Crow stood before them, clad entirely in black like every other bandit in the area. Despite the ominous appearance, Kestrel found herself grappling with uncertainty about whether this was indeed the genuine Crow. All they could do was place their trust in the man's claims. Yet, as Crow spoke, there was a resonance in his voice, a familiarity that echoed through Kestrel's memories of their past interactions. It served as an additional thread of belief, weaving together the conviction that this was, indeed, Crow.
After a cursory introduction, Crow beckoned for them to follow him to the artifact's location. Through desolate landscapes, navigating the remnants of a forgotten world, the group, led by Crow and his 5 torch-wielding bandit allies, treaded toward their destination. The flickering flames danced in the night, casting shadows that danced on the rubble-strewn path.
Amidst the ruins and overgrown flora, Crow halted before a modest house. Its roof bore the scars of time, partially collapsed, and wild vines snaked through broken walls, claiming the interiors. The door, ailing and beaten, hinted at the passage of many seasons.
Assigning one of his comrades to keep watch outside, Crow ushered the group into the dilapidated dwelling. Within, only a single, cramped room greeted them, nearly barren save for moss, insects, and untamed vegetation.
Butterbell, ever inquisitive, voiced the question lingering on everyone's mind. "Where's the artifact we came for?"
"Wait a minute," Crow replied, crouching to pry a plank from the floor. With its removal, a set of stairs came into view, hinting at the concealed passage beneath. However, the opening was narrow, demanding the removal of more planks to create a passageway wide enough for all.
Crow and his accomplices, with torches illuminating the underground darkness, ventured first into the concealed depths. The rest of the group followed, stepping into the unknown with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
As they descended the stairs, Orochi's curiosity bubbled to the surface. "Was this the temple of this Shap town?" she inquired, her question echoing in the subterranean passageway.
The bandits and Kestrel came to an abrupt halt, a collective pause hanging in the air. Crow, adopting a serious tone, gazed down the stairs. "How do you know?" he queried.
"Because I have traveled a lot," Orochi replied, her response a succinct yet effective explanation. The journey down the stairs resumed after this brief interlude.
Crow, unable to let the question rest, directed his attention to Orochi. "Your name is Orochi, right? Like the 8-headed serpent."
"Yes," Orochi confirmed.
Crow's curiosity lingered. "So, do you like worship her or something?" he pressed further.
"I don't worship Orochi. I'm Oro-," Orochi began, only to be interrupted by Moonlight. "Her name just happens to be the same as the supreme beast," Moonlight interjected, punctuating her explanation with a hesitant chuckle.
Orochi discerned Moonlight's quick fabrication, a tactical lie to divert unnecessary attention. Choosing not to disrupt the delicate balance, Orochi played along, acknowledging the unspoken agreement with a subtle nod as they continued their descent into the mysterious depths.
After descending a mere 20 feet down the stairs, a room unfolded before them. Although bare, its walls and floor were crafted from stone. When the light bathed the walls, crimson handprints of varying sizes emerged. Following the prints to the room's end revealed a solitary adult-sized handprint on the third wall. Moving closer, they discovered it wasn't a wall but a stone door.
"The handprint doesn't look like that of a pixie," Creambell remarked. "I doubt any pixie could unlock this."
Crow approached the door with the other bandits, and together, they pushed it open effortlessly, leaving Creambell wide-eyed at the unexpected ease. As they entered the next room, the stone door slowly closed behind them. The pixies and Finn, momentarily startled, quickly settled as they observed the composure of the others.
The room they now occupied had curved walls, resembling the inner surface of a sphere, and five doors stood before them. However, these were not ordinary doors; they resembled curtains made from a fleshy-colored membrane.
"What's this?" asked Moonlight.
"These are the doors to the artifact we came for," Crow explained.
"Which door should we take then?" asked Moonlight.
"It doesn't matter, the doors will decide where will you arrive," clarified Crow. "But all the doors ultimately lead to the artifact."
"Then let's go into the same door," suggested Butterbell.
