Chapter 18 - Ch 18 - The Chest and the Glow of Fortune

The cavern slowly quieted after the Stoneback Guardian's fall. The glowing shards drifted upward like tiny lanterns before dissolving into the darkness above. Dust hung in the air, illuminated by faint beams of bioluminescent moss. Every breath tasted like cold minerals. Aria was the first to break the silence. She threw her hands into the air. "WE LIVED! I REPEAT: WE LIVED!" Dot fell limp across her hair like a traumatised tarantula pillow. Sofia placed a gentle hand on her chest, her breathing shaky. "I… thought it was going to trample Riley…" Echo whined and curled against her leg. Lumi, exhausted, sat trembling on Riley's shoulder. Riley gave Lumi a small smile. "…You really saved us." Lumi gave a weak chirp, like a tired sigh. The pedestal at the room's center vibrated, humming with ancient magic. Stones shifted, and the heavy treasure chest rose smoothly into view — reinforced iron bands, glowing runes, and an aura that practically screamed rare loot. Aria gasped."Ohhhh baby, come to mama…" Sofia grabbed her arm mid-sprint."Aria. We need to heal FIRST." Aria froze dramatically, her heel skidding on the dusty stone. "…You're right. Survival first. Profit second. Very adult." Dot, still flattened on her head, made a noise that sounded suspiciously like, we almost died because of you. Riley chuckled."Let's check everyone." Riley knelt next to Lumi, inspecting him carefully.The tiny whelp's glow faded in and out in soft pulses, but his breathing was steady and his eyes were bright. "You did incredible," Riley whispered. "You're allowed to be exhausted." Lumi curled into his palm, legs tucked close, letting Riley pet him between the ears. His glow brightened slightly at the touch. Sofia knelt, examining Echo's paws."You're limping… poor girl."Her soft magic glowed faintly as she tended to the small cuts. Echo nuzzled her in gratitude. Aria flexed her wrists."My gauntlets are cracked. Should we be worried?" "Only if they explode when you punch," Riley said, deadpan. Aria gasped. "Can they DO that?" Riley: "Well—" "Riley," Sofia said sternly."Do NOT." Riley sighed. "Fine. No, they won't explode." Dot clicked twice, possibly disappointed. Once stabilized, the siblings approached the chest together. Up close, the runes shimmering along the metal bands looked almost alive—twisting, curling, shifting like blue fire. Riley placed his fingertips on the lid. The runes flared. SYSTEM: REWARD CHEST OPENED Light burst upward in a gentle wave, forming item icons in the air. + 600 COINS+ STAFF: LUMEN CHANNEL ROD (RARE)+ RECIPE: PRISM BLOOM TONIC+ ESSENCE FRAGMENTS x3 Aria squinted. "…Hold the phone. SIX hundred? Are we lottery winners now?" Sofia blinked."Riley, didn't you… think this dungeon gave five hundred?" Riley frowned thoughtfully. "Well… usually early chests give round amounts."He scratched his cheek. "Six isn't a beginner-friendly number. It's… odd." Aria placed a hand dramatically on his shoulder. "Riley. Buddy. My sweet, confused brother. MORE money is NEVER odd." Riley laughed and opened his inventory.The total updated clearly: 600 coins added. He looked down at Lumi. The whelp peeped innocently — a little too innocently. "Lumi," Riley said slowly, "did you… influence the loot?" Lumi chirped. Aria gasped, pointing wildly."He CONFESSED!" Sofia covered her mouth."Wait… if Lumi increases loot… wouldn't that be huge?" Riley swiped open Lumi's ability page again. He tapped the Guiding Glow drop-down. The advanced effects shimmered clearly. GUIDING GLOW — ADVANCED EFFECTS• Increases accuracy• Increases evasion• Emits guiding light• Increases item drop rate• Increases COIN REWARDS by +20%• Effects strengthen based on the Spirit's emotional state Riley stared. Aria stared harder. Dot fainted again. "…He's a lucky charm," Riley whispered. "No," Aria