The giant gate creaked open and light streamed through the small slit. Jade squinted. She felt the vibrations of his footsteps before she could make out the black clad figure standing in the doorway.
“Thiago!” said Iratus. Jade looked at the orcs. She didn’t need to speak Stare to read off their faces that they recognized the man in black. Despite his mask.
“Who is Thiago?” Acantha asked.
“We travelled with him, Morn, Kevins and I,” said Iratus, “We parted ways because he wanted to return to Avron.”
“Avron?”
Jade was as puzzled as Acantha. As far as she knew, Avron had no reason to send a man into a Sloan vault.
Jade felt a strong sensation emanating from the figure, she felt as if she was being pushed back. She was being told to leave. Despite it, she stepped forwards, until she felt something else.
“There’s a border here,” she said to the others. “Here starts a different dimension.”
“What’s up with all these dimensions?” said Acantha. “It’s as if we’re back at Morpheus prison. Why would the Sloan build such a complex vault? Have they stored a Totem in here?”
Lumira didn’t respond. Jade turned to meet her eyes, but instead the wizard was looking ahead. Jade followed her gaze and saw it. She swallowed. There were bodies. Piles of them. Both insects as well as Sloan. The message was clear.
“If we want to continue. We’re going to have to fight him,” said Jade.
“Oh, no no, Thiago doesn’t fight groups,” said Iratus, “He is only interested in duels.”
“Don’t be so sure,” said Kevins. “This is not the same man as the one we met on the road.”
“We need a plan,” said Jade.
“Yes,” said Morn, “We fight.”
The orc stepped into the dimension. Without hesitation, Iratus followed Morn. Jade shook her head and grabbed the blade from her scabbard.
“No Morn,” pleaded Jade. This orc. Jade groaned. They would never change. She breathed in deep, exhaled slowly and stepped forward.
Immediately she felt a change in the atmosphere. She breathed again to still her mind and prevent the rise of questions. She recognized the feeling. This realm belonged to someone else. Acantha was right, this was indeed very similar to when they had traveled between dimensions in Morpheus’ prison. The strong sensation she had felt earlier was more present now, but instead of being pushed back and told to leave, it was now embracing her. It felt welcoming in a way that one would be welcomed to attend their own funeral.
Thiago stepped towards them, behind him four additional arms rose up in the air. The arms were translucent and shone slightly within their dark surroundings. Each of his six arms held a slim sword. One arm, one sword for each of them. They didn’t stand a chance.
Then Jade realized it. This was Thiago’s dimension. Which meant-
“Acantha! The candle! Light it!” Jade snapped. “Acantha?” Jade turned and saw Acantha holding the candle. She had no way of lighting it. Jade snatched the candle and sprinted towards Morn.
“Morn, give me fire!”
Morn frowned but created a fireball in their hand. Thiago dashed towards them, his six swords ready to either block or strike. Jade gasped as the Totem fell to the floor. He lay mere inches in front of their feet. Thiago had lost consciousness the exact moment Jade had managed to light the candle. For a moment they just stood there.
“That was some quick thinking, Jade,” said Kevins. “I’m rather relieved we don’t have to deal with the Totem of parrying.”
Morn grunted, still frowning. Lumira walked up to them in silence.
“Yeah,” said Iratus, “I’m glad we don’t have to kill him.”
Morn shot him a look. Kevins barked sarcastically.
“What do we do with him?” said Acantha.
Iratus lifted an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”
“We leave him,” said Jade. “Let’s go. Before he wakes up.”
She sped towards the giant gate that Thiago had been guarding and peered through. Her eyes had to adjust to the bright light that reflected off the numerous coins piled up in the room. She could not see the source of the light. As far as she could gather, the coins themselves might as well have been the source of the light. Everywhere she looked, the floor was covered in coins. She stepped through the door, careful not to lose her footing, into yet another dimension. The others followed.
“Lumira?” Jade sang, “I am hoping you know where to go.”
Lumira took the lead over from Jade. As swiftly as they could without slipping on the coins, they started crossing the room. Jade felt movement and stopped. She put her hand on Lumira’s shoulder and together they peered over a pile of coins. On the other side stood a glowing creature. An insect. Behind it stood a giant chrysalis.
Acantha gasped. A small bug was crawling right in front of them, on their side of the coin pile. The glowing insect clicked its pincers together and turned to face them. Jade exchanged a look with Lumira and unsheathed her blade.
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