a sigh she holstered the weapon, gesturing Merlia to proceed.

“Suck arrow ya blighted beastie!” Merlia pulled back, loosing an arrow square into the chest with a thunk.

Nothing happened. Leaving naught but an uneasy silence in the air.

“See?” Asterion shifted, “Nothing.”

“Not nothing, chest with arrow!” Feku hopped on her feet, “No mimic!”

“Just means that one wasn’t.” Lyndis gestured to the middle one, “Let’s be sure, shall we?”

Another arrow landed in the dead center, testament to Merlia’s skill. When this failed to reveal a shape changing monster, they moved on to the next one. An arrow’s resounding thud was all the excitement that was brought, followed by Merlia’s groan.

“And I was wanting to fight one of those bastards.”

“Be glad you didn’t have to.” Putting the weapon away she breathed easy, she’d seen far too many people killed by these buggers over the years. New recruit into an adventuring party, blissfully unaware, only to have a wretched monster seemingly from the nine hells spring forth to devour them.

“You’re just being paranoid.” Asterion huffed, marching forward, only for when his hoof struck a brown mat before the chests for a tentacle to spring forth.

In a heartbeat, a writhing, barbed appendage shot forth, joining its pulsating twin, clamping onto the minotaur's other leg. The rug beneath him underwent a startling transformation, its once mundane surface now imbued with the crimson hue of a monstrous tongue. Sharpened teeth emerged along the edges, resembling ivory peaks, while a multitude of lidless, lizard-like eyes scattered across its contorted form.

“Mimic!” Feku shrieked in time with Asterion’s groan of pain.

“Foul creature!” Roared the bull, trying to tear his leg free, finding himself without the strength.

No surprise, these things were known to be coated in a viscous glue that required all but the strongest in the realms to break free. That of course ceased to work the moment the beast was dead, not a great comfort for the still thrashing warrior. The rug had now begun to grow, seeking to encompass him in entirety, swallow hole and digest him.

“Get our bull out of yer mouth!” Merlia sunk arrows into its ever-shifting hide but failing to have any visible effect. “Asterion, do ya just let any beastie swallow ya?”

“I’m trying to break free!” He growled, performing a movement with his hands, conjuring a pulsing, sickly green light in his hands before grasping the tentacles that had ensnared him.

Like it had been burned the mimic screeched, it’s form trembling and bubbling like oil. The eyes that coated its ever-growing body all shifted towards them, as spider like appendages grew from the edges.

Lyndis joined Merlia at a safe distance, blasting chunks of the mimic clean off. She knew damage was being done, but the creature was unwilling, or unable to spit up the bull sized meal it had now sealed within its bulbous pitcher-like body. She steadied her hand and kept the rising terror in her chest down, “Hang in there buddy, we’ll get ya out of there!”

“Should I use an explosive arrow?” Merlia grit her teeth as the monster retreated to the wall, evidently starting to climb to digest its meal away from such annoying pests. “I might damage his pretty face.”

“He didn’t have one to start!”

“Now that’s not fair lass.”

“If it frees him, we have to bloody try!” She swapped the crossbow to stun, setting it in her sights, perhaps with it unconscious they could cut him out. As it turned out, the answer to this predicament came in the form of an aggravated minotaur.

The mimic paused, its eyes pivoting towards its core as if to question what was coming. Light began to swell beneath its surface like a fire was lit within. There it grew, ever stronger, consuming inch by inch at a rapid pace. Like a swollen tick the beast popped in an explosion of golden flames, sending grey, oozing chunks scattering about the stone. Asterion collapsed to the stone, dripping from head to toe.

“Guess the thing couldn’t handle a spicy Minotaur!” Merlia laughed in relief as the cleric began to cough, pushing himself up. “Might have ta clean you up something good.”

“Better than it smells.” Asterion grunted, before Feku skipped to his side, laying a gentle, glowing hand upon his leg.

“Stay still.” She warned, “Not good as cleric, but help little bit!”

The warrior sighed as cuts and acidic burn marks began to seal themselves, a warm expression washing over his snout. To her he nodded his thanks, earning the minotaur a happy squeal from his little lizard healer.

