《The Lost Loot Of The Dynasty》


 Chapter 1: The Avalanche

    "I can''t believe that you just did this, Mara," Xavier''s voice echoed through the valley. His words sharp in disbelief and filled with anger. His body twisted and turned in midair, the wind howling around him like a wolf, cold and unforgiving as it whipped passed him.


    The Earth below was nothing more than a distance, a black hole, looming blur. Shiny rocks around him seems like an ancient beast, a dragon ready to devour him alive. His hands trembling with desperation, tried to claw the empty air, searching for anything___anything at all__that might slow his fall, break his descent and offer him a last chance to survive. But there was nothing. No edge catch him. No branch hold him that could give him another breathe.


    Time seemed to stretch, each second seems like an eternity. His heart raced in his ribs, not just from terror of falling, but the shock of betrayal that happened just few moments ago.


    ''She pushed me__?''


    The words echoed in his mind over and over___as his body continued feeling the air and imagining the depth. ''Mara''__the woman he loved and cherished, who he trusted his life with had pushed him through the cliff.


    Few seconds ago he was happy and laughing with her on their success and now everything shattered. All promises, the adventure and the laughs. It all had been a lie.


    ''Why__?''


    ''How__?''


    ''How had we come to this__?


    It hadn''t always been this way. Once they were a team. The team of three. The shadows__Xavier Blackwell, Kieran Hale and Mara Wexley. They had adventured together, seeking ancient artifacts, exploring forgotten ruins, battling the hurdles. Their bond had been strong and unbreakable.


    But that was before the amulet.


    The amulet of the dragon King. A relic of unimaginable power, rumored to grant its owner the strength to control this world___ maybe the universe or something else because its all in the stories. No one truly had this amulet before. They had tracked its location for months, spent sleepless nights decoding maps, sneaking through traps and tunnels, and crossing dangerous landscapes. It was supposed to be one of their greatest adventure.


    But then it had torn them apart.


    "You don''t understand Xavier," Mara''s voice had been frantic, filled with a fierce energy that only came from greed, "This is everything__This amulet___its our future, our fortune. We can sell it. Imagine the money, the power we could have. The future we promise each other. We can live like a royalty, forget about all these struggles, these adventures. No more hiding from police. No more running from problems."


    Xavier took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the realization. His hands clenched into fists as he glared at her. "Mara___this isn''t us___this isn''t you. We are adventurers who loves to explore the world which hid somewhere under the dust of time. Not for some money or power."


    Mara stared at him as if he was speaking a different language or from another universe where money didn''t matter. Her face was flushed with an excitement, her eyes wide with the hope of better future. "This is bigger than us, Xavier!! We''ve spent out lives barely scraping by. We deserve this. We can have everything. Just think about it. We''ll never have to struggle again. You promised me the best future and I think this is our chance Xavier."


    Kieran, standing a few feet away, had looked on with a hint of concern, though his hands were stuffed into his pant pockets. His eyes darted between them, a sly smile playing at his lips. "You''re just upset we beat you to it, Vee. You''ve always been good one, always thinking about the right thing, the moral and values. But you can''t deny it__this amulet is worth a fortune. Hell!! we could retire after this."


    Xavier''s heart had sunk into his stomach, the realization punched him like a brick to the chest. "Retire?" he whispered. "Is that all you guys care about? Money? Power? You''ve come this far only to steal? How can you forget why we''ve started this. We did this because we wanted to learn, discover and____" His voice cracked, words were not enough to describe the pain. "And because we were a family. The Shadows, and you''re willing to throw that all away because of this ''amulet''?


    Kieran rolled his eyes as if he had not interested in this mess. "Xavier, your words cannot change our minds. We have made our choice. Now it''s up to you to support us or break the team."


    "No," Xaviar said firmly. "You''re wrong, both of you. It''s_ it''s not just a treasure hunt anymore. It''s about ''who we are.'' If you''re willing to destroy everything for a quick payday, fine. But I don''t want to be a part of it."


    Mara''s tone changed in an instant. The fire in her eyes had dulled to something colder, something more calculating. "You don''t understand. You don''t have what it takes, Xavier. You''re stuck in your little dream world where everything makes sense. Where everything is about the next great discovery. But wake up, this Dragon King''s amulet is the key to everything."


