Episode 85 — Operation Midnight Redemption (2 of 3)
Episode 85 — Operation Midnight Redemption
Part 2 of 3
Again, the Floor and dates are not stated for a reason. Each segment may jump, including ahead of the current main chapter. They are in order of the tasks in the quest.
In the forest hidden, those the wise hearts seek,
A charm of great power, rare and unique.
At the foot of a tree, the riddle so fine,
Cross a wild river, with all creatures in line.
Climb the mountain steep , by the puzzle's decree,
With keys in stone, unlock the destiny.
In the shadows' embrace, a guardian creature waits,
Face it with valor, in this journey's embrace.
What's the object of this tale, so vivid and brief,
Where the Triadic Trefoil holds dreams and belief?
Doombunny howled in frustration and banged on the door, nearly breaking down in tears. She had followed the clues, which took so long to decipher because they were very generalized. When she had started searching, the floor was not unlocked yet. Once she realized that, she followed them over the correct river and up the correct mountain. She had literally climbed a mountainside that was rather steep, practically a cliff.
It was not that simple. This charm was the worst. The puzzle dungeon was guarded by a drake. A small one, but it could breathe a bit of fire. At least it could not fly, but it had been a very difficult fight, even more so since they were on the front. The stupid, overgrown lizard was only the beginning.
Behind it was a very long series of doors. All around her was the proper iconography of the trefoil. Well, the trefoil was a three dimensional knot, what she was seeing were typically called triquetra, the two dimensional version, most often depicted as a type of knot. Konpeito had known all about them and gave her a crash course on the Celtic uses and meanings, as well as the Vikings’ use of them. It was a common symbol across the globe.
Konpeito had no idea why she was interested in it and did not care. Doombunny had spoken with her in the kitchen, so she was chatting while she baked pies. Now that she thought of it, pies which were never eaten by any Wondercolts and Konpeito had completed Cooking a while ago. They just disappeared.
While Konpeito had called them Celtic knots, Doombunny had not realized she would have to deal with actual knots. Especially with all that she had to surmount just to enter the dungeon. As stupid as the overgrown lizard was, she hated killing the drake. It was somewhat cute, albeit hyper aggressive. It was going to tear her to shreds and eat her. Obviously she did not let it. It was an anticlimactic fight, as the drake was susceptible to poisons, but not paralyzers.
Fifteen doors she had gone through, each one being unlocked by properly untying the knotted rope. Each door was harder than the last. Door number six began to have two knots while door number eleven started three. Now at fifteen, she would either be finished or she would have another five to go. None of them could be cut, they were immortal objects. Doombunny had unraveled three of them, but was stumped on the fourth. It was beyond annoying.
This should not be as hard as it was. She had come too far to turn back now. She had the day off, a rare occurrence. She had to maximize her questing. She had hoped to get through three today, but it was well past noon. She would be lucky to finish this one today.
Doombunny yanked on the knot but it did not budge. It did provide her with an alternative angle though. One that gave her an idea. With the inspiration, she finally undid it and proceeded to the next door.
The puzzles had changed design with the sixteenth door. There were sets of holes drilled in a square, evenly spaced between them. They were not single knots to untie. The ropes ended in color coded pegs. She could move the pegs, giving her different access and angles to untangle the mess. The first puzzle had four. At least the ropes were dyed in different colors.
With some ingenuity, she solved it. Successfully moving the pegs until the ropes were unraveled and in their color-coded positions. That unlocked the door. The next one was the same, but with five ropes. Ironically, it was Knightstar who would have no problem with these puzzles. Natora might be a close second, but she also could be lazy and not want to put that much effort into the task since it did not serve her grander goals. Bladescape also would struggle to focus on something so trivial. Both of them were out hunting materials for enhancements.
Doombunny finally got it and was allowed to continue. The next puzzle was six ropes. The colored ropes made the puzzle feasible. She was slowly getting the hang of undoing the tangled mess.
She finally reached door twenty and its eight ropes, becoming truly aggravated as this one lacked the color coding. She would have to take notes to keep track of everything. It took her more time to solve than she wanted to spend on a single puzzle task. She would not get to a second quest today.
