Into the Depths

Victor slowly rose from the cold, stone floor of Bleak Falls Barrow, feeling the energy coursing through his veins once again. His meditation had replenished his magicka, but the weight of his recent recklessness hung heavily on his mind. As he stood, brushing the dust from his robes, he couldn't help but critique his previous decision to use "Enhanced Telekinesis" to skip the front steps of the barrow.

It was a flashy move, sure, but entirely impractical considering the magicka it drained, he thought. The bandits had been untrained and poorly equipped, making his dramatic entrance overkill. In a real confrontation against seasoned foes, such a stunt could have ended disastrously.

Shaking off the lingering doubts, Victor turned to Sarah, who had been keeping watch with unwavering vigilance. "I'm ready now," he announced, his voice steady, betraying none of his inner self-reproach. "Thank you for your patience."

Sarah nodded, her eyes scanning the shadowed entrance of the ancient Nordic tomb. "It's time then. Let's see what secrets this place holds," she said, her tone a mix of determination and curiosity.

Together, they approached the gaping maw of Bleak Falls Barrow, the ancient stones whispering tales of forgotten eras. As they crossed the threshold, Victor felt the chill of the barrow seep into his bones, a stark contrast to the warmth of the magicka still humming within him.

"Stay alert," Victor murmured, his eyes adjusting to the dim light inside. "We don't know what awaits us beyond these halls."

Sarah nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. Her other hand held a torch aloft, casting long, dancing shadows on the walls that seemed to twist and move as they delved deeper into the barrow.

The air grew colder, and the path narrowed. Victor led the way, his senses heightened, ready to react at the slightest hint of danger. The deeper they went, the stronger the sense of foreboding grew. The walls were lined with ancient carvings that told of battles fought and heroes fallen, each step further into the depths a step back through time.

As they rounded a corner, the faint sound of voices echoed through the stone corridors, a stark reminder that they were not alone in seeking the secrets of Bleak Falls Barrow. Victor paused, signaling to Sarah to extinguish the torch.

"Intruders, or perhaps guardians of this place," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Let's proceed with caution."

Sarah nodded, her eyes narrowing as she slipped into the shadows, her movements as silent as the grave they walked through. Victor followed, his mind racing, his earlier reflections now replaced by the immediate need for vigilance.

The echoes grew louder, the voices gruffer. Victor conjured a light in his hand, dim and steady, allowing them to navigate the winding corridors while maintaining the cover of semi-darkness. He exhaled slowly, grounding himself with each step taken towards the unknown.

They turned another corner and saw the flicker of torchlight reflecting off a weathered stone wall. Victor signaled Sarah to stay back, advancing alone quietly towards the light.

Peeking around the corner, he observed a group of bandits huddled around an treasure chest. Their crude attempts at brute forcing the lock were both amusing and worrying. Victor's heart tightened; these men were desecrating something that was centuries old.

Drawing back into the shadows, Victor shared his discovery with Sarah. Her normally clear eyes held an enigmatic glimmer as she proposed a plan. "We could use magic like last time," she suggested softly. "It could cause them to scatter around."

Victor nodded, appreciating her strategic approach. "Or perhaps we can try turning them into temporary allies," he added thoughtfully. "That way they won't destroy anything important in their confusion."

———

Victor quickly adjusted his strategy as he studied the bandits milling about the ancient chamber. To blend in and approach them as one of their own, he needed a change of attire. Slipping into the shadows where Sarah kept watch, he swiftly exchanged his mage robes for a set of leather armor, more suited to a rogue than a sorcerer. Strapping a dagger to his side and slinging a bow and quiver across his back, he transformed his appearance from that of a learned mage to a stealthy rogue.

"Stay hidden and watch closely in case anything goes wrong," Victor whispered to Sarah, his voice tinged with an edge of excitement mixed with caution. "I'm going to try to bluff our way through this."

Sarah nodded, her expression serious as she melted further into the shadows, her keen eyes fixed on Victor's movements and the bandits beyond.

Victor took a deep breath, steadying his nerves before stepping out from the alcove. He approached the bandits from behind, adopting the casual swagger he imagined a member of the Thieves Guild might use. As he drew closer, he called out in a friendly, conspiratorial tone, "Hello there! That chest giving you trouble?"

The bandits whirled around, hands on their weapons, their faces a mix of suspicion and surprise. The flickering torchlight cast ominous shadows across their rugged features, but Victor maintained his composure.