    "Mara, please, listen to me with a calm mind," Xavier begged her, taking a step forward. "We can leave. We can get away with it. We can go back to how we were before. If we did this theft today, the police would catch us and we''d spend the rest of our lives either running from the police or going to jail." He paused. ¡°I__I promise Mara, I will work hard and earn enough money for us."


    Her lips pressed together in a fine line, and for a moment Xavier saw something in her eyes, a hope___ or perhaps regret for her actions. But then it was gone, replaced by something icy that shielded her emotions.


    "No," she shook her head. "You should''ve thought about that before you tried to stop us."


    "What? Mara, no___please_____"


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    But before he could finish speaking, she pushed him. It was not something he had expected. It was not a mere nudge, a push in jest. No, this was deliberate, powerful, and it was as if she wanted him to fall.


    His body had flailed, trying to catch its balance, but the earth beneath his feet had given way. The world had tilted violently, and in the next heartbeat, he had been falling.


    "Mara," the cry escaped his lips, strangled shout. His hands reached out for anything, but the cliff side was smooth and unyielding. His body twisted in midair, he feels like the ground rushing towards him. Ready to embrace him into its depth as if he was a part of it. The thought came to his mind in that moment, sharp and painful, "I''m going to die."


    Memories flashed before his eyes like a fading dream. And then, in an instant, the reality hit him hard. ''She did this.'' She had chosen power and money over him. Over everything they had shared. He closed his eyes, bracing for the end. His final thought was a single question, hanging in the darkness: ''WHY____?"


    ©¥???©¥???©¥


    Xavier''s head thumped, a dull, relentless pain that ripped its way through his skills. His limbs were stiffed and heavy, his senses were numb. Slowly he regained his consciousness and the first thing he noticed was silence. There was no wind. No distant sound of the outside world.


    He tried to get up but his muscles refused to obey him. His eyes fluttered open, and the blur of light slowly entered into his eyes and shaped itself, trying to show him the icy world.


    "Where am I?" he grumbled.


    The cold had seeped into his bones, but it wasn''t cliff side cold. No, it was something different. The warmth of a nearby fire reached him, a welcome contrast to the bitter cold that had consumed him on the mountain.


    Xavier''s eyes blinked slowly around the small cave. He can felt the hard and cold ground beneath him. The air was heavy with the smell of damp earth and smoke. A fire flared up in front of him, a small flame surrounded by woods to contain it. A grey blanket was wrapped over him nearby, soft and surprisingly comforting against this harsh cold. A small gift in this chaos.


    He shook his head gently to clear his thoughts. Then he saw someone____a person___woman. She was kneeling beside the fire, rubbing her hands together in a rhythmic motion, as if trying to control her coldness. She sat with her back to him, but her presence___her silhouette____ was mesmerising.


    She was medium, with long dark hair fell as careless waves over her shoulder. Her actions were graceful and deliberate, but something about her seemed so distant____so unreal as if she was a part of this landscape, this cave. He can see the cold beauty within her just like this mountain.


    "Don''t Xavier, focus____just focus on yourself first," he whispered. "But sometimes it''s nice to ask for help." He thought, looking at her again. He cleared his throat and tried to speak in his weak and hoarse voice. "Hey___do you____by any chance___?"


    But she didn''t seem to hear her. Too focused on rubbing her hands together____or maybe searching for something. Her eyes darted around the cave with quick and nervous movements, scanning the dark corners bright in dim light. Xavier shifted slightly under the blanket, trying to push himself up again or maybe make a sound so she could see him. But his ribs screamed in protest, too stiff to move, yet he forced himself up, ignoring his pain. He reached out in his pocket, wiping his hand with small packet of cake left in his pocket. He pulled it out and clear the burning plastic.


    "Food__I think she is looking for something to eat," he thought and his own stomach growled in agreement.


    He hesitated for a moment and looked at her, "Maybe I''m wrong....Should I call her? What if she thinks I''m a prevert or a jerk? Perhaps she care less as we are both stuck in the same situation." But the intensity with which she was looking for is undeniable. As if nothing else mattered.


