The hoard shimmered under dim torchlight, a mound of golden coins cascading in a restless sea of treasure. Enchanted items nestled among ordinary baubles, faintly glowing with leftover arcane power. Victory felt tangible in the dusty air, that sense of triumph coiling in my chest.
I knelt, sifting through metal and trinkets until something entirely out of place caught my eye—a narrow leather bracelet with a sleek metallic face. Dials and a digital display blinked steadily, casting tiny reflections on nearby gold. It lacked the hum of magic, yet it radiated an odd allure.
Curiosity flared, and I held the bracelet up to examine its delicate gears."This isn't magical," I said, frowning. "Not like the rest."
Langston's gaze zeroed in on it, his hand already reaching."May I see that?" he asked softly, voice lacking its usual sharpness.He almost sounded… hopeful.
I shrugged, still puzzled by the device."Sure. Looks useless, but go for it."
No sooner had the bracelet touched his skin than it erupted into sudden life. Thin wires whipped out, burrowing into Langston's wrist like living needles, sending him staggering backward. He froze, eyes fixed on the sinuous filaments weaving across his flesh.
Then the pain struck.He screamed, collapsing to his knees as the bracelet glowed molten red. Wires dug deeper, threading into tendon and bone, binding themselves to him in a grotesque dance of metal and flesh.
His cries echoed off stone walls, and he clawed wildly at the device. Each frantic motion revealed more wires, though they vanished just as quickly beneath his skin. I saw none of the usual magical sparks—only raw, mechanical torment.
"GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" The desperation in his voice cut deep.I leapt forward, but a sudden pulse from the bracelet knocked me back, crackling with an energy I couldn't identify.
Snow darted in next, chanting a spell with both hands glowing a pale blue. The magic fizzled uselessly before it reached him, as if canceled by the device's strange power. She stumbled, eyes wide with alarm.
A heartbeat later, the agony ended as abruptly as it began. Langston slumped forward, panting. Thin rivulets of sweat ran along his brow. The wires were gone, leaving behind a seamless fusion of metal and skin.
"Langston?" I asked, my own pulse throbbing in my ears. "You okay?"
He didn't respond at first, just stared at his wrist. Then his expression shifted from pain to fascination."It's… showing me something," he murmured, gaze distant. "I can see readouts, like scanning data."
Hamish inched closer, swords half-raised."What kind of readouts?" he demanded, sounding more defensive than curious.
Langston blinked, eyes flicking toward me."Robert MacCallum. Vessel of Moira. Mage Generalist, Elemental Manipulator." He paused, his voice turning flat as he read more. "Your stats… it's listing them like some kind of interface."
My jaw tightened. "That's impossible," I said, but the knot in my stomach told me otherwise.I felt Snow's anxious gaze settle on me, but she kept quiet.
Langston pivoted toward Hamish, glancing him over like a living scanner."Half-plate armor for the Paladin," he said in a monotone. "Protects against magic and physical hits. Channels light magic twice a day, light as normal clothes."
Hamish's jaw dropped. "How the hells could you know that?"No one had tested those armor properties except the two of us.
Langston shook his head. "I don't know. This thing's showing me data, almost like scientific specs." He flexed his fingers, grimacing at the slight tingle in his muscles. "It's… it's unreal."
Snow stepped forward, worry etched into her features."Is it hurting you anymore? Do you feel safe?"
A hollow laugh escaped him. "Safe? Absolutely not." He eyed me with surprising composure, though a tremor still lingered in his voice. "Functional? Yes. It's scanning everything, science or magic—maybe both."
Chaucer, who had been looming off to the side, flashed a crooked grin."Fascinating. Also terrifying. Let's hope it doesn't turn you into a toaster oven for its next trick, dear friend."
Langston's glare aimed at Chaucer, but I cut them both off with a curt wave."Focus. We can investigate the bracelet later. For now, gather what you can from this hoard."
A strange hush settled over us as we shifted back to sorting the Fae Queen's treasury. My attention drifted to a towering black throne draped in tattered velvet, its jagged edges promising both power and peril. Something about it called to me, stirring a hunger I couldn't quite place.