While the others boasted and laughed about their success, Lyndis found the hairs on the back of her head standing tall. She knew she shouldn’t be as suspicious, after all, they’d disarmed now two traps within this place, slain a monster, surely that would be the end, right? She pats her weapon as she strode silently along.

“Something wrong lass?” Merlia took note, following her gaze, “Another trap or beastie?”

“Why do you sound hopeful?” She scoffed, already knowing the reason.

“Can’t go on and let him beat me, can I?”

“You want us to summon up another of the mimics to eat you?”

Her face flashed red, “Well of course not, don’t be that daft! I meant just so we could toss it around and it be me that puts it down this time!”

She silenced her with a wave of her hand as the unease grew.

“Sure, there something?” She stroked her chin, “Usually I can feel it in me beard.”

With a critical eye she searched the chests one right after the other, stabbing them with daggers to be sure. Of course they were locked, the Lumarians couldn’t do anything half-way. She sat down, twirling her lockpicks and starting to get to work. The first one of course cracked open with minimal effort, revealing it was entirely empty. She sighed as Asterion snorted at this failure, eyes lingering upon the other chest.

“Don’t worry there big guy, sure it’s there.” She shifted to the next chest.

“Of course.” The minotaur shifted, averting his gaze to hide his worry, “I have no doubts.”

Let him keep his pride in this moment. She delved her pick into the opening, feeling the tumblers catch, with her jiggling, it was harder than the other one had been. There we are, just what she was looking for. She leaned in, ear to the chest, listening for the faintest of sounds. For minutes her work carried on while the others kept to themselves, Asterion’s gaze ever turning back to her as his arms crossed expectantly.

“Anyone back home waiting for you when this is done?” Her brow rose, “Little minotaur’s, a family, possibly a mate?”

“None of that.” His reply came soft, “The redemption I seek is for my own. I imagine most think of ill of me these past few years, spit on my name.”

“But it will be over when the village you killed is brought back.” She tried to give him a reassuring smile, “Then you can go back to butting heads, punching each other and whatever else your people do.”

“One could hope.” He stared off as if to his distant land of Braestair, a cold seemingly wrapped around him, “But they won’t look kindly upon me. I brought great shame with that moment, even this might not restore it.”

“Even after all of this they wouldn’t take you back?” She grunted as the pick snapped, she cursed and grabbed another one. “This is just to get into your heaven, isn’t it? Why not switch gods and earn favor with them? Easier, surely someone powerful like you would be welcomed into a flock with open arms-”

For a moment the minotaur stayed silent, her words weighing heavily on his brow. He turned back, lingering upon Feku, a heavy sigh escaping his lips, “I thought that once when I began. That I could travel my way out of this. For far too long, the shadow remained, the reward for my sins.” He shook his head, “That might be what you would do in my place Lyndis, but I won’t run from my responsibility.”

“Sucks that even after all that, their doors would be barred for you.”

He closed his head with a solemn breath, “The best I can do is make my case to the Blackrage clan elders. We shall see if my journey ends with the resurrection, or if they shall add more penance upon my shoulders. When that is done, perhaps I shall be able to call Kyr my home once more.”

“Not every day you hear a feat such of yours isn’t the end of the adventure.”

“Nor do I wish you to ever experience it.”

With a click the chest was open. Usually, the excitement of treasure within always satisfying, but looking to Asterion, she let him have the honors. Even then, as he padded over, she drew her weapon, still not trusting that this wouldn’t turn out to be yet another mimic. Her tensions pulled tight as the bull cracked open the lid, the urge to fire almost unbearable.

“It’s alright, it is here.” He reached in and procured a golden scroll case, its surface adorned with engravings of humans and gryphons in embrace.

“First try, must be our lucky day.” Merlia’s hands found her waist, “Sure it isn’t another mimic?”

“Think he’d be having his fingers bit off by now.” Laughed Lyndis but didn’t take her hand off her weapon.

To their relief the scroll case didn’t become adorned in eyes, teeth were the furthest thing from it, nor did appendages suddenly sprout forth and wiggle about. Instead, it was quick to slide into his pack with a satisfied snort, the first part of his quest done.

