The metallic groan echoed down the dark corridor, a chilling sound that made the hairs on Rix's neck stand on end. He pressed himself tighter against the cold stone wall, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. Ahead of him, the heavy iron door of the vault seemed to mock his efforts, adorned with intricate carvings that, in the flickering light of his oil lantern, looked like hungry eyes.
— Rix, hurry! — a hoarse voice whispered from behind him. It was Kael, his mentor in the Silk Fingers Guild, an experienced thief with hands as quick as a viper. — The patrol won't be long.
Rix swallowed hard, his mouth as dry as the centuries of dust that coated this forgotten place. This was his initiation test, the theft of the legendary "Screaming Vault" of old Baron Varkos. Legend said the vault had been cursed by an ancient mage, emitting a deafening scream if breached incorrectly.
*'I can't fail... Not now!'* Rix thought, adjusting his fine leather gloves, feeling the familiar weight of his lock-picking tools on his belt.
Kael had taught him the basics, but this was a Master of Infiltration-level vault, far beyond his experience as a mere Shadow Novice. With controlled breaths, Rix inserted the first pick into the lock. His fingers worked with nervous precision, trying to feel the tiny clicks that would indicate the correct path. The silence in the subterranean chamber was almost palpable, broken only by the soft scrape of metal against metal and Kael's tense breathing.
Suddenly, a dry click sounded, followed by a slight tremor in the door. Rix held his breath.
— The first tumbler is set, — Kael murmured, a thread of apprehension in his voice. — But this vault has at least five more, and remember what I told you, Rix, any mistake could...
Before Kael could finish his sentence, a sharp, high-pitched sound began to emanate from the vault door. It wasn't a human scream, but a metallic wail, as if the iron itself were in agony. The sound increased in intensity, making Rix's ears ring.
— Hurry! — Kael yelled, pushing Rix forward. — It's waking up!
Rix, propelled by fear and adrenaline, worked frantically on the remaining locks. The vault's piercing sound seemed to penetrate his bones, trying to make him err. Drops of sweat trickled down his forehead, blurring his vision.
*'Need to focus. Kael said the key is the tumbler sequence!'* he told himself, remembering Kael's lessons, the importance of listening to the vault, of feeling its vibrations.
Ignoring the deafening noise, he focused on each movement, each tiny click.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last tumbler yielded with an audible snap. The metallic scream ceased abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in the air.
Rix staggered back, his body trembling with exhaustion and relief. The vault door creaked open, revealing a dark interior.
— You did it, Rix! — Kael exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. — You really have the knack!
But the celebration was cut short by the sound of heavy footsteps echoing in the corridor above.
— Patrol! — Kael hissed, pulling Rix inside the vault. — Quick, grab what you can and let's get out of here!
Inside the vault, by the wavering light of the lantern, Rix saw a variety of valuable objects: glittering jewels, ancient artifacts, and, in the center, resting on a velvet pedestal, a single gem that pulsed with an intense blue light. A Soul Gem.
"A Soul Gem? This is more than I expected."
Without hesitation, Rix grabbed the gem, feeling a slight tingle run through his hand, and quickly stuffed it into his pouch, his heart pounding even faster.
— Let's go! — Kael was already moving toward a secret passage at the back of the vault, one Rix hadn't even noticed before.
As they followed the dark, winding passage, Rix couldn't stop thinking about the gem in his pouch... His initiation test had been a success, but he felt there was something more to that gem, something that called to him. His journey as a rogue in Setharis was just beginning, and he couldn't wait to discover what the future held.