A flash bathed the passageway in light; the eyes of Southpaw Sentry cooled down to a soft white as the five Aschen and Captain Blackheart made
contact with the great left hand. The gollum's knuckles rested finally on the ground. His face twisted into a grin.
Dust and minor debris fell from the ceiling as Southpaw Sentry, the great Gollum who had stood guard for ages past, finally moved from his post.
It took a true declaration of peace; defeat in a challenge of strength. Not the kind you'd usually assume. Numbers weren't a factor, either. The
true strength was found in the heart.
His right arm unfurled from beneath him, extending out and forward, the passageway shaking as he set his elbow down. Right knuckles on the
ground, exhibiting near perfect symmetry of form, with the exception that his right hand was clenched in a fist.
Great sacrifice demands greater reward,
Take your prize and proceed through the door.
The right fist unfurled with a great crackling. Treasures glimmered from his palm, a collection of artifacts in pristine condition aside a bit of dust. There was something for everyone- eerily so.
For each, a bit of compensation,
Crafted from that which was taken.
Now that the Gollum had moved his other arm, - clear way forward was seen. Casren sent a chirp just to make sure it wasn’t an illusion: it wasn’t.