corrected, voice shaking with delight."He's a walking MONEY FACTORY." Sofia gently stroked Lumi's head."I can't believe we got a Spirit that does THAT…" Riley smiled warmly at Lumi. "You're special," he whispered. Lumi chirped tiredly, puffing his chest up for exactly one second before falling sideways into Riley's palm. Sofia carefully reached into the chest. A soft warmth spread through the cave as the staff formed in her hands. It felt alive — smooth ivory wood with silver inlay spiraling through it like flowing water. At its top, a crystal orb hovered between two crescent shapes, glowing with gentle gold. Aria whistled."Damn. A whole goddess weapon." Sofia held it to her chest as the description manifested. LUMEN CHANNEL ROD (RARE)• +10% Light Magic Power• +8% Healing StrengthPASSIVE — Radiant Echo:Small chance to duplicate minor spells Sofia's eyes shimmered. "It… feels warm," she murmured. "Like it recognizes me." Echo wagged her tail, brushing her head gently against the staff. Aria wiped an imaginary tear."My little sister is growing into a LIGHT SORCERESS. I'm emotional." "Aria…" Sofia blushed furiously. "Stop." "No." Riley pulled the scroll free and unfurled it. RECIPE — PRISM BLOOM TONICEffect:• +3% defense (20 minutes)• Slow health regenerationIngredients:• Prism Petal x3• Glowcap x1• Streamwater Flask x1 Aria leaned over. "Defense boost? Early bosses are gonna cry." Riley nodded."Useful buff. And easy to craft once we get the petals." Dot clicked as if saying, I will find the petals. I am the petal hunter. The chest's glow faded. The cave dimmed again. Riley was about to suggest leaving when he noticed Lumi stiffen.The tiny Spirit tilted his head, ears twitching. "Lumi?" Riley asked softly. Lumi hopped off his palm—stumbled—then steadied himself and slowly walked across the chamber. "Is he okay?" Sofia worried. "He's… sensing something," Riley murmured. Lumi's glow brightened faintly as he approached a broken section of the cavern. Dust concealed much of it — shattered stone slabs, toppled pillars, debris that seemed unimportant at first glance. Except Lumi stared at it like it was calling his name. Aria frowned. "Uh. Lumi? Babe? That's a pile of rocks." "No," Riley said quietly. He stepped forward. The air felt different here. Sharper.Older.Heavier. Something buried in the debris glinted faintly — just enough for Lumi's glow to catch the edge of it. Riley brushed aside a layer of dust. Sofia gasped. "Oh…" Aria blinked rapidly. "Is that—?" Riley knelt, brushing more dirt away. Beneath the rubble was a weathered stone carving — a small humanoid figure standing in a reverent pose, its head bowed. Its arms cupped something that had long since broken away… except… Around its neck hung a carved loop of stone.Perfectly circular.Perfectly intact. Shaped… unmistakably… like a bow. Riley's heartbeat thudded. "…This is a hidden alcove," he said, voice calm."Games hide secrets in places like this. And Lumi… clearly felt something." Aria's mouth fell open. "YOU MEAN—LIKE—SECRET SECRET? ULTRA SECRET?" Sofia touched the statue gently."It's… beautiful." Lumi pressed his tiny body against Riley's ankle, still staring at the statue. Riley's eyes narrowed slightly as he followed Lumi's gaze. Whatever was behind this rubble… was meant to be found. "Let's clear this area," Riley said softly."There's something here. I can feel it." Aria pumped a fist."SIDE QUEST!? TREASURE!? BONUS LOOT!? LET'S GO!" Dot raised two legs. Echo barked excitedly. Sofia gave a nervous but hopeful smile. And Lumi… glowed brighter than he had since the fight ended. Riley gently lifted him into his hand again. "Alright, Lumi," he whispered."Let's find out what you discovered." Together, the three siblings approached the hidden statue—unaware that they were moments from uncovering one of the rarest secrets in the entire game.