Without overthinking, I walked up the dais, stepping around scattered piles of precious loot. My pulse quickened. Could this be the Sanctum's seat of authority?I sat, ignoring the warning bells in my head.
Energy slammed into me the instant I settled against the throne's twisted frame. Pain surged through every nerve, locking my muscles tight, forcing a guttural cry from my lungs."Robert!" Snow's scream echoed, but she couldn't get close.
A cold voice reverberated through the chamber, laced with malice."STAY BACK, OR THIS ONE TURNS TO ASH."
I fought against the throne's crushing grip, forcing breath into my lungs. Drawing on my earth magic, I steadied myself, summoning a trembling wave beneath my feet. Air magic flooded my mind, quickening my thoughts.
Despite my efforts, the seat seemed determined to consume me. My bones ached, my head swam with searing static. I refused to yield, amplifying the tremors until hairline cracks webbed the dais.
At last, a violent quake unbalanced the structure, and the throne crashed forward. Released, I toppled free, gasping. Anger flared deep in my gut. Electricity sparked at my fingertips as I glared at the throne's scorched frame.
In a single breath, I channeled lightning and flame, forging crackling coils around the twisted seat. With a savage pull, I heaved it aloft, then smashed it to shards.Broken pieces scattered across the polished floor, revealing a faintly glowing orange crystal that skittered away.
I lunged and scooped it up, heart pounding. A foul aura lingered within, and a sardonic hiss sounded in my mind."Choose, intruder. Claim my power. Scatter my essence. Or go fuck yourself."
My lips curled in disgust. "I'm not picking that," I muttered.Then, with a decisive breath, I funneled its essence into STEVE, our ever-present logistical construct. The crystal dimmed, the Sanctum's anger fading to a lifeless whisper.
Suddenly, the chamber dissolved around us in a blur. We reappeared outside in a quiet woodland clearing, a soft breeze rustling leaves overhead. The entire hoard lay at our feet, coins and bars and jewels glinting like captured starlight.
Hamish hefted a stack of gold bars, unable to hide his grin."Look at this, lads! Enough to keep our village fed for years!"
Snow sifted through an ornate scroll, her voice alive with awe."These healing runes are incredible—think of the lives we could save."
Chaucer spun a jewel-encrusted dagger between nimble fingers."A blade fit for a legend," he said, tone exuberant. "I can practically hear my next ballad writing itself."
Langston, still flexing his altered wrist, turned over a chunk of orichalcum."The Enclave would pay a small fortune for this. Tech meets magic at the highest level."
I nodded, letting their excitement wash over me, then lifted an uncut jade pillar with reverence. My arms felt the chill of polished stone."It's all proof," I said quietly. "Proof we beat the odds."
Their cheers melded with the soft hush of the forest. Finally, I cleared my throat."Okay, let's gather this properly."
Hamish elbowed me, a playful glint in his eye."Oi, Robert, you're not gonna hoard all our gold in that fancy dimension of yours, are you?"
I chuckled, shaking my head."Relax. I'll share."
Amid the coins, my gaze locked on a faintly pulsing skill crystal. Its hidden power called out, and I studied it with Moira's guidance, cautious not to trigger anything dangerous. An instant later, knowledge flickered through my mind: Pocket Dimension Access, a personal 30-by-30-foot storage space tied to my mana.
"I keep forgetting I have this ability," I muttered, realizing it should've been second nature by now. With a mental nudge, I activated the dimensional opening.
A swirl of magic swept up the scattered gold, orichalcum, jade pillars, and everything else worth keeping. Snow had already set aside some gear for staff enhancements, while Hamish clutched his half-plate. Chaucer, cradling new daggers, stood guard over a pair of skill crystals.
Once the bulk of the treasure vanished safely into the void, I exhaled. Two more crystals gleamed on the grass.Moira's voice guided me, hinting at their contents.
The first: Martial Arts, bestowing an intermediate Judo proficiency with a clear path to mastery. The second: Surveying, which analyzed land features and resources based on user stats. A ripple of temptation sparked in me, urging me to stash them all, but I shook off the thought.
I turned to Chaucer."Here," I said, handing him the Surveying crystal. "Could be useful for your journeys."