"It doesn't matter; the doors will determine your destination. However, all doors lead to the artifact," clarified Crow. "But entering the same door won't work. Each door sends individuals to different locations. That's why I brought 4 of my comrades; we'll arrive at the locations in pairs. Each door will send two individuals to the same spot."
He cautioned, "Be aware. The destination is a forest. We'll all arrive at different parts, and at the forest's center lies the artifact."
"What to be aware about that? I think we can handle some wild creatures if that's what you mean to say," said Butterbell.
Crow nodded. "Mostly level F or G creatures fill the forest, and they're mostly harmless. However, there are at least three creatures from the lineage of a supreme beast, and encountering them is perilous. We avoid their path, or it's the end."
Orochi, intrigued by the mention of Supreme Beasts, couldn't help but inquire, "Are they Upper or Lower beasts?"
Crow's smirk hinted at a revelation. "How unusual. We're in the presence of someone very knowledgeable," he remarked.
Aside from Orochi and Crow, the terms "Upper" and "Lower beasts" were unfamiliar to everyone else. "What's an upper and lower beast?" Moonlight asked curiously.
In a swift moment, Crow elucidated, "There are occasions when a supreme beast dies, a rare event. Their bodies are either cremated or left to nature. However, tales abound of supreme beasts perishing in battles against hunters or royal families. In such instances, fragments or at least a drop of blood remain at the death site. The creature that consumes the first drop of blood evolves into a lower beast, and if a lower beast consumes that first blood, it evolves into an upper beast. They transform into entirely new creatures."
After digesting this newfound knowledge, Moonlight, after a brief pause, inquired, "So, what's the threat level of these beasts in the forest we're heading to?"
"I don't know, but I strongly suggest avoiding them at all costs," advised Crow.
Meanwhile, Orochi, with a sense of urgency, interjected, "If there's nothing else to share, let's go." She walked towards one of the doors, asserting, "I'll be waiting for you in the forest."
"Wa—Wait," Crow exclaimed, but Orochi, already at the door, attempted to pass through. Without success, she turned to Crow, prompting him to explain, "We need to activate the doors first."
"What are you waiting for, then?" Orochi asked, stepping back from the door.
Crow unsheathed a small dagger from his belt and walked to the room's center. Addressing Butterbell and Creambell, he said, "I need Pixie blood to activate this door."
"How much do you need?" Butterbell asked with a serious expression.
"Hmm. One liter should suffice, I guess," Crow replied.
Butterbell gulped audibly, fear evident in his eyes. "I can understand if you can't do that," said Crow.
The statement wounded Butterbell's ego, and he walked to the center of the room, extending his hand to Crow. "Be careful. A warrior's blood is thicker than a bandit's," he commented
Crow smirked, held Butterbell's tiny hand, and brought the dagger close to it. With just enough force to draw a few drops of blood, he quickly turned Butterbell's hand to let the blood fall on the floor. "A drop of warrior's blood will work," he said with a smile.
A drop of blood from Butterbell's finger fell on a bowl-like carving on the floor. Instantly, the carving began glowing red. Everyone noticed five straight lines emerging from the bowl, connecting to the five doors. The lines also glowed red, and the doors followed suit.
"Now the doors are activated," informed Crow.
"We can see that," commented Butterbell.
Orochi approached the door, but before entering, Crow asked, "Aren't you going to take your golem with you?"
Orochi glanced at Finn and replied, "He will come on his own."
"I need to find a new body after I find a carpenter," Finn lamented silently.
Orochi then passed through the door, and eventually, everyone passed through their respective doors. Contrary to Crow's theorization that passing through in pairs would occur with ten people, each person found themselves transported to a distinct location within the forest. The door's behavior defied Crow's expectations.
The forest basked in the gentle light of daytime as the doors activated, transporting each individual to distinct locations. The groups formed by the mysterious doors were as follows::
1. Orochi and Butterbell
2. Creambell , 1 Bandit, and Finn.
3. The 3 bandits
4. Kestrel and Crow
5. Moonlight