The last door opened to a vault. It was not much bigger than a walk-in shower. There was only one item on the lone pedestal. She approached it and found the charm sitting on top with a piece of paper underneath. It was three triquetras, connected at the corners by passing a loop through the two flanking it. When she picked them up, she realized they were actually trefoils. They had a three-dimensional aspect to them besides how they intertwined and were soldered together to make them one charm that did not move. The rest of the golden ropes making up each knot did not touch themselves. The design was interesting, a play on knot theory. It was impossible to unravel the knot without cutting it, an intriguing thought exercise.
The charms themselves were impressive. The charm boosted attack by a hundred and fifty points. Being a passive base stat, there was no way to improve it except for leveling up. The stat helped magnify the damage dealt, with the bulk of the factor coming from the weapon itself, as it also had an attack stat. That one could be modified through enhancements.
Doombunny read the next riddle. It was on the paper. She would have to find a garden that was dead and overgrown. It appeared that she needed to restore it. Hopefully it was simple. The reward was the Radial Orchid.
Doombunny got a guild-wide message from Bladescape, as she was not in a true dungeon, merely a cave. The material hunting team had come up short, a bit of bad luck for the RNG of the drops, so they were working late. The message dictated that dinner was on the individual. Doombunny teleported to Algade, where she could more easily find Argo. If Argo could figure it out and point her in the right direction, that would save her a lot of time.
Argo was in a cafe, waiting to be needed. It was the perfect moment to get help. When Doombunny showed Argo the riddle, it did not take long for her to identify the location. It was in Selmburg, which was Floor Sixty-One. It looked like she would get a second quest done today, just like she originally wanted to.
Amidst the peaks of a watery land,
A garden lies waiting for a helping hand.
Once a thriving paradise of flora rare,
Now a barren wasteland in need of care.
Weeds and thorns now rule the day,
Choking the life of plants that once did sway.
But a hope remains for those who seek,
To bring back the garden from its bleak.
With tender love and careful toil,
The garden may again shine with royal soil.
Doombunny was sweeping up the courtyard of an old woman’s villa on Floor Sixty-One, Selmburg. The owner could no longer maintain it, but she was not the one who had planted everything. That was done by her great, great, great grandmother. Since then, it had fallen into disrepair.
Most of the projects to fix things were easy to do without a Skill. Pulling weeds and trimming the garden plants was also an easy task. Easy, but huge. The size of the garden was staggering and things had been unattended for far too long. At least it was a good respite and easy compared to what she had just done.
That was her current task in the charm bracelet quest; to restore the garden and find the woman's bracelet which had been lost the last time she had tried. Doombunny had found the lost bracelet almost immediately. Reveal made that easy. It was under a mountain of dirt inside a large, square, porcelain pot. The bracelet was all the way at the bottom. Doombunny had to remove the old bonsai tree first and carefully set it aside. Once she had retrieved it and given it to the woman, she went about fixing up the place and bringing new life back into the garden.
Malus and Diemond would be a lot better at it than Doombunny, but only she could help the woman. It was easy enough, she just didn't have the practical know-how for certain things, which Malus would instinctively know, or the decorative eye Diemond would have.
Trimming the plants was simplistic. The shears and plants knew what their best state was. The clippers restored the plants with a snip. Now she was cleaning up after all of the weeds and clippings which had fallen on the paved courtyard, not disappearing into polygons. Everything was put into the compost bin, officially using that object once again.
Doombunny finished and surveyed the garden. It was stunning. The best, most beautiful and rare plants in Aincrad had been collected and planted inside. Roses had been cultivated until they had become their own species of rose. Old bonsai trees were once again looking exactly like they needed to look, their organic shape displaying their uniqueness. Orchids, bluebonnets, lilies, and other rare flowers were now in full bloom; thanks to Doombunny giving them a reason to blossom.
"This place looks like I remember it!" The old woman exclaimed as she came out of her house, into the courtyard garden. "I remember it this way in my youth. Of course, the bonsai trees have grown quite a bit since then, but this is marvelous work."
"Thank you," Doombunny said, bowing politely to the older woman. "It was my pleasure to help you set this gorgeous place right."
"I have something extra special for you," she said. She pulled out a tiny chest and opened the lid. Inside was a golden flower. It reminded Doombunny of a Lady's Slipper Orchid, but there were some distinct qualities to it. "This is the Radial Orchid," she explained. "It was very rare. The last blossom known to the world was plucked and dipped in gold to preserve it. This is that flower. May it brighten your day with its beauty."
