- Chapter 8
- Page 1 – (Scene 14) Detour Debate
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4 – (Scene 15) Lost Desert Lowdown
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7 – (Scene 16) Finding Juni
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14 – (Scene 17) Shepherd of the Woods
- Page 15 – (Scene 18) Reunited Reminiscing
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19 – (Scene 19) A Light in the Dark
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22 – (Scene 20) Dogged Pursuit
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26 – (Scene 21) Puzzle Prelude
Chapter 8: Wondering Passages
Our heroes find themselves trudging through the Haunted Woods late at night, searching for a shortcut through the mountains, but it promises to be more difficult than anticipated.
Nyx
Which way now? We have to hurry!
Tavi
Hmmm, probably to the left.
Nyx
Probably? How well do you know this shortcut, Tavi?
Tavi
I’ve never found it myself, but it’s an enduring legend amongst nomads, so I know it has to be up there! Plus, with how fast our enemies are moving, we don’t have much choice.
Luxinia
How are you sure it’s a shortcut if you don’t even know it exists?
Tavi
It definitely exists! It’s from a legendary song passed from hiker to hiker…I’ve heard it sung at campfires around the world during my travels when I was younger.
Nyx
You mean we’re wasting time searching for a myth from a campfire song?!
Tavi
I know how it sounds, but explorers have found it by following the song! It says where to go, what to look for, everything you need to find the secret tunnel!
Tavi
We nomads are certain the passage exists, despite the tribulations around it. It’s supposed to be a rite of passage to find it yourself, so those who claim to have found it won’t disclose its location to others!
Luxinia
And does the song say how to get through it?
Tavi
Not exactly…
Nyx
Okay, let’s say we do find this fabled shortcut. If we spend too long looking for it, then won’t we lose time overall?
Tavi
It’s supposed to cut right through the mountains. Don’t you remember how long it took us to travel last time? We could shave off entire days with this!
Nyx
Days, huh… so we’d get back to finding Ozzy sooner?
Tavi
That’s right! The legend says everything about this passage is a puzzle, and I know the song is the key to finding it. There’s been tales of others succeeding, so it’s gotta be out there!
Nyx
Has there been proof of anyone actually making it through?
Tavi
Well, yes and no… I’ve met hikers who claim to have found it, but I didn’t exactly ask for evidence.
Nyx
Uh huh… so we’re not sure this shortcut even exists?
Baelia
I understand your concerns Nyx, but cutting through the mountains might be the only way to catch Ozzy.
Tavi
Exactly. It is a longshot, but it’s also our best chance at reaching Altador before Ozzy and Vira.
Tavi
Now, let’s all keep an eye out for the entrance. I’ll explain more of what to look out for while we walk.
Nyx
*sigh* If it helps us get to Ozzy faster then I’m willing to trust you on this. Let’s get going!
Chapter 8 Page 1 – (Scene 14) Detour Debate
SunnyNeo's Analysis: Not today!
Prize
Only received 1 plot point
Back to TopChapter 8 – Pg 3
SunnyNeo's Analysis: Interesting that out of any other petpet, a Doglefox is in the Haunted Woods. Why is the petpet there? Do they have a story to share? Who knows!
Prize
Received 1 plot point and the following item:
Doglefox TreatsSee Preview
Nyx
Which way now? We have to hurry!
Tavi
Hmmm, probably to the left.
Nyx
Probably? How well do you know this shortcut, Tavi?
Tavi
I’ve never found it myself, but it’s an enduring legend amongst nomads, so I know it has to be up there! Plus, with how fast our enemies are moving, we don’t have much choice.
Luxinia
How are you sure it’s a shortcut if you don’t even know it exists?
Tavi
It definitely exists! It’s from a legendary song passed from hiker to hiker…I’ve heard it sung at campfires around the world during my travels when I was younger.
Nyx
You mean we’re wasting time searching for a myth from a campfire song?!
Tavi
I know how it sounds, but explorers have found it by following the song! It says where to go, what to look for, everything you need to find the secret tunnel!
Tavi
We nomads are certain the passage exists, despite the tribulations around it. It’s supposed to be a rite of passage to find it yourself, so those who claim to have found it won’t disclose its location to others!
