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Chapter Text

"...ir?..."

“Zzzzzz”

"-r?... Sir!"

"Zzhugh? What, yes? I'm up." The young wizard slurred as he rose to his feet and dusted off his robe.

"Er, yes. I merely wished to inform you we're about to reach Rogueport. See it there on the horizon?" The captain of the ship asked as he pointed over his shoulder.

"Ah yes. Thank you for waking me."

"Of course sir. Erm, I must ask if you're quite certain about disembarking here? I did tell you all the sordid tales of Rogueport on our way here, did I not?"

"You did." The wizard answered. "And I appreciate it. But I dont have much of a choice I'm afraid. This is where I need to be."

"O-of course, sir. If you've made up your mind I won't stop you. But be careful! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

"Right, right." The younger man sighed, hefting his pack over one shoulder and his staff over the other. Honestly he couldn't wait to get off the boat and away from its captain. He was a polite enough man but he was just such an insufferable worrier! How someone so anxious thought a life at sea was the right profession eluded him.

The ship came up against the stone Jetty of the main harbor, lowering the gangplank just long enough for him to step on solid ground before hoisting and sailing off again. He knew the captain was scared of this place but that he left in such a rush wasn't encouraging.

The wizard took in the sights and... smells, around him. The usual crisp scent of salty sea air got mixed in with the stink of bilge-water and trash, likely dumped by the locals into the ocean without so much as a second thought.

The locals in question were the typical surly dockworkers, mostly Toads and Bobombs. The most he got from any of them as he passed was a quick glance or glare thrown his way. Otherwise they kept their distance. He preferred that honestly. The robe he had on was the only one he packed in his hurry so he'd rather not dirty it so soon.

All in all, it was looking like his arrival would be calmer than he was expecting.

"Hey! What do you want!? Get away from me freak!" A voice shouted out in the distance.

"Oh here we go..." he sighed, already walking towards it. He could feel in his gut that he was going to ger wrapped up in whatever this was anyways so he might as well be proactive about it.

He eventually saw a young woman, maybe a head shorter than him with a shock of blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and smothered by what looked to be a miner's cap. The rest of her attire looked similarly on the tougher side, all hiking boots and durable khaki with pockets aplenty, and one dash of red in the form of a handkerchief wrapped round her neck.

The folks pursuing her, three in total from what he could see so far, seemed to be part of the same group. Their clothing all bearing some sort of "X" iconography, with the two smaller ones in the back dressed identically in Red, White and Black. Their leader, which he assumed given the fellow was quite a bit taller than the other two and wearing a tacky cape, mixed in some purple to the design. All had their faces obscured by horned cloth masks complete with goggles.

"Oh come off it you airhead!" He barked. "I know it's tough for you, but don’t play dumb with me! I've seen you walking around town asking about information on the crystal stars. Well now I'm doing the asking, so be a good girl and tell us what you know! Right. NOW!"

Crystal stars? Well that definitely peaked the wizard's interest considering they were what he was here to find out about. That he wasn't the only one looking for them was more than a little concerning, especially with how aggressive the X-fellows seemed to be about it. But it at least made deciding what to do next easier.

Clearly they were belligerent and therefore unlikely to share, but the girl in front of them would likely be grateful for help. A new ally and the removal of potential competition all in one swoop. It was the kind of opportunity his educators had taught him to seize, not that he particularly missed his days at the college.

"Boys, we're taking this firebrand back to our fortress!"

"Yes, Lord Crump!"

"I think not." The wizard interjected, stepping forward and stamping his staff onto the ground.

"Whuh? What d'you think YOU'RE doing, chump? You think you can screw up my plans!?"

"Not particularly, but when three thugs surround a woman and loudly declare they're planning on dragging her somewhere against her will I can't just sit idly by now, can I?"

"Gah, it's always something!" Crump groaned.

"You could just walk away before this has to get ugly, you know."

"Buh-huh! As if! Looks like I'm going to have to give you a little taste of the old CRUMP-A-BOMB!"

"Crumpa-what now?" The wizard asked before dodging to the side as Crump launched forward with one of the sloppiest drop-kicks he'd ever seen.

The villain slammed against the cobblestone right onto his tailbone, before being cracked over the head by a staff.

"GYAOWWWW! Get em' you idiots!"

The two lackeys came forward in short order and went down about as easily, a series of jabs and smacks from his staff enough to send them sprawled out groaning besides their boss.

"Alright... you got some good shots in." Crump huffed as he got to his feet.

"But that just means... IT'S GO TIME!"

