Kabutowari.

[Yoshie - Chan]

"Do not speak, little creature. I swear, if it wasn't for the fact my sister was an idiot. You would be smashed into the ground with the power of the heavenly gate. We are going to lord N'zeo, so you may be judged. "

The solemn tone he used wouldn't be the most settling to your ears. But this was the path you had chosen, and as a mode of transportation this was the best kind. Now both creatures had no obligation to care for you, treat you, or do anything besides squish you.

Yet they saw fit you met there king N'zeo. Now the immeasurable tree line faded into the background, a hue of multiple colored rainbows, surrounding each branch.

It was a majestic, scene of pure bliss, nothing had ravaged these lands before you. Everything was healthy and growing, this would see like a paradise once the treeline finally broke off. A massive land, the radius incalculable, but a familiar feeling ran across you. This was the fabled new world that no one was allowed to discover but you had found it. Gigantic fruits,vegetables, and gigantic sources of vitamins and minerals.

It was like a beautiful work of art, how everything seemed to mash together. The Blue Sky, reflecting the clean ocean waters from afar seemed different then within the shinobi villages. It was as if it was - cleaner, to a certain extent.

Gloo'Geg raised his left hand ( with you in it ) while pointing with his right. The location he pointed at was a floating castle, with what looked to be a raiton generated storm underneath. The storm was 100 meters in height, causing the castle to be extended far into the sky.

The beauty of the golden gothic relic was amazing, every piece of it looked like a puzzle, or pathway with the architecture being purely chiseled gold.

There was so much to the area but the most intriguing was a massive archway which floated within the storm. As Gloo'Geg and Uzak Wot came closer the pillars within that archway detached themselves forming steps.

The chakra they used was so raw and beautiful the human eye could of course see them using it to call the pillars. Each one disappearing back into the cloud as they approached the massive gothic doors.

"Halt. Who has designated you two to return from scouting?" The voices wanted, no demanded that they answer. It was robotic in nature each syllable falling from an unknown location showering over all of you. The voice would seem thunderous and booming within your small ears.

"We- we found a small one! He looks to be hurt, and he cried out we could not just leave him there it is against the rules to let another creature die without helping it." The faith in her words faltered when she said " helping it". A sequence of sounds - Click ,clack, and finally a boom and then the door opened to a sparkling white. A wave of dense gravity seemed to push down on you from all directions while on his thumb.

The gravity density stayed more oppressive on your entire body. A shift of light happened once again this time the voice became smaller. " If you want to live my friend. You need to answer a few questions. "

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[Yox]

The abomination was rather rude. It was a shame the scenario was like this. If the game had been reversed and there were other ROOT members with me, this creature would have already been incarcerated and placed under Lord Au's jurisdiction. I had to do as I was told though. The odds were not in my favour. It was best that I didn't upset the wrong person. I was far too young to meet my maker.

The two fiends seemed to be working under the rule of yet another unknown. The name Lord N'zeo rang no bells to me once I had heard the name. We had entered a different meadow with rainbows at every corner. It was as if I was in the dream of a little girl. The land was seemingly untouched by the infliction of human life. It was Mother Nature's work at its finest. There were not many places like this in Hi no Kuni. I took note of the various things that I saw with my eyes. Foods of all sorts were scattered as far as my eyes could see. This place was truly clean.

My eyes followed the point of the giant. Out of nowhere a golden castle appeared before my eyes. Lightning enshrouded it, suggesting a very powerful essence lay within. I assumed that the leader they spoke of, Lord N'zeo, must have been situated there.

I listened closely to the one that spoke of helping me. I was confused at the pair of them. It seemed as if one wanted to kill me, and one wanted to spare my life. Strange creatures these ones were. Soon, the fireworks appeared. That was when it hit me. Out of nowhere a strange force seemingly held me down where I was. It was strange... I couldn't fight back for some reason. The softer voice spoke out to me. I was now under interrogation. For what though? "What do you want to know?" I struggled with the response. The strange force was powerful.

Who were these creatures?

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[Yoshie - Chan]

" Good ~ this one isn't as stupid as the last one. Now, have you come for the sacred weapon?