    Finally, he cleared his throat, a sound that was almost out of his ears. "Hey," he said but this time louder. "Have this."


    She didn''t turn immediately, but Xavier saw her hands stopped its movements, just for a few seconds, he wondered if she had even heard him. He sighed and placed the pack of cake beside her and lightly tap on it to make a sound so she can react. And it worked. She turned her head right and looked at it. He saw her brown eyes in firelight, burning like a yellow sun in the white clouds____intense but filled with something which he couldn''t replace right away. Perhaps hunger or the coldness or something unreadable. She raised her eyes and looked at him. For a brief moment their eyes locked, and Xavier felt a strange pull, as if the flame is the only thing keeping them connected.


    A weak smiled played on his lips, trying to overcome this strange tension between them. "Don''t look at me like this, I know when people stuck in a situation like this and desperately looking for something then its just a ''food''. You can take it as a token to save my life."


    She studied him for a few moments before shifted her focus again on the pack of cake. Her lips twisted slightly, and without saying anything she took the pack. Her fingers brushed over it as she opened it and continued to eat the cake quietly, her hunger silent.


    "I didn''t save your life, but Marcus did," she spoke for the first time in a while.


    "Marcus__?" Xavier muttered his name under his breath and looked around for him but found no one. "Oh....okay.....thank him."


    She didn''t answer right away. She chewed slowly, as if enjoying the taste with her eyes fixed somewhere in the shadowed corners of the cave. Xavier didn''t want to press her more even though the words stuck in his throat. He looked at her silently, wondering what had brought her here, to this mountain,to this coldness and isolated place.


    He felt the awkward silence between them but he shook his head and wrapped the blanket around him tightly to control as much cold as he can. His mind was racing, wanting to ask so many questions. He wanted to know where they were, what is place was, how to get out of here, what had happened when he was unconscious and above all where they found him___no actually where Marcus found him, where was Mara and Kieran? Had an avalanche buried everything around them?


    Suddenly, the sound of boots crunching in the snow broke the chain of his thoughts, and their eyes shifted to the cave''s entrance. A man entered, his silhouette cast by the faint light from outside. He was tall, broad shouldered, and the seriousness on his face shows the years of exposure to his harsh life. It seems like he had seen it all____yet survived.


    Even his thick gray beard was failed to concealed the scar on his face, stretched from his cheek to his jaw. A reminder of someone who had fought battles___both inside and out. His amber eyes were sharp and calculating, scanning the cave before resting on Xavier.


    "Now, it''s time to move," Marcus said in his serous and authoritative tone.


    "Time to move__?" Xavier shivered even at the thought to leave the cave in this heavy snowfall. But he has to if he want to go somewhere safe. He looked at the black heavy jacket, the man was wearing.


    "You''re lucky you''re alive, man," Marcus said, as if his gaze read his mind. "The avalanche buried everything around. We need to move before another one comes down. The path to the summit is dangerous, but there''s a hotel and we have to reach their before sunset. We''ll be safer there."


    Xavier looked at the woman before nodding slowly. His body aching too much to argue, he noticed the woman was already on her feet, brushing off the snow and the dust from her pants, ready to go. The man turned to her and nodded.


    "Let''s go," Marcus ordered, leaving no room for debate.


    Xavier looked at the fire one last time, picked his bag up before leaving. The warmth still creeping through his bones. But he had no other choice. If he don''t want to freeze here to death, he had to leave. There was no room for hesitation in the mountains.


    He had no choice¡ªnot yet.

 Chapter 2: The Calm Before the Storm

    Their legs hurt with every step, but there was a strange comfort in the steady rhythm of walking. The mountains, though rough and unforgiving, were slowly starting to feel more familiar as they moved closer to the top. With each step, Xavier began to feel the weight of his worries¡ªAvalanche, his betrayal, Mara¡ªfade a little into the background.


    It was extremely cold, but the wind seemed to calm down with every step they took. After a while, Xavier could see the faint outline of the hotel in the distance. It was a dark, beautiful building standing tall in the harsh mountain environment, like a watchful guardian. Its strong stone walls proved how tough it was, built to survive anything nature threw at it¡ªa symbol of human strength in a wild, empty place.


