Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

Under the cover of the night, Rel accompanied a small party through the dark city alleyways. Far from the slums that were his home, they had been walking for a good couple of hours, twisting and turning through the ever-more-silent streets. Placing their faith in Jargen's ex-colleague, they hoped not just to claim that which Cabdan had stolen from them across several decades, but also to find the elusive antidote for Faya's poison.

Rel: Can't believe we're here... So, this is it. This is where he hid all this time.

At long last, they see it -- a large mansion, several lights shining through its windows, surrounded by a brick fence around two and a half meters tall. Hunkering down in a secluded part of a nearby garden, they readied to advance at Syl's command.

Tyssa: Not even I set foot in there... Guess he kept more secrets from me than I ever imagined. I really was too damn gullible.

Clenching her fists crouched down with the rest of the group, she peeked behind some foliage that served as an additional cloak, a convenient resting place before the time was right to infiltrate their target.

Syl: Not as gullible as he would have liked, in the end. A cryin' shame he got sloppy... That's just the way the river flows, though.

His words provoked a twist of disgust in Jargen's face.

Jargen: Not so long ago you were damning us all for killing him, yet now it's "just the way the river flows"...? Seems like you're quick to turn your coat too, Syl. So much for not wanting to help a back-stabber...

Syl shrugs, raising his brow.

Syl: Can't betray a dead man, Jargen. He's gone -- you said it yourself. It's all water under the bridge, no point in dwelling on it much. Forgive and forget, look to the future not the past...

A cocky smile permeated Punjo's face, confident that he could see clearly through Syl's quick change of heart.

Punjo: ... Yer not foolin' any of us, Syl. Yer tune changed the moment ya realized you could grab his fortune for yerself.

Syl lets out a short laugh, shaking his head.

Syl: The entrepreneur in me speaks louder than the grieving widow, what can I say... I'd be a fool not to seize the moment. Won't be long before word gets around that Cabdan died... And as soon as it does, it will take even fewer time 'til folks put one and one together and realize that all he's left behind is ripe for the taking. But you guys know this already, else you wouldn't have mobilized so quickly to get your hands dirty...

Jargen: We won't be getting our hands dirty. We're taking back what's ours, that's all.

Jargen's take on the matter cause Syl to let out another laugh, heartier than the one before.

Syl: C'mon Jargen... Ya know that ain't true. I'll get us in there quiet, but there's no saying what might go wrong... Killing people isn't out of the equation. You do realize that, as far as anybody else is concerned, what we're about to do it breaking and entering...? Cabdan's got friends in pretty high places, if anyone gets wind that we stole from him, it won't end well for us. If you want to keep your hides intact, you gotta play it safe: no witnesses.

Jargen moves closer to Syl, causing his jestful demeanour to subside.

Jargen: You're the only one here who knows the place, the only one who has any idea what is inside. If things go wrong... It'll be on you, Syl. Not to mention that most of us are strangers to anyone who might spot us, but you on the other hand were close enough to Cabdan to know about his hiding place. If anyone's ass is on the line here, it's yours. If anyone here can get recognized and burnt badly, it's you. Keep that in mind when considering what "might go wrong"...

Syl dry swallows.

Syl: A-alright, no need to be such a bird of ill omen... We'll be just fine! Just follow my lead and keep outta sight. We'll be out of there before the break of dawn...

Lights flicked on and off inside some of the mansion's room, reflecting the movement of those therein. Soon, most lights would turn off without turning on again -- a good indicator that it was Cabdan's workers' resting time. When only a few undying lights shone through a handful of windows, Syl advanced.

Syl: Now's good... On me.

Making their way though the moonlit garden while leveraging the cover of nearby trees and bushes, the group hastily approaches the brick wall that outlined the perimeter of Cabdan's home. Without a bystander in sight, they quickly get into position to vault over a specific segment of the wall, hand picked by Syl.

Syl: Give us a leg up big guy, quick!

Punjo rests his back against the wall, bending his legs enough that a straight enough surface is formed, allowing him to help the rest of the group vault over the stony barrier.

Syl: I'll go first, make sure we're golden on the other side. You guys pick who goes next, doesn't matter as long as you move fast.

Jargen: I'll go next... Make sure you're behaving.

Syl smiles, unsurprised by Jargen's initiative. With Punjo's aid, he easily goes over the wall and lands on a grassy spot inside the mansion's courtyard.

Punjo: Dun' forget about me...!