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The voice didn't waver in it's inquisitive tone. "It" wanted the truth and nothing more then that from you. The strange density, would decreased a little, once Gloo'Geg began to move. It was weird almost like the giants were hypnotized by the voice itself. Robotic not only in movement which was synched down to the last detail. But also robotic in the fact there were no words spoken once they were inside the palace.

The interior was different then the exterior, a gigantic room the size of konohagakure laid before you. A throne which could be equal to the size of the hokage monuments sat right in the center. It was adorned in precious gems, diamonds, crystals, and even pure gold. But the more astonishing thing was what sat directly in the seat of the throne.

It was -- water, a gigantic entity comprised solely of water. The ambiguous body seemed to be in a constant state of metamorphosis. Breasts grew and shrank, in a constant rhythm of perfect harmony of male and female. This was what they revered as "king" N'zeo (Nun - Zee Oh), a perfect being of life and creation. A wave of it's hand, caused the pressure to disappear altogether.

Yet, the question still hung dryly within the room. If your eyes would roam, there it would be the weapon of your desires. The Kabutowari, decorating the throne like a piece of jewelry. But everything was on this decision of yours, whether you decided to be truthful or not was the ultimate decision.
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[Yox]

The mood of the giants changed once their leader had spoken. It was as if they were no longer the same ones that had found me out in the field. I could see it in their eyes. They had changed. Why this was the case I had no real idea. I simply assumed that the king had something to do with it. It had only happened once we had entered the palace anyway. Oh well, that concern slowly drifted from my mind. I was finally released from the pressure that had been holding me down. Finally, I could move again.

I began to inspect the room that was around me. It was ginormous and bigger than any room that I had been in before in my life. It was like an actual hidden village could fit within the vicinity of this. The throne was the focal point of the room. I took note of the jewels and ornaments that were used in its decoration. One such thing caught my eye though. The hammer and axe that were connected together via chain. It was identical to how it had been described amongst the village folk of Konohagakure. Finally, I had found the lost Kabutowari.

How these people had come into possession of it I had no idea. Perhaps it was originally theirs before it had been released in the shinobi world. Perhaps the fact that it had been missing was the fact that these people had simply taken it back. I had spent too much time pondering on the environment that was around me. It was time to answer the question that was posed to be previously. I had to explain why I was here. Whether I would lie or not was up to whatever came from my mouth next. My life depended on making the right decision.

"Yes. I've come to take the sacred weapon. Before you try to kill me however know this... I want to prove my worthiness to you. I respect both you and your people. I am willing to do what it takes to prove to you that I can carry the Kabutowari without fail. Please tell me what I must do to show you this," I finished whilst lowering the top half of my body into a bow. I moved my hands together at my chest, folding the sleeves over my arms. Unaware to those around me was that I was actually performing a set of hand seals. Just incase the king took this the wrong way and decided to set the guards on me, I would be ready.

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Prepared technique.

[Yoshie - Chan]

King N'zeo, relaxed into the throne before shifting the gravity again. With a simple flick you would rise out of the giants hands. The force was bringing you to the gigantic hozuki - like entity¹. Only stopping when you had traveled what seemed to be hundreds of meters in seconds. Putting up its palm, N'zeo began to create a structure underneath you. The bricks one by one levitating to a solid ground under and around you.

" Honesty -- with a little bit of deceit. You little ones are all the same from the bad lands. Creating weapons of war from our sacred materials and then using them to kill each other for no apparent reason. Your trivial way of thinking will soon create a war that will spill over near us. And I do not wish for that to happen. . . so I use you as a trial run towards creating a champion that will shift the balance back into order.

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The cage would surround you², with only enough light to see where you were and what was around in the cage but nothing outside of that range. Water began to leak into the cage before reforming into a solid structure. Your - structure³. The new being was holding the fabled Kabutowari within its hands. It opened its eyes, before looking around until its eyes met with you own.

"So - "we" exist. And the fabled weapon is now ours. But why do "we" want this weapon. . . what is the real purpose behind it all. Are "we" thriving for power or is this just something random. Tell me now !!! If all we need to do is kill with this then let us turn it towards our true enemy !!!"

It still was forming when it spoke in an erratic an unnerved tone. It would seem this version of you had all of the repressed emotions within yourself. It held the Kabutowari with a slack grip allowing the chain to let the axe part hang. The power of this clone was beyond your own effortlessly playing with the weapon before your eyes.