"Thank you," Doombunny said, accepting the gift. She checked out its properties, which boosted search by fifteen percent.
Where earth and stone hold secrets deep,
Whispers of ages, voices long past,
A warrior's slumber, an eternal sleep.
Riddles they offer, trials that must last.
His legend etched in swiftness and light,
Each answer wrong, now a specter form,
A path descending, hidden from sight.
A ghostly challenge, a gathering storm.
Mark well the ground, where shadows extend,
Knowledge your weapon, wisdom your guide,
A trail concealed, where footsteps may bend.
Their questions like riddles, twisting inside.
Seek where time falters, its pace swift and slight,
Mislead by doubt, by echoes astray,
There lies the tomb, bathed in fading light.
Or triumph with truth, and find your way.
The swiftness of thought, a fleeting refrain,
Should failure ensnare, and spirits ignite,
Unravel the path, where legends remain.
Stand firm with resolve, bathed in reason's light.
His resting place now awaits, for those who last,
The guardians shall judge, their verdict unfold,
A testament found, from a glorious past.
And only the worthy shall pass through the hold.
Doombunny had a gauntlet of riddles. It was the second one she had to face. Answering the ones to get her the charm bracelet was tedious, but there were only six, as it had other puzzles she had to solve. For this task, she had no idea how many there would be. They would be given by guardian ghosts and failing an answer would trigger a fight. They would be lower level, but likely could not be poisoned. Failing too many would seal the chamber holding the Golden Compass.
The two-part riddle to find the burial catacomb for the resting place of the The Flash Knight, Magnus had taken a long time to solve. For the longest time, Doombunny did not realize it was two separate riddles merged. Many poems and riddles followed the rhyming scheme of ABAB, alternating their rhymes. In her case, it was not about style, just two separate riddles written as one. One to guide her to the location, the other to tell her what she would face.
There was a door in the catacomb, blocking her progression. It was locked. The lock looked like a skeleton key, but the stone frame beside it had an indent. She had seen it before. It was the shape of the charm bracelet. She pulled it out and pushed it to the slot. She heard it click and Doombunny pushed open the door.
She was not prepared for what she saw, not that she had any clue how it would look. Flanking the long hallway were alcoves. The end of the alcoves held torches which provided light. There was a bit of a curve to the left, blocking the end from view and making it impossible to tell how many riddles she would have to solve. The alcoves on the left were standard catacomb shelves, filled with boxes holding the bones of the dead. Mirrored on the right were similar alcoves, except each one had a statue depicting the person buried there, with a sarcophagus behind the statue. At least she would not have to bounce back and forth to each side. Knowing how many would be nice, but it was part of the challenge.
Doombunny approached the first statue. The ghost materialized before her. The garments were unlike anything Doombunny had ever seen, but the ghost was personalized, just a translucent being. It matched the statue.
It spoke the first riddle, the hollow words echoed off the stone walls. “Echoes from the shadow realm, whispers of things yet to come. Thought’s strange sister dwells in the night, is swept away by dawning light. Of what do I speak?”
A menu popped up in front of her. It held four answers. This would be easier since she had a selection. Doombunny had been concerned about her ability to endure the mental trial of an undisclosed number of riddles where everything was a possible answer. This lightened the intellectual load.
● Love
● The Moon
● Dreams
● Indigestion
This riddle was a good warmup. “A dream,” Doombunny answered.
The ghost nodded to her and disappeared. Doombunny went down to the next one. It also was quite personal and different. This one was a knight or warrior of some kind.
“I am born in the heart's deepest fire,
A flicker against the vastness of night.
I challenge the tyrant, the doubt, and the liar,
My strength found in what I know is right. Of what do I speak?”
● A dream
● Justice
● Hope
● Courage
That one was “courage.” She moved on to the next statue.
“The smallest lark could carry it, while a strong man might not. Of what do I speak?”
● A Plague
● A tune
● Wind
● A coconut
The last option was rather funny, as a lark could not carry a coconut. The answer was “A tune.” She kept going.
"The youngest son in dying breath, His life, a path of pain and fear. The gift he seeks, in mother's death, Is naught but sorrow, naught but tears. Of what do I speak?”