It suddenly felt as though a small earthquake went off as what had to be a hundred similarly dressed thugs emerged from every book and cranny, surrounding them.

"Ah..." the wizard blanched. "This uh... might be a problem."

"Ya think!?" His companion asked.

"PUNISH HIM!" Crump roared, sending his troops surging forward to mob the pair. After an initial scuffle the wizard found himself knocked to the floor. But rather than be trampled or kicked he realized his attackers had lost sight of him.

"I got em!"
"No I got him!"
"Nuh-uh, he's over here!"
"Over where?"

...Just how bad were those goggles?

Though it wasn't dignified by any means he crawled out from under the mass, his fingers getting stepped on a few times but thankfully they didn't feel broken.

"Quick, this way!" The woman from before yelled over at him by the stairwell leading up to town.

"Wha- hey! They're over he-" one of the outliers started to warn, before she reared back and headbutted him back onto the pavement.

"Wow."

"Thanks! Learned how to do that in high school!"

"Is that what the helmet's for?"

"We can talk about fashion later, move it staff-guy!" She urged as she grabbed his hand and led him away from the commotion, the foes down below still moshing against each-other like the world's most confused metal show.

Eventually they made it to the safety of the town square. Well, relative safety, if the graffiti, gallows and glaring gangsters all around were any indication.

"Man, that was insane! I definitely wouldn’t have made it out of there without your help!" The shorter woman cheered.

"Oh, it's no-"

(Smooch!)

"P-pRoBlEm!?" He yelped.

"Hehe, like that reward?"

"I- uh- Um-!"

"I'll take that as a yes." She smirked, putting out her hand. "Name's Goombella, University of Goom."

"Murith." He answered her once he fought down his blush. "Shaman's University of Magics."

"Think I remember you guys. Didn't we play off in the Shell-Toss semi-finals a year ago?"

"I don't really follow sports, but it sort of sounds familiar now that you mention it... So I overheard you were interested in the crystal stars?"

"You too huh? Figures that a wizard would want to know more about them. Just rolled into town yourself right?"

"More like the town rolled into me." He sighed, glancing down at the boot-prints now covering his usually pristine robe, as well as the slight bruising on his cotton-candy-blue skin.

"Ugh, tell me about it. That was definitely the worst day I've had so far, but I hate this place. There are freaks and weirdos EVERYWHERE! It's nasty! I mean I know the place is called 'Rogueport' so I should have expected it, but sheesh! Wouldn’t be here if it weren't for the treasure."

"Ah so you've got a map too?"

"Map? Wait you actually have a map!?"

"Erm, yes?" Murith said, bringing out the surprisingly undamaged parchment in question. Goombella nearly bowled him over in her rush to see it.

"Oh you HAVE to tell me where you found this!"

"That’s... private, I'm afraid. Suffice to say the person who gave me this map is waiting for me to catch up with them."

"Is it your girlfriend?"

"What!? Gods no, she's my best fri-" he stopped, noticing the smug look on her face. "Oh you sneaky little trickster."

"Hehehe, what can I say? I always find out what I want to know. Which is why I'll be a great partner to have in this quest of yours! You handle the fighting and reunite with your buddy, I get to keep researching archaeology and walk away with fame and fortune! Besides," she bumped against him, fluttering her eyelashes. "A horrible town like this is no place for a girl like me~"

"I just saw you flatten a man's nose with your skull."

"Hey never said I was a girl that didn't know how to fight, just don't want to most of the time you know? That's where you come in."

"This sounds like a rather one-sided arrangement, thus far."

"Alright alright easy there buddy. How about this as an added benefit of me tagging along: connections! My professor's actually in town studying the same legend we're after. He's a bit of an old coot but I was one of his favorite students. He'll totally help us!"

"Hm... I suppose it's worth a try. I think a few of my own teachers are supposed to be spread about town. We can make the rounds and try to find all of them. Collect all the knowledge they have to offer and add it to our own, see where it points us."

"Sounds like a plan! Lead on, noble leader!"

"You're just putting me at the front in case more trouble comes around aren’t you?"

"Aw, we've just met and you already know me so well! I can just tell we were made for each-other."

"And I can tell I'm going to regret this." Murith sighed too quietly for her to hear.

He began walking toward the east side of town, Goombella following close behind as he fished out the letter that came with the map. His eyes lingered on the signature at its end, and the stylized smiley face scribbled next to it.

"I'll find you, sister." He thought. "I just hope you haven't gotten us into more trouble than we can handle this time."