The creation solidified before taking a battle stance identical to the one you would make. The creature wanted to hear from within your heart the real reason behind your need for the kabutowari. A black glyph began to appear on your chest burning as it grew. A time limit has been passed down, if you can not reason with the creature or defeat it. Then you will never see that weapon again. . . or anything ever again.

SPOILER: Click to show

• ^1. The creature N'zeo has many abilities that will remind you of AU but the reason why will be revealed later.
• ^2. The cage is 20 x 20 meters. There is a way to escape but the drop is over a few hundred kilometers.
• ^3. The water-like duplicate has all of your techniques, blood limit, clan abilities, and the Kabutowari.

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[Yox]

I did not expect what would happen next. Magical powers from the king forced me into some sort of battle cage. A moment later, water began to leak in and replicate my persona in front of me. Once it was formed, I listened to my own voice come out from the doppelgänger that was at my front. It wanted answers. It spoke of death and destruction as a result of holding the weapon. It was true, I did want it for those things. Of course though, there were other reasons.

The clone spoke of turning upon our true enemy. What did it mean? Was he suggesting to turn and fight the ones around us? It was a rather heinous idea since we were currently surrounded by a cage. Then again, we had the Kabutowari in our possession. The ultimate defence-breaker. I pondered for a moment before yet another strange thing occurred to me. I could feel a slight burning sensation on my chest. Upon further inspection, I took note of the black symbol that began to form there. As more and more time passed, the symbol grew thicker and more prominent. I assumed this was some sort of timer. Soon enough, my time would run out. I had to act fast.

"I'm not sure what kind of game this is, but don't talk to me as if we are the same person. You seem to mirror me in my appearance but the words you deliver are nothing like mine. Indeed it is true that the blade in my possession will grant me power, but to use it just for killing others is out of the question. I wish to attach myself to the blade - both physically and mentally. Like the blade, I too will become an unstoppable force that will be able to penetrate any defence. This is metaphorical of course," I turned to the king quickly with this emphasis, "I will overcome any roadblock in my way. I will never be held back with the Kabutowari in my hands. I will never give up with the Kabutowari in my hands. You obviously don't get the true meaning behind it. So, hand it over!" I flicked my sleeves back revealing the last hand seal locked in place.

"Temple of Nirvana Technique," I mumbled to myself whilst moving my feet into a firm stance. My chakra flared out into the environment around us. Feathers would gently fall from the sky to the area below across a range of 25 metres, surpassing that of the area of the cage. There was no escape for the clone to go. Even if he did know the jutsu, it was highly unlikely for him to be able to do anything against it. This of course was my personal weakness. I had the ability to use genjutsu, but I wasn't that good in defending against it. Once the white feather touched the clone he would be out cold on the floor fast asleep. Then, the Kabutowari would be mine for the taking.

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Nehan Shouja no Jutsu (Temple of Nirvana Technique)
Rank: S
Type: Genjutsu
Handseals: 1
Chakra: High x3
Special: Can only be used once per thread, plus one more each time retrained. However, after every retraining, the chakra consumption of this technique will stack another "High" consumption. Effective range cannot be moved once cast and remains where the user initiated the technique. Becomes ineffective once the user or the opponent (somehow) leaves the technique's range.
Description: One of the most advanced visual Genjutsu techniques, Nehan Shouja no Jutsu is a Genjutsu technique that allows the caster to place a large body of people into a unconscious state. Although anyone can avoid the spell by forming and using the Kai technique, using this while undetected ensures a large success rate, as its unexpected nature is what catches most victims off guard.
Domain: Inton.

[Yoshie - Chan]

The feathers, seemed to take on a mind of there own as you were swarmed with them. The fierce winds of feathers, swirled around, with a vicious gale. They all would touch your body sending you spiraling, downwards, towards and inevitable doom. But boom -- nothingness would over take your sight.

" Holy Shit -- if I wasn't a ninja myself I would be out. "

Your vision would become clearer. And you would begin to see bar stools, and a crowd of people completely knocked out. Yet, the only people up for some reason that were awake would alert you of something wrong. It was the barmaid, a blond haired man like char leaving the bar quickly, and the guy talking to you who sounds like N'zeo.

