[RP] The Shadowed Vaults

With all the strength he can summon, Mahluk hurls himself away from the oncoming flames. His feet scramble against the uneven stone as he pushes back, but in his haste, he misjudges his step. His boot catches the edge of the black stone ledge where the bridge connects, sending him tumbling.

With a startled, anguished cry, Mahluk is engulfed in the roaring flames. The searing heat wraps around him, scorching his skin in a wave of agony. For a brief moment, the fire consumes him, his silhouette swallowed by the inferno. Then, with a desperate surge, he stumbles free, emerging from the blaze—singed, battered, but alive. He falls back onto the rough stone, his feet no longer on the bridge.

After the sudden surge of flame, the cavern falls eerily silent. The blazing eyes above the door, which moments ago spewed torrents of fire, have gone still once more. Their molten glow remains, but the deadly fire no longer shoots forward. The air is thick with the smell of smoke and scorched stone, the heat still radiating from the bridge, but the threat seems to have momentarily passed.

For now, the flames have receded, and the inferno no longer roars through the chamber. The glowing eyes above seem to watch, waiting, but whatever force had unleashed the fiery assault appears to be at rest—for now.

Oral, make a Wisdom test or Intelligence test to look around or search. Since you're a thief used to looking around for traps or things out of the ordinary, I'll let you make it with advantage.

Oral eyed the massive pumice stone, its porous surface offering plenty of handholds for climbing. He reached up, fingers slipping into the stone's natural grooves, and for a moment it seemed like the climb would be easy. The stone’s rough texture provided enough grip, and he began to pull himself upward.

But as soon as he applied his weight, the stone shifted beneath him, rocking precariously. Oral froze, his heart skipping a beat as the stone wobbled dangerously, its base unstable. He tried to steady himself, but the more pressure he applied, the more the pumice swayed. It was too light, far lighter than he’d anticipated for its size.

Realization dawned on him quickly—this wasn’t like the dense lavastone or basalt pillars nearby. Pumice, with all its size, was deceivingly buoyant, filled with air pockets that made it far too unstable to climb. One wrong move, and the entire stone could tip, sending him sprawling into the rocky ground below, or worse, into the path of another deadly flame burst, or even worse, the river of flowing lava beneath them.

Frustrated, Oral released his grip and dropped back to the ground, eyeing the massive stone with a mixture of irritation and caution. The stone, while large, simply wasn’t suitable for climbing. But perhaps its lightness could be turned to their advantage in another way.

Kruul placed his hands on the edge of the massive black iron shield, the sheer size of it still impressive even to him. He felt its weight but didn’t rush to lift it, knowing the key was in applying the right kind of strength. Hambul stepped up beside him, his eyes sharp and calculating, already judging the best angle to lend his assistance.

Without a word, Hambul placed his hands alongside Kruul’s, positioning himself just right. He glanced at Kruul and nodded—this was more about technique than sheer force.

With a quick count, the two moved in perfect sync. Their combined strength and clever positioning made lifting the shield much easier than either had anticipated. The iron groaned faintly, but under their coordinated effort, the shield began to rise smoothly off the ground. It felt almost natural, the burden lightened significantly by their teamwork.

Hambul used his agility and precise grip to steady the shield as Kruul’s raw strength powered the lift. Together, they hoisted it high enough to maneuver, and with ease, they carried it forward, the weight no longer a challenge.

The shield, once an imposing obstacle, was now securely in their hands. A shared glance between them said it all: working together had turned what seemed like a daunting task into something simple.

Kruul and Hambul hoisted the shield up together, their movements smooth and efficient. Once fully lifted, it became clear that the shield was not only massive but wide enough to cover both of them with room to spare. It offered an impressive span of protection, large enough to shield them from whatever fiery threat lay ahead.

As they adjusted their grips, they noticed the sturdy braces on the inside of the shield—perfect for carrying. Without hesitation, they each grabbed one of the braces, making it easier to hold steady as they moved. With the weight now balanced between them, the once-imposing shield was not only manageable, but they could carry it easily.