Jargen: 'Course not, Punjo. Don't worry...

Jargen follows suit, yet instead vaulting over, he sat atop the wall, to help those remaining cross faster.

Jargen: Tyssa, c'mon. You're next.

Tyssa's nimble figure allowed her to move with great agility, easily making it past the wall and landing next to Syl, who was crouched down examining the surrounding area for any activity.

Rel: Almost there Punjo... Hang in there.

A few drops of sweat rolled down Punjo's face, yet he seemed to hold strong still. Rel climbs the wall, sitting on it opposite to Jargen.

Jargen: Alright, c'mon now... Your turn.

Punjo steps away from the wall, taking a quick glance at both sides of the street, ensuring that no one had caught onto their efforts -- not a living soul in sight. After distancing himself enough to gain a decent running start, he jogs toward the wall. As he jumps, arms raised to grab its ledge, Rel and Jargen grab onto his clothes, helping to pull him upward.

Rel: Shit, shit...!

In his attempt to pull Punjo up, Rel leaned far too much toward him, causing him to lose his balance. Struggling to maintain himself upright while simultaneously helping Punjo cross to the other side, he feels gravity take control as his body starts falling toward the street...

Tyssa: Careful!

... Thankfully, two small, firm hands grab the leg that dangled on the inner side of the wall, stabilizing him.

Tyssa: Got you...

Relieved, Rel takes a deep breath, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. With Punjo now finally on the other side, Tyssa helps Rel a slightly agitated Rel get down.

Rel: T-thanks... Close one!

She smiles, patting him on the back. With everyone else now safely inside, Jargen jumps down as well.

Jargen: Nothing like a good scare to get your blood pumping huh, Rel?! Don't lose focus now, hard part's still coming up...

With the group finally reunited, they prepare for the next move.

Syl: Alright... See that door over there? Leads straight into the kitchen.

They look at the wooden door that Syl pointed out, although a nearby window whose lights were on quickly caught their attention.

Syl: Lights are still on, 'cause some guards got a sweet tooth and usually hang around to grab a bite. Luckily for us, that means that whatever should be guarded by 'em, isn't... This way.

Crouched down, they hug the mansion's wall while following Syl.

Rel: Where does Cabdan keep his fortune, anyway?

Syl smiles from ear to ear, as if he was expecting someone to ask that.

Syl: That's the kicker -- he keeps most of it far, far from here.

Everyone's eyes widen as they hear this... Suspicious in regard to the sudden silence behind him, Syl looks back as a range of emotions ranging from confusion to anger greet him.

Syl: Easy there... Although he doesn't keep it here, this is where we'll get all the info we need to fetch it. Man like Cabdan knows better than to keep all his eggs in one basket... But that don't mean he isn't human. When you're as rich as the guy is and keep your fortune spread as much as he does, there are only so many places you can remember by heart... Are you catching my drift?

Rel: ... You mean he's got all the places where he keeps his riches noted down somewhere?

Syl: Bingo! Well, maybe not all the places, but it's as good as we're gonna get. We go in his office, grab anything that seems like it could indicate where the coin is kept, then go out. Clean job, no-one needs to know we were here... And the best part is the idiots that come after us lookin' to get rich, turning this place upside down, none the wiser that they're too late... Wish I could be here to see it!

Jargen: Get too excited and your wish might come true... Place could become your grave.

Punjo: That, an' there's no guarantee that we won't be playin' the role of those idiots. Could be that someone's already taken what we came 'ere for...

Syl shakes his head as he sighs.

Syl: Way to spoil the mood as always, sheesh.

Tyssa: ... And what about Faya's antidote? That should be here, right?

Syl shrugs.

Syl: Should is a strong word... Let's put it this way: if there's any place he'd keep it, that'd be in the alchemy lab. Can't tell you it's there though, for all you know there wasn't any antidote to begin with. Cabdan's the kind of man that liked watching the world burn...

Rel: He liked covering his ass even more though. If he had that poison made, there's no doubt he also had an antidote for it... No way he'd risk poisoning himself without a back-up plan.

Syl smiles as he looks back at Rel.

Syl: Good point, kid... Know Cabdan well. Best hope you're right, then.

After walking a short distance, they arrive at two locked, sturdy cellar doors.

Syl: Alright, here we are... This is how we're getting inside.

Syl stretches his arms in front of him, cracking their joints, preparing for something. He looks behind toward Jargen, winking.

Syl: Just like old times, Jargen...