Raven AU Volume 1 week 2 day 5
Leaderboard:
1st place: Verko-7 lives, 6 rings
2nd place: Aljos-7 lives, 4 rings
3rd place: Kylam-6 lives, 4 rings
This was it; it was day 5 of the quest now. The final 3 for this week had all eaten breakfast and were now doing other activities. Kylam was carving something and Aljos and Verko were arm wrestling just for fun. They were all determined to do well today even though one of them would have to join Camod, Brakor, and Maglev on the long road home.
Raven got the warriors' attention. "Warriors, once today's challenges are complete, one more of you will leave while the other two will be transported to the next stage of the quest. Do you feel you have what it takes to make it that far?"
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Verko: I really want to get to the final stage of the quest. I think I do have what it takes since I've been near the top of the leaderboard all week despite a few failures
Aljos: I am a bit nervous about keeping myself in second place but I think I can make it to the final round.
Kylam: I'm a whole life behind Aljos right now but I think I can get ahead of her and not start last in the Last Stand.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
"Warriors, these challenges today are the toughest you will face in this round and should you lose focus on the task at hand, you may find yourself at a disadvantage in The Last Stand." Raven reminded them. "Kylam, you are currently in last place. Can you perhaps climb out of it and not fall further down? We shall see. Come my friends; our first challenge beckons."
The warriors immediately got up and followed Raven, wondering just how hard the day 5 challenges were.
Soon enough they could see what looked to be scattered pieces of statues on the ground and the warriors listened closely to the explanation of the challenge.
"Many generations of warriors have fought evil with some paying the ultimate price and some suffering fates even worse than that such as these Stone Soldiers, turned into mere statues. That is not to say that they still can not be of help." Raven said. "Rebuild these soldiers, and their latent energy will destroy the demons in front of you so that you may continue safely. The first warrior to do this will receive two gold rings, the second will gain a single ring but be warned that whoever is left behind will be taken by the remaining demon. Are you ready?"
"Ready!" All 3 warriors answered.
"Then let the challenge begin!" Raven left them to it after saying these words.
Verko would build the soldier on the left, Aljos would build the one in the middle and Kylam would build the one on the right. All 3 warriors quickly began searching for the bottom piece of their respective soldiers. Kylam found it first but had trouble finding out how to fit it in properly, giving Aljos and Verko the opportunity to pull ahead. Both cousins were soon ahead of their male competitor and had each gotten two pieces fitted together properly.
Kylam was soon catching up though and now was neck in neck with the two girls. Then Aljos pulled ahead, having put the 4 pieces of the soldier's body together before putting it's head on and sliding a weapon into its hands and running to safety.
Verko, Kylam, you must hurry! Raven reminded them telepathically.
The brown haired sun emblem bearing warrior soon had gotten a tiny bit ahead of Kylam, sliding the head of her soldier on and only having a little trouble sliding the weapon into it's hand and getting to safety.
Kylam was just putting on the last piece of his soldier's body when he disappeared. Now the demons were no longer a threat.
Both cousins stood by the standards as they were addressed.
"It seems Kylam's misfortune was your good fortune. Aljos, you gained two rings. Verko, you gained one ring. Place them on your standards with pride." Raven said. Once both girls had done so, their competitor was brought back. "Kylam, you fell a little bit behind giving your opponents the opportunity for an easy win. I have brought you back but at the cost of a life."
Kylam looked disappointed. Would he ever be able to catch up to the girls?
"Come my friends; our next challenge awaits and we must meet it." Raven said, leading them away.
Leaderboard:
1st place: Verko-7 lives, 7 rings
2nd place: Aljos-7 lives, 6 rings
3rd place: Kylam-5 lives, 4 rings
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Verko: I was surprised when Aljos finished before I did. I am so glad we both beat Kylam though.
Aljos: I'm really surprised with my performance there but I am happy I got two rings in Stone Soldiers.
Kylam: I'm not very good with puzzles so I didn't do very well. Hopefully I can do much better in the next challenge.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
The warriors could now see the High Walk and Aljos looked the most nervous about it.
"Some rings are often found in hard to reach places as you have seen previously. That will prove the case again here at the High Walk. You must climb to the beam and then cross it, gathering the rings along the way. Should you fail to complete the challenge, you will lose a life." Raven said. "Verko, you have shown great courage before. You will go first."
Verko was soon tethered and had a helmet on. She was ready to climb and confident.
"Verko, are you ready?" Raven asked her.
"Ready!" She shouted.
"Then let the challenge begin!" He declared.
Verko began climbing the tree slowly, carefully grabbing the handholds and placing her feet on the footholds expertly. She was in her element here and had no trouble at all with the climb. When she got to the beginning of the beam, the sun emblem bearing warrior carefully balanced as she got to the first ring and put it in the bag she had attached to her. Then she made her way over to the small teeter totter and got over it as she collected the next two rings, also slipping them into the bag. Just one more to go, she thought, smiling widely as she continued her walk across the beam and grabbed the fourth ring. She slipped it into the bag with the others and then made her way over to the handprint and touched her hand against it, transporting her to the front of her standard.
Soon Aljos had come up to take her turn, tethered and wearing a helmet.
"Aljos, you will fall further behind Verko if you do not complete this challenge. Are you ready?" Raven asked her.