Your body would feel a little bit sluggish, as the poison seems to stop working in your system. The original sip you had taken from your milk had started everything. The entire situation to the platinum world was within your mind. But the fact you were half naked, without your wallet, and headband was something you needed to find out -- and fast.

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[Yox]

I thought I had him. Soon, things began to change. My mind swirled yet again, just like how it had done when I had stepped on the ferry. The reality around me phased dimensions yet again. When I opened my eyes, I was somewhere familiar this time though. It was the tavern where I had began my journey. Things were strange though. Some of my clothes were missing along with my headband and I could not feel my coin purse on my belt. Had I just been robbed?

I shook my head from side to side, examining the table before me. The empty glass of milk caught my eye. I inspected the glass and the substance cautiously as I brought it closer to my eyes. I gently pressed my finger to some milk remains around the brim of the cup. Touching it lightly to my tongue, I was able to taste something was wrong with the milk. Before when I was carefree and downed the glass as if nothing was wrong I didn't notice it. But now, now that I had focused on it... it became clear. I had been poisoned.

All around me people were knocked unconscious. I assumed it was because of the technique I had just performed. At the exit I could see the barmaid that had served me this toxin as well as a blonde haired looking boy. I turned back to where Char had originally been seated. He was no longer there. That was when I drew the connection. That boy that had just run out of the tavern; it had to be Char.

I turned my head to the one that had sounded like the king in my dreams. A ninja as well? Perhaps this one could help me out. "I've been drugged and my belongings have been stolen. Do you know what's happened? I think I know who did it to me. Want to help me out? Let's go," I said rather quickly whilst rising to my feet. I shook my head to try and get my focus back together. Revenge for this would be swift. I couldn't believe that I had let my guard down like that. I was still too young for the real world. Through experiences like these though, I would grow to adapt.

I ran out the doors of the tavern, assuming that the one with the voice of the king would follow. In the distance ahead of me I could see the barmaid and what looked to be Char. I called out to them instantly. "Oi! What the hell did you do to me!?" My voice filled the area around us. I immediately ran across the ground after them, maintaining a distance of at least 12 metres away from them. I hoped the 'ninja' would help me out. There were two of them to take care of.

[Yoshie - Chan]

" uhh -- err, dude you're on your own. "

Brown hair ,falling, ever so gently upon ebony skin, was all you could see after stairing at that guy. He was sweating, buckets, and ,looking directly at the barmaid ,every few seconds. The shifty nature of it all was too much. If you would have looked over to your left.

The barmaid would be shaking as well in a look of terror except her body was frozen but with relief when you turned away from her. It would have been nice to investigate within the tavern. But you would proceed outside, still half naked, with only one lead. Char -- the supposed "thief".

The blond haired teen, looked back for merely a second before running at full force. The adrenaline pumping throughout his body was insane, increasing his speed (x2). This race throughout Hi no Kuni would be taxing upon your body because of the poison. You would begin to feel your life force flow from you with each and every step you take after char¹.

A small little piece fell out of Char's clothing, a metallic piece wrapped in cloth. Your Konohagakure headband. This would be a small confirmation, that the person you were tracking was the man you needed. Just catch him in time before all your energy is gone then the leaf hospital is where you will go for a while.

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[Yox]

Each step I took was more detrimental on my body. I could feel surges of energy drain from me even though all I was doing was simple running. I suppose it was my training in the past that allowed me to keep on pushing forward. The poison was doing things to me that I had not experienced in the past. If I didn't catch up to the boy soon I would have to pull out due to sheer exhaustion.

I had to persevere though, I really wanted this weapon. The symbol that I had seen at the start of my journey made it clear now. The little keychain on the barmaid that had served me my drink. I had been so quick to disregard it when it had flashed before my eyes but now I realised that this woman was perhaps another key to unlocking what I wanted. Now that she was with Char, it was easier to track the two of them down. I wouldn't let them escape, even if it took a negative toll on my body.

