Ch.10

After spending some more time in another freaking elevator, we arrived in front of the largest steel door I ever saw.

There was Aramaic engraved all above the doorway.

" What that say? " asked Pelit.

" .. Why would he know a language that died thousands of years ago? " asked Irina.

" You'd be surprised. " answered Rim, smiling.

Since they were all waiting.

" Something about duty, family, and honour.. what now? "

I turned to the manager and kept its real meaning to myself.

" Ohh yes .. insert the key. " He handed it back to me. " .. than present your wand. "

I felt the girls tense up, meaning they had been told by Lor, and they were curious. Probably the reason they came.

I inserted the key at the same time, putting my hand on the material and letting my instinct take over. Soon enough, a sound of metal scratching prompted me to step back.

The smell coming out wasn't pleasant, as the heavy door opened, unveiling the inside. I froze in place.

I always knew my family was old and famous, that our house was built on the centuries' worth of blood of our ancestors, who gave it in defence of our world and etc ..

But the sheer amount of gold and precious jewels pilled up everywhere was simply overwhelming.

The space inside was ludicrous, as in I couldn't see the end it was so big.

" W..well, that's sure is something. " Rim tapped my shoulder.

" Brother .. we can retire. " Pelit remarked.

I smiled to myself because it was just that ridiculous.

Walked in .. and just kept on walking.

" You aren't coming? " I asked the manager.

" Our employees are not allowed inside the vaults. Please enjoy your time, there is a call button inside the elevator we came. Please press it once you finish. "

With that, he left, and we were free to explore.

" Some of these are super old. " Rim was holding a gold chalice. " .. as in priceless. "

He slowly put it down, afraid he might brake it.

" That's nice and all .. but you can't pay with gold and .. shiny priceless stones in the stores, can you? Should we just use the money the captain gave us? " asked Pelit.

" We should save that, I think, give it back at Christmas, you know .. " I said without looking.

Couldn't believe there wasn't any currency inside. Looking around, I found a few bags near me and opened one up.

" Money? " asked Pelit.

" Papers .. " I answered.

I couldn't even read them .. or even tell what kind of language it was written. I placed them back inside and opened the next one ..

I looked up, and the others all stood around awkwardly huddled together in a large open space.

" Please help, go further inside, and check for actual spend able money. Go .. go go.. " I waved my hand.

They slowly gained some confidence and moved further inside.

Damn you uncle, shouldn't money be put out front and centre? Easy grabbing and going? Why didn't he just hand me a card like the girls used? Did he want me inside for a reason? And if .. what for?

There is always some useless mystery with the man.

None of the bags I checked had money in it. Hell, one of them was just full of these brightly coloured drawings.

I got up and tumbled little .. luckily, some creep was already behind, so what was supposed to be a little tumble ended up where we both fell on a pile of golden goods.

" .. Leyla? "

" S- sorry .. it's my fault for being sneaky. "

I quickly got up and pulled her as well.

" It's fine.. boy, you're really silently... you are a silent one. " I ended awkwardly.

We were alone. I checked with my eyes as well, just be sure .. and .. I got nothing to say.

Usually, I'm breaking ice with ease, but she was .. It's just strange, and it's hard to break ice with these .. strange people.

She didn't seem interested in talking either. Seconds felt like minutes.. at some point

I started hearing actual sounds of a clock ticking.

" Did you .. maybe found money? " I fished.

" No. "

At some point, I started wondering if she is .. dangerous, but I caught a glimpse of small unicorn on her skirt and quickly closed that topic.

" Maybe we should go .. find the others? " I asked carefully.

" OK. "

I expected that.

" Yes .. please after you. " I made a polite gesture.

She smiled and walked ahead as my own smile died.

My politeness was just the primal fear of having some unhinged person at your back, but she didn't seem to notice.

I was so preoccupied that I forgot to check for signs of money and just kept an eye on her.

The others were found largely doing the same thing I did. Just cheking random bags and even furniture .. curtesy of Pelit.

" Any luck? " I asked.

At this point, I was ready to just grab a bunch of stuff and sell it to the nearest place that buys them.

" Nothing.. but this place is bigger than we thought. Look. "

Rim came over and showed me .. a door.

" God damn it! Is it not just a long hall? " I looked up ahead, still not seeing the end.

" Unfortunately, no .. although the doors can be ignored, we think, since they all spelt closed. "

Irina answered, standing by his side.

" Pelit, grab some those diamonds, brother, and maybe that chalice Rim played with. " I ordered him.

I walked past them as Pelit grabbed some gem stones and started placing them inside a small bag that seemed to be there for that purpose.

