The next day, Arthir arrives at Lyra's shop to settle accounts. While Lyra has disappeared into the back room to retrieve a few items, Arthir takes a closer look at the ancient mechanism on the counter. Indeed, the intricate design and some subtle glowing lines may well tell that it is more than just some kind of relic. Now curious, he picks up and investigates the mechanism carefully and finds it to be a 3D map of some sort. The surface of it shows shifting symbols and coordinates.
Arthir's instincts become techno-savvy. Subtle, he pulls out a small, high-tech scanner from his pocket, a contraption meant to scan and analyze sensitive data without anyone noticing. With professional smoothness, he runs the scanner over the mechanism, capturing the 3D map data in great detail. Softly humming, the scanner transmits the data to a secure, encrypted file on his personal device. He closes it only when he is certain that the scan is complete and the data is safely stored. Then he replaces the mechanism to its original position.
Lyra gets back carrying a small ornate box and a briefcase with her. "All set. Let's finalize the deal," she says, placing them on the desk.
Arthir hands the mechanism over-although he now has the secret advantage of knowing what was inside it. "Here you go. Let me know if you find out anything interesting about it."
Lyra nods, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Will do. And remember, the market for such artifacts can be... unpredictable."
With the transaction done, Arthir leaves the shop, feeling the weight of what could be on the scanned map. Now in possession of a nice pouch full of gold, Arthir is out to relax just a bit over a nice meal. Luckily for him, he is on his way to the Treasure Guild, a well-renowned business for getting and selling rare artifacts to their peers. It is the place to either make deals with one another or share that amazing story over good food and strong drinks.
He headed toward the guild's whereabouts-a great, worn building with an old-worldly charm and a lively, welcoming air about it. Inside, the main hall of the guild buzzed with a mix of adventurers, merchants, and treasure hunters, talking animatedly among themselves, enjoying the rest of the day. Arthir finds his way to the counter, orders a seat, and food and drink. As he waits for his meal to arrive, he takes in the surroundings: the walls lined with the relics and trophies of various expeditions, the air humming with tales of daring heists and mythical finds.
As he eats, snatches of conversation drift over him from the traders: snippets of clues about new expeditions and rare artifacts now sought after. One especially interesting snippet-a hidden vault reportedly buried deep in the bowels of the city, reportedly holding amazing and long-lost artifacts-pricks up his ears.
No sooner does Arthir sit to take a sip of his drink, than the front door of Treasure Guild bursts open loudly-the turning of heads and silencing of conversations serve as a testament to this-as drenched and dripping wet from the river, there stands Ta'ul, the orc leader from earlier, his imposing figure now graver, as he bursts into the room and charges down towards Arthir.
The patrons murmur in surprise and concern as Ta'ul marches across the room, wet clothes clinging to his muscled frame. His bedraggled appearance belies his bearing-fury and determination etched on his face.
Arthir, caught in mid-drink, sets his glass down, composing himself with a balancing breath. He meets Ta'ul's gaze, curiosity and concern mixing in his expression, he knew this confrontation was far from over.
Ta'ul's voice booms across the room. "Arthir! You think you can run and hide after what you've done? I've come for what's mine!"
The patrons start to move away, sensing the tension in the air. Arthir remains calm, though he's ready for whatever might come next. "Didn't expect to see you here, Ta'ul. You're looking a bit... soaked. Didn't enjoy the swim?"
Ta'ul's face turned multiple shades of red with his anger as his hands clamped down upon his ax so tightly that his knuckles went white—something he'd still managed to hold on to despite the fall. "Enough of your games. Hand over the mechanism, or I'll make sure you regret crossing me.
Arthir takes another sip of his drink, his eyes flicking to the staff and patrons of the guild who are quite obviously nervous-the subtleties of collected, continuing composure obvious in their actions. He knows this is a precarious predicament.
Before chaos can ensue, the air seems to shudder with the arrival of a towering figure from the darkness just beyond the doorway. Exploding forward, between Ta'ul and the entrance, is Mama Dina, Goliath leader of the Treasure Guild, all but towering over them all, the large female's presence itself the sort of thing that offered the guild her protection.
Mama Dina, who has a notorious zero-tolerance policy for violence in her establishment, engages in a stare-down contest with the dripping wet orc. "Ta'ul," she says in a deep, rumbling voice, "we don't allow no disturbances here. Take your business elsewhere or face the consequences.