"Easy now," he continued with a grin, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. "Name's Daric. I'm here on Guild business. Heard there was some trouble with a Golden Claw Puzzle that needs picking?"

The bandits relaxed slightly, though their eyes remained narrowed. The leader, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "And why would the Guild care about this old crypt?"

Victor chuckled, reaching for the charm he'd spun earlier. "You know how it is. The Guild has eyes everywhere. Plus, there's talk of some valuable relics. Wouldn't want some amateurs accidentally destroying a potential fortune, would we?"

The leader grunted, seemingly appeased by the explanation. "Fine, Daric. Show us your skills then. Open this chest."

Seeing their continued hesitation, Victor decided to demonstrate his sincerity and skills. He knelt by the chest, inspecting the lock. "Stand back and watch a pro at work," he said confidently.

As he pretended to pick the lock the traditional way, Victor discreetly used his "Enhanced Telekinesis" to manipulate the tumblers inside the lock. He recalled the techniques he'd learned from watching the Lock Picking Lawyer, visualizing the alignment and feeling for the subtle clicks through the faint vibrations in the air—a skill that required immense focus and control.

The bandits murmured among themselves, impressed by Victor's apparent lock-picking prowess as the lock gave a satisfying click, and the lid of the chest began to open.

Their attention fixated on the loot, which gave Victor a momentary sense of relief. However, as he rose to his feet, one of the bandits, younger and more observant than the others, squinted at Victor's helmet, which he had neglected to remove.

"Wait a second," the young bandit said, pointing at Victor's helmet. "Isn't that Garth's helm? Saw him wearing it just this morning. How'd it end up on your head?"

Victor's heart sank as the chamber suddenly grew tense again. The leader's eyes hardened, and the rest of the bandits reached for their weapons.

"It's a common enough helm," Victor tried, but he knew his bluff was wearing thin.

The young bandit shook his head, unsatisfied. "Nah, I know it anywhere. Saw Garth carve his mark on it after winning it from Hrolf. Unless you're telling us you're Garth?"

The situation spiraled quickly. The leader stepped up, his face inches from Victor's. "Looks like you're trying to play us, 'Daric.' Let's see if the Guild can save you now."

As the bandits closed in, Victor readied himself for a fight, regretting his oversight. But before the situation could escalate into violence, an arrow zipped through the air, embedding itself with a thud in the wooden post next to the leader's head.

Sarah, blending into the shadows, had determined it was time to step in. The bandits were caught off guard by her sudden appearance and precise shot, causing them to pause and giving Victor and Sarah the upper hand. With the tension eased and the bandits now wary of the hidden archer, Victor saw an opportunity to regain control of the situation. He used his newest skill, Arcane Gatherer, in combination with his trusted Inventory Management technique to quickly take all of the weapons at their disposal. "Let's keep this civil," Victor suggested calmly, while twirling one of their swords on his fingertip. "We're all after the same thing here - profit. No need for violence over a misunderstanding."

The leader, now without a weapon and with an arrowhead ominously close to his temple, glared at Victor but held his tongue. The other bandits shared wary looks, their hands empty but fingers twitching with unease. The young bandit who had called out Victor before stayed silent, his eyes veering between the spot where Sarah's arrow came from and the sword in Victor's hand.

"Profit?" The leader finally grumbled, his eyes never leaving Victor's. "That chest there is ours."

"Is it?" Victor asked, the sword paused mid-twirl. "Or is it property of whoever can open it?"

This drew more confused glances amongst the bandits. Before anyone could respond, Victor continued. "You see, my friends, the Guild is not interested in all the loot. Just specific artifacts of historical and magical significance. Your common treasures - gold, jewels - they're all yours."

"But your Guild doesn't have a say on that," the leader spat back defiantly, "We found this place first."

Victor let out a chuckle, trying to maintain his composed demeanor despite the rising tension. "Do you really think it was mere chance you stumbled upon this location?" He asked. In a low voice he added conspiratorially, "Who do you think leaked the location map to Hrolf in the first place?"

The color drained from the young bandit's face as he shot a look at their leader. "But why would the Guild do that?" He asked.

Victor shrugged as he neatly sheathed the stolen sword. "To keep our hands clean? Unnecessary deaths are bad for business, after all. The Guild prefers to let others do the dirty work when it can be avoided."

The leader's eyes narrowed as he processed this new information while the other bandits exchanged uneasy glances. "So you're saying we've been…used?"