● A dog's loyalty
● Love of family
● The gift of magic
● A thirst for revenge
This one was harder. Doombunny had to think through it and ask for it to be repeated. She finally answered “a thirst for revenge” and was right.
“I am the song that lingers in the air,
A tale of valor, a whispered prayer.
From ashes of conflict, my spirit takes flight,
A symbol enduring in the dawning light. Of what do I speak?”
● Legend
● Resilience
● Memory
● Peace
● A phoenix
“Legend,” Doombunny answered.
The spirit shook its head. “Resilience is the answer.”
There was no warning. The specter in front of her suddenly had a sword in its hand and thrust it at her. Doombunny could not move out of the way and was impaled in the shoulder. She stood there with the ghost blade in her, shocked at the sudden pain and over failing. Colorra tried to snake up its arm, but just fell through the incorporeal monster.
Doombunny felt her anger flare up as the blade was retracted. She was doing this for Knightstar. She could endure this. The greater pain was not having Knightstar with them. Doombunny was still with her friends and so should Knightstar. She would get her back, show her the truth and light the path for her. Right now that meant killing the guardian ghost.
She drew her slashing knife from the small of her back and jumped clear of the ghost. She popped off her buckler, just in time to redirect the sword. She struck with all she had. At least her knife could cut it. Colorra just stayed out the way as Doombunny shredded the ghost.
It was not a long or hard fight. She was on the fifth floor, having entered from the catacombs of Karluin. Even though the quest was started in Myujen on Floor Forty-Nine, she was far above the earliest starting level. The greatest issue was possibly locking herself out by failing too many of the riddles.
Doombunny headed to the next one. Colorra decided to stay on the ground. It was better, in case Doombunny failed another one. She would not be caught unaware again.
The next ghost was ready, with no hint of knowing about the fight. "Her hunger sated, vengeance near, the maiden bathed in dragon's blood. Despite her strength, despite her fear, her greatest foe in her heart still holds dear. Of what do I speak?"
● Love
● Duty
● Betrayal
● Temptation
Doombunny guessed “betrayal", as it required trust and hurt the heart most when it was someone close. She was wrong. It was “love.” She avoided the spear and proceeded to destroy the mean ghost.
“I’d neither a guest nor a trespasser be; in this place I belong, that belongs also to me. Of what do I speak?”
● Aincrad
● Home
● The Town of Beginnings
● Death
That one was easy. The answer was a “home.” Her mood improved for getting one right. She relaxed as she walked to the next statue.
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The debt of blood must be paid in full. Of what do I speak?”
● Murder
● War
● Vengeance
● Love
She figured out the answer, “vengeance,” and proceeded onward.
"Born to toil, his freedom lies, Beyond the field where he lies. In honored halls a warrior dies, And thus the legend has begun. Of what do I speak?"
● A thirst for glory
● Faith without measure
● Sacrifice
● The need for riches
She almost got it wrong, but realized that it was “Sacrifice.”
“I am the spark that ignites a grand flame,
The act of defiance that alters the game.
Though small I may seem, my power remains,
To topple the mighty, to shatter their chains. Of what do I speak?”
● Rebellion
● Change
● A choice
● A voice
● An idea
Doombunny knew this one from her own life in Aincrad. It was “a choice.” Just like she had chosen at the start to stay with her friends; to fight with them, to become the best damage dealer she could be, and to ask Colorra for her venom rather than take it.
The next specter was ready. “A poison of the soul, passion’s cruel counterpart; from love she grows till love lies slain. Of what do I speak?”
● Religion
● Jealousy
● Children
● Women
The answer was Jealousy. That one was easy.
“My voice may falter, my steps unsure,
Yet onward I press, seeking the cure.
Each stumble a lesson, each fall a new start,
The map of my journey etched upon my heart. Of what do I speak?”
● Determination
● Adventure
● Wisdom
● Direction
● Change
None of them seemed to fit. Determination was not correct, as its steps would not be unsure. Wisdom was too wise for this riddle. Adventure usually did not come with stumbled lessons. It was a tossup between change and direction. She finally gave up and guessed “change.”
She was wrong and paid for it, but she made the ghost pay for its stupid riddle. It was not a good one.
