Choice Results at the bottom of the page. Goodluck!
Head bowed down in thought, you slowly travel north, listening to the rustle of leaves, smelling the sweet richness of fertile soil, and catching glimmers of the stars above flitting about the sky above as though they had lives of their own. The pearly white lights drifting across the sky to mingle with other stars, before breaking apart to dash away in opposing directions.
Daedalus sensing your uneasiness, broke through tense silence. "You do know that the stars are actually alive?"
Distractedly you reply back, "What?"
"I said the stars are alive, master."
Brows furrowed in consternation, you gaze up into the darkness, seeing the thousands of pinpricks of light, drifting in swirling motions that remind you of the sea. The tiny lights gathering together like swarms of insects, while above them all hung the Silver Star, the brightest and largest of all the stars. The only star known to stay in the same exact position it had been in for thousands of years.
As a child, your father had once told you that the Silver Star was the pure essence of the Lightbearer, who after seeing the creatures that haunted the night had given up a piece of himself to give light to the darkness, but even then as a child you had been skeptical over the existence of gods such as he.
It seemed inconceivable that the Lightbearer would give away a piece of himself to protect those who traveled through the night. In a world obscured by black and grey, there was little to to no light left in this world. The heroes of the past such as Ice Eyes were long since dead and the Honor Blades, the most righteous of all warriors that journeyed throughout the lands rooting out darkness had become shells of their former glory. War, corruption and power were the true gods of this world and yet as you look up at the Silver star, there was something awe inspiring about the way it glowed with that brilliant white light, casting all other stars into shadow.
"What are they?"you ask.
"As to that, I don't really know master. I've spoke with dozens of scholars, storytellers, bards and historians in regards to that very question, and for the most part all their answers vary from form to another, yet all agree that nothing can move like that without having a mind of its own. And to a certain degree, I agree with that conclusion, however I do not believe it to be gods, spirits or any other fanciful stories, but the realms of demons."
Head crooking sideways at the odd notion, you reply back, "Wait, I thought all demons lived within the heart of Coroleya in a plane that allows them to mingle with this world?"
"In a way that is partly true, master, but it is not the whole truth. It is difficult to explain to one that has not studied at the Black tower like I have, but not all the demons of this world are the same, they have their own hierarchy and their own system of governance that allows for both chaos and order to live side by side. But in order to achieve this equilibrium, the Lesser demons have been forced to live upon the surface of Coroleya, the Higher Demons have their realms amongst the stars, and the rest make their home within the core of this world, providing the magical energy we see all around us. All three serve different purposes, yet their goals all remain the same, they hunger for our souls, not only because of the nourishment it provides, but because of the power it offers to those who sup upon it."
You shake your head, and rub a hand across your eyes, your head throbbing abominably as you try to decipher Daedalus' words. Your thoughts inevitably returning to the Blood Storm, Sarsonel, Tazrael, Bone eye and Dywin. The five inexplicably linked together somehow to create a puzzle with dozens of pieces missing. Or was it more like chess? With both sides sending out their pawns to battle each other and die, while the real game continued on behind a veil of silence.
You'd hoped to learn more from Lorna while aboard the ship, but by the time you'd thought to ask her what she knew of Sarsonel, it had already been too late. Although in all fairness, you did not think would have asked her anyway. The truth was you preferred to keep your life simple, clouding your thoughts with all these questions would have only served to distract you, and in battle that cost you your life, a lesson you'd learnt well.
No, you had not wanted to learn more, but now wonder if forging on alone was wise. Without Gorrack and Lorna to aid you in battle, you would be ill prepared to face a demon, not to mention the lengthy journey it would take to reach the war torn lands of Orkeyluim, where battles still raged between the Orcs and Ogrekans. Still, what other choice did you have but to continue this suicidal quest?
"That does not have to be so,"said Daedulus, "There is a way for to survive, but you will need to trust me and travel to the Island of BloodTides."
You roll your eyes in annoyance at Daedalus's intrusion forgetting again how easily the cloak could read your thoughts. "What's on the Island of BloodTides?"
You feel a tingle of excitement run through the cloak. "Why the rest of me of course, well not all the me, but nearly all. With them in your possession, you would be able to summon armies of Lesser Demons to serve at your will! Fly through the skies like a dragon raining down death and destruction! Or even wield divine weapons meant for the gods! The choices are endless!"
Half grinning like a goblin that had gotten it's hands on fresh meat, you cannot help but picture yourself gliding through the skies, the winds gently buffeting you from side to side upon leathery wings that touched the clouds, the land below hidden behind a thick fog that seemed almost blinding. But that feeling soon vanishes to be replaced with cold suspicion. "And what exactly would this cost me?"
Daedalus hesitated for the briefest of seconds, before replying back, "You are my master, all I but wish to do is serve and keep you safe."
You let out a dry chuckle, instinctively knowing the cloak was up to something, but what other choice did you have? It's not like you could come up with a better plan, and this did sound very promising. With an army of demons at your command you could march straight up Tazrael and strike at the heart of his host.
Lengthening your stride, you begin passing boulders and rocks, half buried in the sand with a cliff rising up in the distance. It's sharp edges, towering high up over you, blocking off all access to the north.
Rubbing the back of your neck, you press forward, clambering over rocks, hoping there was a way past the cliff and grunt in annoyance at the sheer rock face cutting it's way through the ocean, stretching for many miles out into the sea. Swimming around it would take hours as would trying to climb it. You could try going back towards the forest and risk searching for an inland route that would take you around the cliff, but that would mean risking crossing into another giant's territory.