    "You doing okay back in the cave?" Marcus called, glancing over his shoulder at Xavier, who was carefully navigating the icy path.


    Xavier nodded tiredly, too worn out to say much. As the mountain¡¯s peak came into view, his mind wandered back to Mara and Kieran. His heart ached with the sting of their betrayal. Mara... what were you thinking? he wondered.


    As they neared the hotel, Xavier began to hear the sounds of laughter and conversation, the voices carried by the quiet wind. The doors stood wide open, and warm light poured out, inviting them inside to its comfort.


    Marcus led the way through the heavy wooden doors, with Xavier and the women following behind. When Xavier stepped inside, his breath caught as the warmth surrounded him, like a thick blanket offering much-needed comfort.


    The grand entrance hall of the hotel was truly impressive. High wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, and large wooden windows provided a stunning view of the snow-covered mountains below. The walls were decorated with tapestries and old paintings, giving the place a timeless, cozy feel. The smell of roasted meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Xavier¡¯s stomach growl with hunger. The crackling sound of the fire, roaring like a flame-breathing dragon, only added to the feeling of comfort.


    A few people were sitting at the wooden tables scattered around the room. They looked like adventurers or travelers who had come to enjoy the snow. Some were laughing and chatting, while others were quietly enjoying their meals.


    Xavier felt a twinge of envy as he watched them. They seemed so... at ease. It was strange because this place, this moment, was the result of everything they had worked so hard for. Surrounded by warmth, they could finally find a brief escape from the harsh reality outside.


    "Come inside," Marcus said in his calming yet serious voice. Xavier followed him into the large room, still lost in his thoughts.


    "Lily!" a woman called out in a sharp voice.


    Xavier turned to see another woman already inside. So her name is Lily, he thought to himself.


    "When I heard the news about the avalanche on the radio, I panicked," the woman said. "I thought you guys were stuck in there."


    Lily smiled at her, then removed her coat and hung it on a chair. Marcus had already sat down at the table, starting to eat to warm himself up.


    Xavier was still standing by the door when Lily¡¯s gaze met his. She looked at him closely, not judging by his appearance. "Where did you find him?" she asked.


    "Marcus found him hanging from a tree while looking for a way out," Lily replied, settling into a seat next to Marcus.


    "Sit down, gentleman," Marcus said, gesturing for Xavier to sit next to him. "You need to get something warm into you."


    Xavier glanced at the warm food on the table, suddenly realizing just how hungry he was. The only food he¡¯d had in what felt like days was the cake he¡¯d given Lily. Without a second thought, he sat down at the table, feeling thankful for the chance to eat. The only sounds in the room were the clinking of plates and the faint news playing on the radio.


    "Tessa," she said with a cheerful smile, extending her hand. "Tessa Moore."


    Xavier returned her smile and shook her hand. Just then, Marcus placed a pot of hot stew in front of him. He eagerly dug in, the warmth of the stew spreading through him with each bite. It wasn¡¯t anything fancy, but to Xavier, it felt like the best meal he had ever tasted. His stomach, which had been growling for so long, finally settled, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget everything¡ªforget Mara. His world felt calm and still, just for a moment.


    But not everyone shared that same peace. Especially Tessa Moore. Xavier could already tell one thing about her¡ªshe talked a lot, and non-stop. She started telling them about the conditions in the mountains after the avalanche, sharing what she¡¯d read on the internet and giving suggestions on how they could deal with it.


    "What''s your name?" a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Sorry, I forgot to ask."


    But what really caught Xavier¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t Tessa¡¯s question. It was the news on the radio.


    "So this just in: The biggest heist in the history of Japan, shaking the world of archaeology and treasure hunting to its core. Yes, we¡¯re talking about the theft of a 50 million-dollar amulet of the Dragon King, taken from its legendary tomb."


    The thieves¡ªKieran Hale, Xavier Blackwell, and Mara Wexley¡ªwere all dangerous grave robbers who managed to unearth an ancient tomb that the archaeological team had been struggling to reach. Hidden deep in the Forgotten Snowy Mountains, the tomb had been sealed off for centuries, its entrance blocked by deadly traps and mysterious forces. But the thieves managed to break through.