“You not going to read?” Feku asked, tugging at his side.

“In time, but for now, we must focus on the escape.”

“I don’t know about you, but I think I deserve a little reward for such a success, don’t you?” Lyndis whirled about, spirits ever high she doubted they could descend. That, however, changed with a sudden click.

The door in which they entered snapped closed with a resounding thud. Gears within tumbled into place, the dreaded sound of it locking ringing through the air.

“Oh, yea got to be kidding me, now the door locks?” Merlia growled, “What be it this time?”

“Another trap?” Asterion grunted, eyes drifting to the corners of the room.

“Maybe just a device to trap would be thieves in here with their loot.” Lyndis chuckled in amusement, “Don’t you worry, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this happen and had to bust my way out.” That’s when she paused, there was already a sizable pool of liquid that had gathered at the foot of the stairs.

“They trying to cover us with oil?” Merlia scoffed, as the ever-hungry liquid rose to take the first step. “Strange trap.”

“Indeed.” Asterion procured his hammer, giving the door a heavy snort, “Not one I intend to stick around long enough to find out.” His hoof sunk through the liquid up to his furry legs, “I’m going to smash that- “He roared in pain, pulling back as if bitten by a snake. The minotaur collapsed with a grunt; his fur had already begun to smoke.

“Not oil.” The bull grunted, waving away their insistence to help, “Acid.”

It was already threatening to now devour the second step, by the rogue’s calculations they wouldn’t have long before they had nowhere to go. Above her the stone gryphons caught her attention, if worse came to shove, they could climb and seek refuge among them. That came with a grimace, as it would give up their escape.

“No sense in sitting around chinwagging.” Lyndis raised a finger for her headband, placing it upon the sun. She snatched back her hand in a jerk, sending sparks flying where her fingers made contact. When she pulled the fully back, lights as bright as the sun radiated from them, waiting to be given the command. That she did, thrusting them forward, straight towards the defiant door.

They struck one right after the other with a sizzling pop. The door began to writhe and twist like a wounded animal. Wooden panels collapsed outward like clay, forming twisted appendages covered in eyes and teeth.

Another mimic? She had to scramble backwards as the creature tore itself from the metal door, sloshing through the acid as if it were mere water.

“Quick, up here!” Merlia and the others were clambering up a sizable vine, connected to the wall and up towards the gryphons above. Already the thick foliage was beginning to smoke, the acid eating at it.

“Running away at the first sign of trouble, are you Merlia?” Lyndis quipped.

“Didn’t feel like getting all naked and slathered in acid lass, now hurry your bum up!”

She leaped for the wall, her hands already forming the required movements for the spell. As the words of power finished, her hands shot outward, sticking to the walls as if a spider. She stood upright, the effects of gravity bending to her domain as she broke up into a sprint.

Undeterred by its prey insistence to live, the mimic followed in her footsteps. The amalgamation of limbs and teeth stuck to the wall with a slurp, where it flailed its tentacle body up the stone.

“Hold it off lass, we’ll help ya when we can!” Merlia barked from her climb, “Asterion, get a move on, I can look up at your bum later!”

That was easy for her to say! With every step upwards, the creature seemed to have two. With frightening speed, the distance between them narrowed, forcing her to draw her weapons and blast away at its wretched hide.

Snarling, it flowed across the stone like water, oblivious to the energy shots that struck it. All at once she was surrounded by teeth and eyes, its appendages shot out to snatch her.

With what skill she could muster, she propelled herself outside its grasp. It had snagged her for a solitary moment, drawing blood, but not long enough for it to get a proper hold. Her mind screeched in alarm, desperate to hold onto the solitary spell keeping her from plunging down to the ever-growing acid, the central platform had already been consumed.

“Any time would be preferable, you cunts!” Lyndis raced for a gryphon, “What’s taking so long?”

Heart leaping out of her chest she passed the stone bird, just as Asterion clambered up upon it. Raising his hammer with a prayer to Korde, he channeled spindles of light to its head. When he brought it down, mist was left in its wake, until it slammed into the rampaging mimic with a crack.

