The dim glow from the stone platform flickered like a dying flame as figures began to appear, emerging from the swirling golden whirlpool.
Their whispered voices echoed through the vast, shadowy chamber, bouncing off the cold stone walls.
"Where are we?" someone whispered, their voice shaky with worry.
"I can't find the tunnels... is this a trap?" another voice added, fear creeping into their words.
Nervous murmurs spread among the survivors. The platform beneath their feet was the only light source, casting strange, eerie shadows in the darkness.
Spark, Bronn, and Amelia stepped forward, scanning the room with watchful eyes.
Unlike the others, they remained calm. Spark's face showed no concern, just calm indifference, while Bronn's excitement bubbled beneath the surface, even in this strange and ominous place.
"Looks like we've arrived," Spark said casually, as if this strange chamber was just another stop.
Bronn couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. He leaned closer to Spark. "Boss, Do you think there's treasure here?"
Spark glanced at him from the corner of his eye, a smirk playing on his lips. "Treasure? You should be more worried about what's coming next."
Bronn chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. Despite the clear danger, his greed hadn't faded one bit.
As more people appeared on the platform, the light beneath their feet flickered again, then suddenly went out, plunging the chamber into total darkness.
A wave of fearful murmurs rippled through the crowd, their unease growing louder.
But just as quickly, large stones embedded in the chamber's walls began to glow.
A soft, ethereal light illuminated the room, revealing a vast, semi-circular chamber with smooth walls.
The only feature in the room was a single, narrow path leading outside. It appeared this room was solely meant for teleportation.
Cautiously, the crowd began to move, filing into the huge pathway ahead. The trio followed.
The walls on either side of the path gave off a soft, crystalline glow, lighting the way ahead.
As they ventured deeper into the corridor, Bronn's attention was caught by something.
He pointed to the glowing walls where carvings had begun to appear—detailed pictures of the same creatures he had fought earlier, etched into the stone.
As if responding to their uncertainty, the crown on the door shimmered, catching everyone's attention.
A low rumble echoed through the place, and the tall door slowly began to open, revealing a thin line of light.
As the door continued to open wider, a golden glow spilled out, flooding their eyes with dazzling light.
The moment the golden light touched their eyes, the group's caution melted away, replaced by raw greed. The sight of the light was too tempting to resist.
"There it is! The treasure!" someone shouted, breaking the silence.
In an instant, chaos broke loose. Everyone rushed forward, eager to be the first to reach whatever riches were inside.
Their footsteps echoed, as they pushed and shoved each other, desperate to claim the treasure beyond the door.
"Let us go too," Spark said, his voice calm despite the frenzy around them. He motioned for Amelia and Bronn to follow as they made their way toward the now fully open doorway.
Bronn's eyes gleamed with excitement. "This is it, boss! This is the treasure we've been after!"
Spark chuckled softly, his usual laid-back attitude unchanged. "We'll see."
Amelia, on the side, couldn't shake the uneasy feeling building inside her.
The golden light pouring through the doorway seemed strange—too bright, too perfect.
Something about it didn't feel right, but she couldn't quite figure out what.
Before Amelia could voice her concerns, they had already crossed the door, following the rush of treasure-hungry adventurers.
As they entered the chamber, an overwhelming sight greeted them.
The golden light that had drawn them in shimmered from all corners, casting an eerie glow on the towering gemstone that lined the room.
Each stone was massive, made from the same rare gemstones they had fought for earlier in the cavern.
Now, they stood like ancient guardians, towering over the room.
Bronn's eyes lit up with barely contained greed. "Look at the size of those stones, boss! Should we—"
Spark cut him off with a calm wave of his hand. "Wait."