Chapter 555: Key of Chaos (one) (1/2)

There was a moment of initial darkness coupled with the sensation of falling; before the well was flooded with golden light. Nix floated downward in what could have only been called a comfortable descent. His group mates were all present; each lit up in the glow that saturated them.

/Pathfinder: Chiba: Hmm... this is actually very pleasant.

/Pathfinder: Gideon: It kinda tickles.

Inside of the golden light, a figure started to form. It slowly took shape until its general outline could be called human. There were no eyes, or face, nor fingers or toes. ”Welcome, travelers!”

Nix used his hands to slightly turn his body to face the voice, almost like moving in the water. ”Thank you.”

The figure drifted closer to Nix. ”What are you doing in the Well of Du'Wei? Perhaps you are searching for something that may have fallen in?”

Nix nodded slightly. ”I'm searching for the second Key that unlocks the door above, but I'm not certain that it has fallen in here.”

”My name is Enigma. The key you are looking for belongs to me. It is important, yes... very, very important. Find the important thing and bring it back!”

/Pathfinder: Pon: A fucking treasure hunt, given to us by Casper the glowing ghost.

An instant later, the Fire Mage vanished from their midst. Next was Deya, then Gideon and Chiba, until only Nix remained.

”A word of warning, Nix of the Black Gate. Only bring back one item; if your greed gets the better of you, then all is lost.”

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The sand-filled Arena floor was carefully raked smooth as the attendants ensured the stadium was ready for the next combatants. Sparkling white sands, no longer pristine, filled with random stains of blood, urine, and excrement from both man and beast. The Valkyries pointed at the markings from their lofty balcony, calling out what shapes they resembled.

An archer stood with her Valkyrie sisters, beautiful brown eyes darting everywhere at once while looking for something to entertain her. She pointed at a particular gruesome marking that had colored not only the sand but the wall behind it. ”Look! An image of the King, his Majesty the Shithead!”

”That one is a sword!” The female warrior pointed at a long cylindrical blood splatter. Her face was beautiful, devoid of any faults, enough so that even the gods might weep at its beauty.

The sky overhead was cloudless and calm; on the blistering hot day, there wasn't the slightest hint of a breeze. Sweat dripped down the faces of the spectators who were crowded into every seat in the arena. The odor of the poor masses, along with the steady drone of talking, was sharpened like a dagger by the thirst for more blood.

A pinpoint of light formed high in the azure sky; its presence went unnoticed for a handful of seconds before one person looked up. Another few seconds passed before dozens of hands pointed upward.

The pinpoint grew in size until it was a burning mass of flames, hurtling toward the stadium like a meteor bent on destruction. Instead of panic, the masses cheered by clapping and stomping their feet.

The comet left an emerald trail of flames behind it; after several seconds passed, it slammed into the center of the arena with a loud thump that tossed white sand high into the air and shook the stadium. The voices and cursing of the crowd were loud; some filled with hope while others discontent.

”Maybe a Valkyrie will be defeated again soon!”

”Did you see flames? That means the chosen is a mage this time.”

”Mages seldom win!”

The voices and predictions continued as the object was slowly absorbed into the arena. When it finally disappeared, the attendants rushed forth to once again smooth out the surface.

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Nix sat up slowly; the feel of the cold floor beneath him was enough to alert him to his surroundings. ”Of course...”

”Better get up as soon as you can. The guards have rules about sleeping during the day.” An older man's voice spoke to him, his grimy hand extended in a friendly effort to assist the newcomer in standing. ”Your stuff is over there!”