What happened next was unlike what they had been expecting in that nothing happened.

Absolutely nothing.

No golems or traps sprung out to attack them.

The only difference was that there was now a new chamber that had appeared suddenly.

As with the rest of the chambers they had seen, it had poor lighting and they could barely make out anything.

“This place is massive,” Lily whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness. “But why does it…?”

Neron’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. His grip tightened on his sword. “Stay alert.”

They didn’t move at first because the place was misty but fortunately it dissipated as they waited.

“Do you see that?” Davis asked right when the mist had completely disappeared.

At the far end of the chamber stood two colossal statues.

One depicted an angel, wings outstretched, eyes cold and judgmental, holding a gleaming sword pointed down to the earth.

The other was a demon, crouched low, with bat-like wings and jagged horns, its fanged mouth twisted in a snarl.

The Adventurers looked at each other then slowly advanced towards the statues.

Neron was the first person to see the third statue and he drew the attention of the others to it immediately.

It was situated between the other two and was high above them.

They hadn’t seen it at first because it was well hidden in the shadows.

It looked older and more worn than the others. It was a robed figure, faceless and hunched, its hands clasped over a staff.

Davis squinted at the statues, unease etched on his face. “Those statues… they seem almost too lifelike, don’t they?”

Lily nodded, eyes flicking between the angel and demon. “Yeah, and I don’t think they’re just decoration.”

Before anyone could respond, another deep rumbling filled the chamber.

~BOOMMMMMMM!!!~

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the massive stone doors at the entrance slammed shut with a deafening crash.

Then the third statue spoke, its voice low and gravelly, like the sound of mountains shifting. “You seek treasure that no longer resides here.”

The group instinctively stepped back caught off guard by the statue talking.

Davis swallowed hard, his voice barely steady. “What… what are you?”

The statue’s head turned slowly toward him, its featureless face locking onto Davis.

“I am the Keeper of this place. A guardian of ancient secrets long buried and forgotten.”

Neron’s eyes narrowed. “The treasure has already been taken?”

The statue let out a low, rumbling laugh. “Indeed. Another has come before you, one with knowledge of these paths.”

Lily’s brow furrowed, her voice laced with frustration. “So we’ve come all this way for nothing?”

The statue’s gaze shifted toward her, its voice echoing through the chamber. “Not for nothing. There are always lessons to be learned from failure… and fate has brought you here for a reason beyond mere greed.”

Neron kept his blade raised, watching the statue warily as he didn’t trust it one bit. “Who took the treasure?”

The statue paused, as if considering the question. Its faceless head tilted slightly, and then, in a voice quieter but more focused, it said, “One whose power you have yet to comprehend. But that is not the question you should be asking, Neron.”

At the sound of his name, Neron stiffened. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, and he exchanged a brief glance with Lily and Davis, both of whom looked equally surprised.

He hoped that they hadn’t caught the fact that the statue had called him Neron and not Nero.

“How do you know my name?” Neron asked, his voice low.

The statue moved again, this time leaning forward slightly, as if scrutinizing him more closely.

“You are not a stranger to these halls. There is a familiarity about you… though you yourself may not remember.”

Neron’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about? I’ve never seen you before. I would certainly remember if I have.”

The old man’s massive form began to descend, its enormous stone limbs creaking as it bent closer, lowering itself until it was nearly level with the group.

Meanwhile, the angel and demon statues remained still, their eyes fixed forward, unmoving.

The old man brought his face close to Neron’s and peered into his eyes.

“You do not remember,” the Keeper rumbled, “but you have walked these paths before. Long ago, in a time that even you may not recall. Your presence… it stirs old memories.”

Lily shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting between Neron and the statue. “What does that mean?”

The Keeper ignored her, its focus solely on Neron. “I see shadows in you, echoes of something lost. You bear the mark of an ancient promise.”

Neron shook his head, his voice firm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I came here like any other adventurer.”

The Keeper’s laughter rumbled through the chamber again, a sound deep and filled with knowing.

“Perhaps… but you are more than you appear. You carry a weight, a burden that has been with you long before this dungeon called to you. I’m interested to see how this will turn out for you.”

Davis frowned, stepping forward. “Enough with the riddles. We’re not here for some cryptic nonsense. If the treasure’s gone, just tell us who took it and let us leave.”

The statue’s faceless head turned toward Davis briefly, before returning to Neron. “The one who took the treasure has already moved beyond your reach. But your journey here is far from over. Fate has brought you to this place for a reason, Neron”

Lily glanced at Neron, her brow furrowed. “What does it mean? Any idea on what he’s talking about?”

“I’m just as clueless as you are. You should know creatures like these enjoy dishing out riddles.”

“When you say…” The old man started talking. He suddenly paused his speech and cocked his head to the side as if he was listening out for something.

“Are you alright? You were saying something just now.” Lily asked him wondering if he had gone back to being a statue.

“Is this all of you?”

“Yes, why?”

“Well, someone else is coming towards us.”