Alectryon/Barghest

[soulping]

[Once through the gate, you’re in a dark, dark hall. The only way to go is forward.

Continue?]

Comments

Room 1

[soulping]

[The hall opens up into a large arena. The moon shines bright enough to light it, but there are lanterns around the edge. The arena is entirely filled with deep water, in which….plush sharks appear to be swimming.There are also wooden platforms floating in the arena, fairly far apart. There is one bridge across, but a Minotaur stands in the middle of it, blocking the way forward. He nods to the team, and gestures for them to come talk to him.]

[heirofficium]

[ side-eyeing the sharks so hard ]

Hullo...?

[bloomnobly]

[ waving ]

Are those...stuffed animals?

[heirofficium]

[ actually can't help but laugh a little now ]

Pfft... Oh no, not sharks... I-I'm shaking in my boots...

[ Procyon you could stand to take this a little more seriously ]

Room 2

[soulping]

[The next room is slick, and slippery--because it’s full of fountains! The fountains themselves are pretty deep, and as before, there’s really only one path forward...which was apparently supposed to be blocked by the small, iridescent dragon chasing butterflies around the room. Looks like it’s really not paying attention.]

[bloomnobly]

[ TAKING OFF HER SHOES AND SLIDING AROUND ]

Re: Room 2

[heirofficium]

[ walking very carefully ]

Aw, cute. Look att'im go.

[ don't be fooled, he may not have most of his memories but he knows not to fuck around with dragons ]

[bloomnobly]

Do you suppose we're supposed to bargain with him, too, or sneak past?

[culpa]

[ whispering: ]

Maybe we should go before he notices?

[heirofficium]

[ also whispering ]

If the butterflies turn our way we're balls up.

[bloomnobly]

Then perhaps we should hurry.

Room 3

[soulping]

[Here the path leads deeper underground, and things are getting colder. There’s no longer starlight or moonlight, but the rose you carry will glow bright enough to light the path. A frozen temple looms before you, quiet as the grave.]

[bloomnobly]

[ thecoldneverbotheredmeanyway.mp3

Shuffling into here with the jar of butterflies still in hand. ]

A temple...?

[heirofficium]

Should we go in?

[bloomnobly]

I don't see anywhere else to go.

[ ON THE ROAD AGAAAAAAAAAAIN ]

Room 4

[soulping]

[Coming out of the temple’s back door, you arrive inside a magnificent cathedral. The stained glass windows make the light come in in gleaming, rainbow colors, and there is singing, although the words can’t be made out. At the far end, under the largest and most magnificent of windows, there is an altar, on which thirteen books in multiple colors sit. Behind the altar, there is a pair of magnificent double doors, marked with an ornate rose motif. The cathedral area is gigantic.]

[bloomnobly]

[ This is all very gorgeous but THERE'S NO TIME TO WASTE AS FAR AS YUYUKO IS CONCERNED. Gonna go up and peek at those rainbow books! ]

[heirofficium]

What do you think?

[ do you honestly think she's going to let you help after the last room procyon seriously ]

[soulping]

[The books all have a musical score in them!

The exact same score, in fact.]

Room 5

[soulping]

[There is a ragged, tiny old man with piercing, gleaming blue eyes on an absolutely ridiculously huge throne. His voice is thin and reedy, and a little hard to hear.]

Congratulations. You’ve done well to get here...but before you go, would you indulge an old man’s questions?

[bloomnobly]

[ Well, she tucks her hair behind her ears to hear easier, but tilts her head curiously. Uh, answering an old man's questions is the final step? It's more than a little suspicious, so she regards him carefully. ]

I suppose so. What questions do you have?

[soulping]

How much would you sacrifice for victory?

[bloomnobly]

Ah, philosophy. That would depend on the kind of victory, and the size of the sacrifice made.

[ SHE KNOWS WHERE THIS IS GOING

"HEY DO YOU WANNA WIN, IF SO GIVE SOMETHING UP" ]

Re: Room 5

[heirofficium]

[ shrugging and smiling a little. ]

I don't see why not.

Re: Room 5

[soulping]

So tell me, then...how much would you sacrifice for victory?