“In quiet moments, my strength finds its source,
From whispered wisdom, an unwavering course.
I weigh my choices, my actions held dear,
For the path I must walk, the future draws near. Of what do I speak?”
● Self-reflection
● Purpose
● Fate
● Time
● Guidance
This was another one Doombunny understood from her own time in Aincrad. It was “purpose.” She had to find hers, so did Konpeito, and possibly some of the others. Bladescape knew hers, their leader, as did Diemond, although Diemond also found a purpose beyond designing, being one of their strongest shields.
“The bones of the world stretch towards the sky’s embrace. Veiled in white, like a bride greeting her groom. Of what do I speak?’
● Stars
● The mountains
● Clouds
● Sheep
Only two were on ground and it obviously was not “sheep.” “The mountains” made sense, especially in the winter when they would be covered in snow. Doombunny was correct. She smiled as she headed to the next guardian.
“I am the hand that reaches out in need,
The promise whispered, the unspoken deed.
Where others waver, I stand firm and true,
My word a bond, my actions ever blue. Of what do I speak?”
● A friend
● Kindness
● Loyalty
● Honor
● Truth
They rhymed, but it was interesting that the riddle used blue. It was mere coincidence that Dash/Thunderborne’s primary color was blue. Her element was loyalty, which was also the answer. Doombunny moved on.
“She wields the broken sword, and separates true kings from tyrants. Of what do I speak?”
● Weakness
● Queens
● Time
● Mercy
This was a beautiful expression of Mercy, as Lady Justice was pictured holding a scale and a sword. Lady Mercy would have to hold a broken sword. Without a sword, Lady Mercy could not deliver punishment deserved, justice, yet the broken sword, while still a symbol of justice, was broken because of the choice not to give what punishment was deserved; the definition of mercy.
"Forged in the fire, with heat and with might,
My edge gleams brightly, a flash in the night.
In hands of the valiant, justice prevails,
I sever the darkness, where evil assails. Of what do I speak?"
● Sword
● Honor
● A warrior
● Strength
This one needed no deliberation. It was “Sword.” Doombunny passed on to the next.
“No man has seen it but all men know it. Lighter than air, sharper than any sword. Comes from nothing, but will fell the strongest armies. Of what do I speak?”
● Lightning
● Fire
● Women
● Hunger
This riddle was another of pure poetry in its description. “Hunger” was the answer. Doombunny was allowed to continue.
“I have a tongue but cannot taste,
A sole but leave no trace.
I speak all languages, yet utter no sound,
And my home within bindings and covers is found. Of what do I speak?”
● A book
● A thought
● The wind
● A shadow
● An echo
Considering she was doing this to get Knightstar back, it was a very appropriate riddle. “A book” was the only choice that made sense. Even without options, it was clearly “a book.”
“I dance and shimmer, a flicker of light,
Born from the darkness, defying the night.
A child of the hearth, both gentle and wild,
My warmth brings comfort, my spirit beguiled. Of what do I speak?”
● A star
● A smile
● Hope
● Fire
● Love
This was another easy one. “Fire” was the obvious answer without a selection.
“With keys but no locks, and space but no room,
You can enter, but never walk into its gloom.
I hold worlds of knowledge and stories of old,
My power unfolds as the pages are told. Of what do I speak?”
● The mind
● A dream
● A map
● A song
● A library
Doombunny thought they would be harder, but it was another easy one. “A song,” Doombunny said to the ghost, some warrior who was already holding an axe. The axe was swiped up, burying itself in her chest.
“Wrong!” The guardian ghost exclaimed as he pulled his axe free. “The mind is the right answer.”
“Son of a…” Doombunny growled as she stepped back, drawing her slashing knife and grabbing her buckler. “You’ll pay for such a cheap trick. I don’t even understand that one.”
The guardian ghost flipped its axe to point at her as it shifted its shield in front of it. “The mind holds the keys to a person’s thoughts, memories, and ideas, which can unlock the imagination, and understanding.”
Doombunny let him come at her. She pushed the axe out of the way and dove to her left, getting in a good slash, taking down a quarter of its health. It was the only good one. He did not fall for the same trick, adjusting how he attacked with his axe, making redirections impossible. His shield was a large Viking style round shield. It covered him very well.