" Stop .. you can't just sell those stones! "

This annoying liability started to get on my nerves. I turned to her and walked closer

" Lor .. dear .. are you trying to say there isn't a place to sell these all around town? "

" That's not what I mean. " She explained, walking closer as well. " .. These gem stones could be worth as much as their entire lives, kids included. "

" Pfft .. "

She was just as surprised as I was when that sound came out of me.

" Don't worry .. Irina says things stay open here sometime, even late at night, although some close midday. " Rim added.

It wasn't the case of the stores closing, but I nodded defeated, thinking, 'Why make a universal opening and closing time when you can just wing it? That would be too damn convenient.'

We continued to discover the place, ignoring the doors we found and eventually finding currency.. just not the one that was used in France.

" Is there a place that exchange dollars? " I asked.

The girl shared some looks but ultimately shrugged. I put some in my pocket just in case.

" I say we give up man and use the Caps money. "

I felt stupid that we didn't do this in the first place. As I said, Pelit was smart on occasion , as in we need to listen to him more. As dangerous as that sounds.

" I kinda want to see the end, though .. " Rim looked into the distance.

The adventurer inside him needs to be killed off.

" I know what you mean .. who knows what other treasurers are down there. " Irnia shared his enthusiasm.

I couldn't care less myself, so I took a seat around a large round table and let them loose.

Pelit went with them, but Lor and Leyla sat down as well.

I closed my eyes, hoping they would start chatting amongst themselves and leave me out, but that didn't happen.

" Hey .. hello?.. Ferith! "

" .. Yes, Lor? " I said without looking.

" That whole doing magic without a wand .. how is that work? " She asked, looking suspicious already.

I was ready myself.

" I don't know. " I shrugged.

Hearing that visibly frustrated her as it would most people. I'm not trying to be mysterious either. I also didn't owe anyone anything.

" Are you lying? " She asked.

" No .. " I sighed.

" I don't think I believe you. "

" He is telling the truth .. "

Leyla words drawn me, more like the way she sounded. Said with absolute conviction.

Not even her friend questioned it, which I found a little weird.

" Hmm .. how come I never heard of you? " She switched angles.

" Why were you supposed to hear of me? "

She had an answer loaded.

" For once, your uncle is a powerful member of the Regime, the leading magicans of our age. And as far as I know, there haven't been any other who were born without..

" Listen .. " I had enough and wanted to make it clear. " .. I don't know anything. Okay? In fact, that super powerful member of the regime you mentioned? He doesn't know anything, either.. the end. "

She huffed a little but did stop the questions.

Not a lot of people knew these about me. 3 to speak precisely.

How much was spent on bribery? How long have I carried a fake wand as if my own? How good it felt making that useless piece of wood burn to ashes after they burned my parents?

Well, I keep those answers to myself if you don't mind Miss Orlean.

Soon, the rest of the crew returned.. with bags on their backs.

" Don't tell me .. " I got up.

" Ka-ching .. we probably carry more money than the Border Control ever got paid. "

Pelit gently tapped one of the bags as if he were handling an old and delicate friend.

Lor walked beside me.

" If you want, we can ask Mr Manger to put it on account and give you a card? "

I nodded along immediately, Lor was trying to be useful and nailed it.

" Thanks .. "

" Hmm .. "

On our way out, I stopped at the front of a random door.

" What's wrong? " asked Rim.

Without answering, I walked closer and tried to open one ..

It was closed.

" See? .. spelt shut mate don't bother. " he smiled.

I thought of leaving, but for reason, I placed my hand on the surface instead and let my curiosity get the best of me.

Not every spell can be broken, kid .. but you can dilute the magic inside and then ..

" Hirin. "

( BOOM! )

The door got blasted away inside hinges and all , creating a dust cloud.

" Ferith! .. Are you okay? " Rim pulled his wand, and soon the dust disappeared.

" Fine .. " I took a deep breath enjoying the high that came with a large magical output.

It was euphoric.

Pelit came over knowing my symptoms. He placed his hand on me.

" Brother? .. "

" I'm here .. here. Let's take a peak. " I calmed him quietly.

His worried expression changed to a smiling one.

Us three stepped inside one after another.

Then, we walked out almost immediately.

I concentrated, and the door fell back into its place as time went backwards, and I made a strong spell covering it once it was done.

" W-what was inside? " asked Lor.

My friends looked pale. I probably looked the same.

" It's.. just .. nightmare fuel for all kinds. "

I told the best way I could without graphic details.

" Like .. ? " Lor asked.

" How about you just take our word for it? "

Rimel walked ahead, turning the girls around.

As me and Pelit shared some looks of horror.

What the actual hell? Why would my family have these at all?

I tapped him a little and nodded towards the exit.

He wiped his brow and walked ahead.

I put another few locks on the door, hoping no one ever walks inside. I'll have questions they needed answers.