The Bungle Job

Ben shivered again as the cold air creeped along his exposed neck. Adjusting his jacket, he glanced at the hole behind them, “not to be ‘that guy’ but y’all think y’all speed this up?” he muttered. Rolling her eyes Amber waved him off while Lambert quietly shushed him, “fine, fine I’ll go over here…” Ben muttered just as another chill rolled down his spine. Moving pass the large hole he quietly went over to the sealed door. As the twins continued to deal with the large safe, he looked around not too pleased by the lack of security. Hearing a small triumphant grunt, he pushed his fears aside, returning his attention to the duo.

“C’mon and do your job…” Lambert grumbled as his sister swung the heavy door open.

“You sure everything is ready? Don’t want your creatures to losing my money!” she harshly inquired her usual scowl pointed at Ben. Grumbling, he delved a hand into the right side of his jacket producing several small clay figures and roll of paper.

“Just get this done get your cut and go home…” he muttered to himself unravelling the paper revealing a neatly drawn magic circle. Meticulously placing the figurines inside he shot up snatching the twin’s arms as he rushed to the door. Much like in the past they melted into a puddle of rich brown slime before a violently bubbling. Within a blink of an eye gargantuan golems stood in front of the vault silent and motionless.

“Lookit guys, we’re about to be the first people to rob the Bungle Barn blind!” Amber quietly cheered watching as Ben directed the golems inside. Watching the towering golems claim their reward Ben paused squinting at the corner of room. He muttered a curse swearing he could spy a silhouette.

“Benjamine! C’mon, you know these things won’t work if you too far!” the large woman lightly chided briskly walking ahead of them. Stuffing the knot of worry down Benjamine joined his companions through the tunnel they made. The cold air slithering into his jacket tickling the skin on his neck. Fighting back a shiver he frowned his stomach suddenly queasy. Seconds passed before a meek grumble fell from his lips.

“Don’t you guys think this was a little too easy? Next to no security, no traps, barely any commotion outside?” he quietly said but Amber just rolled her eyes continuing to lead the golems.

“You think I wasted almost three years working there for no reason? Ben relax, I made sure we did this during shift change and on one of their slow days. Trust me alright…” trailing off Lambert continued but Ben just softly groaned. Reaching the end of the tunnel Amber took a deep breath before heaving a hefty jovial sigh.

“Oh wow! We made it out with nothing happening! But seriously let’s get out of here before their next deposit!” quickening her pace Amber happily uncovered their hidden cart. Stomach still softly doing flips, “but if it makes you feel better after this we can retire to that little cottage we talked about!” she smirked winking at the jaw clenched Ben. As the golems loaded their prize she ventured over to him, unfolding his arms and gently grabbing his hands.

“I-it’s just…we heard stories of people trying to rob them and they went missing. Leaving no traces! You remember Lance, he went with those upstarts and we haven’t seen him since!” he paused taking a deep breath realizing he was raising his voice. His thumbs rubbing the taller woman’s knuckles. Her strong hands gave him a slight squeeze. A stern cough from Lambert separated the two. His sister helped him to tie down and hide the many large chests and bags. Dispelling and picking up the figurines Ben cast one last glimpse at the tunnel a pair of small glowing orbs yanking a confused curse from his lips. Narrowing his eyes he took a small step towards it.

“D-do you guys see that? Who’s there!” despite doing his best to put some base in his voice fear and unsettlement absolutely oozed from him. Rushing to his side the duo silenced him Lambert roughly gesturing an alarmed curse of confusion at him. Shrugging free from their grasp he pointedly jabbed a figure at the darkness, the two following it seeing nothing. Cradling his face and gingerly turning it to him Amber looked at him in the eye voice barely above a whisper.

