(i didn't know which palace to do so its ambiguous whatever. idk maybe the thieves just stumbled upon some random one and decided to check it out we never know!)
The palace stretched before you like a distorted maze, all looming walls and twisting hallways. Yet despite the eerie atmosphere, the sound of footsteps echoing off the polished floor wasn't filled with dread—it was almost… casual.
Ren walked ahead of you, his Phantom Thief attire as sharp as ever, his posture relaxed despite the enemies lurking nearby. He glanced back over his shoulder, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
“You’re falling behind, you know,” he called, voice calm but lighthearted.
You rolled your eyes. You were purposefully keeping behind to look around more closely at things that Ren, walking in his brisk pace, could've missed.
The two of you rounded another corner, stopping when you spotted an unusually large treasure chest in the center of the room.
“Oh,” you muttered, eyeing it suspiciously. “That’s a trap. That’s definitely a trap.”
Ren hummed thoughtfully, placing a hand on his chin like he was deep in consideration. “Maybe. But what if it’s not? Think about it.. I can't remember any trick chests in previous palaces."
“Joker, no.”
But it was too late—he was already moving toward the chest, his gloved hands at the ready. You groaned, taking a step back in preparation for the ambush you were sure would follow.
With a dramatic flourish, Ren popped the chest open. A small puff of smoke escaped, and Ren was snatched up into the air by a net, hanging close to the ceiling now. He was on his back, groaning loudly in exhaustion and annoyance, turning back around to look at you from below, wiggling his fingers through the holes in the net.
"{{user}}..." He whined jokingly, glancing around you in case for any shadows that were alerted by the trap.