Beast Tamer

The Quest for Gold

The night’s events still echoed in Ethan’s mind as he followed Caldris through the winding passages beneath the Academy. The Firebrand Gauntlet pulsed with heat at his side, its power now resting in his hands, and though it made him feel stronger, it also made him uneasy. He couldn’t help but think about what Caldris had said—this relic was too powerful for ordinary hands. Now, it belonged to him, and the weight of that responsibility was almost overwhelming.

“Where are we headed?” Ethan asked, his voice low as they moved deeper into the underground tunnels.

Caldris glanced back at him, his expression unreadable. “We need supplies. The journey ahead will be long and dangerous. We’re not just hunting a summoner anymore, Ethan. We’re stepping into something much bigger. And for that, we’ll need more than just magic.”

Ethan frowned, adjusting the Gauntlet on his hand. “What do you mean? What else could we need?”

“Gold,” Caldris said simply. “And lots of it.”

Ethan blinked in surprise. “Gold? You mean money?”

Caldris nodded, his tone serious. “The summoner we’re after is part of a larger network, a web of dark magic users that stretches far beyond this Academy. They have resources, allies in high places, and more power than we’ve ever seen. If we’re going to stand any chance against them, we need to rally support, gather supplies, and—most importantly—fund our efforts. Gold can buy us the help we need, and right now, we’re running short.”

Ethan hadn’t considered the logistics of their quest. In his mind, the battle against the summoner was a fight of magic and willpower, not one that required the mundane necessity of money. But Caldris was right. They needed to be practical. If they were to hunt down the summoner, they needed the means to survive and fight effectively.

“So, where do we find this gold?” Ethan asked.

Caldris gave him a knowing look. “There’s a place—an ancient vault buried beneath the mountains, long forgotten by the world. It was said to have been built by the first kings of the old world, a treasury filled with riches beyond imagination. It’s dangerous, guarded by traps and ancient wards, but if we can reach it, we’ll have enough gold to fund our quest and more.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened at the thought. Another vault, another ancient place filled with magic and mystery. But this time, it wasn’t just relics they were after—it was treasure.

“And you think this vault is still intact?” Ethan asked, trying to keep the skepticism out of his voice.

Caldris’s eyes gleamed. “I’ve been tracking its location for years. Most people think it’s just a legend, a fairy tale told to scare children. But I know it’s real. I’ve seen the signs. And with the Firebrand Gauntlet in your possession, we might just have what it takes to breach its defenses.”

Ethan hesitated, the weight of the Gauntlet heavy on his arm. He had barely begun to understand the power he now wielded, and the thought of using it to break into an ancient vault filled him with both excitement and fear. But there was no turning back now. They needed that gold, and if Caldris believed this vault was their best chance, then Ethan had to trust him.

“Alright,” Ethan said, his voice steady. “Let’s go find this vault.”

The journey to the mountains was long and treacherous, taking them far from the safety of the Academy. As they climbed higher into the rocky peaks, the air grew thin and cold, the wind howling like a living creature. Ethan shivered as they made their way through the narrow mountain passes, the sheer cliffs rising on either side of them like the walls of a prison. But despite the harsh conditions, Caldris moved with purpose, his eyes always fixed on the path ahead.

“We’re close,” Caldris muttered, his breath visible in the cold air. “The entrance to the vault should be just beyond this ridge.”

Ethan nodded, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders as they pushed forward. The Firebrand Gauntlet glowed faintly under his sleeve, its heat a welcome comfort in the freezing temperatures. As they crested the ridge, the mountainside opened up before them, revealing a narrow valley below. And there, nestled against the base of a towering cliff, was the entrance to the vault.

The entrance was marked by a massive stone door, carved with ancient symbols and runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. The stone was weathered and cracked, but the magic within it was still strong. Ethan could feel the wards pulsing with power, a silent warning to any who dared approach.

“This is it,” Caldris said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The vault of the old kings. Inside is enough gold to fund an army. But getting in won’t be easy.”

Ethan swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the stone door. “What kind of defenses are we talking about?”

“Traps, most likely,” Caldris replied. “Magical wards, ancient spells, and who knows what else. This place was built to keep thieves out—and it’s done a good job of it for centuries. No one’s been inside since the fall of the old kingdom.”

Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine. The idea of breaking into a vault guarded by centuries-old magic was daunting, to say the least. But they had come too far to turn back now.

“Can the Firebrand Gauntlet help us get in?” Ethan asked, holding up his hand. The runes on the Gauntlet glowed brighter in response, the heat pulsing through his arm like a heartbeat.

Caldris nodded. “The Gauntlet can break through the wards. But you’ll need to be careful. The magic in this place is old, and it won’t take kindly to being disturbed.”

Ethan took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He had faced dark magic before—he could handle this. Slowly, he stepped forward, raising his hand toward the stone door. The runes on the Gauntlet flared to life, the heat growing more intense as he focused his energy.

The air around them crackled with power as the magic of the Gauntlet collided with the ancient wards protecting the vault. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a loud c***k, the stone door began to shift, the runes flickering and fading as the wards broke apart. The door creaked open, revealing a dark passageway beyond.

Ethan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “We’re in.”

Caldris clapped him on the shoulder, a rare smile crossing his face. “Good work. Now comes the hard part—getting to the gold without triggering any of the traps.”

Ethan nodded, his heart pounding as they stepped into the vault. The air inside was cold and still, the darkness thick and oppressive. As they moved deeper into the passage, the walls began to glow faintly with the light of ancient runes, casting eerie shadows on the floor.

The deeper they went, the more oppressive the magic became. Ethan could feel it pressing down on him, like a heavy weight on his chest. But he pushed forward, determined to see this through.

Finally, they reached the central chamber. The vault opened up into a massive room, the walls lined with shelves and chests filled with gold, jewels, and ancient relics. Piles of treasure glittered in the dim light, a fortune beyond anything Ethan had ever seen.

But as they stepped into the chamber, Ethan’s senses flared with a warning. Something wasn’t right.

“Caldris…” he began, but before he could finish, the ground beneath them shifted. The air around them crackled with energy, and suddenly, the chamber was filled with the sound of grinding stone.

Traps. The vault’s defenses were coming to life.

“We need to move!” Caldris shouted, his eyes wide with alarm.

Ethan didn’t need to be told twice. As the walls began to close in around them, and the floor erupted with spikes and pits, they raced toward the treasure, dodging the deadly traps that had protected the vault for centuries. The quest for gold had just become a fight for survival.