Unable to break the long stalemate, Doombunny was out of ideas. Her weakest match up was a shield user with a larger shield and a mace, hammer, or axe. Her agility was not high enough to get around his shield. Doombunny dodged back and put her buckler back on its hook. Her left hand grabbed a kunai. He never saw it coming and it hit him square in the forehead, staying there. His eyes crossed as they tried to see what was in his skull. Doombunny did not miss that opportunity. Her knife sliced him across the neck and then was thrust down, over his shield into his heart.
Doombunny physically spat now that it was over. She still felt like she should have blood in her mouth from his initial strike to her chest. She grabbed her buckler and began the long walk back to the next statue. She had unintentionally dodged back the way she came and transversed more than she realized.
The next guardian specter did not notice her armed state or comment on the fight. It launched into the riddle. “My form may shift, my colors may change,
From soaring mountain to whispering range.
I carve the landscape, and shape the shore,
My strength unrelenting, forevermore. Of what do I speak?”
● Water
● Wind
● Time
● An artist
● A sculptor
Shore eliminated “wind.” It was obviously not “an artist” or “a sculptor.” That left “water” and “time.” Doombunny looked at the ghost. She appeared to be a priest of some kind. Her cowl had golden radiations as if it was a sun. The robes, though translucent, appeared to be orange or red, possibly both.
“What is your name?” Doombunny asked.
“I am the Revered Mother Perpetua,” the spirit answered. “Why, child?”
Revered Mother was clearly a title, so Doombunny decided to use it. “Because, Revered Mother, two of the answers make sense. Water shapes the shore, rivers carve out canyons, and even rain and snow shape the tallest peaks. The color depends on what the water is carrying with it. Water can be liquid, snow crystals, or ice.”
She gently interrupted Doombunny, “and yet it requires one thing to do all of those.”
That was the hint Doombunny needed. “Then the answer is ‘time,’ Revered Mother.”
“Well done, child,” she said with a smile. “Your test is nearly complete. Good luck finishing it. Now, go in peace.”
That was a very pleasant exchange. Doombunny really did not have time to talk with each of the ghosts, but there probably was a lot of lore she was missing. Possibly even clues they would give.
"I bear the mark, I serve my time, but in the end, I am not freed. My life was his, his gift my crime. Is this the justice I receive? Of what do I speak?"
● Mercy
● Servitude
● Loss
● Hatred
None of the answers made sense. Mercy would likely not be another answer and it did not fit. Loss would not have a service or time, nor would it have to do with justice. The same for hatred. Doombunny racked her brain, trying to figure out how servitude worked. The process of elimination left it as the only one, but being unsure in the answer would not look good. Especially with how the ghost was eying her. He was getting ready to strike.
Interestingly, it had no weapons. On each wrist was an iron shackle with a longer segment of chains, broken off from their anchor. He was going to use them like whips to attack her.
The chains did trigger a memory from history class. Over various time periods and cultures, many servants were working off debt, be it for a crime where they owed money, or other reason. That form of servitude fit.
“The answer is servitude,” Doombunny confidently stated.
“Yes,” he said, nodding to her before disappearing back into the statue.
Doombunny could see the door. There were only seven more riddles. She went on to the next.
“Though I may tremble, I will not yield,
My resolve a fortress, my spirit a shield.
In the face of darkness, my light will remain,
A beacon of strength through tempest and pain. Of what do I speak?”
● Perseverance
● A soldier
● Love
● Bravery
● Faith
“Oh my,” Doombunny said out loud to herself. This one was tough. It was not “Love.” “Faith did not make sense either. “A soldier” was close, but too specific. This riddle was looking for an abstract answer. It was either “Perseverance” or “Bravery” and both were good fits.
The old ghost warrior let her think. He was not going to pressure her. It took time, as both were often intertwined together. Applejack/Malus was a perfect example of how both were. While “strength” was usually the word they associated with her, she was brave in every fight, especially the boss fights, and persevered no matter how difficult they got. Day in and day out, she displayed that perseverance as well as her bravery.
Upon hearing it a second time, Doombunny figured out the answer. The riddle referred to the ‘face of darkness’ and standing up to it, which was a brave act, not a persevering act. Doombunny gave her answer and he disappeared, letting her proceed.
