Egress. A land of fantasy and magic in a universe not our own. One where dragons rule the skies, adventurers seek treasure and power, and where anything can happen. I will be your narrator for this story as we follow a set of Thieves that go by the Thieves of Sin, telling their stories as a forewarning of life’s consequences.
Choosing to give into their sins or not is your own choice, just know there’s always risk with your choices~
Candlelight piercing through the dark, a shack sat hidden within the woods perfect for four rogues to meet.
The first to arrive was Nacus. Black hood hiding his navy hair and accentuating his piercing gold eyes, he scanned the room before taking the first chair only to be greeted by the second rogue, Aris.
Silver hair on full display, he walked with a stride of a prince, knowing his worth and feeling unstoppable. A teal tipped dagger with golden hilt sat at his waist as he took the seat across from Nacus.
Next came Zenos. His red hood up hiding his pink hair, his green eyes took in both rogues instantly. What they wore, what they possessed, comparing it all to his own gear before sitting down with a sneer.
Finally entered our last arrival and main character for the evening, Midas. The violet haired son of the crown that was embracing a side of him that many would oppose, including his father.
Taking the final seat, all of our rogues have entered the picture, ready to discuss their plans.
“Nacus, Aris, Midas. Ready to finally act?” Zenos looked on at them, eyeing up the three as Nacus fired back.
“Yeah, yeah, you know we’re ready! We’ve been planning this out for months”
“Mhm! That dragon’s horde is as good as ours! Just two clicks west to the entrance of their lair and we’ll have all the riches one could ever need!”
Midas spoke with positivity and letting his inexperience with thievery show before Aris spoke up.
“There goes Midas, talking through his crown~ We’ve got this though. No matter what, we WILL be leaving rich”
The room fell silent. The weight of their plans lifted off their shoulders as they looked amongst themselves, knowing that all four were dedicated to make sure that their plans succeeded.
By chance, they all found each other. Aris by bartending the kingdom’s tavern met Nacus who knew of this daring mission and proposed it to him. Zenos by overhearing the conversation and knowing of what could come forth from it. And Midas? From stumbling across this shack and wanting to seek out adventure to prove his worth.
“Seems like we’re all in agreement. Let’s go over the plan one final time before we leave. Our goal is to steal from Iridus, also known as the dragon of riches. Thanks to Nacus’ exploration of the landscape, we found out that his lair resides in Mount Tyche three clicks west of us.
Nacus, your job will be to lead us to the entrance and guiding us.
Aris, you’ll be our primary protector. I know that you know some protective spells and with that dagger’s diamond tipped blade, you’ll have the most offensive power.
Midas, you’ll be the main collector. Given your royalty, you’ll be able to identify and make sure we can get in and out as efficiently as possible with the most valuable loot.
I, myself will be the main lookout. Thanks to my own skills in Perception and Investigation, I’ll be able to make sure that we stay undetected and safe from Iridus’ presence. Are we in agreement?”
Zenos finished, waiting for their reply but as the 3 nodded, it was clear it was time to set in motion. The four stepped outside and each on their own steed, they set off for the dragon’s lair.
Chapter 2: Iridius’ Bounty
Hooves galloping, moonlight bright, Mount Thyce started to enter the four rouges’ view as they exited the forest’s cover. Black ash rained down as the wind blew. The mountain stood tall, a bastion of hidden wealth that none dared approach due to the hobgoblins that called this place home.
Nacus hushed his horse and pulled on the reins, bringing his stallion to stop next to the jagged exterior.
“Stop here everybody and make sure to hook your horses up to one of the jagged peaks to keep them secure. We’re here”
The other three looked on at the black graphite wall with curiosity. To the naked eye, there was no indication that anything was different. That was till Nacus threw a lasso around one of the jagged rocks and pulled down, activating a hidden mechanism.
Stones grating and sounding off, the walls pulled apart to reveal an entrance large enough to fit a massive orc as they stared in awe.
“How did you find this Nacus? I was expecting a cave opening, not…. This” Aris said, pressing his hand up against the walls feeling them.
“I’m actually really into folklore and myth. When I come to somewhere new, I seek out any potential opportunities to learn more about the place so when I heard of sightings of Iridus around Mount Thyce, I thought it was worth seeking out.
I camped out for a bit, looking to spot Iridus and sure enough, he flew out of the from a cavernous spot near the top. I would have planned to use that, but then the hobgoblins showed me another route.
Here during the day and out foraging at night, they use this tunnel to rest and after peeking inside, I caught sight of Iridus’ horde! Now come along! We’ve got till sunrise to get in and out.”
Jesturing the group in, the door shut behind them and torchlight cascaded down the hall, sequentially lighting up.
Each step echoed as water dripped from the stalactites lining the cavern ceiling.
The group stayed silent, their choice slowly weighing on them as they acknowledged what they were doing.
Then the gold became apparent.
Gold dust started to line the walls the further they got in. Then ore littered the walls. Then it all became such.
Blindingly bright, it was like the gold was living vines, spreading and taking over like kudzu. Drops of liquid gold dripped from the stalactites as the opening grew larger and larger till it finally came into sight. Not just a horde.
Piles of gold over thirty meters tall littered the gold paved walkways. Structures coated in gold film stood tall and rivers of liquid gold poured from the city’s aqueducts. The residents stood frozen in time. Lifeless metal caricatures that filled the walkways, posed like they were going through their day to day before unknowingly being turned to gold.
