Chapter 18 – The Price of a Key
The humid heat of the Sacred Forest wrapped around the two once again as they emerged from the bonfire, its faint glow fading behind them.
Cael took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over the familiar trees. It was strange how everything in that world seemed simultaneously beautiful and rotting.
"Why are we back here again?" asked the black-armored knight, with his usual neutral tone.
"To buy a key," Cael replied, already walking toward the stone altar.
"The glorious goal of a hero: opening locked doors. How epic."
Cael whispered lowly, without looking at the watch on his wrist.
"Shut up, you know it's important."
The Prayer Master appeared as always: standing, motionless, with eyes of deep emptiness. The black rabbit watched the two as if he had been waiting.
"Do you... wish to pray? Or trade?"
"Trade," said Cael, stepping closer. "I want a Master Key."
The rabbit didn't move.
"The price is twenty thousand souls."
Cael almost protested, but held himself back. He remembered the dark fairies—or rather, the lopsided massacre that fight had been.
"I have enough." He extended his hand, letting the accumulated energy transfer.
"Delivered," said the rabbit, before simply causing a small black key with ornate details to appear before them.
Cael picked it up carefully. The metal was far too cold for its appearance.
"You're quite efficient for someone who looks like a plush toy, you know?"
The Master didn't answer. His eyes remained empty.
"Efficient, yes. Friendly, never. That rabbit gives me the creeps."
"Let's go," said Cael, turning back to the nearby bonfire. "The less time we spend here, the better."
The knight simply nodded, and together the two returned to the bonfire, ready to discover what lay behind the locked door at the end of the trail.