Chapter 456: Ruinous Plans?
Tiffania, Megumin, Illococoo, and Saya stood outside the ancient metal door leading into the Saarthal ruins. The expedition force was at their backs, composed of mostly volunteer Eredar like Ennura and Irarus.
No one really knew what to expect in the tomb, but they were all confident in coming out alive. The girls had made sure to educate the Eredar on Nordic crypts before any of them decided to participate, so they all knew what to expect and what could occur during the expedition.
They did have a few problems, of course, some of the mages in the College had attempted to get themselves involved, but were easily lambasted by Saya and Maria, Tiffania temporarily Erased their memories and had them shipped back to the College. The Arch-Mage was away right now so it'd be Tolfdir who'd receive them, and hopefully keep them in check.
Tiffania wets her lips as she examines everyone present... Somehow, the responsibility of leading the expedition had fallen to her, none of the Eredar wished to lead it, and the others girls weren't going to be any better than her. Plus, her status as Michael's lover helped in sitting her on top.
While she wasn't the weak girl she used to be, leading a fighting force like this was both jarring and incredibly uncomfortable... How Michael managed it, she had no clue, but she was determined to do this correctly, for both her, Michael's, and everyone else's sake.
Thankfully, she wasn't alone to deal with everything, Saya made a good second-in-command, making sure everyone was properly equipped and knew what they'd be doing once the group was inside. Not to mention Ennura's semi-leader position among the other Eredar.
"A-alright everyone! I-It's time to head inside! Make sure you're all equipped, and stay with your group no matter what! G-Getting separated is a disaster waiting to happen, s-so, stick together!" she tentatively announces, stuttering over herself slightly.
Tiffania glances over at Saya who was standing at her side, the girl giving a small, reassuring nod. "You all know why we're here! W-we'll clear out this tomb and recover any historic artifacts inside! Remember! Do not touch anything that looks valuable! These crypts can be filled with cursed or trapped items!"
With that said, she looks over at the girls, "I-is that everything?... Did I forget anything?"
Saya shakes her head, "I think that's it... The Eredar should have already been told to not touch anything... Hopefully, we can find whatever Michael was so interested in."
"Don't worry, big sis, I'll watch your back!" Illococoo says while patting her lithe bicep.
"Yeah... You're so strong..." Megumin insincerely says as she steps ahead of everyone else and opens the tomb's door... Or at least, tries...
"HNNNNN!"
...
"HNNNNNNGNNN!"
...
"C-can I have some help?" Megumin pitifully asks as she's unable to pry the ancient door open.
"I'll help!" Illococoo chirps, stepping forward and placing a single hand on the door.
"I don't think that'll-"
*CREEEEEEEEEAAA!*
Megumin's eyes almost bulge out of her head as she sees Illococoo open the door with relative ease. "W-what...?"
Tiffania steps past her with her wand in hand, "Illu is as strong as always."
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Inside Saarthal wasn't much different from almost every other Ancient Nord tomb. There were Draugr, which were rather easily wiped out by the combined might of Tiffania, the girls, and the Eredar, especially with the presence of Eredar paladins.
The structure itself was rather maze-like, with many collapsed hallways, doors, and barred off sections. Some liberal use of magic opened these areas up of course, allowing them to progress further inside.
It's not long until people start finding artifacts... Enchanted rings, armour, and weapons that the Draugr had been using.
"H-hey! I think I have found something of worth!" Irarus exclaims as he walks towards a necklace that was hanging from a protrusion in the wall.
"W-wait! Don't forget everything that we've been told so easily you big buffoon!" Ennura exclaims as Tiffania and Megumin arrive at the commotion.
"I-I'll handle this, Irarus, thank you for working hard." Tiffania says, giving the big blue man a pat on the lower part of his shoulder, the part that she could actually reach.
"What should we do with the necklace then?" Megumin asks, already realising that it was magical judging by the slight ephemeral sheen on its surface.
Tiffania looks down in thought for a moment before nodding to herself, "Clear the area and then take it... Like Michael used to say, if it looks like a trap, smells like a trap, it's probably a trap..."
Megumin crooks a brow, "Isn't he more like 'IT'S A TRAP!', right?"
Tiffania smiles, "Well, why Michael does and says some things confuses me too, sometimes..."
Once the area was clear of people, Tiffania attempts to use telekinesis on the necklace to take it from the wall, all while keeping her distance from the potential trap... Of course, this doesn't go as planned as it seems to be magically resistant to external spells.
She has other methods however, using her wand, she manipulates the air to pick up and carry the necklace over. Jagged spikes sprout from the ground as the necklace moves in an attempt to trap the thief inside, but Tiffania just magically carries the necklace through the bars and into her waiting hand.
"That was more difficult than usual..." Megumin mutters.
Tiffania nods and deposits the necklace into a magically resistant pouch, "It's done now. Let's see what else is in this place and leave. I think the necklace might have been what Michael was looking for but, if not..." she lets out a sigh, "I'm stumped."
"Will the Masters in the College be allowed in afterwards?" Tiffania's familiar asks.
She nods, "We won't have a choice, that's why I'm hoping that we got what we came for."
With that, the duo leave and rejoin the rest of the group, not realising that they'd taken the only key that'd lead deeper into the ruins...
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