Victor shrugged again, as though this wasn't a particularly shocking revelation. "It's not personal. Just business. And if it makes you feel any better, you're not the first and certainly won't be the last."

The silence in the chamber was almost palpable as the bandits digested Victor's words.

"And what about Garth?" The young bandit asked at last, his gaze never leaving Victor. He had come to understand more than the others, Victor realized.

Victor respected that; he was intelligent and bold enough to question. "Garth attacked me," he replied honestly. "He thought I was an intruder, much like you did. I didn't want to kill him. It was self-defense."

The bandit leader's scowl deepened but stayed silent.

"But why should we trust you now?" Another bandit challenged, a ragged-looking woman with a war-hardened face.

Sarah chose that moment to step forward from her shadowy perch, much to everyone's surprise. As she leaned casually against the stone wall on one side of the room, she nonchalantly adjusted her bow over her shoulder.

"Oh, I wouldn't if I were you," she answered with a wicked grin before Victor could reply. "Trust is such a fickle thing--especially in our line of work."

"Who's this now?" The leader growled, taking a step towards Sarah, only to be halted by Victor's movement. He held up his hand in a placating manner.

"Allow me," Victor interjected smoothly, "Sarah here is my partner and quite the skilled archer, as you've noticed. The Guild usually sends us on these kinds of assignments."

Upon hearing this, the bandit leader's eyes twitched towards the arrow embedded in the post beside him, the memory of its sudden appearance causing a shiver to ripple through him. Grudgingly, he settled back down, resentment still flashing in his gaze.

Sarah, unfazed by his hostility, began to explain. "The Guild works in mysterious ways," she said with a shrug. "But if you'd rather we leave and report your hostile behavior to our superiors..." She let her words hang in the air, leaving the threat unspoken.

The bandits exchanged glances once more, their unease palpable. Victor could sense their fear of the Guild's far-reaching influence and potential retribution far outweighed any ill will they bore towards him and Sarah.

"No need for that," said the young bandit who started it all, breaking the silence. He looked at Victor contemplatively before shifting his gaze towards Sarah. "We'll cooperate."

Victor's heart eased at this proclamation, but he kept his composure. "Very well." He moved away from the chest which was forgotten amidst the suspicion and tension, making room for the bandits to claim their share.

An awkward silence stretched on as none of them moved. It seemed that while they were ready to cooperate, they weren't sure how to proceed. Victor hid a smirk, watching as the leader awkwardly shuffled his feet, his gruff exterior crumbling under uncertainty.

"Allow me to make a proposition," Victor finally broke the silence, stepping into the center of the cavernous room. The bandits visibly flinched, eyes widening as they stared at him warily. "We know there are Draugr ahead. Dangerous, undead creatures that won't hesitate to kill you. We also know there are traps littered around this ruined castle."

He paused for dramatic effect, watching their unease grow with each passing second. Then, with a glance at Sarah who nodded in approval, he continued. "There's strength in numbers. With my knowledge of traps and Sarah's accuracy with her bow," he gestured at the arrow still firmly embedded in the wall as if to emphasize his point, "we could more easily handle what lies ahead."

The bandits shared an uncertain look again, their fear of the unknown clear on their faces. "You're suggesting we work together?" The young bandit questioned, his tone wary but curious.

Victor nodded, feeling a spark of hope ignite within him. "Exactly," he affirmed confidently. "We advance together, help each other out and share whatever treasure we find equally amongst us all. What say you?"

The leader's gaze hardened as he considered Victor's proposition, unease subtly replaced by intrigue. The glow of torchlight reflected off his calculating eyes as he exchanged glances with his crew one last time.

With a deep sigh, he reluctantly agreed. "We don't have any other options," he muttered as he extended his hand for a handshake. However, before they could make contact, Victor tossed the sword he had been balancing on his finger in the air one last time and then returned it to its sheath. Suddenly, with a dramatic flourish, all of the weapons taken from them earlier fell to the ground at their feet.

The group of bandits took notice and began to retrieve their scattered weapons, their fear evident in their cautious movements. Meanwhile, Victor's appearance changed. His leather armor disappeared, replaced by extravagant robes that billowed around him. In his hand, instead of a sword, was his fireball staff.

He had used the distraction to revert back to his original equipment, ready to take on whatever came next.

As the uneasy alliance of Victor, Sarah, and the bandits delved deeper into Bleak Falls Barrow, the air grew thick with the mustiness of decay and the palpable sense of lurking danger. The dimly lit pathway led them down a winding stairwell carved into the mountain itself, the walls echoing their every step.