The group’s eyes lit up, taking in the sight of it all knowing just how big of a find this was.
“It’s… beautiful. This is more wealth than the crown has ever spent”
“More than just the crown Midas. I believe it’s even more than all the surrounding nations combined. Zenos, go look for any mechanisms that could alert Iridus! Midas! Start scouting for any possible finds! Aris! Stay close to Midas! I’ll stay close to the entrance to keep track of time so we don’t put ourselves into a bind. Got it?”
Midas perked up, eyes darting amongst the riches before nodding his head and walking forward. “G-got it! Come on you two!”
Grabbing the other two by the hand, he pulled them ahead deeper into the city’s grasp.
Walking through the blocks of buildings, it was clear that they weren’t alone. From the center of the city, a loud bellowing sounded from the fountain of gold as Iridus slept.
Zenos stayed in the front, analyzing the walkways for any switches or traps laid by the citizens of old or the new residential hobgoblins as Midas took them not around the outskirts, but leading in…
“Psst! Midas! We don’t need to be moving like this! We need to stay focused on just getting in and out, ok?”
“I know that Aris! But my task is to get the most valuable things! Not just to skimp out and run because who knows if we’ll be able to access this again!” Midas snapped back in a hushed tone.
He knew the risk and while the two disagreed with his stance, they let him push forward into the city’s waiting jaws till they saw him.
Laying at 10 meters tall and 50 meters long slept Iridus. His golden scales glistened brightly. Gold dust stirred around him, almost like his presence produced the golden sheen around him. The kicker though was the prized treasures underneath him.
Gold coated gems made up his bed. From rubies and sapphires to emeralds and diamonds, the true prize sat underneath his golden frame.
Midas jestered for the two, trying to bring them forward with him to look through the loot before Aris brought out his dagger to stand his ground.
“This is your choice. Not mine. If you so wish to give into your greed and steal from such a risky place, then that is your decision. Like you said. Your job is to collect the most valuable riches. My job is to stand and protect you, not risk my life so frivolously”
Midas looked at Zenos, hoping for him to agree but was only met with an expression that all but agreed with Aris.
“F-fine! I’m still doing it though! I want proof for father and them that I truly did this and this place exists. Just stand at the ready…”
Both nodded reluctantly, looking at Midas like he was crazy as he approached.
Iridus’s breath blew hot, blowing out of his nostrils as it heated Midas’ skin. The riches of riches stood in front of him, growing ever closer with every step before finally, he reached the fountain.
He stood there in awe, caught off guard by all that was in sight before a hunger ate away that he had been holding back.
He grasped as the gold with no remorse. Gems and gold rattled against the ground as Aris and Zenos watched, mortified at the sight.
Chapter 3: The Midas Touch
Hearts beating, sweat dripping, running footsteps echoed throughout the city as the three ran for the exit and Iridus chased. His voice roared throughout as Nacus stood, scared out of his mind.
Eyes darting between the roads and the exit, he readied himself to run out and leave them before finally catching sight of Iridus’ golden wings and the three rogues. Aris and Zenos lead the pack, running straight for Nacus as Midas followed.
The two rushed past Nacus as he started to get a head start on Midas. Iridus, seeing the final rogue try to make their escape, flew up and readied himself before smashing into the ceiling.
A loud cracking could be heard amongst the cityscape and right before Midas was able to escape, a massive golden stalactite crashed down, blocking off the exit and sealing his fate.
Midas barely stopped in his tracks, looking at his only exit leave his grasp before turning around and meeting Iridus face to face. His own face was white with fear, imagining himself as being turned into one of the gold statues that populated the city or into the dragon’s food as he quivered under the dragon’s massive form.
Iridus’ gaze looked down at the quivering prince before he did something unexpected.
“Seeker of gold. You sought through my treasures, looking through my gems and instead of going for the less valuable, you decided to instead let greed consume you. I’ll grant your wish though. If you wish to have my prized possessions, you can wear them~”
With that sentence, he pointed at Midas as gold dust swept around him. His violet hair lengthened as ruby red highlights coated his inner strands before it was tied back by a golden ringlet materialized by the golden dust. His clothes swept off his body, leaving him exposed before a golden fabric covered his crest and pelvis. Cosmetics flew out of the pile, costing his eyelids and lashes in an amethyst powder. To cap it off came two gold shackles that connected to Iridus’ broad frame as Midas stood in shock, no words escaping from his agape mouth.
He shifted, reacting to the fabric that covered his body and his hair that bounced so effortlessly. He could feel his face, the cosmetics ever so apparent as every blink carried weight.
“The perfect appearance for my newest treasure. A concubine. There is no leaving this sacred place. Your friends won’t come back. You’re mine all because you gave into your greed, Aurelia~”
And he was right. No matter how much he struggled, there was no manner of taking off the shackles that bind his wrists.
What may remain of their fates remains unknown as they escape Mount Thyce, unbeknownst to them that the prince that joined their ranks was no longer by their side…
Thieves of Sin: Book Midas’ End.
Next week; Thieves of Sin: Book Nacus
Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed this special story! I thought it would be fun to write a novel type series based on thieves and this was the result! I hope you all enjoy as the current plan is to release a part every week.
With 13 planned chapters, we shall explore how these rogues adapt and change based on their actions. I hope you all look forward to the next part. Till next time!
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