    What they found, however, was not gold or jewels, but an amulet worth 50 million dollars. Sources say the police have already arrested Mara Wexley and Kieran Hale, but Xavier is still missing, and authorities are investigating his disappearance.


    "Stay tuned for more updates about the Dragon King..." the news continued.


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    Tessa''s voice cut through Xavier''s thoughts. "What is your name, Mister?" She waved her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention.


    "Huh?!" Xavier blinked twice, snapping out of his daze.


    "Vee." He swallowed hard, struggling to focus. His mind was still foggy, and he could barely remember his name, let alone tell her.


    The news brought everything flooding back. Mara is arrested, Xavier thought, feeling a sharp pain in his heart. It was as if the past had suddenly caught up with him. His mind raced, replaying the events like an old film reel¡ªthe betrayal, the adventure, and the amulet.


    "V¡­ V for vibe?" Tessa teased him, a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned closer.


    Xavier swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. "V. E. E. Vee," he corrected her, hoping his voice would hide the tension swirling inside him. She nodded and turned her attention to her bowl of noodles.


    Xavier took a deep breath, trying to appear normal, though his mind was far from calm. But for now, he was safe¡ªand that was enough.


    "Well, we''ll rest today, and tomorrow we¡¯ll head south through the Adirondack Mountains to Egypt," Marcus said, his voice steady but tired, as he pulled his worn jacket tighter around his shoulders. His eyes were fixed ahead, but his mind seemed distant, lost in thoughts that no one could predict. The cold wind blew in through the windows, sending a chill across the room.


    He looked at Xavier, his gaze narrowing slightly, as if studying him carefully. "Are you...?"


    "I''ll join in," Xavier said without hesitation, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. Lily and Tessa exchanged curious glances, clearly surprised by his decision. Xavier took a deep breath to calm himself. He had no choice but to go with them. Going back to New York was not an option. He couldn¡¯t risk being arrested for a crime he didn¡¯t commit.


    "I mean, I was actually heading to Egypt myself, but got stuck in an avalanche," he added, gesturing toward his weathered pack lying on the bed. "Look, I have a bag too. So, if you don¡¯t mind, can I join you?"


    Marcus let out a long breath, clearly unsure of what to say. He turned to Lily, who had already left the room without a word. After a brief moment, he followed her, the tension in the air thick and uncomfortable. Xavier knew they had questions, but he wasn¡¯t ready to answer them¡ªnot yet.


    After some time, Xavier and Tessa finally came out, their footsteps echoing in the cold, silent hall.


    "Since you¡¯re joining us, let¡¯s start fresh!" Tessa said, practically bouncing with excitement. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it helped to ease the tension between them. She smiled brightly, eager to break the awkward silence. "I¡¯m Tessa Moore, a journalist and paranormal investigator from Brazil. And that angry bird," she said, pointing towards the direction where Lily and Marcus had gone, her finger cutting through the crisp air, "is Lily Yamaguchi, a skilled diver and marine biologist from Japan. And that old man, Marcus Donovan¡ªhe¡¯s a former soldier and survivalist in Alaska."


    Xavier smiled, taking in their introductions with a thoughtful gaze. His mind was already racing, considering his new adventurer companions¡ªwho were soon going to replace Mara and Kieran in his thoughts.


    ¡®A former soldier and Alaska survivalist,¡¯ Xavier thought about Marcus¡¯s past. ¡®No wonder he knows so much about mountains.¡¯


    Tessa¡¯s voice interrupted his thoughts. "And about you?" She repeated her question, her green eyes peering over the glasses as she waited for him to answer.


    Xavier blinked and looked back at her. "Yeah, I¡¯m Vee... and... well, I¡¯m an avalanche survivalist for now." He shrugged, unsure of how much to say at this point.


    Tessa burst into laughter. "You... you really have the best experience to join our team!"


    Xavier glanced at her, unsure of how to respond. His mind was still processing everything¡ªthese strangers, their group, and the journey ahead.