It went down with inhuman screeches, trying to latch onto anything to save it as where he had struck left cracks of ever-growing light. They grew and swelled across its surface, turning the creature to dust before it plunged into the acid. And like that it was over, relief coursed through her every breath.

“Fuck.” She collapsed upon the gryphon, letting her spell fade. On either side she dangled her legs, staring at the pool below that now filled half the hall.

“So.” Merlia clung to the stone like a bear upon it’s mother’s back, “I can’t help but see the problem.”

“We can all see it.” Asterion leaned against the wall, resting his head, “Though thank the gods that they built it strong enough to support all of us.”

“Don’t jinx it. Last thing we be needing is a bath like that.”

“Of that we can agree with dwarf. Rogue, any ideas?”

Lyndis rubbed her chin, searching the walls around them. There had to be a way out of here. Some hidden doors or locks that she might find. Course, this could always just be a death trap, she grimaced at the thought. “There better be, since I refuse to let this be the bloody end of me. Merlia, do you got some nature tornado to fling this all away?”

“Do I look like I’m huffing and puffing?” She muttered, “No lass I got nothing, unless ya think my arrows will get rid of it.”

“They have a drain like shower?” Feku asked, “Can’t keep acid here forevers.”

True, but she hadn’t seen any coming in. Then again, they could just have a spell to get rid of it once it had fulfilled its purpose. “Always the door, just have to open that or knock it down and the acid should go running out.”

“Yea, really simple lass.” Merlia scoffed, “Now not be time for jokes, you’d be melted by the time you got down there!”

That was the part she was dreading as Asterion gave her a raised brow.

“You have an idea?” He asked with a snort.

“Still have regeneration prepared?”

He nodded, peering down to the pool, his eyes widened at the grim realization. “Surely you don’t plan to.”

“Trust me, I fucking don’t want to.” She had already started to remove her clothing and bits that could dissolve into the pool. “But someone must save our skins before we all are taking a dip. Here hold these, I want them back.” She shoved everything into Feku’s hands, who clung to them like treasure.

“Now not time for swim Lyndis, you die!” She squeaked.

“Hopefully not, if things go correct.” She pulled a pair of goggles from her pack, wrapping them around her head, tapping the glass coverings to ensure they were tight. “With Asterion’s spell, I should regenerate faster than I can melt.”

“It will hurt.” The bull stated, laying a hand upon her shoulder, “Vastly.”

“I’m quite aware, that’s why I said it’s going to suck.” She removed his hand with a sigh, grabbing a handful of lockpicks and other handhold tools. She was going to need another pack after this.

“Are ya mad lass?” Merlia rose from her stone hugging, real concern twinkling in her eye.

“What else we going to do Merlia, sit here and die?” She scoffed at the thought, hiding the pit within her gut, “Not my style. Besides, if I pull this off, it’s going to sound exceptional in the song Feku’s going to write, that right?”

“Best part!” Replied the kobold.

“You’ll have a few minutes once I cast the spell.” Stated Asterion, meeting her gaze, “Once it fails, your death will not be swift as you would like.”

“Always a bucket of sunshine Asterion.” She sighed, shifting her gaze to where she imagined the door to be, it was hard to make it out in the softly shifting pool below.

“Another thing.” He grabbed her arm, tugging her to look him once more in the snout.

“Asterion, I’m thrilled, really am, would love to sit here and have a chinwag, but I- “

The cleric put a hand on her shoulder, “I revoke my insults to your ability.” He looked away with a harsh snort, “You’ve endured much to assist me in the retrieval of this scroll, you have my eternal gratitude.”

“Wow.” She turned with a blink, “You must think we really are fucked.” Her next few breaths she tried to hide the rising unease spreading through her chest as Asterion began his spell.

With another cat’s grace from Merlia to guide her hands, and a song of farewell to boost her spirits, Lyndis was staring down at what could be her end. There would be no going back, she succeeded, or they all died. One last breath before she gave them all a wink, feeling the warmth tingling through her flesh, “Remember this when they ask who the best thief in all the land is.” She hopped off with a smile and a wave.