[LocoColt04]

Arkaine turned to face Vincent as the dragoon finally found something more to say.

"So, do you want the Ragnarok or not? You'd be insane not to."
"Oh, uhh... yes, sure, that's fine by me."

Vincent looked Arkaine over, fully aware that the thief was plotting against him. He'd just have to make sure that wouldn't happen by any means necessary. With the Illumina in his possession, Vincent would be able to sell it for any cost, for the richest men in the world would gladly bid their entire lives for the sword. That's just what he was hoping for. His village needed the money desperately for plans of expansion and remodeling, and he knew he could get it. The bright room at the top of the stairs really meant just one thing: they were close. Torches were anchored to the walls and they continued to get larger and brighter as the men approached the room. Upon reaching their destination, Vincent nudged Arkaine forward, and followed him around the corner into the bright light.

The room was full of treasure. Mountains of gold coins, jewelry, and rare artifacts were scattered about the massive cavern. The ceiling was high, fifty meters at least, and the walls seemed to have no end. Vincent brushed against one of the mounds with his left side, pausing for a moment and leaning his spear against it, and snagged a single gold coin and placing it in his pocket. He tightened the grip on his spear again, a bit paranoid of his looting partner. His eyes searched furiously as Arkaine gazed at the treasures surrounding him. Something caught his attention from across the room. A pedestal, low and hidden by treasure chests and piles of silver, sat back on the eastern side of the cave, out of view. Vincent looked back at Arkaine, who had stopped for a moment to examine some odd markings on some strange thing that he could have cared less about. He approached the explorer with much haste.

"Here."

Arkaine looked up, peeling his attention from the hand-crafted jar and saw Vincent offering the Ragnarok with both hands extended. Arkaine curiously took the blade from Vincent's hands and, as he did, Vincent snatched his spear from the ground and ran from Arkaine toward that hidden pedestal, weaving through the treasures unneccesarily in hopes of slowing Arkaine down. Vincent never turned to see if he was even being followed yet or not. He worried that Arkaine may have the ability to fly with those four wings of his, and with that thought, he leapt upward with great force. Vincent flew easily hundred feet in the air or more, gliding downward with speed, accuracy, and grace. He planted himself directly in front of the Illumina.

Nothing had ever stolen his attention such as this sword. It lay peacefully atop the white marble platform, covered with a thin layer of dust from the years of rest. Almost daringly, he slid the left sleeve of his shirt over the blade, letting it remain where it had been for decades. He was reluctant to pick it up as though touching it would soil its perfection. Everything was white. The hilt and handle were made from a fine ivory, accented with the most beautiful pearls he had ever seen. The crossguard curved out on one side, forming a graceful guard against attacks to the hands. It was undoubtedly meant to be weilded with both hands, for it looked much to heavy to be used efficiently with one. Legends told of a man strong and swift enough to use one hand. Vincent only wished he had that kind of strength, but his power remained in his legs due to his years of dragoon training. The blade was of a metal unknown to him, perfectly smooth and perfectly sharp. Nearly four feet long, it had a very gentle curve, and was sharpened on both sides. There were no distinctive markings, no glyphs, no distractions, just perfection. It seemed to glisten in the light, reflecting a soft white which gave it an illusionary aura. Vincent slowly reached his hands out to grasp the handle when he heard soft footsteps behind him.

Vincent swiped his lance from the floor as he swung around to face Arkaine, who stood behind him with both his sword and the Ragnarok at the ready. Vincent swallowed hard, because any man weilding two weapons was a challenge. He turned his lance sideways, with the blade to his right, holding it in front of his body as a guard. He kept his right arm a bit lower to give the worn steel more force on an upward swing. He jerked forward with his left arm, taunting Arkaine with the blunt end of his weapon. Neither man moved for a few moments, locked in a fight of intimidation.

Vincent jumped forward at Arkaine, low and quick, thrusting the blunt end of his titanium staff directly at the man's face.