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Seated atop the creatures pale blue scales, you travel eastward across Claw Ocean, past Hook Coast and around Dagger's Tip, entering Fogwaters an area surrounded by thick banks of grey fog.
A relatively short journey for the most part, Balmera allows you to stop at several points on land to collect food and water, before continuing on at a tremendous speed, the waves crashing against her chest with not a slight break in speed.
During your journey east, you were surprised to learn that Balmera was a Leviathan and that she along with many others were the great progenitors of the dragons. Leviathans who had left the sea to investigate the land, evolving overtime to become an entirely different species.
Having seen a dragon up close yourself, you cannot help but the notice the many similarities between the two breeds, inverted nostrils that jut out from wide jaw bones, scales the color of the sky, elongated skulls and dense muscular bodies.
It seemed strange that such a creature could even float on water, and yet she seemed to do it so effortlessly, gliding across the sea, her tentacles dipping in and out to propel her forward swiftly.
With nothing really to do but train and think, it begins to dawn on you that your plan to enter the Island of Bloodtides, might be trickier than you'd first realised. The dark mages after all were notorious for guarding their treasures with spells, enchantments, and barriers. As well as an army of slaves with the core of their forces made up of Demon Blades, veteran orc warriors who have fought over a dozen battles, wielding their infamous demon blades. And while you hadn't crossed paths with another orc berserker it seemed only a matter of time till your luck run out.
But the thing that plagues your mind the most was your recent battle with the Shadow Hunters. Elite assassins and fist of the dark mages, you don't exactly relish the idea of going up against them again, having only recently survived your last encounter with them by the edge of your blade.
Already you could see Lorna's face laughing at you for lacking the foresight to plan ahead, her expression full of smug glee, but in any case what you needed right was a way to get inside the island's defenses without alerting the mages, and locate the final pieces to Daedalus' soul.
Prompted by your train of thoughts, Daedalus spoke up, "There is one option, you haven't considered, master."
"And that is?"
"Walk right in and join the dark mages as an initiate, you'll have free range of the Towers, and an ideal opportunity to take a scout the area out. I should warn you though, the trials to be accepted as an initiate are extremely grueling,"said Daedalus.
Unable to help but laugh at the simplicity of the plan, you have to admit that this was probably your best option for getting in and out without having to battle the entire Island.
Licking dry lips that tasted of the sea, you stand up and walk towards the edge of the Leviathan, the spray of the water splashing across your chest, and feel the wind beat against you. The fog much thicker here, forces you to hold up an arm as the mist billows into your eyes.
Swaying from side to side as the waves grow stronger, you quickly kneel down, and stare ahead of you at the wall of red mist rising up out of the ocean, the Leviathan slowly coming to a halt before it.
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"Why are you stopping?"you ask.
"The magic here is too strong and will not allow me to cross. It will take some time for me to break through the barrier."
"Time we may not have, master. Already the Magelords of the Towers have taken note of her presence, it would not bode well for us to be found alongside her lest we be considered her ally, better we leave now and make our own way forward alone, the Bloodmist will not harm us, only those it deems a threat to the Island," said Daedalus.
But despite his reassurance that you would not be harmed, you can't help but wonder what would actually happen if the enchantment around the Island considered you to be a threat as well then quickly decide that you don't want to know.
Head bent downward into the breeze, you swallow back the fear rumbling inside of you urging you to re-think and turn back to join Lorna and instead dive headlong into the water bidding the Leviathan a silent farewell before crashing into the depths of the sea, the water filling your mouth, lungs and nostrils before breaking free to the surface.
Blinded briefly by a swirl of fog that blankets the area, you hastily get your bearing and swim towards the wall of red mist. You'd trusted Daedalus so far to guide you along your journey and while you still did not fully trust the former mage, you did get the sense that he still needed you. Perhaps not as an ally, but certainly as a form of transportation willing to do his bidding. With that somewhat pleasing thought in mind, you snap your eyes shut at the last second and let the ocean currents take you forward into the blood mist, a rush of heat washing over your body that slowly intensifies until suddenly it's gone and your through to the other side.
Eyes flickering open, you glance back the way you've come and see the thick, grey fog being held in check by great big sentry towers built up around the seabed with whirlpools of dark red energy funneled through each of them to create a tremendous chain link that surrounds an entire island unlike anything you have ever seen before. Glowing bulbs of bright blue lights bob along the surface of the water transforming into a rich green hue upon reaching land, melding with the gorgeous scenery, the colors, shapes and sizes varying from one part of the island to the next as though mimicking the colors around it. While nearby docked at several large berths along the harbor are dozens of black hulled warships, bearing the flags of the Shadow Fang.
Further into the distance you can see hundreds of towers like the one in Gilgathan partially hidden by a massive obsidian wall that splits the land apart, shimmering with dark energy, the very air filled with streams of magic that drift through the breeze, it's potent energy calling out to you invitingly, welcoming you to the island.(+30 Mana.)
Speechless at the beauty of the island which you half expected to be barren and full of monsters, you swim towards the shoreline drinking it all in. The magical energy you sense all around you, sparking in the air to create small bolts of lightning that flash red.
Feet connecting with dry land, you wade out of the still blue waters and make your way up onto land, the suns warming your frozen bones, when the air twists around you as though being warped and the next minute you find yourself staring face to face with a black robed mage standing in the middle of a gateway, his cowl pulled forward to hide his face, and yellow eyes peering up at you.
"Speak the words," he snapped.
Having no idea what he wanted you to say, you open your mouth to ask him, when Daedalus whispers, "Eattrange ohos haee hat."
Repeating his words, you see the mage's eyes flicker with disappointment. "Very well, let us begin the test."
(To complete the trials and enter the tower, you must click any of four options below and complete at least 3 of the tests, before clicking on the fifth option when you're finished. You of course may try all four if you so wish.)
2. Do you wish to complete the Trial of Fire?
"Not all mages must master the arts of war, but all who seek to enter must at least know how to defend themselves against magic. Ready yourself."
With only a brief instant to cover up your body in a cloak, you grunt as walls of fire rush towards you, slamming into you repeatedly, heating your flesh, and finding weak points in your defenses. (-120 Health points, Elemental damage.)
No matter what you try to do, the fire seems to cut it's way through you, the continuous gouts of flame pressing you back, until with a last powerful blast knocks you off your feet entirely, the flames vanishing with it. (-240 Health points, Elemental damage.)
"You have survived the Trial of fire and passed this test, though I have never seen any initiate come so unprepared with no elemental shield spell."
Test Completed - Continue on to the Next test