Chapter Text

Judgement was the sort of thing that ought not be lightly cast. One shouldn't pass it after only a scant few minutes, be it on a person or a place. But Murith still felt safe in his conviction that Rogueport sucked.

The roads were lumpy and bumpy whenever they were paved at all, the dirt around just wet enough with who-knows-what to clump to his shoes and make his footing feel uneven wherever he stood. The people only ever glanced his way with scoffs, glares or leers, and it was just... so dirty! There was litter everywhere! What kind of philistines just let rotting refuse pile up and told themselves "this is fine"!?

At the very least the traveling companion he'd managed to pick up seemed nice enough company thus far. Goombella had an aura of certainty around her as she directed him about town. She had a friendly, fanged smile but also enough steel in her eyes to ward off most of the bums that thought to flirt with her. And thank the gods for that. Murith had his fill of bad flirting back in college. Though he could admit she was kinda cute- er, focus!

"So yeah, there's the shop. Guys that run it are nice enough, prices aren’t too gougey. There's a store for badges up on top too if you've got the money for it. Across that walkway there’s the inn and below that there's the tavern. You can hear some decent stories from the old-timers that hang out there but I have to buy my own drinks these days. The guys around here seem to think offering me one means I owe them a date."

"You have a lot of suitors, then?"

"Considering I'm the prettiest thing this side of town just by having a full set of teeth? Oh yeah. Sure there's probably some fancier ladies over on the west-side but most of them are part of the Pianta Family one way or another. Not worth the hassle."

"Pianta family?"

"Local mafia. Fairly certain they stick to their side of the city though so we shouldn't have to worry about them over here."

Murith hoped so. Piantas were able to chuck a grown man like a football if they felt so inclined and he was scared of heights.

"Right, so down this way is- Oof!" She continued, only to be interrupted by some hoodlum dressed in blue.

"Oops! Pardon me sucker!" He yelled back at them, only to suddenly come to a stop. "E-eh?"

The pickpocket noticed he was unable to move, glowing, and hovering a few inches off the ground. And also starting to float backwards.

"Going somewhere?" Murith asked with a frown, the gem on his staff aglow as it held the thief in place.

"H-hey now, no need to get angry!"

"What the- hey, Murith! That's your pouch!" Goombella shouted, pointing to a bag held in the man's frozen hand.

"Aw crap."

"No need to get angry, huh?"

"I- uh- s-sorry?"

"Say it to her."

"Eh?"

"You nearly bowled her over with that little stunt of yours. Apologize."

"Uh right! Sorry lady!"

"And let me just take this back from you." He grumbled as he yoinked his coin pouch out of his immobile hand.

"T-take it easy man!"

Murith stamped his staff on the ground and the thief's momentum resumed, his feet rushing him face-first into the ground.

"Uuugh..."

"You have to get up pretty early to get one over on a wizard." Murith huffed before turning on his heel and walking back the way they were headed.

"Woah. That was awesome."

"It’s nothing really. Just a basic holding spell."

"You say it like just anyone could do it."

"That's because they could if they were taught the right way. Don't let anyone know I told you but most wizarding schools are scams. You either get in because of family or because you can pay a fortune."

"For real? It's not like, some arcane hard-to-master art?"

"Well you still have to practice to do it right. I just mean that most of the beginner level spells aren’t that hard to get down. You won’t be pulling meteors out of the sky or summoning an army of ghosts without serious effort, but it shouldn't cost so much to learn until you get to that point."

"Dang. So judging by your duds I'm guessing it was family?"

"Huh?"

"Your robes? You're a Shaman right?"

"Half-Shaman but yes."

"Half? I thought that- uh, never mind."

"It's looked down on."

Goombella glanced up to notice the bits of his face she could see under his hood looked a bit sadder all of a sudden.

"There's not a rule saying Shaman's can’t have kids with other people but it's seen as a bit of a taboo. Doesn’t make growing up much fun either."

"Oh. Uh, sorry for asking."

"It’s fine."

"...Is it though?"

"You said your professor lived on this street right?"

"Er, right." She nodded. "Should be over there."

Murith looked over where she pointed, eyes catching on a signpost nearby.

"Merlon?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah that Shaman guy that lives next door. Think he does fortune telling or something. You know him?"

"He was one of my professors."

"No kidding! Guess we've both got folks we know in town. Well his door's first. Wanna say hi?"

"Yes please." Murith answered, going to clasp the door handle but remembering his manners and knocking at the last moment.

"ENTEEER!" A wizened voice boomed from inside.