    "So, tomorrow, if we get stuck in another avalanche, you''re going to save us¡ªMR. AVALANCHE SURVIVALIST!!" Tessa joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief, but there was a hint of seriousness in Xavier''s gaze when she met his eyes.


    "I¡¯d like to think I can hold my own," Xavier replied, trying to match her humor. "But let''s hope it doesn¡¯t come to that, right?"


    Xavier raised an eyebrow, wanting to change the topic. "So, you all are friends... or just an adventurer team?" He couldn¡¯t help himself from asking. His thoughts briefly drifted to his own friends. Whatever had happened between them, he still missed them. The longing for familiar faces hung in the air, lingering between their words.


    Tessa hesitated, a smile tugging at her lips as she glanced away, lost in her own memories. "Lily and I are friends... high school friends," she said softly. "She''s actually from Japan, but her father moved to Brazil a few years back and..."


    "And Marcus¡ªhe¡¯s your friend too?" Xavier interrupted, curious.


    Tessa paused, then shook her head slightly. "Well, Marcus was our guide. I mean, Lily''s father hired him to guide us through these mountains. So, technically, you could say he''s our friend. But he''s different. He keeps to himself a lot and doesn''t talk much about the past."


    Xavier nodded slowly, absorbing her words. He glanced around and noticed tourists making their way towards their rooms for the night. The mountains loomed in the fading light of dusk, standing tall like silent sentinels. They stood there for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view. The last rays of the sun painted the mountain peaks in warm gold and orange hues, casting long shadows that stretched across the snow-covered ground.


    After a few moments, Marcus¡¯s silhouette appeared in the distance. Lily, already ahead of him, moved with quick, determined steps, as if eager to rest before the next day''s trek.


    Tessa gave Xavier a brief, acknowledging glance before they began walking back toward the warmth of their rooms. The air was crisp, biting at their skin as they gathered around the fire to discuss plans for the next part of their journey.


    "We move fast, but we stay smart," Marcus said in his low yet firm voice. He glanced at Xavier. "Double-check the climbing gear."


    Xavier nodded and picked up the ropes, ice packs, and crampons, carefully inspecting each piece of gear. "Got it, Marcus," he replied, passing over the climbing equipment without a word of resistance. Despite his own experience, he was starting to trust Marcus¡¯s leadership more than ever.


    Lily, ever the practical one, was organizing the supplies on the floor. Her brown eyes were focused as she packed extra rations. "We can''t rely too much on the environment for food," she said, her voice steady. "These snowstorms will make it harder to track anything." She stuffed high-protein energy bars into a waterproof pouch and grabbed the first-aid kit, double-checking the contents¡ªbandages, antiseptic, painkillers, and extra thermal blankets just in case.


    Tessa was digging through a chest of old supplies, looking for anything that could be useful. She pulled out a small, hand-crank flashlight and a flare gun, tucking them into her pack. Xavier moved closer to Lily, helping her with her gear. He adjusted her woolen scarf and secured her pack. "Stay safe and warm, Lily," he said softly. "The snow''s coming in heavy, and if we''re caught in another avalanche, we need to make sure we can survive the cold until rescue."


    "Yeah, she''ll stay safe," Marcus said, stepping in and stopping between Xavier and Lily. His eyes locked onto Xavier¡¯s, and for a moment, Xavier felt as if Marcus was peering into his very soul. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m here."


    Xavier shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah... no... I mean, I was just concerned since she saved me." He cleared his throat, trying to shift the conversation. "I already have a girlfriend, just in case you get me wrong."


    Tessa noticed the grim expression on Marcus''s face. She took a deep breath and set her bag aside. "We''re going to make it," she said in her firm voice, though there was fear in her heart. "We have to make it, no matter what, because we have no other option." She paused, meeting their eyes. "We just need to stick together. We¡¯ve got each other¡¯s backs, right?"


    Lily looked at her and gave a slight nod. "Yeah, right. Together, we¡¯ll get through this."


    But the next morning didn¡¯t rise as expected. They faced the snowstorm, but they thought they could push through it¡ªat least that¡¯s what they believed. Not until they stumbled upon eight frozen corpses, their bodies stiff in the snow.