United under the broad iron shield, they were ready to face whatever the cavern threw at them next.

With the massive black iron shield securely in their hands, Kruul and Hambul exchanged a determined glance before stepping onto the stone bridge. The jagged edges of the cavern loomed around them, the oppressive heat of the lava below rising as they ventured forward. The shield, wide enough to cover them both, felt solid between them—its weight balanced by their shared effort.

As their boots struck the stone bridge, the cavern seemed to react. A loud, mechanical click echoed through the chamber, just like before. Kruul’s grip tightened on the shield as he braced for what was coming.

Without warning, the fiery eyes above the distant archway blazed to life once more. In an instant, two streams of flame erupted from the burning orbs, one shooting down each of the bridges with a deafening roar. The flames curled and twisted, the heat so intense it distorted the air around it, barreling toward the two warriors with terrifying speed.

Kruul and Hambul crouched behind the shield, positioning it to bear the brunt of the inferno. The dual jets of flame slammed into the iron shield with a fierce blast, their force pushing them back a step. The shield, heavy and wide, held firm against the searing onslaught, though both men felt the metal heat rapidly beneath their hands.

Sweat began to bead on their skin as the fire continued to roar over them, its intensity causing the shield to warm dangerously. Still, the iron barrier remained their salvation. The flames that would have incinerated them were deflected, leaving them untouched behind the blackened surface.

After what felt like an eternity, the flames ceased, the cavern falling into silence once more. The shield radiated heat, but it had done its job. Kruul and Hambul exchanged a quick nod, both impressed by the shield's resilience, even though it still thrummed with warmth from the fire’s fury.

Without wasting a moment, they rose from their defensive stance. Hambul led the way, shield held high, as Kruul followed close behind, eyes scanning the bridge for any sign of another trap. They moved cautiously, each step carrying them further along the bridge. The heat still clung to the air, but the momentary reprieve gave them the opportunity to press forward.

With the flames momentarily silenced, the two advanced carefully but steadily. The shield—now a glowing, warm barrier—remained between them and any future assaults from the blazing eyes above. The distance to the end of the bridge was shortening, but they knew the fiery assault could come again at any moment.

Each footfall echoed in the oppressive silence, their progress slow but deliberate. They were determined to make it across, using the shield as their only hope against the relentless danger of the cavern.

With a final, heavy step, Hambul and Kruul reached the stone pillar standing at the center of the vast, fiery cavern, their feet finally leaving the treacherous stone bridge behind. The shield, blackened and hot to the touch, had protected them well throughout their perilous journey. The relentless bursts of flame that had roared down upon them, one after the other, had been deflected with each surge. Despite the ferocity of the fiery assaults, the iron shield had proven a steadfast defense, allowing them to prevail against the onslaught.

Now, standing in the relative safety of the stone pillar’s shadow, they took in the sight of the remaining bridge. One final span of blackened stone stretched before them, leading to the ominous, gaping mouth portal carved into the distant wall. The flickering light of the lava cast eerie shadows around the room, and the roaring of the molten river below echoed faintly in their ears.

Both warriors, exhausted from their trek and the sheer intensity of the heat, felt a deep sense of relief and victory wash over them. They exchanged glances—Kruul’s face set in a determined grin, Hambul’s eyes sharp with satisfaction. They had made it this far. A moment of respite seemed well-earned.

Overcome by the strain of their journey and the crushing heat, the two took a brief moment to catch their breath, the sweat still clinging to their skin. The air around them was heavy, but here on the pillar, they felt shielded from immediate danger. The blazing eyes of the distant portal remained dormant for now, giving them the opportunity to rest (Page 40) if they chose, a well-deserved respite in the heart of danger.

Perhaps they could wait for Oral and Mahluk to cross their bridge as well, uniting with the other escapees before making the final push toward the mouth-shaped portal. Either way, the brief pause allowed them to savor the moment—the victory of having survived the flame—and to prepare for whatever might come next.