Stepping in the pair were assaulted by the thick scent of candle-smoke and incense. The room around them was a kaleidoscope of purples and blues, with crystal strands ending in starry ornamentation hanging from the ceiling.

"Who seeks the aid of-! Oh! Murith my boy, is that you?"

"It is, Master Merlon. It's good to see you again."

Murith bowed his head only to be surprised by the mustachioed mystic coming up and hugging him.

"Ah no need to be so formal son! This isn't the academy! Not as clean. Or stuffy, haha!" He chortled. "So what brings you to a place like Rogueport?"

"Me and my sister were supposed to do our journeyman's quest- to be full wizards." He clarified, noticing Goombella look confused at the phrase. "But she decided to come ahead of me and I think she might be in trouble. Her last letter said someone was following her and I haven't found her in town. Have you seen her?"

"If Bambi's still the same rambunctious young trouble-maker I remember I would've certainly noticed her, my boy. Though to be fair I only moved into this humble abode 2 weeks ago."

"2 weeks... I got the last letter a bit before then..." Murith frowned, gripping his staff tighter.

"Calm yourself, my boy. There are few things magic cannot reveal! Come over to my crystal ball, let's try and scry where she is."

Murith joined hands with his mentor over the glassy blue orb, which began to float and glow as the scrying spell took effect... at least before it thudded back to the table.

"Hm?"

"Wait, what? Maybe we did something wrong?"

"Nothing seemed wrong to me. This is a quality bit of crystal, and neither of us are lacking energy to perform a spell. Perhaps she doesn’t want to be found?"

"But her last letter said she needed me. I haven't heard from her since!"

"I understand, but neither of us are slouches at our craft. If we couldn't find her that means either someone else's magic is in the way or she's not on this earth."

"You don't mean-!"

"Calm yourself boy!" Merlon chided. "This is your sister we're talking about! Girl hits hard enough to break koopa shells! I highly doubt anything grim has befallen her. I merely mean that perhaps she's somewhere less accessible. A wizard should know there's worlds beyond our own."

"R-right. Right. I apologize."

"Oh there's no need for that son. Family's family. I'd be a little concerned if you weren't worried for her. But she can take care of herself. For now just try and follow what trail you can find, see where it leads you."

"I understand. Thank you, sir. What are you doing in Rogueport anyways?"

"Well, I'm certain you and your scholarly looking little friend here have heard the stories. Ancient kingdom, lost in a cataclysm, standard business that might interest a wizard really. But of greater interest to me is the old pipe nexus that runs beneath this place!"

"The warp pipes? Aren't most of them blocked off?" Goombella asked.

"Unfortunately so. I'm not sure if it’s THE ancient city but there’s certainly some rather extensive ruins just beneath the town. Lots of debris blocking the way. Not to mention some unsavory individuals. If I were younger I'd sort the whole mess out myself but I simply haven't the energy left these days. Perhaps you can help, my boy?"

"What do you need?"

"I'm interested in the Pipe Nexus but because of what it can do, not the thing itself. The old system should be connected to quite a few places of interest, some remarkably far flung! And it's my belief that these places might have shine-sprites!"

"Like from Isle Delfino?" Goombella interjected.

"Ahhh Delfino. So many memories. Oh how I miss those beaches." Merlon sighed, before clearing his throat. "Ahem, but I'm getting distracted. That lovely island might be where they're most common, but shine sprites can be found throughout the world. Though naturally occurring, most are snatched up rather quickly by anyone from wizards to treasure-hunters for their potent energies. As you can imagine, it makes researching the things a right bother! But if you two were able to scrounge some up for me, I can make it worth your while!"

"How so?" Goombella asked.

"I take it you don't know much magic, missy?"

She shook her head.

"Exactly. And if you and Murith here are traveling together I imagine you'll run into some trouble soon enough. Now you look like a tough young lass, but a little magic certainly wouldn’t hurt to have! If you can bring me enough, let's say three, I'll be able to imbue you with a bit more strength. Let you take hits better and pack more of a wallop!"

"Any side-effects?"

"None! You'll be harder, better, faster, stronger! AND it'll be permanent. Of course such enhancement takes a bit of mystical oomph, so I'll need no less than three shine-sprites in exchange. I might be a master wizard but the spell will still take a bit out of me."

"That sounds fair. And I like the idea of turning these guns of mine into cannons!" She grinned with a flex.

"Certainly a lively one isn't she? Ah but I won't take up any more of your time. Get on out there my boy! Find your sister! And if you happen to find any precious shine-sprites, you know who to bring them to!"