At the bottom of the stairs, the path opened into a wider chamber, the center of which was dominated by a gruesome scene—a man, clearly a thief from his attire, was caught in a web, strung up like a trophy. His frantic eyes caught the torchlight as he struggled against his sticky bonds.

"That's Arvel the Swift," one of the bandits hissed, recognizing the trapped man. "He stole the Golden Claw from Lucan back in Riverwood!"

Before Victor could assess the situation or caution restraint, two of the bandits charged ahead, swords drawn, eager to retrieve the stolen item or perhaps earn some measure of redemption. Their footsteps thudded heavily on the stone floor, disturbing the ominous silence.

Suddenly, from the shadows above, a giant frostbite spider descended, its legs unfolding with terrifying grace as it landed directly in front of the advancing bandits. The chamber erupted into chaos as the spider attacked, its fangs dripping with venom.

Victor, maintaining his distance, whispered urgently to Sarah, "Stay back. Let's not get entangled in this."

Sarah nodded, positioning herself with an arrow nocked but her aim fixed on the broader threats that might emerge from the darkness. Meanwhile, Victor focused on using his telekinesis, not to fight directly, but to manipulate the environment. With a flick of his wrist, he sent loose stones flying towards the spider, hoping to distract or disorient it without expending too much of his magicka.

The two bandits engaged the spider were not so fortunate. One was quickly ensnared by new webs shot from the abdomen of the beast, dragged screaming into the darkness above. The other managed a few brave slashes with his sword before being bitten deeply on the neck, collapsing as the spider's venom took hold.

As the remaining bandits regrouped, shaken by the swift brutality of their comrades' deaths, Victor took the opportunity to continue his methodical salvaging. Anything of value that wasn't bolted down—urns, loose gemstones, even entire chests—was surreptitiously whisked into his inventory, leaving behind only the bare stone and the fading echoes of plunder.

Once the immediate threat was neutralized, with the spider retreating into the shadows, nursing its wounds from the stones Victor had hurled, they approached Arvel, still struggling against the webbing.

"Cut me down!" Arvel pleaded, desperation cracking his voice as his eyes darted between his rescuers and the dark recesses where the spider had disappeared.

The bandit who had previously been trying to open the puzzle door stepped forward with a begrudging sense of duty. "You better have that claw," he grumbled, slicing through the webs with a dagger.

Arvel tumbled to the floor, coughing and gasping as he regained his freedom. "Yes, yes, I have it!" he exclaimed, patting his pockets to reassure both himself and the bandits. "Just help me out of here, and I'll give it to you!"

As Arvel scrambled to his feet, Victor and Sarah exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. While they had no love for thieves or the chaos of such skirmishes, the information Arvel could provide about the deeper parts of the barrow was too valuable to ignore.

"We'll need more than just the claw from you," Victor stated, stepping forward. "You will guide us through the rest of this place."

Arvel, recognizing the non-negotiable tone of Victor's voice, nodded hastily. "Yes, yes, anything! Just keep those spiders away from me!"

Sarah gave a tug on her longbow, satisfying herself with the twang of the string. "You better not try any tricks, Swift," she warned darkly, her gaze steady and steely. "Victor's fireballs are much worse than spider bites."

Arvel gulped audibly, understanding the possible implications of Sarah's veiled threat. He nodded, holding his hand up in a placating gesture. "No tricks! I swear."

"Honesty is good for longevity," Victor added, resuming his former confident demeanor, the soft glow from his staff illuminating his face in an otherworldly light.

Arvel's fear was so palpable that Victor could almost feel it against his own skin. He decided not to press the thief any further and instead turned to the remaining bandits. "You heard him, we keep moving."

The group hesitated, glancing at their fallen comrades and then back at the cavernous depths ahead of them. The reality of their situation was sinking in, but they also knew there wasn't really a choice here; retreating would only mean certain death at the hands of the Draugr or Victor for insubordination.

With that settled, they ventured deeper into the Barrow. Arvel led the way hesitantly, twitching at every stray gust of wind and jumping at each echo. His fear was palpable and contagious; even the hardened bandits were noticeably more alert.

The air became colder as they descended into the heart of the ancient fortress. The flickering torchlight reflected off walls adorned with foreboding ancient Nordic carvings, casting monstrous shadows that danced across the stone surfaces.