“I lead the charge, a voice amidst the roar,
Guiding my forces on battlefields of yore.
My strategies born from wisdom and might,
A beacon of strength in the darkest of night. Of what do I speak?”
● A commander
● Courage
● Victory
● A king
“Courage” was a good answer, but it lacked ‘strategies’. “King” was a solid choice, but not all kings led the charge. Even if they did, many grew too old for combat, yet served for years still. But “a commander” was always at the head of a charge, even if they were not the senior most officer.
It was the correct answer and Doombunny stepped over to the next statue with five to go. That was exciting now that she could see the door. She was still ready for a fight, but it was almost over.
In her glee, she almost missed what the ghost said. “With untamed fury, I rage and I sweep,
My power awakens, as the world lies asleep.
Chaos and ruin, a force in my wake,
Nature's wild wrath, the earth it will shake. Of what do I speak?”
● Earthquake
● Destruction
● Hurricane
● Change
“Earthquakes” certainly shook the ground, but they did not rage or sweep. “Destruction” and “change” were not forces of nature. The only answer was a “hurricane.”
“Unbending, unyielding, my form stands so bold,
Against blades and arrows, my strength will uphold.
A bastion of safety, where refuge is found,
My purpose is noble, with honor I'm bound. Of what do I speak?”
● A fortress
● Loyalty
● Perseverance
● A Shield
“Fortress” was close, but a soldier who died was sometimes honorably carried back home on their “shield.” “A shield” was noble, as it was an active force which could be used to protect people, but “a fortress” was more neutral as it sat still. Doombunny was right and moved on with just three to go.
“I have no wings, yet I soar through the sky,
A vessel of dreams where spirits may lie.
Weightless I drift, where the currents may lead,
A silent observer, a whimsical deed. Of what do I speak?”
● A wish
● A cloud
● A memory
● A kite
● Inspiration
This riddle was a fun one. It was obviously “a cloud” and she was right. Doombunny skipped to the next one.
“I am a shield against the storm's harsh blow,
A sword that gleams, a flame that will not grow low.
In unity I find my greatest might,
Defending the fallen, championing the right. Of what do I speak?”
● Brotherhood
● Strength
● An army
● Justice
● Revolution
“An army” had swords, but did not fit the flame or “championing the right.” Justice was not a shield against a “storm’s harsh blow.” Neither was revolution. Strength was too neutral, not necessarily being in the right or “defending the fallen.” “Brotherhood” kept people together through all of that and often meant they would fight for each other, especially if one of them fell.
Her deduction was correct and Doombunny danced over the final statue.
“Cold and unyielding, a heart forged in flame,
With strength unrelenting, I conquer and claim.
My will is as solid, as mountains so high,
In battle or hardship, on me you'll rely. Of what do I speak?”
● A leader
● Discipline
● Iron
● Endurance
Leaders came and went, not necessarily always the same one being relied upon, eliminating that option. “Endurance” did not make sense with “conquer and claim.” “Discipline” was a good option for it all, but it had to be built. If someone did not build it, they could not rely on it. That left “iron,” which did have to be melted and purified from iron ore in a flame. It was strong and it could be used to conquer and claim, as well as for equipment in battle.
Doombunny looked at the last guardian ghost. “The answer to your riddle is iron.”
“Correct,” he said. He nodded to her. “The door is unlocked. May it serve you well.”
Doombunny hummed as she pranced in her joy to the door. A lot more time had passed than she realized. She pushed the door open and found herself in a gorgeous crypt. Many things were laid out on stone tables. The sarcophagus in the center was beautifully carved. But none of that mattered. What mattered was on the shield carved into the sarcophagus. Sitting there was a tiny compass, a trinket in many regards, but lore wise it had guided The Flash Knight, Magnus, on all of his adventures.
She plucked it off the shield, along with the piece of paper it sat on. She had to unfold it and the text was quite faded, but it was the next riddle. She opened the menu on the tiny compass. It gave 150 points to the accuracy of any equipped weapon. It was a staggeringly high boost.
