Under the cover of darkness, Syl led a small group through the labyrinthine alleyways of the city. They had ventured far from the familiar slums that had long been their home, twisting and turning through eerily silent streets for hours. Their goal was as clear as it was desperate: to reclaim what Cabdan had stolen over decades and, if luck was on their side, to secure the antidote that could save Faya's life.

  Rel: "Can't believe we're here... So, this is it. This is where he hid all this time."

  At last, their destination loomed before them -- a sprawling mansion glowing faintly from the light of several windows. Surrounded by a tall brick fence, the opulent estate was an imposing monument to Cabdan's ill-gotten gains. The group crouched low in a secluded garden nearby, the shadows of tall foliage cloaking their movements.

  Tyssa: "I never set foot in there... Guess he kept more secrets from me than I thought. I was so damn gullible...!"

  Her fists clenched as she peeked through the foliage, her expression a mix of regret and anger.

  Syl: "Not as gullible as he'd hoped, in the end. Shame he got sloppy... That's just the way the river flows, though."

  The words struck a nerve. Jargen's expression twisted in disgust as he turned to Syl.

  Jargen: "Not long ago, you were cursing us for killing him... Now it's 'just the way the river flows'? Seems you're quick to turn your coat, Syl. So much for hating backstabbers."

  Syl shrugged, raising a brow as if the accusation amused him.

  Syl: "Can't betray a dead man, Jargen! He's gone, you said it yourself. Water under the bridge. Forgive and forget, look to the future, not the past..."

  Punjo snorted, shaking his head. His cocky grin revealed that he saw straight through Syl's opportunism.

  Punjo: "Yer not foolin' anyone, Syl. Yer tune changed the moment ya figured ya could grab a piece o' the pie..."

  Syl let out a short laugh, shaking his head again.

  Syl: "What can I say? The entrepreneur in me speaks louder than the grieving widow. I'd be a fool not to seize the moment! Won't be long before word gets out that Cabdan's gone, and when it does, it won't take folks long to figure out his fortune's up for grabs. You lot know that as well as I do, or you wouldn't have mobilized so quick to get your hands dirty..."

  Jargen: "We won't be getting our hands dirty -- we're taking back what's ours. That's the difference between us."

  Syl's laughter turned heartier, his grin sharper.

  Syl: "C'mon, Jargen... Don't kid yourself. I'll get us in there quiet, but there's no saying what might happen...! Killing people isn't out of the equation. You do realize that, as far as anybody else is concerned, what we're about to do it breaking and entering...? Cabdan's got friends in pretty high places, if anyone gets wind that we stole from him, it won't end well for us. If you want to keep your hides intact, you gotta play it safe: no witnesses."

  Jargen stepped closer, his intense gaze making Syl's smirk falter.

  Jargen: "Listen closely, Syl. You're the only one here who knows what's inside. If anything goes wrong, it's on you. And remember -- most of us here are strangers to anyone who might spot us. You? You were close enough to Cabdan to know about this place. If anyone recognizes us, you're the first they'll come after. Keep that in mind the next time you start running your mouth..."

  Syl swallowed hard, the confidence in his voice cracking ever so slightly.

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  Syl: "A-alright, no need to be a bird of ill omen...! We'll be fine. Just follow my lead, stay quiet, and keep outta sight. We'll be out before dawn..."

  The mansion's lights flickered as its occupants moved through the rooms. Then, one by one, most of the lights dimmed, signaling that the residents had turned in for the night. Only a few windows still glowed faintly -- likely guards or late workers.

  Syl: "Now's good! On me."

  Moving through the moonlit garden, the group stayed close to trees and bushes for cover as they approached the brick wall surrounding the estate. Syl led them to a specific section of the wall he had scouted beforehand.

  Syl: "Alright, big guy -- give us a leg up."

  Punjo leaned against the wall, bending his knees to create a stable surface.

  Syl: "I'll go first, make sure it's clear. After me, doesn't matter who's next -- just be quick!"

  Jargen: "I'm next. Gotta make sure you behave."

  Syl smirked, unsurprised. With Punjo's help, he hoisted himself over the wall, landing silently on the grass inside the courtyard.

  Punjo: "Don't forget about me, now...!"

  Jargen: "'Course not, Punjo. Relax..."

