(ooc ~ I actually meant for Jah'zuer to have stayed behind at the white temple, but never mind...
)
IC> "What types of creatures are they, Jah'zuer?" asked Sir Morgeruat. "Do you know?"
"From what I've heard from other astral travellers," replied Jah'zuer, "the creature occupying the left-hand tunnel is a
diamond golem who cannot be hurt by magic at all, only physical blows. To the right would be a
higher air elemental for whom the reverse is true. Mind you, both can take
and inflict enormous amounts of punishment."
"So we'll have to
fight one of them?" asked Ghzarbanan.
"I said '
challenge' earlier," corrected Jah'zuer. "It need not be a fight. Each of the guardians will actually give you a
puzzle or
riddle. If you can
solve the puzzle or riddle correctly, the guardian will let you through. If not, you'll not be allowed to pass unless you can defeat him in battle."
"Which one's riddles are
easier?" asked Rufus with a grin.
Jah'zuer smiled at the mageling's sheer naivete. "They're equally difficult," he replied.
"So which shall it be, then?" asked Khadgar. "The diamond golem, or the air elemental?"
"You can always try one's riddles first, then the other's," said Jah'zuer.
"All right, then," said Sir Jorlon, "what say you all if we try the
right-hand tunnel first? I've always wanted to know how an air elemental looks like, besides..."
"We might as well," said Magnus.
"Seems all right with me," nodded Chun-Li.
"Okay, then, let's go!" said StoneRock.
********************************
They travelled up the tunnel to the right which ended in a huge chamber whose four walls slanted inwards near the ceiling. Rich carvings lined the crystal walls, showing great dragons and phoenixes. At the far end of the room was a large closed portal, a strange, circular symbol carved upon the doors. And in the middle of the great hall, a large
tornado could be seen reaching right up to the ceiling, a veritable column of rapidly spinning dust and vapors.
"So
this is the air elemental!" remarked Rufus.
"What... is... funny thing?" muttered Fenric, staring at the spinning column in amazement.
Presently a voice boomed from the air elemental. "
Ho, travellers! What dost thou seek?"
"We seek the
Pool of Many Colors," answered Sir Morgeruat.
"
I am the guardian of the portal to the Pool of Many Colors," boomed the elemental. "
Thou must needs solve the riddle I presenteth thee now, or passage shalt not be granted. Hearken!
Four in the morning,
two at noon,
three in the evening;
of what do I speak?"
[ 09-12-2002, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]