Radial Charm Bracelet:
- Painite Blossom (Applejack) — +150 Strength
- Col Standard (Rarity) — +15% col dropped by monsters
- Iron Opal (Pinkie Pie) — +15% Carry Weight
- Tuft of a Rainbow Cloud (Rainbow) — +20% boost to speed
- Vial Of Life (Mage Meadowbrook) — +150 Constitution
- Fragment of the Palace (Star Swirl) — 20% reduction in skill delay
- The Ribbon of Seven Thousand Threads (Somnambula) — +150 Agility
- Triadic Trefoil (Rockhoof) — + 150 Attack
- Radial Orchid (Mistmane) — +15% Search
- Golden Compass (Flash Magnus) — +150 to equipped weapon’s accuracy
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Quite a lot of fun riddles. It was fun thinking them over with Doombunny. One of the ones I got right away was the one about vengeance, since "an eye for an eye" kinda gave it away for me.
12014523
I'm glad you enjoyed the riddle gauntlet. Organizing them correctly took time. I'm glad the work was not in vain. The vengeance one is pretty easy since it is such a well known phrase. I'm not the best at riddles. lol
I wonder what's the story behind that?
Sounds easy enough.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that where Asuna lives? I haven't seen much of season 1 of sao in a while so I'm not 100% sure I remember or not. Which I should know seeing Sao is my second favorite anime.
Just so I'm aware, even if she gets the riddle wrong the quest doesn't just end there and then if she made a wrong move regarding the riddle?
Yikes those were a hella lot a riddles! Did you make em all up yourself?
12014599
not every riddle is inportent but a few are vary key to this charms coresponding pillar.
12014771
gotcha
Excellent chapter but wow. That was a LOT of riddles… curious to know how many it would’ve taken to fail (trying to solve them with Doom)
Also, those knots would have driven me up a wall trying to get them undone. No skill at all
Damn, whoever holds them all at once will be a force to be reckoned with
12014792
The braclet can only hold six charms at a time.... but yea youd still be a power house.
12014599
Yes, there is a story behind the pies. That will come out with time.
Selmburg is the place Asuna lives. Maybe not quite yet, but soon. I figured it would be the best city to have a beautiful villa with a garden needing to be restored, Like Rarity did in "Shadow Play".
It would require quite a few failures. The limit is not stated. As Dark Feather said, all were planned and some are quite important. Or carry more with them.
12014665
I pulled a good number from Dragon Age: Origins. The Gauntlet while retrieving the Urn of Sacred Ashes. It only has like 12 riddles and some were very game specific, useless for this task. That was the basis for this charm's challenges, but I wanted it taken to a whole other level since it is a puzzle and riddle quest.
The rest were built using AI. I was quite intentional in regards to how I did it. I needed some specific answers, meaning I couldn't just flip to a site with random riddles.
12014786
She failed 5 of 30, a sixth of the riddles. I didn't quantify it for a reason, but definitely by a third, so 7 to 10?
12014846
gotcha and thx
The ghost riddle gauntlet was a cool idea but god damnit I just don't get the logic behind a good number of them. Failed 11 riddles + the ones Fluttershy failed on top of them too. Something tells me I would've been locked out if I tried the quest.
12014851
How do you think things woulda played out had she asked more questions of the ghosts like she did the one time?
12014897
lol
Hey, that's better than me. I would have failed 29 of 30. Vengeance is the only answer I could have gotten right. Maybe "A Tune".
Dark Feather helped ensure they were all up to par and pointed out some that could be two of the provided answer. I never caught that issue. It's a different logic that I can't sort out. I avoid them or get a walk through guide. lol.
But, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
12014913
None of the riddles she failed were given by ghosts that would have clarified anything. After all, they are guarding the tomb of Magnus, the Flash Knight. The Revered Mother was special in that regard.
12015019
ah i see! also don t think i didnt see the pony ref you slipped in of Flash Magnus XD. did he fight with a shovel too?
12015075
No, the shovel was Rockhoof. His cutie mark is a trefoil, hence the knot quest. Flash Magnus was a shield, but I didn't want a shield as a charm, too cliche, so I did a compass. After all, he was a leader and he knew the way. An old school pegasus.
The last answers: Bravery > A commander > Hurricane > a cloud > A Shield > Brotherhood > Iron.
Oh man... After the tenth one I hope you don't mind that I just skimmed the rest. I was feeling exhausted on Doom's behalf x.x
12033301
No, I expected many readers to do so. lol.