“Tobian somehow has acquired an artifact.” The Professor said when they rejoined the group inside the open door. The main room was quite spacious, with the center focused on the dias and a large bell hovering over it. “He says power-wise, it ranks higher than everyone else here, including Tristan.”

Darius gave a low whistle as he gave Tobian a lookover, stopping once he saw the sword. “The blade we picked up from the hidden room Tobian found.”

Tobian stepped forward, pulled the sword out, and offered it in Darius’s direction. “You can have,” Tobian said.

Darius took a step backward and shook his head. As did Tristan. Sirah scratched the back of her neck as she looked towards a nearby wall. Tobian looked at Sirah, and the rest of the group slowly followed suit. The room fell silent until she realized they were all looking at her.

“Not if all the unnamed gods begged me,” Sirah spat on the ground and walked out of the room into the hallway deeper into the dungeon.

Tristan looked toward the depths of the prison and then back at the entrance, her gaze going to Tobian and lingering on the sword. “Perhaps we should keep Tobian close; if whoever opened this door isn’t in here, they may be planning on returning.”

“Odds are it's empty, but maybe Tobian can find another hidden artifact,” Darius said, winking in Tobian’s direction.

“Definitely don’t need any magical items, I don’t even know what this one does,” Tobian said, giving the sword a light tap. Immediately regretting the action, worry-filled him that he might as activated it, but nothing happened. He glanced around and caught Darius looking around as well.

“After this, perhaps we can go straight to Shuma and get more coins.” Darius stopped himself mid-sentence. “Sorry, Tobian, your family gives a fair price, but we could possibly get double in Shuma.”

“It’s ok, I understand.” Tobian gave half a smile at Darius before turning towards the door. “Should we close it, or is there something we can do to let us know if someone comes in behind us?”

“Someone does pay attention to my chats about caution,” Sirah’s voice said near Tobian’s ear.

Tobian jumped and spun to the side, his hand immediately going for the nearest weapon. He didn’t see Sirah; he shifted his vision into the magical spectrum and glanced around. He still didn’t see the rogue, only faint magical auras from the various group members and the glowing bell in the middle. The whole room had an ambient aura as well.

Click! The loud sound of the door closing echoed the silence. Tobian looked at the door and saw Sirah standing next to the closed door, she was carefully scattering some powder on the ground. The flakes also gave off a faint magical glow.

“Something to track whoever follows us?” Tobian said once Sirah straightened up and turned towards him.

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“Ah, you can see the Integritty Dust,” Sirah said as she carefully wiped her fingers on a small piece of cloth. She then folded it several times before sticking it into a pocket. Then, with a shrug, she walked around the room and again into the hallway, deeper into the dungeon.

Tobian allowed his eyes to return to normal and couldn’t see the flakes on the floor. He was tempted to collect some but didn’t want to incur the wrath of the rogue nor mess up whatever trap she had set. As he was mulling it over, a hand rested on his shoulder. Calm and peace filled him.

“No need to worry. Stay close to the Professor, and you’ll be fine,” Tristan said.

Tobian looked at the priest and shook his head. “I’m not worried, just Sirah scattered something by the door, and I’m curious.”

“When we leave, until then, stay near the Professor.” Tristan unhooked her mace and looked into the depths of the dungeon. The doorway beyond the antechamber before them. No trace of Sirah in the dim hallway. A wall was visible only due to a weak magical torch lighting it.

Darius and Tristan walked into the hallway. The Processor stepped forward and shivered as he entered the hallway. He stepped back and threw down a metal ring on the floor before tracing lines of power in the air and spitting out words with a guttural voice.

A little cloud appears within the circle. The cloud grew denser and started taking shape, the center darkening, before a small pop. the smoke scattered, leaving behind a three-foot tall, winged, half-feline, and half-pig stood in the circle.. Its cloven hoofs clicked against the stone, and one of its cat-like paws gently scratched its chin. With a snort, it wrinkled its snout and looked at the Professor.

“What is your desire?” The demon said.

“Protect Tobian from threats to his safety and health until he willingly gets home.” The Professor said, pointing at Tobian.

The demon glanced at Tobian and then at the hallway before them.

“Bit off too much to chew, did ya?” The demon said.

“That is not your concern. Do you accept the task?” The Professor said.

“I accept this task.” The demon nodded, and the words of power hovering in the air burned bright before disappearing. The creature stepped into the air and flapped its wings, flying over to Tobian.

“Tobian, Eryx will help protect you. Never forget he is a demon, no matter how personable he may seem.” The Professor said.

“Ah, Marcus, you wound me. Have I not done everything you asked?” Eryx said, placing a paw on its chest. Its wings were still flapping as it hovered next to Tobian.

“Especially this one, remember never make a deal with one nor blindly trust what it says. I see you have questions, but they must wait for later.” Marcus, the Professor, picked up the ring on the ground and started walking down the hallway after Tristan. He visibly shivered as he stepped through the entryway.

Tobian looked at the demon and then followed the Professor. The air, once he entered the hallway, felt colder somehow, also causing a brief shiver.

“Oh, are you cold? You know what really helps fight the cold, the warmth of family. How about we go there instead. Let these guys finish up here, and can you ensure a nice meal is ready?” Eryx said before following Tobian.

“No, they need me to help carry stuff out. They’re just worried for some reason.” Tobian watched the Professor pull a stone from a pocket and drop it to the right of the end of the hall. The stone quickly grew in size, blocking the entry. The Professor turned left and disappeared from Tobian’s sight.

“Of course, they are worried; this is a level 5 prison; I’m sure they would keep archfiends and demonic lords. How about this, pledge yourself to me, and when your friends are killed, I’ll make sure you get to visit home.”

“No. Let's be quiet less; we alert a dragon and end up its dinner.” Tobian said, lowering his voice and pulling out his sword. The group's left turn oozed darkness, and Tobian stood there, waiting for someone to tell him it was safe to move forward.