"I will, thank you Master Merlon."

"Oh again with this 'Master' nonsense, it makes me sound so old! That's rather cruel of you ya know! Be off!"

The pair exited Merlon's home, any laughter to be had at the old wizard's antics stifled by the oppressive mood that hung around Murith.

"Hey," Goombella spoke, snapping him out of his funk by gently taking a hold of his arm. "It's gonna be alright. Your sister sounds tough, people like that don’t just disappear."

"But she did." Murith fretted. "And that's what worries me. Bambi's stronger than me- better than me. Maybe I'm a bit more skilled with magic but she's always been the more impressive one between us. And she never asks for help. If she actually wrote saying she was in trouble and now a master wizard can't find her with their crystal ball-"

"Hey!" She shouted, interrupting his growing panic and taking his hands in hers. "Breathe."

Murith sucked in a deep breath and exhaled shakily, Goombella flashing him a reassuring smile.

"Get a room!" A passing townie shouted.

"HOW ABOUT YOU MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!?" She barked right back, causing the man to flinch and flee. She turned back to Murith and noticed they were still holding hands. The two awkwardly broke away..

"Ahem- uh, right so-"

"Th-thanks. For that."

"No problem, I mean what are friends for right? Hehe..."

"So your professor's in that house next door?"

"Yup!"

"Cool let's go see him now."

"Sounds good!" She cheered with what little cool she had remaining, glad the awkward (but not uncomfortable) moment was wrapping up.

Murith knocked and held open the door for her when he noticed it was already unlocked, Goombella entering first to an apartment filled with more books than some public libraries.

"This looks like the place. Maybe he's actually home this time. Professor Frankly!" She called out.

"Whuzzuh?" A senile voice called from behind a dangerously tall stack of texts. "Who's there? Who wants me?"

"Over here professor." She said as her and Murith stepped closer.

"Ah. Yes. You. Now, you, uh..." he began to stammer. "I've seen your face before... yes that face..."

"Just give him a minute." Goombella whispered.

"Wait for it... just a moment... don't tell me, now! Silence! I'll get it right! Umm... it's not Goombriel..."

"How old is he?" Murith whispered back.

"Errr... it's not Elizagoom... Hrrrmmmm... Errrrmmm...!"

"Is he having a stro-"

"A-HAAA! I've got it!!!" Professor Frankly shouted, startling them both. "You're Goombella, aren't you? You were in my archaeology class last year, am I right?"

"Wow, uh, yes sir! That's me! I'm Goombella, a junior at U Goom! Goooo GOOMBAS!"

She exclaimed, striking a little pose.

"Of course I remember you. Not to toot my horn, but I'm pretty good at my remembering."

"Is that right...?" Murith murmured.

"Quit mumblin' sonny! It's rude!" He snapped at the young wizard. "You, though... you stick out in my mind because you were such an exceptional student. And that rude blue fella behind you is...?"

"Murith Stratos."

"WHO!?" The old goomba shouted.

"Murith, Professor. He's Murith! He's a wizardry student, friend of mine."

"Wizards, huh? Buncha hoity-toity know it alls if you ask me. Too lazy to read books so they use magic to make them read themselves! Anyways, what brings you and your hocus-pocus friend all the way to a place like this?"

"Hocus pocus?" Murith scoffed, offended. "I'm-"

"-Helping me with my research project. For the Legendary Treasure! We were hoping you could help?"

"Help? Of course I can help. The reason I came here was to study that very subject. But why do you tykes want to learn about the legendary treasure? You know that most say it's little more than a fairy tale, don't you?"

"My sister came to this town a month ago for our journeyman's quest, basically wizard graduation-"

"I know what a jabroni quest is boy! Wasn't born yesterday! Darn wizards acting like they know everything..."

"...right. Anyways I stopped hearing from her 3 weeks ago. She'd found a lead on the treasure but someone else wanted the information. They might have kidnapped her for it."

"Some goons by the docks tried nabbing me for asking about it too. I already believed it exists, but if people are trying to cover it up that only fuels my belief more! I want to find it, and I want to repay Murith for saving me by helping him find his sister!"

"Oh so Mr. Blue-Sky here has some manners after all? Well if he kept one of my students safe I guess I can put up with him for a while."

"My name is Murith."

"Whatever Murphy!"

"MURITH!"

"The treasure!?" Goombella interrupted as she got between them. "What do you know about the treasure?"

"Well I know folks think it's a lot of things. Treasure hoard. Magic artefact. Locked away demon. Empty box-"

"What was that last one?"

