It&#39;s the same damn things you&#39;re so quick to believe

Riku-- y-you weren't there, b-but-- a while ago, s-some people who-- they w-went exploring, i-into Spec--Spectacular Spec--te-- th-the theater. And th-they released a-a whole lot of t-trouble.

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[-That- actually makes Riku take notice and pause. He stops, turning back to face Xanth fully.]

But that's gone now, right? Even if there is something there, it's better to know rather than be taken by surprise.

[But he's not moving on. Not yet.]

Are you really that afraid?

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N-- No. You-- you're r-right.

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[Riku hasn't died yet, but he's thrown himself headfirst into hell for what he wanted, and he can't fathom turning back because he's scared. If he's afraid, that's even more reason to face it.

And he's kind of glad that Xanth is steeling himself like this.]

That's more like it. You'll never get anywhere by standing still.

[That's his version of encouragement. Riku continues down the hall, passing by a couple more paintings, a couple more doors.]

What do you think? Any one in particular?

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Th--this one, I-I guess?

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[It's true, he hasn't. But Riku hasn't thought about that; he's young and immortal, right?

He's pleased to see that Xanth is taking some initiative, so he comes over to the door, reaching out to knock on it. Couldn't hurt, right?]

All right, sounds good to me. Keep your sword ready.

[Riku reaches out to take hold of the doorknob, looking to Xanth.]

You ready?

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[Riku twists the knob and, barring any resistance, opens the door.]

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[Behind this door sits a lacquered wooden altar; a prayer inscription is carved into the glossy wood in what appears to be Latin. Upon the altar sits several rows of candles, unlit but with previously melted wax dripping down the sides and over the edge of the altar in thin, brittle lines.

Across the walls are ornate stained-glass windows depicting various scenes; a woman with a child on her knee, a man speaking from atop a mountain, a nude couple walking within a luscious garden. However, most of the glass pieces are blood red, so it may be difficult to discern what exactly the figures are unless one moves closer to examine them.

On either side of the room sits two sets of pews, red carpeting dividing them through the center and leading up to the altar itself.]

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Is... i-is that... all?

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[Riku laughs, but he can't deny that he's a little bit relieved too. He doesn't know what he was expecting, but this? This is something he can play off, easy.]

What were you expecting? Come on, not everything is a trap.

[Riku strides into the room without another word, reaching out in an attempt to grab Xanth by the shirt collar and pull him after, heading for the altar. He'll check out the windows after he's examined that thoroughly, but there's gotta be something interesting to find up there!]

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[Unfortunately it doesn't look like it. There's a box of matches behind the candles on the alter with which to light one or more, but little else.]

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Well-- guh!

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[Hey, cool, those might come in handy. Riku takes the matches, shoving them into one pocket, then looks over at the candles. Nothing too interesting there, so he checks out the rest of the altar, running a thumb over the inscription, then starts over toward the windows.]

Anything interesting?

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[The windows don't reveal anything new. All in all, the room seems fairly harmless.]

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I--I don't think so. Th-They're just... windows. I-I don't think there's a-anything here.

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All right, then we'll move on.

[Riku shrugs, his cheer unhindered by the lack of anything to find in this room. He starts for the door again, then looks back to Xanth.]

Unless you have anything else you wanna check out before we do?

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N-No.

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[All right, that's fine with him. Riku follows after Xanth, shutting the door behind them again as they exit into the hallway.]

Next one down?

[He's already headed for the door in question. Sound good to you, Xanth?]

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Y--Yeah.

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[Yeah, glad to have it now, huh?

As Riku reaches the next door down, he feels that little bit of apprehension building again. This was a great idea; he hasn't had an adventure in what feels like ages.]

All right, here we go. Door number two--!

[What lies beyond it? Let's find out!]

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[Behind door number two is a baptismal pool, inlaid in the concrete instead of raised above in a tub. The water is clean and still as glass inside the pristine white basin. One one side of the pool there is a set of descending steps so one can enter safely, and the tile is marble-patterned and spans the entire length and width of the room.

On the fire side of the room there is a stack of towels on a chair, as well as a clothes rack with soft, white terrycloth robes hanging up like a row of ghosts. There doesn't seem to be a single soul in the room, but there are more red glass-stained windows.]

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