I noticed my headband slip from the man ahead of me. Immediately moving over it, I leant my right arm down to pick it up and continue on with my run. It wouldn't slow me down at all. I wrapped it around my forehead as I continued to chase these people through the forest. There could also be the chance in which I would come across other Konohagakure ninja that could perhaps aid me in my endeavour. Now that I was displaying my headband from my head, if we did come across an ally there would be no doubt that I could acquire some assistance.

I continued to chase the pair though. Soon I would come closer to them and find out who these two really were and what secrets each of them had. Then I would be one step closer in finding the Kabutowari. After all, this is what all of this was for at the end of the day.

[Yoshie - Chan]

He was in big trouble, this was the sixth job that he had botched this month. His sprinting speed began to slow, because of the burst of energy he used was dissipating. A simple look back was all it took for Afrashia to fall over himself and begin to tumble. The satchel he held, was tossed into the air by the momentum ,and, with that all of it's contents sprayed outward. He wasn't able to compose himself in time allowing your little run to be ended so abruptly. " I'm so sorry! Don't hit me -- I-I was only doing what I was told. I-If I don't steal stuff they'll kill my little sister! "

The tone in his voice hide no lies to your ears. He was telling the truth to the young Leaf shinobi.His face was littered with tears as he began to cry pathetically in front of you. He began to look up and down you before speaking up once again. " w-wait your a shinobi of the hidden leaf that means you can take down the people who have my sister. . . right? " His tear filled eyes, put on a " puppy " dog type facade of innocence as he spoke to you once more. " The guys who have her are bandit collected who have ravaged the lands. I'm sure after beating them you can find something nice like gold, pearls, or a weapon. "

It was now your choice to accept the offer or decline dependent on your current feelings against the person who drugged you.

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[Yox]

The punk was just ahead of me now. I could smell him, he was that close. He soon made a devastating mistake. The simple 101 tip to running away from someone is that you never look back. The moment you take your eyes off the path ahead, you become doomed. And just like that, this boy fell to the ground in front of me. It was easy to catch him now. As I reached him, my eyes travelled to the dropped satchel of my personal contents. Grabbing onto my tantō quickly, I aimed the blunt tip toward the man's neck. His screams got my full attention thereafter.

He went on and on about something involving his sister, that she was in some sort of danger or something. I could sense the fear in his voice, and the tears only highlighted the fact that he may have been telling the truth. But I had already been deceived so easily once before. Who's to say that it wouldn't happen again the exact same way. I found it hard putting my faith in this man who was on the ground at my feet. Although I had a duty to protect the people in Hi no Kuni, I wondered whether it was really worth it.

"How am I supposed to trust what you say is true? You've done nothing but try to trick me and toy with me all day. Let's not forget the fact that you drugged me and stole all of my belongings. What's to say you're not leading me into a trap like that again? Now that I have you caught... perhaps I should turn you in to my superiors. Have you ever heard of the Konohagakure ANBU interrogation squad?" I spoke to him with my blade still fixed toward his neck. I was not in a happy mood currently. Being deceived was something that I despised the most. It made me look bad due to having me let my guard down.

I couldn't let anyone find out about this. People would speak and wonder why I had been gone from the village for so long. No doubt even some of my ROOT comrades would be curious. I had to bring something back to show them what I had accomplished. A relic of sorts, something that could catch ones eye and immediately entice them. There had been signs hinting toward the Kabutowari all throughout this day. Yet I wasn't sure if I had come any closer to finding the weapon. The man ahead of me was filled with riddles, and more confused stories came out of him by the minute. "I'll help you, but you have some explaining to do."

[Yoshie - Chan]

Afrashia -- stood to his feet, and dusting off himself. A few scrapes and bruises littered his body because of the high powered fall. His golden blond locks of hair, were no down and covering his face. The fall had caused the wrapped up hair shower downward, an the bun design that he originally set up was ruined. He eye's showed the panicky emotions as his stare alternated between you and your ever so close tanto.

His voice squeaked before continuing. " -- They told me to use that poison on you. I-I don't really remember much but they said wait until you see a " gorgeous " male shinobi. . . weird the description of you was s-so accurate. I mean the target wasn't really your things -- it was actually you . " Afrashia tried his best to bow in the terrible situation. " I didn't report her missing because they would have killed her. . . now why am I saying this now? B-because they can't see or hear us at the moment. . . so please help me! " He tried to scream but all that came out was a whimper, before his tears began to flow again.

