Palace of Thieves

Iki stood atop a large rock, breathing in deeply with a smile on her face. As the fresh, woodland air of the South Shroud filled her lungs, she placed her hands on her hips and chuckled.

"It's been a while since I was last in the Black Shroud, but the air is as clean here as ever. A perfect place to find some fun!"

Kuritsu clambered up the rock behind her, cupping her hand over her eyes to take in the view. "I agree. The view here is great! There are a few settlements that I can see from here. Should we see what trouble we can get into there?"

"Hm hm hm~" Elegia hummed as she floated up behind the two. "I've got a better idea. I know a lovely place in this area that we can haunt~"

Iki scowled, nearly forgetting that the succubus had followed them there after they found and released her from her prison in the Great Gubal Library. "Oh? This better be good..."

Elegia smirked. "It's a place I'm quite familar with; a deep dungeon known as the Palace of the Dead~"

"Sounds interesting," Iki said, her ears perking up.

"Sounds spooky..." Kuritsu followed up.

Elegia floated around the two, her eyes scanning the area. "It shouldn't be too far from here. I think we'd be able to find a lot of treasure down in the Palace~"

Iki and Kuritsu's eyes lit up at the mention of treasure. If there was anything that would nab their attention, it was that.

"Now we're talking!" Iki said, her tail swishing behind her. "Let's go!"

Elegia grinned, leading the way to the Palace of the Dead. "I must warn you, though, the Palace is quite a dangerous place. Monsters, traps and other...undesirable things lurk down there. You'll have to be on your toes the whole time~"

Iki waved her hand dismissively. "Eh, we'll be fine. We've dealt with worse; right, Kuri?"

Kuritsu nodded. "Yup! We're gonna be a couple of pals in the palace!"

Iki rolled her eyes with a groan. "Will you cut it out with the terrible puns??"

**

"Are you ladies sure you want to go through with this?" the Wood Wailer captain asked as he led Kuritsu and Iki to a wide pit, a ladder built into its side. Elegia hovered invisibly behind them as to not spook the Wood Wailers. Several feet below, the thieves could see several pillars strewn about, many of them broken. At the far end of the pit rested a glowing circle, a blue orb in its center. "It's not too late to change your mind."

"We'll be fine," Iki replied curtly.

The captain nodded. "Very well. Descend this latter into this pit and stand in the light of that cairn and you will be teleported into the Palace. May the Matron watch over you two."

The man took his leave, leaving the thieves to begin their trek into the unknown.

"Ready, partner?" Iki asked, her excitement growing.

The au ra nodded. "Let's go find that treasure!"

"After you, ladies~" Elegia said, reappearing as the Wood Wailers were out of sight. "Do watch your step on that ladder, though. We don't need either of you getting injured before we even enter the place."

Iki scoffed. "If only we could float so easily like you..."

Elegia giggled, giving the miqo'te a wink. "If only~"

Iki hopped down first, clambering down the ladder while Kuritsu followed closely behind. Elegia floated easily down to join them. When they had reached solid ground, they walked together to the glowing cairn and stepped inside. The cairn began to pulse, and after three pulses, the three were whisked away.