Victor's staff cast a steady, eerie glow through the tunnel as they moved slowly, the scraping of their boots on the stone floor the only sound to break the heavy silence. Arvel, still trembling, directed them through a series of winding passageways and treacherous pitfalls, his eyes wide and alert.

Sarah moved alongside Victor at the rear, her longbow ready in her hands as she scanned their surroundings with a practiced eye. The bandits clustered around them were hushed, the grim reality of their situation reflected in their fearful expressions. Their numbers had been halved in mere moments—a stark reminder of their vulnerability in this ancient, inhospitable place.

As they continued deeper into the Barrow, the tunnel eventually gave way to a large chamber. Sarah and Victor shared a knowing glance as they saw several Draugr stumbling about, their ancient bones creaking as they moved. This was what they had been preparing for - the true test of their skills and strength.

Victor signaled for silence, planning to take out the Draugr one by one with his powerful magic. But before he could even cast a spell, Arvel let out a shriek of terror.

"Undead! They're everywhere!" he screamed, pointing wildly at the Draugr.

"Shut up!" Sarah hissed through gritted teeth, aiming her bow at an approaching Draugr.

But it was too late. The rest of the bandits followed Arvel's lead, screaming and shouting in panic as they rushed towards the Draugr with their weapons drawn.

Victor cursed under his breath as his carefully laid plans were ruined by Arvel's monumental stupidity. He quickly cast a protective barrier around himself and Sarah before unleashing a barrage of fireballs towards the oncoming undead.

Sarah's arrows flew true, taking down several Draugr with precise shots to their decaying heads or chest cavities. But there were still more coming, a lot more than he remembered from the game even, their numbers seemingly endless.

"You fools!" she snarled at the bandits as she fought alongside them, "We had them outnumbered and now you've made us all easy targets!"

The bandits were too busy fighting for their lives to pay attention to her scolding. Their screams and curses filled the air as they clashed swords and axes with the resilient undead warriors.

Victor joined the fray, using every bit of his magical abilities to keep them all alive. Two of his swords where flying everywhere around him, controlled by his Enhanced Telekinesis, slicing through the Draugr with mechanical precision. He directed one sword to sweep low, toppling an advancing Draugr at the knees before the other sword swung high, decapitating it as it fell. This dance of steel orchestrated by his will was both deadly and exhausting, drawing heavily on his magicka reserves.

In the midst of the chaos, Victor spotted a larger, more decorated Draugr emerging from the shadows behind a stone sarcophagus. It was wielding an ancient Nordic battleaxe that seemed to hum with dark energy. Recognizing the threat, Victor focused his next spell on this formidable opponent. He conjured a concentrated fireball, the air crackling with heat before he launched it directly at the Draugr warlord.

The fireball hit its mark, engulfing the warlord in flames. However, to Victor's dismay, the creature staggered through the inferno, only slightly charred but still very much a threat. Its eyes, glowing with a malevolent red light, fixed on Victor as it raised its axe and charged.

Sarah, noticing the danger, quickly shot two arrows in rapid succession. The first arrow embedded itself in the creature's thigh, slowing its advance, while the second struck its shoulder, causing it to stagger. But it was not enough to stop it.

"Victor, look out!" Sarah yelled, dropping her bow and drawing her dagger as she prepared to intercept the warlord.

Victor, realizing he needed to end this quickly, concentrated, channeling his energy to lift several large stones from the ground using his telekinesis. He hurled them at the warlord with all the force he could muster, each hit slowing the creature further until it was nearly immobile.

Taking advantage of the moment, Victor swept his telekinetically controlled swords in a final, lethal arc. One sword slashed across the warlord's chest, while the other delivered a clean cut to its neck, decapitating it. The warlord's head fell to the ground, and its body crumpled soon after, the glowing eyes finally dimming.

Breathing heavily, Victor let the swords drop to his side. He glanced around; the chamber was littered with the remains of Draugr and two of the bandits lay motionless on the ground, casualties of the battle. The remaining bandits were panting, looking around in disbelief at their narrow escape.

The next moment he sat down ready to use his Meditation in order to recover his mana to full capacity but not before using Arcane Gatherer in order to store everything around him, he also turned to look toward the surviving bandits. Surprisingly Arvel was still alive but by the way the last two bandit war staring at him it wouldn't last long, it looked like they would keep each other in check.

After a couple of minutes Victor got up, "We need to move," his voice firm despite the situation. "This won't be the last of them. Sarah, can you lead?"