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Cursing and kicking the sand, you search for another way forward, when you spot a crevice hidden in the rock face, cutting a thin gap into the stone wall. Taking a few steps towards it, you peer into the gloomy darkness and see a tunnel carved into the stone lit up by the same colorful mushrooms you'd seen in the forest.
Your curiosity peaked, you take a step into the tunnel and slowly begin edging forward along the wall, your feet scraping lightly against the stone and hear the pitter patter of water dripping off somewhere beyond you.
In the dim light cast against the walls by the mushrooms, you see the path widen and split apart into three passages, each of them identical to each other. However you got the feeling that one of them would lead you out of here, after all, what other purpose would a tunnel here serve, but to bypass obstacles such as this. But which one do you take?
2. Do you take the tunnel in the center?
Taking a deep breath to settle yourself, you enter the tunnel directly in front of you, the walls covered in green lichen that glow in an oddly beautiful way that reminds you of bright green emeralds.
Legs rapidly moving forward, you notice the tunnel begin curving off to the left, then back to the right, then left once more. Each time you feel like you've delving deeper into the land, when you smell the moldy stench of death.
Footsteps slowly, you crouch down, and stumble upon a round chamber, where a huge filthy werewolf surrounded by bones lies sleeping in the center of the floor with a golden amulet clutched in its grip. A tunnel leading out from behind it. (To sneak up on the werewolf and slay it while it's sleeping, you will need to flip a coin. This can be done by clicking on link below.)
(Click here if you decide to sneak up on the werewolf and get heads.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Inching forward, you pick up a loose rock from the ground, before leaping forward to strike the werewolf a deadly blow to the skull.
The dazed and bleeding the creature attempts to stand up, before being struck again and again, the rock crunching into it's head, till finally the creature lies still.
Hands bloodied, you lean forward take the amulet from the werewolf's corpse and place it around your neck, immediately feeling a boost of strength.(Acquired Golden Tooth, as long as you carry the amulet your life is permanently increased by +20 Health points.)
Slightly fatigued by the frantic rush of battle, you continue on towards the next passageway ahead of you.
(Click here if you decide to sneak up on the werewolf and get tails.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Inching forward, you pick up a loose rock from the ground, before leaping forward to strike the werewolf, it's golden eyes flickering open in surprise as it tries to roll out of the way. The rock only dealing a glancing blow as the creature rakes at your arms and chest before your able to strike it again to knock it dazed towards the cold stone.( -30 Health points)
Quickly moving, you finish it off with two more blows and drop the bloodied stone, before leaning forward to take the amulet from the werewolf's corpse and placing it around your neck, immediately feeling a boost of strength.(Acquired Golden Tooth, as long as you carry the amulet your life is permanently increased by +20 Health points.)
Slightly fatigued by the frantic rush of battle, you continue on towards the next passageway ahead of you.
(Click here if you decide instead to sneak past the werewolf.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Doing your utmost to avoid making any sound, you circle around the sleeping werewolf, it's harsh breathing filling the air and continue on towards the next passageway ahead of you.
Following the tunnel, you see a strange white light ahead of you that is almost blinding, tears slipping down your cheek.
Hands raised upwards, you slowly walk into the room to find a large diamond hanging in the air, twisting around in circles.
(Click here if you wish to take the diamond.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Drawn in by its beauty, you reach out to clasp the diamond in your hands and feel your hands begin to burn.
Screaming, you try to tear your fingers away, but the diamond has somehow latched onto your palms, the fire crawling up your arms to burn flesh and skin away.
Growling in pain, you throw yourself backwards to rip yourself free, the skin shredding off your fingers as you let out a piteous moan.(-40 Health points.)
Hands afire, you quickly slap the flames against your chest, then try to wrap your burnt arms using pieces of your clothing.
When you've finally recovered from the ordeal, you exit the room and continue onward.
(Click here if you wish to go around.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Disliking the way it glows with power, you stay as far away as possible and slip into the next tunnel to continue your journey.
Eerily quiet, you round several more bends, before seeing an opening that leads back out into the starlight.
As you step back out onto the beach, the waves crash against the shoreline, and you hear a whisper of steel from above and look up to see a shadowy figure float down from the cliffs to attack you with blade made from black steel. The black robed creature pressing you hard with a series of lighting swift assaults.
Rolling to the side to gain some room, you search for a weapon in order to face the creature, but see nothing of use.
(Click here if you wish to turn your back and flee.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
Panicked by the sudden attack, you turn and flee, praying the creature would not follow and wade out into the ocean to swim away.
Battlefield Results
(Depends upon choices made.)
Loot
(Depends upon choices made.)
(Click here if you wish to firebolts. Mana cost 12.)
Spoiler: Spoiler
With no choice but to rely upon magic, you release three successive firebolts, one striking the creature in the arm, another in the chest, the third missing entirely as the shadowy figure leaps aside.
Hurt by the attack, the shadowy figure attempts to limp away, when you rush forward from behind to wrap an arm around its throat and twist. The creature's neck making an audible crack.
Dead, you let the body topple to the sand and pull back the hood to uncover another ghoul, the black blade dissipating into nothing.
Disgusted you pilfer through the creature's pockets, only to find two vials of what look to be potions.(You've acquired two mana potions: Add 15 Mana each.)
Battlefield Results
(Depends upon choices made.)
Loot
(Depends upon choices made.)