"Eh probably nothing! An' quit interrupting blue-boy! Point is it’s impossible to know what it actually is. But all agree on one point: to find the treasure, one must have the Crystal Stars!"

"To find the treasure of yore, take the seven Crystal Stars to the Thousand-Year Door!" Goombella recited. "You mean like the Crystal Stars in that old saying that super-elderly people pass down?"

"Indeed the same!"

"Oh so she gets to be rude?"

"SHUT IT MURPHY!"

"My name is Murith Boreas Stratos you SENILE old codger!"

"Senile!? I'm not too old to put you over my knee and spank that blue butt of yours red, punk!"

"WE HAVE THE MAP!" Goombella shouted, snaking a hand into Murith's robes and ghosting over his skin, causing him to squeak as she grabbed the map from his chest-pocket. "Here! We're supposed to be able to take this thing to the door and it'll show us the way, right!?"

"Hot Hassafras! You've actually got the map!? Goombella, you're a hero!"

"It's mine actua-"

"A hero!" He reaffirmed. "This is great! Fantastic! Wonderful even! With this, we can find the Crystal Stars! What are we doing sitting here, then!? Goombella! Marty!"

"Murith..." the poor wizard whined.

"Off we must go this instant! Let's take the magical map to the legendary door!"

The old Goomba practically tore out of the apartment, cackling like mad with the map still in his hands as Murith and Goombella actually struggled to keep up.

"Are all the professors from your school this crazy!?" He shouted at her.

"You should've met the guy that taught theater!"

Frankly flung open an old wooden gate across the street from his home and dove down into the warp pipe past it. The pair dove in after him, emerging into a cavernous inner-city that seemed to be as big, if not bigger than the town of Rogueport up above.

"Wow..." murith gasped. "I'd heard there was supposed to be a town beneath the port but if it's really a thousand years old it's in remarkable condition! And surprisingly well lit?"

Goombella was about to answer when her foot grazed over something. She bent down and picked up a glowing diamond-shaped shard.

"This'd probably be why. Star pieces. Looks like the roof of the cavern is full of em."

Murith looked up to where she pointed and noticed a dozen or so scattered lights embedded in the earthen roof, all shining as brightly as bulbs.

"They're either a naturally occurring crystal, magic, or actual pieces of fallen stars. No one really knows. But I heard old societies, like the ancient kingdom, used them for lighting since they never seem to dim."

"Well said Goombella! As expected of one of my students! Now stay close, this place might seem like an archaeological site but anyone can come down from town. Folks that are a little too rough even for there tend to congregate down here." Frankly warned, leading the group onwards.

It seemed he wasn't entirely wrong. Just as above there was refuse to be found down below. Scraps of paper and old beer bottles cluttered about the place. Murith frowned at the litter in so fascinating a place, but his mood improved when he noticed a floating platform.

"Hover magic? Frankly, have you heard of anyone renewing the spells down here?"

"I'm not interested in any of that magic hoo-ha, Morton! Far as I know the only folks that come down here are thugs and bums."

"My name's- nevermind. If that's right then the spell is still working a millennium later! It's not a complex enchantment by any means but to not need a recharge in so long, maybe ever-"

"Hey! Hey baby! Watchu doing with that nerd and that geezer?" A voice suddenly called out.

The group looked up to see a trio of goomba men leering their way (mostly Goombella's) from the top of a nearby stairwell.

"Wassup, baby? Why don't you hang with us for a while? We play real nice!"

"Man, what's a FINE-lookin' Goomba don't with some cotton-candy-colored clown like that?"

Goombella fluttered her eye-lashes and struck a pose. From his closer position Murith could tell it was overly theatrical, but they probably mistook it for reciprocation.

"Oh it is like, SO sweet that you boys think I'm cute! Seriously! Yeah, guys like you make me feel like TOTALLY BARFING! Now get out of our way!"

"Ouch! That was cold!"
"What, you're too good for us? Come off it sister!"
"Nobody mouths off at us like that! Get em!"

The trio of hoodlums leapt out from the top of the stairs, fists raised. Murith merely stepped between them and her with staff in hand, whipped the first's head around with a whack across the cheek, then jabbed the paragoomba in the gut when he tried to divebomb him, sending him to the ground clutching his stomach. He brought his staff crashing down over the last one's head, only for him to stand tall as it CLANGed off his helmet.

"Hah! Takes more than that to beat mGUH-" He cried as Goombella surged forth and launched a fist right into his nose.

They collapsed in a heap on the ground, groaning where they lay.