Sarah nodded, retrieving her bow and quickly scanning the chamber for any more threats. "Follow me," she said, her voice steady. "Stay close and keep your voices down."

As the group moved forward, Victor kept his telekinesis active, ready to react to any further dangers, Sarah, and the remaining bandits cautiously navigated the narrow, winding passages of Bleak Falls Barrow, the air grew colder and the oppressive silence seemed to weigh heavier upon them. Their torches cast long shadows on the stone walls, which were carved with eerie, ancient symbols that told tales of power and conquest now long forgotten.

As they rounded a sharp bend in the corridor, they came upon a wide hall, its ceiling supported by massive stone columns that stretched up into darkness. The flickering torchlight revealed rows of sarcophagi lining the walls, each adorned with the carved visage of a Draugr warrior in full regalia. Victor's instincts screamed a warning.

"Stop," he hissed, holding out an arm to halt the group. His eyes scanned the room, noting the suspicious layout. "This looks like a burial chamber. We should expect company."

Sarah nodded in agreement, nocking an arrow to her bow as she surveyed the hall. The bandits, now visibly shaken by their earlier encounter, clutched their weapons tighter, their eyes darting nervously.

"Prepare yourselves," Victor whispered, feeling the familiar tingle of magicka at his fingertips. "I'll try to awaken them a few at a time. We handle them in controlled bursts."

Positioning himself strategically, Victor raised his hands. A subtle wave of magical energy emanated from him, brushing over the nearest sarcophagi. With a grinding sound that echoed ominously through the hall, the lids began to slide open, and Draugr warriors slowly emerged, their ancient armor clinking softly.

As the first Draugr stepped out, Sarah's arrow flew, striking it squarely in the chest. It staggered but continued its relentless advance. Victor's telekinesis flicked another arrow from Sarah's quiver, directing it with precision into the eye socket of another Draugr that had begun to rise.

The bandits, rallying from their initial shock, charged forward to engage the undead warriors. They fought desperately, their swords clashing against the ancient armor with sparks and the ring of steel.

"Keep them in line!" Victor called out, directing his telekinesis to manipulate the environment. He ripped a heavy stone from the wall, slamming it into a group of Draugr to block their advance and separate them from the bandits.

Sarah, moving fluidly through the chaos, took advantage of the distraction. She dispatched Draugr after Draugr, her arrows finding weak spots in their armor with deadly accuracy. Victor, conserving his magicka, used his telekinesis to assist her, lifting her arrows from fallen enemies and placing them back into her quiver.

The battle raged on, the sound of combat reverberating through the ancient barrow. Despite the ferocity of the Draugr, the living warriors began to gain the upper hand, their initial fear replaced by a focused determination to survive.

After several tense minutes, the last of the Draugr fell, its decaying body collapsing onto the cold stone floor with a final thud. The bandits, panting and covered in dust and grime, looked around in weary triumph.

"We can't keep this up indefinitely," Victor muttered, scanning the chamber for any additional threats. "We need to be more cautious."

Sarah nodded, her gaze lingering on the sarcophagi. "Agreed. Let's move on."

They proceeded through the chamber, their steps quickened by the knowledge that they had survived yet another deadly encounter. The passage ahead grew narrower and steeper, leading them deeper into the heart of the barrow.

Finally, they arrived at the well-known puzzle door, its massive stone surface carved with intricate symbols and dominated by the unmistakable slots for the Golden Claw. The air around them grew still, charged with the anticipation of the challenge ahead.

Victor stepped forward, his mind already working through the puzzle's solution. "This is it," he said, looking back at his companions with a grim smile. "Let's see if the claw is worth the trouble we went through to get here."

The bandits, now somewhat calmer, watched in fascination as Victor prepared to solve the ancient puzzle that had stymied so many before them. They were far from safe, but for the moment, they were united in their quest for the treasures and secrets that lay beyond the door.

Autor Note: At first I wanted to finish the chapter after they get to the end of the Burrow, but the chapter got to big and decided to end it here.

 Maybe Victor's impulsiveness is going to kill him some day, and why is Sarah indulging him?

I hope you like the interaction with the bandits and I bet that at the beginning some of you taught it was stupid for him to do that, and I hope that you are slowly getting what type of man Victor and Surprisingly Sarah are.

Ps. As always I would like it very much if you see any mistakes or inconsistencies you would let me know as that would help me create a much better story. Thank you very much.

Pps. Should I Post the Caracter Status page for Victor and Sarah?