An hour passed and Boltuk led the team to an elaborate room, spacious and decorated with murals about Manticore victories. The light of the torches gave a rather spooky atmosphere. At the end of the room was a set of chairs with a Manticore sitting in each one. One was male and the other was female. Boltuk bowed. \u201cMy King and Queen,\u201d he greeted, \u201cthese outsiders have passed the first five trials and wish to challenge you in the last one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo they, now?\u201d asked the Manticore King. Arsha came forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesties, I am Arsha Royana. I urge you, release the Sphinxes! Forsake Oyed!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour demands are steep, Madam Royana,\u201d remarked the Manticore Queen. \u201cThe fate of the Sphinxes now rests with you and your friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTell me, what can you determine of the mural behind us?\u201d asked the Manticore King. Arsha observed a picture of a Sphinx inside a bubble, both in green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026The barrier?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe same,\u201d answered the King. \u201cBoltuk, make your way to the stands.\u201d Boltuk bowed and left the throne room as a crowd gathered. The King then puffed his chest out. \u201cI am King Velkor Blacktail!\u201d he roared. His wife then did the same as he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Queen Altun Blacktail!\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese outsiders have passed the first five trials!\u201d announced Velkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, the last trial awaits them!\u201d roared Altun. \u201cThe Royal Trial!\u201d Two pedestals then rose from the floor in front of the King and Queen. Each pedestal had a red diamond resting on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore us are keys!\u201d explained Velkor. \u201cOne of them will lower the barrier and the Sphinxes will no longer be under our thrall!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe other will kill them!\u201d continued Altun. \u201cBy asking us three questions, the outsiders must determine which key will free the Sphinxes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHold on!\u201d called Arsha. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to bring them into this! You can\u2019t have us play with their lives like that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you wish to have us as allies, you will have to complete this trial!\u201d answered Velkor. \u201cIf you pick the wrong key, then we will consider you murderers!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd know this,\u201d warned Altun, \u201cone of us tells the truth and one of us lies.\u201d Arsha was now panicking! Lives were now at stake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha, the danger is not so great,\u201d called Orthena. \u201cI will complete this trial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrthena, I can\u2019t risk anyone having that kind of blood on their hands!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha, trust me! I know how the riddle works. You said so yourself one time, the truth-liar riddle isn\u2019t your forte.\u201d Arsha considered her next actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Very well. Orthena, be careful.\u201d Orthena then stepped forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesties,\u201d she called to the Manticore Royals, \u201cyou said I need to ask three questions? You\u2019re being too generous! I can solve your riddle with one question only!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA bold claim,\u201d remarked Velkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI must insist that you limit me to one question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Very well. One question for only one of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d Orthena turned to Altun. \u201cYour Majesty, if you were your King, which key would you say is the one that will lower the barrier safely?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026The key in front of my husband,\u201d answered Altun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn that case, I choose the key in front of YOU!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeyond the shadow of a doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen place the key in the mural behind us.\u201d Orthena took the key in front of Altun and placed it into a slot below the Sphinx. They then waited a few seconds. Once they waited long enough, the bubble glowed red, and the Sphinx glowed green. Velkor and Altun then smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVery clever,\u201d praised Velkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over near the Regatim Oasis, Merrim was talking to Tursu, the Sphinxes\u2019 Queen. As they spoke, a red line appeared between them, then vanished. Tursu blinked, then stepped into the area. She went further and further, then realized that her people were saved! \u201cEVERYONE! WE\u2019RE FREE! ARSHA DID IT!\u201d she called to her people! The Sphinxes entered the Oasis and were greeted warmly by the Nagas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI told you Arsha became a miracle worker!\u201d chuckled Merrim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen she convinced the Manticores to see sense! Queen Merrim, you have allies in the north and west of the Caltem River!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arsha received a call from Aldarval. They had ceased the bombardment once they received news of the Sphinxes being freed. After ending the call on a high note, Arsha turned to Orthena. \u201cLieutenant Orthena Strongaxe, you\u2019re a genius! How did you know she was lying?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t. I still don\u2019t know who the liar is,\u201d explained Orthena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026But\u2026but she tried to tell you that the other key was the one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesties, do you wish to explain, or shall I?