Doors, hearts and magic. Doors, hearts and magic. Doors, hearts and magic! Kamalia’s crimson eyes widened, incredulous, as pieces of the puzzle seemed to finally come into place on their own volition. The Alahean architecture, the arcane sorceries employed to eternalize the entire structure, the mysterious beating heart on the pedestal and the magically sealed doors! How could she have been so slow and stupid that she had not been able to unravel this mystery earlier on her own? For a moment, Kamalia was not sure whether to throw her arms around her kelvic bondmate or bang her head against the pavement. As the initial shock of this realization faded, the konti wizard nodded slowly.
Now that the story and symbolisms behind this game were now as bare as moonlight, the konti maiden planned to disclose her own discovery with Gromhir and Stitch as soon as they reunited. Kamalia well knew the horrifying reputation of the God of Puppetry and Manipulation, and the fate of those who earned his favor –and of course, those who fell out of it. Once a mortal Alahean wizard, the Puppeteer was undeniably resourceful, ruthlessly ambitious enough that he had struck the gods in their feeblest state as divine forces clashed in a colossal battle.
And when the Valterrian shook and scorched Mizahar, he grabbed the sliver of opportunity and stole the Heart of Aquiras, the God of Doors, eventually becoming a god himself through the ritual of apotheosis. Kamalia’s eyes glinted with delight at this discovery, and strangely enough, she was beginning to like the Game. Now, if her theories were correct, what did this Game have to do with Sagallius Hrin? Did the Puppeteer create this Game himself? Kamalia honestly doubted this, but she could not be certain. Her own heart thumped in excitement, but she felt the surge of fear swelling up in her throat. If a god turned against them, how can they ever defend themselves against its powers? It dawned on the konti wizard how small, how vulnerable they were in this castle.
Quitting was not an option however. She saw in Stitch’s eyes, blind though they were, the resolve and the conviction of someone who will do whatever it takes to win this game. That in itself was another puzzle to solve, and Kamalia’s frustration increased fourfold. What was she able to solve after all these rationalizing? Now was not the time to rationalize. It was time for action.
Carefully, methodically, Kamalia scanned the Questions Shop. There was nothing really impressive or truly bizarre inside the small building save for the three eggs that resembled those of a glassbeak and an ornate golden hammer. She inspected the plaque on the wall and studied the rules.
“Sweet Avalis,” breathed the konti wizard, eyes growing wide as she read Stitch’s name. Slender arm shaking, she slid a finger across the word “orphanage”, and remembered the happy faces of the three children at the Welcome Home whenever she taught them music. The Game had just answered one of her questions—for free, no less—but she did not like the answer. How can someone be so heartless to think of burning down an orphanage? What was this game all about? She did not want to believe it, and she forced herself not to.
Suddenly, the konti felt weary of intrigue. She would inquire Stitch about this matter later, and if she sensed that he lied, she would be forced to use her Sight to pry information from him. Kamalia breathed again in an attempt to appease her fears.
Eyes skimming over the three eggs again, the konti maiden held the inkpot in a tightly clenched fist as she debated what best to do. Apparently, breaking an egg would entail sinning. She was not exactly certain she wished to become a sinner so early in the Game.
No, there was a better way.
Kamalia rummaged her bag, took from it an opal bowl set in a silver holder engraved with runes and scenes honoring the Seer Goddess, and placed it on the tabletop. From her waterskin, she poured silvery liquid into the bowl. Perhaps Avalis had not abandoned her at all. Through her goddess, there will be no unobscured truths. She had faith that the Seer Mother will protect her. Graceful fingers fluttered above the bowl, and she waited for the waters to swirl and dance.
Closing her eyes, the seer chanted a Kontinese prayer to Avalis, the Oracle Mother. She needed not to ask questions. Avalis just had to read her daughter’s heart and she will show her the way.
After the divination session, no matter the results, she would take the bowl with her along two of the eggs, and leave the Questions Shop to regroup with the Team.
She almost stumbled upon Rhylen by the door. Not one to quickly trust humans, she sniffed indifferently, “It is alive, all right," she said coldly, "and Team Dawn is not our only opponent. Here, take one of these,” she gingerly handed an egg to Rhylen, “and hand it with utmost care. I shall confer with the group everything that I know. Let us go.”