"Wow. That was kind of sad to be honest." Murith observed.

"I know right? Like I get Goomba guys aren't much to look at most of the time but still."

"O-oh what, so you'd rather settle for this lil blue bi-?!" Their leader began to accuse, before she stomped her boot down on his gut. "Alright, alright! I'm sorry! Momma!"

"Maybe if you listened when she tried teaching you manners you wouldn’t be crying for her now, jerk! C'mon guys. Let's get going."

"Well said Goombella! Fine work you did there. You should think about joining the university's boxing team for your senior year!"

"Didn't that get shut down for budget cuts?"

"Ah, right. Darn."

"Well hopefully there aren't more where they came from." Murith sighed as he fell in behind Goombella and Frankly. But there were, in fact, more.

It seemed like every small-time gang that couldn't step up to the Pianta Mafia or the Robbos (or at least pay their dues) got booted down into the undercity to scrounge amongst the ruins. It made for good exercise at least. And if Goombella happened to root through all their pockets as compensation for their rudeness while they lay beaten, well, to the victor go the spoils.

The trio navigated the ancient settlement and its pipe network for a while longer, picking up an assortment of loot and knick-knacks as they mapped out the crumbling labyrinth of pathways and chambers. A few mushrooms, a fire-flower, a handful of coins and curiously, a weathered black key.

The key had an aura about it, and since they'd managed to hit a series of dead-ends otherwise they figured the best course of action was to follow where it led. Atop a staircase and in an otherwise empty chamber stood an enormous black chest, similar in design to the key. Murith paused in front of it.

"Well, that's definitely where the key goes. Put it in."

"No."

"Huh?"

Murith's staff began to glow, a beam of energy not unlike a laser-pointer emerging from its bottom. He began to draw an intricate circle of runes and glyphs around the chest, then returned to face the front of it as he began channeling energy.

"What's this malarkey?" Frankly grumbled.

"There's a dark presence inside this chest. The kind that comes from a curse. I'm attempting to purify it. I need to concentrate, please."

"Sounds like a waste of-"

"Professor, let's give him a chance okay? This room is giving me some bad vibes."

"Hrm. I suppose if you think it's not complete cockamamie."

The lights of the binding circle began to glow brighter along with the gem atop Murith's staff, which itself had left his grip and began spinning mid-air before him. His muttered chants gradually grew in volume until he was nearly shouting, wind whipping about the room as the chest shook violently. At last it too leapt off the ground and exploded in a burst of lightning, the three explorers throwing their arms up to shield themselves from the debris.

As the light faded and the indoor storm died down, they opened their eyes to see a peculiar sight. A ghostly Goomba woman in ancient robes, floating above them where the chest once was. Her own eyes fluttered open to glance at the assembled company of visitors.

"I'm... free...? How? The curse..."

"I undid the... the binding." Murith slurred, leaning on his staff for support as the ritual had drained him.

"A Shaman? What is so rare a person doing in this place?"

"The Shaman's are more numerous these days, madame. More present in the world."

"These days... how long have I been sealed away?"

"Are you one of the legendary heroes? The ones that stopped the demon?"

"So we're remembered as legends?" She weakly smiled. "At least we did our jobs right then. Aye. I am Goomiriam. Lady of the Boggly Woods."

"Wait, THE Goomiriam the Grey?" Frankly asked. "The one said to be worshipped by the Punies?"

"Worshipped? I hardly asked that from them. I'm glad they honor my memory for hollowing out the Great Tree for them to live in but I never asked they venerate me."

"Oh my goodness, it IS you! Madame, you've been studied by Goomban cultural scholars for centuries! It is an honor to make your acquaintance."

"Centuries?" She asked looking haunted (pun not intended.)

"Indeed! A thousand years to be exact!"

"I've been locked away for so long...? My friends... The Demon!"

Her cry caught Murith's attention, exhausted as he was. "Demon?"

"The Shadow Queen! The tyrant that nearly enslaved the whole world! She made the Crystal Stars! We were able to subvert their power and use them to seal her away behind the Thousand Year Door but if it's really been so long- The spell! It will be fading!"

"Woah, hold up! The treasure's actually some evil demon queen!?" Goombella asked.

"Treasure? There's no treasure in that damned palace of hers behind the door! Only ruin and evil! That's why we locked her away!"

"Lady Goomiriam, I beg forgiveness for asking your aid after so long locked away. But however you can help us stop the Shadow Queen, please, do so!" Frankly pleaded.