Luxinia
And does the song say how to get through it?
Tavi
Not exactly…
Nyx
Okay, let’s say we do find this fabled shortcut. If we spend too long looking for it, then won’t we lose time overall?
Tavi
It’s supposed to cut right through the mountains. Don’t you remember how long it took us to travel last time? We could shave off entire days with this!
Nyx
Days, huh… so we’d get back to finding Ozzy sooner?
Tavi
That’s right! The legend says everything about this passage is a puzzle, and I know the song is the key to finding it. There’s been tales of others succeeding, so it’s gotta be out there!
Nyx
Has there been proof of anyone actually making it through?
Tavi
Well, yes and no… I’ve met hikers who claim to have found it, but I didn’t exactly ask for evidence.
Nyx
Uh huh… so we’re not sure this shortcut even exists?
Baelia
I understand your concerns Nyx, but cutting through the mountains might be the only way to catch Ozzy.
Tavi
Exactly. It is a longshot, but it’s also our best chance at reaching Altador before Ozzy and Vira.
Tavi
Now, let’s all keep an eye out for the entrance. I’ll explain more of what to look out for while we walk.
Nyx
*sigh* If it helps us get to Ozzy faster then I’m willing to trust you on this. Let’s get going!
Chapter 8 – Pg 3
Prize
Received 1 plot point and the following item:
Tavis Travel ToiletriesSee Preview
Baelia
Nyx! I found him, Juni is over here.
Nyx
Thank you, Baelia! There you are Juni. Please don’t scare me like that again.
Baelia
He's kinda glowing and um, steaming though? Not sure if he usually does that sort of thing or…
Nyx
Juni? Buddy, are you okay?
Juni
*Eyes glowing with void energy as steam dissipates around him* Yip Yip!
Nyx
Through? Everything? What do you mean?
Juni
Yip Yip!
Tavi
What's going on?
Nyx
It sounds like Juni can see better than before.
Juni
Yip. Yip Yip. Yip Yip! Yip.
Nyx
I'm sorry, not just better, but through and around everything?
Juni
Yip! Yip Yip.
Nyx
Are you sure?
Baelia
What’s he saying?
Nyx
He thinks he sees a cavern leading deep into the Mountain. It must be the shortcut!
Chapter 8 – Pg 13
Prize
Received 1 plot point and the following item:
Mythic Mountain Pass BackgroundSee Preview
Baelia
Okay, now that we can see better are you up for making our way back to the rest of the group?
Luxinia
Yes…but how? I have no clue where we are.
Baelia
I’m not really sure…
Luxinia
I’m so sorry I got us in this mess!
Baelia
Hey now, don’t worry! I’m sure we’ll figure something out!
Styx
*Sudden zoomies* Bark!
Baelia
Why is he running in circles like that?
Styx
*Increasing zoomies* Bark! Bark!
Luxinia
I think he wants to lead the way?
Baelia
Well alright then. Let’s go!
Baelia
Tavi, oh thank goodness! I’m so glad we made it back to you!
Nyx
*cough* *cough*
Baelia
I’m, of course, happy we made it back to you and Juni as well!
Baelia
Wait, have you just been waiting where we left you this whole time?
Tavi
Of course! One of the biggest rules in spelunking is if you get separated from the group, stay where they last saw you!
Tavi
And it’s not like we could have gotten far in the pitch-black darkness you left us in…
Luxinia
I’m so sorry…I shouldn’t have run off like that.
Tavi
I suppose there’s not much to be said about it now.
Tavi
*sigh* I am happy you’re okay though. I was really scared something was wrong.
Baelia
Speaking of wrong! Why didn’t you tell us about monsters living in these tunnels?!
Tavi
I mean I suppose it’s always a possibility, but since the song never mentioned any I didn’t think to say anything about it.
Tavi
And with how hidden the entrance was I figured we wouldn't encounter anything bigger than a Batterfly.
Baelia
Whatever we saw were no petpets! We didn’t get a good look at them, but there are some sort of creatures in here with us, and they are big!
Tavi
Okay, no need to worry. Most things are more scared of us than we are of them. If we just stay together and have ample light we should be able to get out of here without any trouble.
