Water spills from the left passage as Mavra emerges, soaked through her moss-dark robes. Her breath comes harshly, and one hand braces against the pale stone.
Behind her, the passage twists shut with a grinding tremor. Mavra has forced her way through before the temple could seal it, leaving the vault's golden markings flickering.
Inky
She has disturbed the judgment. The vault was still deciding, and now it knows haste has entered with us.
Inky bristles on Niko's shoulder, ears rigid and silver eyes fixed on Mavra. The reliquary's ward tightens around the altar's hollow.
Mavra
Do not mistake urgency for treachery. The tide is climbing through the temple, and that reliquary must be removed before the vault is drowned.
Mavra reaches toward the reliquary, but her fingers halt at the thin golden boundary. The ward refuses her touch, casting wet shadows across her lined face.
Mavra
Kitsune, take it from the altar. I can guide us back, but the temple will not wait for your deliberation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether Mavra intends to save or seize the reliquary
“Hey… what you doing Marva *I murmur as my hand lowers to my blade*”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +1)
Niko Haru Kageyama
Hey... what are you doing, Mavra?
Niko murmurs the question, lowering his hand toward his blade. Mavra freezes before the reliquary, her wet fingers hovering just beyond the golden boundary.
Mavra
I am trying to free the vessel before the rising tide reaches this vault. The ward bars my hand, but it answers to you.
Mavra withdraws her hand and points toward the altar's hollow. Water trickles from the sealed passage behind her, gathering in silver threads across the pale floor.
Inky
She speaks plainly. The vault is not attacking her; it is waiting for you to lift the reliquary.
Mavra
Take it, kitsune. I will lead us through the way I forced open, before the drowned temple closes around us.
“I can just teleport us with my powers… also the god was trying to protect this, making you look bad for trying to take it back… so… are you trying to anger a god?”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +1)
Niko Haru Kageyama
I can just teleport us with my powers. The god was protecting this, so are you trying to anger it by taking it back, Mavra?
The reliquary answers before Mavra can. Golden light folds around Niko, Inky, and the bog witch, while the altar releases the vessel into Niko's waiting hand.
Mavra
I am trying to save what the god entrusted to us, not defy it. If your power can carry us, then carry us now.
Space turns soundless. The vault, rising water, and sealed passage vanish into a golden spiral, and the three arrive together on the temple's wet moorings beside the secured longship.
Inky
The ward came with us willingly. It accepted your path, partner.
The reliquary rests against Niko's chest, its golden veil steady and unbroken. Behind them, black water surges through the temple arches, but the vault's judgment cannot reach the moorings.
Mavra
Then the god has chosen speed over ceremony. Bring it aboard, kitsune. We have escaped the drowning temple.
Quest Complete
Learn whether Mavra intends to save or seize the reliquary
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Fair→Good