His eyes lit up, whiskers twitching in excitement as he pressed it to his chest. The crystal melted into his skin, and he nearly danced with glee."Oh my, Master Robert! The land is singing already… Wait, was that 'evil lotion'? No, evolution. Even better!"
He mumbled giddily about cursed chalices and rare artifacts, pacing until I tried to explain the skill's practical value. Chaucer barely listened, lost in his own theatrical wonder.
I approached Snow next, offering her the final crystal."This one can reinforce your ability to cripple foes. Combine it with your magic."
Her expression softened, trusting but inquisitive."What exactly does it do?"
"I'll let you discover that," I said with a smile. "But it should enhance your techniques, and I know you'll put it to good use."
In that subtle moment, I sensed the weight of our shared experiences: the dungeon, the Fae Queen's Sanctum, and the near-disasters we'd weathered. Each trophy or new skill felt like an emblem of how far we'd come.
Quiet resolution settled over us as we started back toward Doras Dhagda. Chaucer tapped out an off-kilter tune on his new dagger, half singing about hidden kingdoms and orichalcum riches. Snow flicked her fingers in testing arcs of water magic, occasionally glancing at Langston with concern.
Hamish walked at my side, thoughtful for once, the half-plate he'd claimed resting neatly against his broad shoulders. He looked content, or at least more settled than usual. Sometimes he'd throw me a quick grin, a silent thanks for letting him share in the spoils.
Langston, however, trailed behind. He kept his head low, eyes locked on that biomechanical bracelet that now ruled his right arm. Golden threads gleamed in the sunlight, shifting just beneath his skin. Each wire seemed alive, coiling in patterns that meant nothing to the rest of us.
I heard him mutter curses, frustration bleeding through every syllable. He fiddled with the device's micro-dials, ignoring the path underfoot. Occasionally, the device buzzed or pulsed, and he'd flinch, mouth pulling into a grimace.
He paused by a crooked tree as we neared the edge of the forest. Leaning against the trunk, he twisted a dial. A soft hum rolled up his arm, forcing him to inhale sharply."Are you trying to say something?" he whispered, voice a quiet demand.
Silence, then a faint thrum returned—like a distant heartbeat only he could hear. Langston's knuckles whitened around the dial."You're not alive, are you? Or are you… aware?"
Another pulse rippled through the wires, a bit stronger this time, making him curse under his breath. He swallowed hard, rubbing the spot where metal fused with flesh. The sight alone made me uneasy, but I kept my distance, trusting him to figure it out.
"Damn it," he grumbled. "If you want to communicate, do it clearly. Don't throw me half-baked signals."
No response came except another gentle throb of energy. He exhaled through his nose, clearly fighting an internal battle. The rest of us continued forward, but I kept glancing back, half expecting an explosion of sparks or some abrupt meltdown.
Langston finally jogged to catch up, eyes flickering with equal parts excitement and fear. He twisted the dials again, like a scientist adjusting a lab instrument. Briefly, his face went slack, and I wondered if he heard something I couldn't.
He dragged a hand through his hair."Alright," he muttered under his breath, "we'll do this my way. You're not rewiring my brain. We're just… cooperating."
It was eerie, that one-sided conversation. The bracelet glimmered in response, though no words passed between them that I could hear. The possibility of a hybrid magic-science device thrilled him, I could tell, and yet I saw flickers of terror beneath his smug grin.
After a few quiet minutes, the path opened, revealing distant spires of Doras Dhagda. Soft rays of sunlight set the rooftops aglow. Snow paused to gaze at the city's outline, relief evident in the slope of her shoulders.
Chaucer launched into a new verse about triumphant heroes returning home with wealth beyond measure. Hamish rolled his eyes but shot me a fond look, the corner of his mouth curling in a smile.I let their voices wash over me as I reflected on the day's chaos.
Behind us, Langston lingered for one more moment, pressing a dial that responded with a faint hiss. He arched a brow, as if deciphering some half-heard whisper in his mind. Then he ambled forward, thoughts clearly racing.
"Looks like I've got a real edge now," he muttered, a hushed promise to himself. Something about that vow sent a shiver down my spine, though I couldn't tell if it was from caution or curiosity.