Hubertus studied the wards shimmering faintly around the museum’s perimeter. Their glow pulsed like a heartbeat, a living web of enchantments designed to deter intruders. Breaking them would be loud—too loud. Instead, Hubertus opted for a more subtle approach. He placed his clawed hand near the barrier and focused, tuning himself to its rhythm. The wards were like threads of silk, and if pulled just right, he could slip between them without triggering their defenses.

His form shimmered, shrinking into a sleek mouse. Small and inconspicuous, he darted forward, carefully weaving through gaps in the magic where the energy thinned. Each step required precision; the smallest miscalculation would set off the alarm. When he finally breached the barrier, he allowed himself a moment of triumph. This was the art of subversion—not brute force, but finesse.

Scampering toward the side of the building, Hubertus spotted a downspout rising up the museum’s facade. Without hesitation, he leapt onto it, his tiny claws finding purchase on the weathered metal. He climbed swiftly, the sound of the city fading as he ascended. By the time he reached the roof, he shifted back into his demon form, though not entirely. His claws elongated and narrowed, transforming into slender, lockpick-like tools.

With practiced ease, he approached the locked rooftop access door. The lock was intricate, likely reinforced with minor magical protections, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. His modified claws worked deftly, slipping into the mechanism and clicking the tumblers into place. Moments later, the lock gave a satisfying click, and the door creaked open.

Hubertus stepped inside, his form melting into that of a sleek black cat. His glowing eyes scanned the dark interior as he padded silently through the upper halls of the museum. The air was still, heavy with the faint smell of aged wood and dust. His feline ears twitched at the faint hum of electricity running through the building’s security systems.

Navigating the museum, Hubertus kept his movements light and deliberate. His paws made no sound on the polished floors as he descended a staircase and entered the grand exhibition hall. Rows of showcases glittered under the dim lighting, but his focus was singular. Following the faint tug of energy in the air, he approached the centerpiece of the room: a large, ornate glass case.

Inside lay the artifact—a jagged, blackened dagger etched with glowing crimson runes. The object radiated power, its presence unmistakable. Hubertus circled the case, his cat form blending seamlessly into the shadows. This is too easy, he thought.

And then he felt it—a vibration in the air. A familiar, ominous energy surged through the room, setting his fur on edge.

A portal began to materialize, its edges crackling with dark energy. The air shimmered, and within moments, a towering figure began to take shape. Hubertus froze, his feline body instinctively lowering into a crouch as the portal stabilized. The figure that emerged was unmistakably a demon, its crimson eyes glowing with malice.

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Hubertus gasped, the sound barely audible but filled with surprise. His mind raced. Another demon? Here? Why?

The demon’s gaze swept across the room, its sharp features glinting under the low light. It hadn’t spotted him yet, but Hubertus knew it was only a matter of time. He needed to act—and fast.

The other demon wasted no time. With a guttural snarl, it raised a clawed hand, its movements brimming with raw power. The air vibrated as dark energy swirled around its form. A second later, it unleashed its attack, shattering the glass showcase into a shower of glittering shards. The sound echoed through the museum like a gunshot.

Hubertus didn’t hesitate. The moment the glass shattered, he sprang into action. His sleek cat form darted forward with incredible speed, his glowing eyes fixed on the artifact. Before the other demon could react, Hubertus leapt onto the pedestal. With a quick transformation, his feline head stretched grotesquely into something more serpentine, his jaws elongating just enough to clamp securely around the dagger.

The artifact’s crimson runes pulsed as it entered his mouth, a faint vibration buzzing through his teeth. He could feel its power, a dark and chaotic energy that seemed to resonate with his own. He didn’t have time to think about its significance—his priority was escape.

The other demon roared in frustration, its fiery eyes locking onto Hubertus. But Hubertus was already in motion. He darted toward the nearest shadow, his sleek form blending effortlessly with the dim light as he retraced his path toward the roof.

The wards outside the museum began to hum louder as he approached, the magical barrier sensing the artifact’s removal. Hubertus knew there was no time for subtlety now. Instead of slipping through the wards as he had done before, he powered straight through them, his body crackling with the backlash of magical energy. The wards erupted in a cascade of light and sound, their intricate web shattering like fragile glass.

The disturbance was impossible to miss. Somewhere nearby, a magician attuned to the museum’s defenses felt the breach. Hubertus could feel it—a ripple of arcane energy spreading through the air. Someone was coming, and fast.

He sprinted toward the edge of the roof, his paws barely making contact with the tiles before he leapt gracefully onto the downspout. His body shifted again mid-air, morphing back into the sleek form of a mouse. The transformation allowed him to scurry down the spout with agility, escaping the building just as the faint sound of footsteps echoed behind him.

Inside the museum, the magician arrived moments later, their robes trailing behind them as they approached the shattered showcase. Their sharp eyes narrowed at the sight of the portal’s fading energy and the towering demon still standing in the room.

“You!” the magician snapped, their voice commanding. “How dare you break the wards of this sanctum and desecrate its treasures?”

The demon, confused but too proud to show it, snarled back. “What are you talking about, mortal? This isn’t—”

“Silence!” the magician interrupted, already preparing a spell. “You’ll answer for this.”

As the magician and the demon faced off, Hubertus scurried into the shadows of the city streets, the artifact secure in his possession. His grin was almost palpable even in his mouse form.