Tavi
The lantern is definitely done for, but now that Lux is back, she can just make us up some more light and we-
Baelia
I can fix the lantern!
Tavi
But she can just– and you said–
Baelia
It’s fine. It won’t take long, and Luxinia should conserve her energy as much as she can.
Tavi
Okay, thanks B! It’s nice to see you so undaunted about crafting again.
Baelia
...yeah.
Luxinia
How do you plan on fixing it Baelia?
Baelia
It doesn’t seem like I can repair it, but I could craft the remains of the lantern into something new. If you’re okay with it, I should be able to make it run off of the low-light magic you naturally give off.
Baelia
You’d still conserve energy, and if I do this right, the lantern should be just as bright if not brighter than before.
Luxinia
That would be incredible! How do you know how to do such a thing?
Baelia
This sort of used to be my job…I learned it as an apprentice under the Crafting Faerie, Delina.
Luxinia
Really?! Delina's is considered one of the best crafters of Neopia! How did you end up working with her?
Baelia
Oh, um…I was assigned to work under her before I lost my wings.
Chapter 8 – Pg 18
Prize
Received 1 plot point and the following item:
Luxinias LanternSee Preview
Baelia
This should be able to run off even the slightest bit of light magic.
Luxinia
Baelia, I just wanted to say-
Baelia
If I made the adjustments correctly the lantern should grow brighter as time passes and it collects more of your power.
Luxinia
I think we should talk-
Baelia
You should also be able to concentrate the light to create beams like a flashlight, but be careful! I’m not sure how it would handle a high influx of power.
Luxinia
Please, Baelia-
Baelia
Let's not...okay?
Luxinia
O-okay...
Tavi
Don't beat yourself up about it, Lux. It's just a hard topic for her.
Luxinia
I just wanted to tell her that it's not true.
Tavi
She knows that, deep down. But after what she's been through...has been going through. It's hard for her, ya know?
Tavi
But hey, listen, I haven't seen her like this in a really long time. I don't know what you did back there, but it's made me beyond happy to see her crafting again.
Tavi
So thank you, for being there for her.
Luxinia
She was the one that was there for me...
Tavi
Okay I *breath* don’t think it’s *breath* chasing us anymore!
Baelia
*deep breath* What was that thing!!!
Luxinia
That… That couldn’t be Luperus! Could it?
Tavi
I always thought that was just a bedtime story to scare Chia’s into behaving!
Juni
*whimper*
Nyx
Shh, Juni. Everything’s okay for now, but we need to stay quiet!
Nyx
Wait, where’s the Doglefox?!
(...)
*Further back down the cavern*
Styx
*Bark!*
Luperus
Grrrr!
Chapter 8 – Pg 25
Prize
Received 1 plot point and the following item:
Luperus BobbleheadSee Preview
Tavi
Okay, I think I have an idea on how to solve this, just give me a moment to work it out.
Baelia
I trust you when it comes to puzzles Tavi, but this one must be ancient. Are you sure it will still work?
Luxinia
It looks broken to me… Maybe we should head back out?
Nyx
I don’t know… I am worried it might take more time to find a way through this door than it would around the mountain.
Juni
Yip?
Nyx
Hmmm maybe we could… Wait, do you hear that noise?
Luxinia
What noise?
Tavi
I only hear all of you yapping as I’m trying to think…
Baelia
Sorry Tavi! We’ll try to keep it down.
Nyx
Really? None of you can hear that?
Baelia
Maybe it’s Luperus? He doesn’t strike me as the quiet type.
Nyx
I don’t think so… it sounds almost rhythmic.
Juni
Yip yip!
Nyx
Mechanics that operate the door? I guess so, but they’d have to be really old wouldn’t they?
Juni
Yip yip yip yip yip!
Baelia
Is he okay?
Nyx
He’s better than okay, he’s ecstatic.
Juni
Yip yip!
Nyx
I’ll tell them, relax. He’s very… passionate, about the idea of ancient civilizations being able to construct rudimentary mechanics.
Baelia
Oh, how adorable.
Juni
Yip yip!
Tavi
Okay, despite all the racket… I think I have it all worked out.
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