\u201d Orthena asked Velkor and Altun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou passed the last trial. It\u2019s your right to explain, not ours,\u201d answered Velkor. Orthena then grinned as she turned back to Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI asked Altun what she would say if she were Velkor,\u201d she began. \u201cIf she lied to me, then that would make him the truth-teller. She would lie about what he would say, so I could pick the opposite of what she said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if he were the liar?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen she would tell the truth about what his lie would be, so I would STILL pick the opposite. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Not quite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt takes practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cArsha,\u201d called Velkor, \u201cyou and your team have proven that you are more trustworthy than Oyed and his cronies. We wish to join you so we may make amends for what we have done to the Sphinxes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou should have killed those ineffective idiots!\u201d shouted another voice. Oyed then appeared in a cloud of black mist, along with Dr. Borg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Manticores no longer bow to you!\u201d shouted Velkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you had any sense, you would!\u201d answered Oyed. \u201cYou know, I just recalled a funny story on the way here! It goes like this; a Titan makes a deal with someone, that someone fails his end of the bargain, has the courage to admit it and accept losing his soul, only for that someone to fade in a flurry of maho-particles, then the son of that someone detects that the avatar was cast by his King! Where\u2019s the real Toonsar?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDead! I won\u2019t have anyone pull my strings!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen this is your execution!\u201d Oyed and Dr. Borg charged at the Manticore Royalty, only for Arsha and her team to get in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe defend them at all costs!\u201d ordered Arsha. The team rushed at the two villains with Arsha, Malnar, Lardeth, Bashoon, and Delselii attacking Oyed while Falnii, Foresna, Gorfanth, and Patrica fought Dr. Borg. Velkor joined in fighting Oyed and Altun fought joined the fight against Dr. Borg. Velkor swung his tail forward, intent on stinging Oyed, but the Titan grabbed the tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNice try!\u201d he snarled before slamming his fist into Velkor\u2019s face. Arsha then decked him, making him spit out blood. \u201cI don\u2019t know how you\u2019re able to do that, child, but it doesn\u2019t matter! Your parents will die! Your lovers will die! YOU will die!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, not letting myself die until I hit 50,000!\u201d hissed Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYOU HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER!\u201d Oyed then fired a stream of caustic mist at her. Arsha then used a fire spell to evaporate it and a water spell to neutralize the burning. It was then that she opened her eyes\u2026only they weren\u2019t their usual golden self. They were red like Mordek\u2019s, even down to the lack of pupils! A red aura then surrounded Arsha, and she grabbed Oyed by the neck, then took him for a ride straight through the ceiling and into the open air! Oyed wiggled out of her grip and shoved her away. They then stopped and floated in the air. As Oyed caught his breath, a grin crossed his face. \u201cSo, that\u2019s how you\u2019re able to damage me,\u201d he purred. \u201cA Candidate\u2019s Aura surrounds you!\u201d Arsha then looked crestfallen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t begin to tell you how it hurts,\u201d she muttered, \u201cto hear that I\u2019m a potential Champion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat kind of power would elevate me too high! If I DO become your children\u2019s Champion, I\u2019d be hailed as a living god! People would look to me to solve EVERY problem and overlook my friends, lovers, and family!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, you wish you never had a Candidate\u2019s Aura? Then power down and serve me. I promise, I can remove it for you with no pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Honestly, I\u2019d rather die than serve a pasty white guy like you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTHAT CAN BE ARRANGED!\u201d Oyed then charged up an energy attack. Arsha charged her own and they fired, engaging in a beam-clash. The resulting ball of mixed energies was moving between the two combatants. \u201cJUST GIVE UP!\u201d roared Oyed. \u201cI AM OYED, THE TITAN! I WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED! MY CHILDREN WILL FALL! YOU EXIST ONLY TO SERVE ME, JUST AS YOUR ANCESTORS SERVED OTHERS LONG AGO!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026NOT\u2026AS LONG\u2026AS I\u2026AM ARSHA ROYANA!\u201d Arsha then poured more energy into her attack as she screamed her defiance at Oyed\u2019s intentions. The energy ball then travelled back towards him and struck him hard! He fell to the ground, smoking and injured, but alive. He picked himself up as Arsha floated down to the ground. Dr. Borg managed to escape through the hole Arsha and Oyed made during their fight and approached her master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord,\u201d she panted, \u201cthe Manticores are overwhelming our operatives! The Sphinxes have crossed the Caltem River with a Naga company from the Oasis! We\u2019re surrounded! We must retreat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Have our forces fall back to our Falchineve base,\u201d ordered Oyed. \u201cThis time, let them find us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026My Lord, why?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I have an idea. Even if we lose the Gorgons and Gryphons, we\u2019ll still cause a lot of damage in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Very well.\u201d Dr. Borg called all of their forces and ordered them to retreat to the Over-realm and let Realmfleet find them. Multiple small Realmgates opened, and the Realm Trinity Empire evacuated the Mid-realm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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