"My strength is drained. The fight to stop her took almost all we had, so weak were we that she was able to curse us as the Thousand Year Door sealed her away. When at last life left me my spirit was bound in that accursed chest. But... wait, I think I might be able to do something with the lingering magic."

Some of the wispy darkness that had been locked away in the chest floated back around her, swirling like a tornado as she visibly strained to control it. The darkness faded into a small but potent ball of light, which she held in her hands towards Murith.

"This will give you the ability to, well perhaps not fly but at least glide. Though with the magic already at your disposal there might not be much of a difference. If the ruins are as I remember them, you can float across to the ledge on the other end of the chamber. Beyond its archway you can find the Thousand Year Door.

The orb flew into Murith and disappeared. His eyes went wide as he clutched his chest and gasped, a flash engulfing him as he steadied himself.

"I- thank you, lady Goomiriam."

"Your quest is perilous, but you must see it through! You must save the world! The Shadow Queen may have grown even more powerful after so long a rest! And please, if you can find the rest of my friends- the heroes of yore- save them! Let us finally rest..."

Her already transparent form faded entirely until she went on to whatever life came next. Murith bowed his head, Frankly and Goombella doing the same.

"Come on." She urged. "Let's see what that power she gave you can do."

_________________
sometime later...
---------------

"Great Goomfrey's ghost, I think this is it!" Frankly gasped as they passed one final archway into a massive antechamber.

The pillars that kept the place from caving in on itself looked twice the height of the tallest buildings back on the surface. And before an ornate pedestal stood a gargantuan red door, that looked to be in almost perfect condition aside from some faded colors.

"It’s the Thousand Year Door spoken of in the legends! I almost can't believe it's real! But there it is, big as life! Come on, come on, let's get a closer look!" The old Goomba shouted, dashing ahead of his younger companions towards the center of the chamber.

"Hey what's the deal with this weird pedestal? What could it be, you think?" Goombella asked.

"I've got a hunch... professor, can I have the map for a moment?"

He handed it over with some reluctance, Murith holding it out before him as he stepped atop the pedestal. For a moment nothing changed, then all at once the platform burst aglow with brilliant cyan etchings.

"Professor! What's going on?"

Starry lights began to pour from all about the chamber into the map, imbuing it with magic and changing the etchings upon it to reveal an ancient castle, and most interestingly a crystal. A shockwave erupted from the map, whipping up the dust of that historic site all around its visitors.

"Woah..."

"Professor, the map! And Murith? What was with all those crazy lights?"

"I feel... stronger. Healthier? I think it gave me a new spell to cast."

"It appears the location of one of the Crystal Stars is logged on there now... well, one way or another we should return to my place and study the map closely. Try and figure out where it's trying to point you."

"Point you? Don't you mean us?" Murith asked.

"I might not act like it but today's excitement is nearly too much for me. If you're about to go traversing the lands my old bones will turn to dust before long. Wherever this is sending you, you and Goombella will have to manage by yourselves. Speaking of... hmmm... nope. Can't quite make it out. Some of the imagery's familiar, but I'd have to go through my notes to pin down where exactly this castle is meant to be."

"How long should that take?"

"Come by my house tomorrow morning. I'll have something by then on my honor as a scholar!"

The trio retraced their steps back up to the surface, Frankly bidding them goodbye before slamming the door in their faces in his rush to begin.

"Well... guess there's nothing to do but wait. I suppose I'll have to find somewhere to stay."

"I'm staying in a room at the inn. It's supposed to be for two people. Wouldn't mind splitting the rent." Goombella offered.

"Would that be... appropriate?"

"Oh relax. You don't seem like the usual sleezeball around these parts. And we're gonna have to get used to bunking together if we're going to be traveling all over. Unless you've got some money bags hidden under that robe to pay double."

"I'm a university student, what makes you think I'd have money?"

"Wow I relate to that a little too much." Goombella chuckled. "Still though, don't suppose you've got enough to treat a girl to dinner?"

"Dinner?"

"To celebrate our discovery! An ancient hero, a lost legend, the fate of the WORLD! Come on Murith, isn't that cause for a little excitement?"

"I thought you said you preferred paying for your own drinks now."

“Only because the boys offering them before were so rude about it. But you know how to treat a lady, don’t you?” She fluttered, the Wizard turning from her and clearing his throat.

“I… uh, maybe.”

“Then it’s settled! Let’s go get some grub! And hey, with all that money we got in the ruins, you might not even have to spend that much of your own!”

“Greaaat…” he sighed, letting her take him by the hand and drag him towards the saloon.