The Treasury

We've finally made it to the end of the dungeon.

That's right - the treasury!

I always thought that dungeons would have treasure scattered all along, so it's kinda weird to me that all of it would be in a single room at the end.

I mean, thinking about it, it makes more sense to scatter it if you're hoping to defend it. If you put it all in one place, any adventurers raiding the dungeon will get it all once they get to the end.

Though, I guess the hope would be that they would get wiped out before then?

On the other hand, if you distribute the treasure throughout, the adventurers might get some before leaving? But unless they're reeaaaallly thorough, they'll probably miss some.

Actually, I've realised that I don't understand what a dungeon really is. I mean, the basic concept makes sense, but why do they exist to begin with? Why are dungeons just left around for adventurers to pillage?

That's kinda weird.

Roxy explains to me that this one is a special case, though.

It's her dungeon, one that she made with her sister a long time ago. So the treasury is actually just all of her belongings.

I guess that makes sense, considering she can summon the entrance to it anywhere.

Wait, she can summon the entrance anywhere?! That totally slipped my mind!

Why did we travel by carriage for two hours when she could have just opened it anywhere?

But she explains that while we're in the dungeon, the entrance stays open. Anyone could just wander in, so it's better to be in a remote location that people aren't going to stumble across.

She's thought this through! I'm impressed!

I wouldn't have even thought of that.

It's apparently not uncommon for mages to have pocket dimensions to store their stuff in, but it's still kinda weird that she filled this place with monsters though. I don't really get it.

But we're here! The treasury! As expected, it's full of all kinds of gold and jewels! Treasure!

...is what I want to say, but actually it's kinda boring. There's no gold in sight!

It's basically a long hallway. Along the edges of the room, there are various pedestals with stuff on them.

I guess they're relics, or something?

That's kind of neat.

But also kind of boring! Where's the treasure?

"What are we looking for anyways?"

"Ah, we're looking for an orb. Like, a sphere made of glass."

Ahhh, yes. Mmhmm. I know what that is.

"It'll be round and shiny, and under the surface a should shimmer like a torrential storm."

More words I don't understand! I get "round and shiny" though. Ok! I'm looking!

I find a lot of neat junk. A couple of books (boring!), a scale, an amulet with a picture of an eye. Man, I wish I could find a really cool sword or something. One that can cut through anything! Or maybe one covered in flames? That would be so coooool!

"Oh, right. One thing I should tell you..."

Huh? Oh, Roxy is talking to me.

"If you do find it, it's really important..."

Honestly, I have no idea why this was a two person job. I mean, this is her own treasury! Why am I even here?

"It's important that..."

But Roxy has been really kind to me. I mean, she has a weird way of being kind, but I get it now. She's a good person. And I want to help her.

"...you mustn't..."

Oooh, there it is! Round? Check. Shiny? Check. Shimmery and blue? Check. I reach out for it.

"...you mustn't touch it, no matter what. Ok?"

Huh? What was that?

It's too late, my claws are already clutching the orb.

"Ok, lizard?"

Uh oh.

As soon as my claws clink against the glass, a deafening roar flows through me. This blue light envelops and swishes around me, darting against my skin. Seeping inside me.

"Lintel?! LINTEL!!!"

Ah.

She called me by my name.

I'm so happy.

Everything goes black.