If you weren't still aiming the weapon at his neck, he would be bowing to you in a pleading matter. His strawberry blond hair hid his eyes, but they were starting to become red and puffy with all the tears. His nose began to run, and his blue eyes stared directly into your own. The look he gave was different even through the tears it was like -- craziness -- in there instead of fear. His frame was different then "char" in your hallucinations, because he was approximately two inches shorter then you with nary a scar on his perfect body except for the scrapes and bruises.

" So will you help me. . . I've said it before I'll give you anything including myself or the treasures they have if you can beat all the bandits. " His words were sincere again, but killing him was still an option, but the trail to the bandits would go cold -- but not gone completely.

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[Yox]

I followed him with the tip of my tantō as the boy rose to his feet. I noticed his size different to the boy, Char, that I had met previously in my dream. Although they sort of looked the same, this wasn't the same guy. I kept the blade aimed toward his neck as he responded to me. He spoke of being manipulated into doing things by other individuals. I knew that feeling. It was what I went through on a day-to-day basis within the ROOT. There was nothing like knowing of the consequences for not acting in one particular way. It haunted you wherever you went. I could sort of connect to the boy on that level.

It did not change the fact that he had partaking in drugging me before. I shifted my tantō into it's sheath and moved over to my belongings, bending over to gather them off the ground. I turned around to see him bowing down to me. Perhaps he was telling the truth now. There was the sense of sincerity within his voice as he pleaded to me. But I had been so easily tricked before. Who was to say that it would not occur again? I wondered though if he was in fact waiting for me to let my guard down, he would have struck when I had bent down to gather my items. I came to the conclusion that perhaps the boy was indeed telling the truth for this time.

I stared into his eyes after he rose from the bow. The eyes that had once been filled with fear previously had now changed to a sense of craziness. It was as if he was foreshadowing what we were about to do as being something reckless. I could see the adrenaline building within his body as he spoke out to me. This only highlighted the fact that what we were about to do could potentially be endangering to my life. Was it really worth risking my life for this guy? If he could lead me to the Kabutowari, I suppose it would be. It was the only thing that was keeping me going.

After finishing off placing everything back on my body, I responded to the boy's question. "I have decided to help you even though you don't deserve it. Just remember that I still don't trust you, so if you even consider doing one thing suspicious towards me I will end your life within an instant. Other than that, let's get this thing started then. We have some crooks to kill and a girl to rescue." I didn't tell him that my true intentions were to find the Kabutowari. This way he might actually have thought that I cared about his life and the life of his sister. I waited for him to move and then, I would follow.

[Yoshie - Chan]

"I don't care if you trust me. I just want her safe is all." Afranshia rose, from his kneeling position. His eye's were still puffy from all of the tears,and he fumbled with his hands trying to wipe them away."T-the hideout it's in the outskirts of Hi no Kuni. I already know what you'll say (sniffle), it's a secret passage, and I have no idea how to open it." That little bit of information was all he could tell you as he stumbled to his feet, and began walking towards the direction of Mizu no Kuni.

The trail he was walking in that direction was no doubt the object of his travels. His movement was sluggish -- barely moving four meters before almost collapsing again. A sharp curse was muttered under his breath."Damn, that water." The speed increase he had earlier was gone now, and acting as a detriment to the health of the boy. He slugged on more trying his best to get to a certain point around the lands. The walk you both would have would be approximately fifty meters in length.

His health was almost in the red; his breathing was labored, body shaking, and throat sore. But the most mysterious was the fact there wasn't a single bit of sweat dripping from his body. He pointed forward, you both after a quick journey had made it to what seemed to be a singular rock with a bronze chalice on it. The strange part about it was the rocks that were littered around the chalice, while a tiny stream of water flowed by. There was an indentation which looked like a throne behind the chalice.

This was the bandit thieves secret way to entering their underground establishment. The only problem for you was the need to figure out how to get into the base itself. The rock was five meters by five meters in width, and three meters high. The chalice sat before the throne indentation which had a seal on it, and the rocks around it were shaped to sit around the chalice. It was up to you to figure out how everything was arranged up.

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SPOILER: Click to show

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