[@13org] Mr. Elc was glad that Miwa's proposition to purify the remnants of the dead ended with a conditional if. They indeed did not have much time, and it was best to keep their eyes on the prize and then get out. They were incredibly lucky that their adventure into this maze did not trigger any confrontation, and it was best to keep it that way. [quote][color=6ecff6]"Any kind of magical protection would be welcome. If my theory is correct... Whatever it is that is this sinister power, it is capable of messing with one's mind.[/color] Amplifying their greed, desires and fears until there is nothing but madness left. Think twice about every decision you are about to make and carefully consider if you are being affected by whatever is this power or not." Miwa said. [color=6ecff6]"It might just be me being a bit paranoid... But If I'm right... It's better to be safe than sorry."[/color] she completed, looking to Fia and especially to Mr. Elc.[/quote] [color=#C7C6C5]"You are right."[/color] Mr Elc said, smiling behind his mask as he tried to lighten the mood. "We can't just barge into every dark corner. We have plenty of it ahead of us, and I have had enough of that for today." Well, Miwa had already moved into the corridor. Quite a light-footed that Sojourner was, the masked Elf did not see her walking past him. It was just him and the Yokai now. [color=#C7C6C5]"Wait, you hear that?"[/color] Suddenly, the earth beneath him vibrated. He looked behind and saw the door slowly rise again from its frame. [color=#C7C6C5]"Hey! Get inside!" [/color]Shouting to everyone who hadn't entered the vault, Mr. Elc gripped the Youkai's wrist and almost dragged her in the process as he leaped into the corridor, just in time before the door completely sealed the room shut. [color=#C7C6C5]"Vesemir! What the hell was that! The door, was it your doing? Hey!" [/color] Up in the distance, the door in front of Vesemir had been opened, and the old elf was too mesmerized by whatever he saw that Mr. Elc's words did not reach him. A fountain, which was surprisingly still in working order, was the first thing they saw upon entering that hall. Other than that, tt had two large statues, assuming the shape of two giant knights with grotesque-looking, horned, frog-mouthed helmets standing menacingly at the eastern side. This section, like the previous corridor, was illuminated by a series of crystal lamps lining the corners of the ceiling. However, the additional crystal chandelier hanging in the center made this space brighter. The lack of any significant objects suggests that this was simply another antechamber. There was another heavy door to the left, while the corridor stretched straight ahead, devoid of any lighting, making it difficult to discern what lay beyond. [color=#F4E7CA]"Friends. I hope you are as excited as I am!"[/color] Vesemir was indeed visibly excited, and he breathed the air around him, dust, dampness, and all, like it could energize him. [color=#C7C6C5]"I am happy for you,"[/color] huffed Mr. Elc as he managed to catch up with the group.[color=#C7C6C5] "But be careful with anything you touch, you almost gave us a huge trouble back there." [/color] [color=#F4E7CA]"Mr. Elc, I apologize! But let us move past that insignificant thing. This breakthrough should be written in our archive! THIS place, we are the first people who set foot here after more than a millennium! "[/color] [i][b]"A little more than ten years, actually." [/b][/i] A voice interrupted, and in sheer displeasure, the old elf glanced at the intruder who had spoiled his celebration. [color=#F4E7CA]"Excuse me?"[/color] [b][i]"This workshop received a visitor 4115 days ago, not much for the elves, but still considerable. So, Congratulations, you've reached this far!"[/i][/b] The speaker was a semi-translucent man standing at the east door. His face showed little interest as he clapped silently. He appeared neither old nor young and was sharply dressed in a grey suit and tie. His hairstyle was neat, resembling a stereotypical Westernant butler, and he wore thin-framed eyeglasses that made his eyes look partially closed. This stranger's strange disposition was alarming, but Vesemir seemed more troubled by the disproved claim rather than the potential danger he might inflict. [color=#F4E7CA]"Who are you if I may ask?"[/color] The semi-translucent man hovered from his position and stopped a few tiles away from the group. And being this close, the nature of this entity becomes more of an enigma; too collected for a common ghost, yet he didn't seem too ancient looking at his appearance and mannerisms. His voice was slightly echoing, with an accent that felt familiar but hard to place. [b][i]"I am Arcan, the only curator of this collection. I considered using the language of the Malaikh, but you are a very colorful bunch, so I think I will use Common language for the sake of courtesy and efficiency."[/i][/b] He placed his hand upon his breast to regard Vesemir, and briefly paused to inhale and recite the speech he hadn't rehearsed much for the past millennium. [b][i]"So, Visitors, I now formally welcome you to Theriadoere's gallery. As the bearer of the silver ticket, you are free to look around and entitled to claim two artifacts of your choice at the end of your tour, small gifts from my late employer to remind you of us."[/i][/b] With that, he turned back to the door and placed his palm to push it open, surprising Vesemir, and showed that the man wasn't completely ethereal. It revealed another room where artifacts were displayed. Weapons, jewels, ornaments, and even magic catalysts are all secured inside glass cases reinforced by protective magic. The air inside was conditioned and felt regulated for some reason. The floor was grey tiles arranged diagonally with smaller, round brass separators at every angle, and the ceiling had a similar configuration to the previous room. Another set of doors could be seen, and the socket glowed green, indicating that it could be unlocked with Vesemir's Keycard. [i][b]"I hope you enjoy your visit. Please do not hesitate if you have anything to ask." [/b][/i]