Arcanum(On Break)

Chapter 3 Nero(Part 1)

Aspen went closer and closer to the tree, but it seems like a being is forming near the tree. As he got closer, he heard a young voice and a wave of gloomy fog appeared. When the fog disappeared, a foggy being appeared in front of Aspen and tells Aspen to complete the rest of the tests so he can pass the ritual. Then Enkidu came rushing into Aspen, questioning how did Aspen get here so fast. Aspen shrugs and says I do not know.

The being silently stares at them and shortly after introduce itself as their "monitor". They look at each other and silently talking about if they can trust this thing. Then the entity said if you don't follow it then have fun getting lost in the garden that is changing every few secs. This means they either follow this entity or try to leave and get lost if this entity is really the "monitor".

So they follow the "monitor" into the hole under the tree and the fall seems to take a pretty long time. When they landed, surprisingly they didn't break their legs and the entity just continue down the dimly lit tunnel. So they continue to follow the entity and as they continue walking down this tunnel, they eventually entered a room. When they entered the room, their "monitor" disappeared and they were alone together again. So they first obverse the room, it seems like the room's walls, floors, and ceiling were flipped all over the area.

They stare at awe of how this room was built and well, how they do they get out of here since the way they entered is locked. They continue walking down this room and see there is no one here....except for them. Suddenly, they see a weird structure but the problem is it is on the ceiling and the path that leads to it......is funky. Well...there is nothing else to do here so why not try to go into that strange structure said, Aspen.

Enkidu sighed and said why not. So they went onto the path and somehow gravity is not working? So they continue walking down this path but as they walk, they hear a soft sound that is increasingly getting louder. All of a sudden, the path broke and Enkidu fell down and down into the Void. Aspen gasped as this happened so suddenly and didn't have time to save him. Aspen in shock just sat there for some time but soon he has to continue. As there is no point in weeping right now since he still has to get out of here.

    Aspen prays that Enkidu is in a better place now and continue on his merry way. He eventually got to the entrance of the strange building but then suddenly behind him, a wall appeared behind him so he can't back away. So he enters the weird building and he sees a puzzle in front of him. There was a sign saying this is the first part of the trial and since he is one of the contestants, he must finish this puzzle.

Aspen sighs and examines the puzzle to see what it is. It was a riddle puzzle, Aspen sighs even harder since riddles are kind of tricky. The words flashed in front of him, the first riddle was I am a box that holds keys without locks, yet my keys can unlock your deepest senses. What am I?. Aspen sweats as he thinks about what the riddle means and what is the answer. Hmmm it is a box with keys but no locks....thought Aspen. Aspen then said with a bit of doubt, is it a piano? The words flashed in front of him again and it says CORRECT.

The second riddle was: The more that there is of this, the less you see. What is it? Aspen almost instantly knew the answer and said it is darkness. And again, the words changed and said CORRECT. The third riddle was: What has roots as nobody sees, Is taller than trees, up up it goes, and yet it never grows. Aspen thought for a sec and took a guess: A tower? The words flashed WRONG. Aspen thought again, and this time answered Mountain? The Words flashed CORRECT.

A door appeared in front of him and when he went out, there was another path for him to walk on. The "monitor" then appeared in front of him and congrats for him as he passed his first trial. And now, he must proceed to the second trail. After saying this, the "monitor" disappeared again and Aspen was alone again.