Ta'ul's anger falters for a moment under the weight of Mama Dina's icy stare. He looks around the room and knows that the guild's representatives and the bulk of its clientele are passively supporting Mama Dina. His form softens somewhat, and his shoulders hunch. Still, there is anger in his eyes.
Arthir takes in the opening and goes on smiling. "Oh, so sorry, Ta'ul. Just sold it. You know the rules-first come, first served. I regret doing it to a brother. Maybe next time."
Ta'ul just narrows his eyes; he knows better than to try Mama Dina's patience. He growls and steps back, eyes fixed on Arthir as if promising him a worse reckoning than his nightmare. "It's not over, Arthir. I'll find out what happened to it, and then you're going to pay.".
He slams the door behind him as he turns and storms out of the guild. A sigh ripples through the room as Mama Dina's stern presence stays in control.
Mama Dina, a little kinder now, makes her way down the line to Arthir. "Alright now, Arthir? Shame Ta'ul didn't go somewhere else for his business, but you know the rules. No violence in my guild."
Arthir nods, relieved, as Mama Dina stepped in. "Thanks, Mama Dina. I'll be more careful next time."
The immediate threat neutralized, Arthir can actually enjoy the rest of his evening and reflect on what's next.
Later that night, Arthir is sitting in front of a makeshift workbench in his safehouse; there are stacks of maps, old books, and pieces of technological gadgets on the table. He pulls up the scanned image of the map of its mechanism from his device; the fine engraving of the 3d map glows softly on his screen. As Arthir examines the map, he finds out it's a puzzle of a vast location list, all pointing towards something like a hidden treasure. The map coordinates lie at random across different points, all of them accompanied by cryptic symbols and arcane notations. Intrigued, Arthir tries to work out the set on the map.
Meanwhile high above the plane of mortals, within the celestial sanctum of the High Order, one would feel an overwhelming power emanating there. The sanctum is an awesome place-a huge, ethereal hall, hung in space, where light and darkness dance in harmonious accord. The architecture hums with divine energy, ancient but somehow futuristic in design, with towering pillars of celestial crystal and intricate floating glyphs that pulse with divine energy.
The sanctum's floor is translucent, shimmering, and reflects that of the cosmos, while the ceiling overhead seems to stretch to infinity and sparkle with constellations that twist and change like living creatures. In the very center of the sanctum, upon a great dais, rests the ancient mechanism; its complex form seems out of place amidst the otherworldly beauty of its surroundings.
A high angel Seraphiel paces ahead of the High Order with his companions near the device, observing what the device heralds towards the great relic. The scholars and seers of the High Order also take their share and are working ceaselessly day and night to break the enigma of the map. According to partial translations by some, the relic is said to hold powers shifting across multiverses, matching other dimensions.
The voice of Seraphiel fills with awe and determination. "If the legends are true, this treasure might restructure the very understanding of existence itself. We will be in need of finding it before any other faction with malicious intent gets a hold of it."
Back at his safehouse, Arthir's analysis revealed that the map was indicating several locations, which were concealed around the city and beyond. Some point toward ancient ruins; others seem to indicate open places of a more modern kind—at most, conceivably, some subterranean recess known to initiates of the town's hidden subarea world. Realizing the value of the treasure, Arthir sets out to explore the first point marked on the map—an area of ruins that is said to be connected with an ancient civilization. He readied the necessary equipment, for who knew but this present quest might take him to astounding discovery or perilous adventure.
Before leaving, he stops by the orphanage – a nice, friendly building in a quieter part of the city. Children's laughter abounds, while scurrying caretakers add to a friendly din. The mood is a reassuring antithesis to the neon spilled streets and perilous quests that lay ahead of him.
He is greeted by Sister Maria, an elderly lady of great kindness who runs this orphanage with full devotion. Her eyes sparkle as she sees Arthir, easily recognizing him as a person who had given generously to the orphanage on several occasions.
"Good to see you, Arthir," Sister Maria says with a warm smile. "What brings you here today?"
Arthir smiles back and gives her a large donation, packed in a discreet, secure bag. "I just wanted to make sure that children have what they need. And to see how everyone is doing."
Sister Maria accepts the donation gratefully. "You are always so thoughtful, Arthir. The children are doing well because of you. Your support means the world to them.
As they converse, Arthir takes the time to turn his head and watch the children playing in the yard. With a final nod to Sister Maria, Arthir leaves the orphanage, strengthened in his resolve. He knows that the path ahead is going to be quite dangerous, but the thought of legendary treasure waiting for him and of all the good that it could do spurs him on.