The Hooded Figure snaps a jagged blade free and steps hard across the tunnel, cutting off Butch from the Horned Beast. Cold rolls over the mucus-slick floor like breath from a tomb.
The Hooded Figure
Do not trust it. That beast is here for the debt as much as we are.
The Horned Beast
You lie. I come to finish what was claimed.
The Horned Beast lowers its horned head, shoulders bunching in the dark. The tunnel walls shiver around the three of them, and the seam behind Butch seals with a wet, pulsing thud.
Butch
The blade is between them now.
The Hooded Figure keeps their stance tight, blade angled toward the beast, then flicks a glance to Butch as if weighing whether he will side with either of them. The air grows colder still, and the passage ahead yawns black and narrow.
✓ Quest Accepted
Seize the treasure within the vault
✓ Quest Accepted
Confront the keeper of the debt
“I bull rush forward and skam the hooded figure into the wall”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled +0)
Butch surges forward on the slick floor, shoulder down and axe tight against his side. The Hooded Figure is still turning when the impact lands, and they slam hard into the beast's living wall.
The Hooded Figure
Hah, so that is your choice.
Their blade skitters loose across the mucus in a bright slap. The wall behind them flexes with the blow, then holds, while the narrow passage shudders around the three of them.
The Horned Beast
Butch. Stand down. This is not the time for sides.
The Hooded Figure braces one forearm against the wall and drags in a cold breath, eyes fixed on Butch with sudden, sharp caution. The beast leans forward through the dark, ready to exploit any opening.
The Hooded Figure
If you mean to take the vault for yourself, now is the moment to show it.
Behind them, the sealed seam twitches once with a wet pulse. Ahead, the tunnel bends into blackness, waiting for the next move.
“We share this treasure together, no one takes sides, do you booth understand?”
SUCCESS (Superb Intimidation, rolled +0)
Butch lets the silence hang just long enough to press on both of them, then eases his axe down a fraction. The gullet heaves around them, but his voice stays level. 'We share the treasure. No sides. You both understand that.'
The Horned Beast
It snorts once, then lowers its head. 'Together, then. The debt first, greed later.'
The Hooded Figure
The Hooded Figure straightens from the wall, fingers still tight on the slipped blade. 'If he means it, I will not knife your back in the dark.'
The beast shifts its weight, no longer trying to crowd the hooded stranger. A wet pulse runs through the flesh seam behind them, but neither of them looks away from Butch now.
The Horned Beast
'The keeper is beneath this flesh. The vault is its memory, its burden, its hoard.'
The Hooded Figure
'And if we survive it,' they add, voice roughened by the sway of the tunnel, 'I want the truth of that crossroads, not just the gold it swallowed.'
For a moment, the three of them hold the same ground. Then the dark ahead stirs, and both companions turn to Butch as if his next choice is the only thing keeping the bargain from breaking.
Quest Complete
Confront the keeper of the debt
New Gift: Hard-Won Insight