Gloom engulfed them entirely as the massive stone door shut with a resounding thud. Her breath hitched and her heart raced with the silence that ensued.
"Are you hurt?" he asked in a soft voice as he leaned back against the wall, icy to the touch.
"No." Her response, though firm, came out with a quiver. "But this trap… it's ancient. It is designed to preserve secrets, no matter how harsh the cost."
Jareth's fingers were already tracing the surface of the walls. "We need to escape before they come back."
The vault was cavernous, with walls bearing age-old shelves and thick iron cages imprisoning forgotten relics. Jareth's fading flame allowed motes of dust to dance in the flickering torch light.
Kaelith's gaze fell on a certain corner of the room, more specifically, a stack of crates.
"Maybe tools?" Kaelith posed while walking towards the corner. "More like… maybe tools?" she added cautiously.
The two of them flipped the crates, only to uncover rusty chains, an aged crowbar, and a small vial that bore a faded label.
Jareth picked up the crowbar. "This might do," he said while already inspecting the edges of the crowbar for any usage.
Kaelith glanced at the vial and asked "Poison?"
He shook his head and answered "No, acid. Probably for etching stones or metals."
"Then maybe it can dissolve the lock," she said, excitement bubbling within her.
But just as they were trying to put their plans into motion, the door made a rumbling noise, followed by small cracks in the stone.
"Looks like someone is trying breaking in," Jareth said, sounding grim.
Kaelith went to the wall and started feeling the lines.
"Why hide the vault behind such a lethal mechanism?" she questioned. "What were they trying to keep out?"
Jareth turned towards her. "It's the truth about Ravencourt's downfall. Something highly valued and guarded ferociously."
A sudden voiceless murmur emerged from the dark.
"You shouldn't be here."
Both spun, but the vault stood devoid of any presence.
"Who's there?" Kaelith asked, calm but with fortitude. The sheen of cold sweat was telling a different tale.
No answer.
"Would you mind listening? This place has a heartbeat," Jareth interjected. "It's not just stone and secrets."
"Let's hope the guards don't arrive with reinforcements," Kaelith said, looking rattled but gathering her confidence.
With the help of the crowbar, Jareth began to attack the door's heavy lock. The rusted acid hissed metal began drizzling onto.
Time was an illusion, every minute felt like eternity.
Then came the click.
The door creaked open with a right on time thud of guard footsteps outside.
"Run!" Jareth commanded.
"Open fire!" the guards shouted as Kaelith snatched the ledger and rushed through the passage.
A hand clasped tightly around her wrist, pulling her back.
Spinning around to counter the attack, fists at the ready.
But it was Corven, and his fierce gaze softened as he said, "You're playing a dangerous game, Kaelith. But I'm here to keep you alive."