“Ben, relax, okay? I’ve spent the last three years planning this and scouring the enter kingdom for any information about this place so there’s nothing to worry about.” Planting a sot kiss on his forehead she led him to the carriage. Hissing a sigh, he climbed inside peaking out the curtain eyes bulging at the sight of the dots. They slowly turned into slits, but Amber lightly smacked his hand away, “Ben, there’s nothing there. If there was it would have gotten us already…” nodding Ben leaned back taking a deep breath. As the carriage lurched forward he leaned into Amber’s side her thick arm wrapping around him pulling him closer.

Fortunately for them the trio reached their base with little issue Ben deployed the golems again ordering them to carry their fortune inside. Harshly inspecting the area he slowly made his way inside only to be immediately jumped by Amber. Large muscles trapped his neck while the stench of alcohol fluttered into his nose.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit early to be celebrating? We haven’t even left yet…” he trailed off but turned his nose up at the scent, “at least keep it only to three glasses…” trailing off again he took the bottle from her quickly pouring her a glass. Happily taking she made her way back to the soft lavish chair in her reading nook. Sitting the bottle down on the nearby table. Leaving he checked on Lambert who was battling the daunting task of counting all the money.

“Please tell me you have a golem that can count all this for us?” he asked moving each gold coin one pile to another.

“Sorry but that’s illegal ever since the war so my school never taught me higher level golemancy.” He said with a small apologetic shrug sitting down, “…so, what are you going to do with your half? Since me and amber is gonna go to the otherside of the continent…” he quietly asked.

“Head north, use some of the money to fund my own security force then just-“ the two paused heads snapping towards the door a low groan rumbling through. Grabbing his dagger Lambert gestured towards the door. Sighing and rolling his eyes Ben drew his hand crossbow. Going to lone door shared a confused glance with Amber who clutched a hammer in her hands. Drawing a symbol in the air he softly snapped his fingers the groaning instantly dying. Peaking through the curtains he went bugged eyed a lone cloaked figure standing outside.

“I told you! I told you there was something there!” he quietly shouted Amber rolling her eyes and waving him off.

“Okay you’re right! Can we deal with this first?” she spat back a frown hanging on her lips. Kneeling down and unraveling another sheet of paper he tossed down a hand full of avian figurines. In a split second a flock of cat size birds shot into the air. Unlocking and cracking the door open he watches as the flock shot out. Slamming it shut he silently sent Amber away skulking over to the curtains. Peaking through once again he almost ruined his pants watching the figure through open their cloak revealing a void and a mass of tentacles. In a matter of seconds, the golems were reduced to pieces.

“W-what is that! Gotta get outta here!” scrambling away he rushed to the twins, “guys we gotta-“ a lump in his throat blocked the rest of his words the room housing the money and Lambert completely empty. Wiping away the welling tears he pushed a table against the door. producing another scroll with trembling hands he slapped it over an eye, the magic circle lighting up. Looking around the room, he took a deep shuddering breath, a tightness appearing in his chest discovering a hidden hatch. He jumped, a loud noise jabbing his ears the source soon making itself known. Before he even realized it him, the door, and table were sent on an impromptu flight across the room. Seemingly blessed by the gods above he had a short drop, landing in one piece although the same couldn’t be said for the remains of the door and table.

Room spinning and vision blurred, he glared at the black mass slithering into the room. Barely able to lift his crossbow blindly fired only for a deep chuckled to caress his senses. Just as his vision cleared a pitch-black void consumed his sight, white orbs drilling into him. Hissing a groan as the surprised jerk slammed his head into the wall he raised his crossbow again.

“Where are they? They stole his money. I have to get it back. You’ll help me…” the creature simply said a tentacle snatching the crossbow away. The orbs lowered slightly homing in on Ben’s hand as if crawled into his jacket, “golemancy…you will help…” it trailed off the mirth in its words sending a hellish shiver down the mage’s spine. The shiver soon morphed into dread a row of bright white fangs sliced through the void. Scrambling to his feet Ben made a break for the door only to get a mouthful of wood. Tentacles zealously wrapping themselves around his legs dragging him across the dirty floor, “you’ll help because you helped them…” the creature chuckled as the screams of Benjamine Castle faded into the night.