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Part 3

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I handed the elixirs and potions inside the bag given earlier by Ed to Mimi. She slowly uncorked a few of the bottles and fed Popo while I took my rest a little further away. Leaving the couple alone, I must make my decision. Ed and Al had reminded me how much all the other players were hunting for me, even within their own guilds. It was nothing they could do to stop. To do so was to arouse suspicions amongst the members and some might challenge their authorities. In fact, the hottest topic within the whole Kingdom was regarding my whereabouts. Even though Ed and Al had helped me, they too did not know my exact location.

There was only one way in and one way out; using the > that was now in my possession. The problem was what do we do next?

Watching Mimi nursing Popo while Elly and Rose looked on, this was not my ideal way of playing NPO. I never thought that I could end up like this. But now was not the time for lamentation. Peering into the corner was a stone door that connected this place deeper into the tunnels towards the Tomb of the Ancient King and of course the Hall of the Forgotten Gods. And what awaited us there was another abomination of a challenge.

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a couple of loud coughs. Glancing at the direction, it seemed Popo had just awakened which brought much relief to all the girls, especially Mimi as she hugged him dearly. The two girls shed a couple of tears as I approached them.

“You are one tough rabbit, aren’t you?” Popo returned my gaze and he just smiled weakly. “It will take… more than some weaklings… to kill me…” Heh. So talk the rabbit that nearly died in their hands.

“Anyway, you will need to rest more before we could decide to journey on further.” With that, Popo slumped into a sleep but his breathing was much smoother now. His complexions had returned and dare I say he was on the road for recovery. The potions and elixirs were potent and it did not come cheap. As Ed told me, he had to dig deep into his guild’s inventory to search for a couple and then spend quite a number of golds to purchase a few more.

“You girls better rest too. We have a long journey ahead of us from now on.” Elly duly acknowledged and took her rest with Rose. The Alraune was too tired to do anything after exhausting herself back then. Mimi was next to rest once she finished changing Popo’s bandage. The scar across his face had sullied somewhat of his cute face but it was the indication that he had suffered much.

Since there was no need for any watch, I’d decided to explore a little of what lies ahead.

*****

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Part 4

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About half a day later, all of us gathered yet again. Popo was still weak though he could now walk with Mimi’s aid.

“You mean we have to face that same monster yet again?!” Elly was surprised by my decision. I gave a quiet nod.

“B-B-But we barely escape it the first time.” Though she was right, what lies the other way was no good either.

“We can’t stay here for long. Either we go in deeper or we go out and risk ourselves to be chased throughout the whole Kingdom for the rest of our lives. If we are not caught or dead first that is.”

“Ghost is right. This Kingdom and her allies have deserted us.” Mimi ear’s drooped as she turned her head towards the other exit that would lead us out of the cavern. With a shook of her head, she had made her decision to follow through with my suggestions.

“Blasted whoreson! I swear I should kill that pup when he was still weak! He is no fit to be a king!” Popo continued to curse. He had been like this since he first regained consciousness but I understood his predicaments well. Both of his and Mimi’s titles have been revoked and their fame were reduced though not severely as mine. Whatever they had worked hard for during their whole lives, they had just lost it altogether.

However, saving Elly was more important and there were no two ways about it. Though she might have a guilty conscience about what happened to us, we rather had her here amongst her friends rather than being sacrificed by the warmonger of a King.

“Besides, I had checked my quest. Since we had all the seven stones with us, I’m sure it would be better than last time. Right?” I reasoned out to them but I had yet to test the theory.

I only managed to reach a few steps away from the destroyed entrance before I alerted the God’s Wrath. Even though I could hazard a guess that it was still a few thousand feet away from me, once I place both of my feet outside within the giant hallways, its eyes lit up. And for the first time ever, cowardice was my only option. It pained me to say that this would not be the one and only time I would do this.

I took out all the seven keystones and placed it in the middle of the group. I was expecting it to glow or show some sort of reaction but who was I kidding. Nothing happened to my immediate dismay.

“Perhaps we need to bring it to the Hall of the Forgotten Old Gods. It was stated in the journal, right?”

Suddenly, I receive a quest message update notification. I opened it up and read the all words carefully.

The Rainbow Bridge

The Legend of High Asgardia that was found within the pages of Royal Scholar, Grand Master Yamir Adrain journal had led his student, Mimi to a definite conclusion. There were seven keys that would open a special gate towards the lost civilization found within the Hall of the Forgotten Old Gods. Find it and the Legend will live once more.

But beware, what awaits you will be the God’s Wrath themselves shall you prove yourself unworthy.

Quest Rank: Special Event

Time left: 00:13:29:47

Completion Requirements:

Elly, Rose, Popo and Mimi must be in the party at all times.

You have found all the keys.

Odin’s Wisdom

Frigga’s Warmth

Thor’s Might

Loki’s Trick

Idunn’s Love

Baldur’s Smile

Freyja’s Heart

Place all the keystones correctly upon the pedestal and the gate Rainbow Bridge, Bifrost will be opened for you.

Quest Reward:

Unspecified.

“So, we need to place it correctly on the pedestal?” Mimi rubbed her chin while in deep thought. We looked at her and since she was the expert archaeologist and the ex-Royal Scholar, she was our point of reference. Whatever we needed to do, most importantly we must never engage the God’s Wrath in any way. What gave me hope was that I had found all the seven keys far ahead of time and that might give us a little leeway.

“I’ll handle the pedestal and keystones with Elly.” Mimi glanced at Rose and then me. “I suppose you could take care of my husband?”

I chuckled a little. But Popo was not impressed.

“I’m not dead, yet! I’m still able to…” Despite his protest, Mimi cut him short with a whack on his head. “Do what I told you to do, you piece of a furball. Stop worrying me for once!”

Popo whimpered and went hiding behind my back. “Alright. To ease you up, I’ll take care of him. Rose will accompany you and Elly should anything arise. Is that agreeable?”

With a single nod from her, we took a little rest while gathering and supplying ourselves with whatever items and weapons that were not taken during our first time here. It did not take us long before we made our ways towards the Halls of the Forgotten Old Gods yet again.

*****