  Jargen vaulted up next, but instead of dropping down, he perched atop the wall, ready to help the others cross.

  Jargen: "Tyssa -- you're next."

  Tyssa's agility made the task look effortless. She scaled the wall in seconds, landing beside Syl, who was already crouched low, scanning the area.

  Rel: "Almost there, Punjo! Hang tight."

  Though sweat glistened on his face, Punjo remained steady as Rel climbed the wall. Once atop it, he shifted into position opposite to Jargen.

  Jargen: "Alright, buddy. Your turn."

  Punjo stepped back to scan the empty street before taking a short running start. He jumped, grabbing the ledge as Jargen and Rel reached down to pull him up.

  Rel: "Shit, shit...!"

  In his effort to help Punjo, Rel leaned too far forward. His balance wavered, and he began tipping back toward the street.

  Tyssa: "Careful...!"

  Just as Rel's body teetered dangerously, two small, firm hands grabbed his dangling leg, pulling him back toward the wall.

  Tyssa: "Got you!"

  Punjo, now safely on the other side of the wall, offered Rel a sheepish grin as Tyssa helped him down. Finally, Jargen leapt down, his boots landing softly on the grass.

  Rel: "T-thanks... Close one!"

  She smiled, patting his back reassuringly.

  Jargen: "Nothing like a good scare to get your blood pumping, huh, Rel? Don't lose focus now -- the hard part's still coming."

  They regrouped and crouched low in the shadow of the brick wall, preparing for their next move. Syl scanned the area before pointing toward a wooden door at the back of the mansion.

  Syl: "Alright... See that door over there? Leads straight into the kitchen."

  As they followed his finger, the light streaming from a nearby window caught their attention.

  Syl: "Yeah, some guards like to hang around in there to grab a midnight snack. Lucky for us, that means whatever they're supposed to be guarding... isn't."

  He gestured for them to follow, and they crept along the mansion's wall, staying close to the shadows.

  Rel: "Where does Cabdan even keep all this fortune of his?"

  Syl's lips curved into a grin as if he'd been waiting for that question.

  Syl: "That's the kicker -- he keeps the bulk of it far, far from here."

  The group halted in their tracks, staring at Syl with a mix of confusion and anger. The sudden silence made him pause and glance back at them.

  Syl: "Whoa, easy there... I didn't say it's not worth the trip! Yeah, Cabdan didn't keep his riches here, but this is where we'll find the info to track it down. Man like Cabdan knew better than to keep all his eggs in one basket, but even he couldn't remember every hiding spot off the top of his head..."

  Rel: "... You're saying he wrote it all down somewhere?"

  Syl: "Bingo. Maybe not all of it, but enough to point us in the right direction! We find his office, grab anything that hints at where his stash is hidden, and get out. Clean job -- no one even knows we were here. And the best part?"

  His grin widened.

  Syl: "The poor saps who show up after us thinking they're gonna hit the jackpot will waste their time tearing the place apart... none the wiser that we beat them to it. Would pay good coin to see their faces!"

  Jargen: "Get too excited, and you just might -- right before this place becomes your grave."

  Punjo: "That, an' there ain't no guarantee someone else hasn't beat us to it already... Could be we're the poor saps, huh?"

  Syl sighed dramatically, shaking his head.

  Syl: "Way to kill the mood, you two. Sheesh...!"

  Tyssa: "... And what about Faya's antidote? That must be here, right?"

  Syl shrugged nonchalantly.

  Syl: "*Must* is a strong word... Let's put it this way: if there's any place he'd keep it, that'd be in the alchemy lab. Can't promise it's there, though... For all you know, there never was an antidote to begin with. Cabdan was the type to enjoy watching people squirm."

  Rel: "He liked covering his own ass even more. If he had that poison made, there's no way he didn't also have an antidote... Cabdan wouldn't risk poisoning himself without a backup plan."

  Syl glanced back at Rel, his grin returning.

  Syl: "Good point, kid... Knew Cabdan well! Let's hope you're right, then."

  The group continued moving through the courtyard until they reached a pair of heavy cellar doors nestled against the back of the mansion.

  Syl: "Alright, here we are... This is how we're getting in."

  He stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles with exaggerated flair. Turning back to Jargen, he winked.

  Syl: "Just like old times, huh, Jargen?"