"Ready!" She replied, trying to sound confident.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
The wave emblem bearing warrior started to climb, just as slowly as her cousin had. Aljos was trying to keep her fear at bay as she made the ascent. It was really hard though. When she actually got onto the beam, she couldn't bring herself to start moving across it. "Oh, no this is way too high." She shuddered, nearly losing her balance.
Raven noticed after a few moments that Aljos didn't seem to want to move anymore and was practically clinging to the tree behind her and crying. "Aljos, are you sure you wish to continue in this challenge?" Raven called up to her.
The black haired girl simply shook her head no. She was disappointed that she could not make it across the beam but she really didn't want to be up there anymore.
"Do not worry, I will bring you down." The warlord used his Staff of Power to bring the frightened warrior back to the ground.
Aljos had tears in her eyes when she was brought down and reminded that she would now be losing a life. Now the only boy left would have a chance to catch up.
Kylam was soon standing in Aljos' place, tethered and wearing a helmet. Having heard that she failed did make him a little nervous but he was sure he would be able to complete the challenge.
"Kylam, one warrior has succeeded here and one has failed. Which camp will you fall in?" Raven asked the teenage boy. "Are you ready?"
"Ready!" Kylam answered.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
As soon as he heard Raven say that, Kylam started his climb. He was up the tree faster than the cousins due to his height although he was being careful since he did not want to fall further behind. Once he got to the beam, he began carefully walking across it and then grabbed the first ring and slipped it into a small bag. He then carefully got over the teeter totter and got the next two rings which were tied together, slipping them into that same bag. Now he had just one more ring to go; could he get it?
Kylam was soon off the teeter totter and onto the flat part of the beam again. He grabbed the final ring and slid it into his bag before going over to the handprint and touching it, transporting himself to the standards where Verko and Aljos were also standing.
Now Raven had returned to the 3 warriors and addressed them. "Warriors, all of you showed courage in very different ways in that challenge. Verko, Kylam, place your rings on your standards. Verko, you have earned enough rings to exchange for a life. Congratulations" Once the two winning warriors had done this, he used his Staff of Power to remove 9 rings from Verko's standard and add a feather to it. Then he addressed Aljos. "Aljos, you must now lose a life."
The wave emblem bearing warrior looked up sadly as a life was removed from her standard. At least she had not fallen behind Kylam.
"Do not be disheartened, my young friend; the fact that you were able to show enough courage to at least make the climb is still something you should be proud of. Perhaps success might occur for you in our next challenge. This way warriors." Raven soon led the warriors away once more.
Leaderboard:
1st place: Verko-8 lives, 2 rings
2nd place: Aljos-6 lives, 6 rings
3rd place: Kylam-5 lives, 8 rings
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Verko: The High Walk has been my favorite challenge so far today even though it was a little bit difficult. I'm really happy to still be in first place and miles ahead of everyone as a result of winning.
Aljos: When I got to the beam, my fear got the better of me and I couldn't move. I'm disappointed that I just couldn't make myself complete the High Walk but I'm hoping to do well in the next challenge.
Kylam: When I heard Aljos had failed, I did feel sorry for her but at the same time I was determined to succeed myself and now I only need one more ring to win back a life.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
The warriors could now see the Tree Rock and seemed to realize that it would not be easy to climb it even if it was not very high compared to other places they had to climb to.
"This challenge may be similar to Loch Leap but do not think that it will be easy. You must climb the rock face without falling into the water or touching the demon that stands guard for if you do either of those two things, you will lose a life. There are 4 rings total to collect if you are able to do so." Raven said. "Verko, you have shown yourself to be excellent at climbing carefully. You will go first."
Verko soon had a helmet and lifejacket on, and was looking determined.
"Remember Verko, your lead will be reduced if you fail this challenge. Are you ready?" Raven asked the American girl.
"Ready!" She answered.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
Verko managed to get the first ring and then carefully climbed alongside the rock, going a bit lower and getting a bit soaked when she was going past the demon. Fortunately she avoided him and was soon up to where she had to jump to get the other rings. Like in Loch Leap, she decided to just try for one ring. She jumped up and grabbed the single ring as she splashed down into the water. She soon emerged, feeling very happy with herself.
Now it was Aljos' turn to wear a helmet and lifejacket and attempt this climb. She was determined to make up for failing the last challenge and do as well as she could here.
"Aljos, are you ready?" Raven asked her.
"Ready!" She shouted as loudly as she could.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
Once she heard her guide say that, Aljos wasted no time in getting the first ring and then making her sideways climb. She was glad she wouldn't have to go very high again and was completely focused on the task at hand. She made it past the demon and then up to where she had to jump for the other rings. Like Verko, she decided to go for one more ring only and successfully got it. She grinned as she went over to wait with her cousin for Kylam to take his turn.
Now Kylam had a helmet and lifejacket on and he was hoping to do better than both cousins.
"Kylam, your fellow warriors each gained 2 rings. Will you match or better that score?" Raven asked the teenage boy. "Are you ready?"
"Ready!" Kylam answered.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
Kylam had no trouble at all with the challenge and managed to get all 4 rings. He was happy with himself for doing well even if he was still a bit behind the two remaining girls in the placings. It helped that he had kept in mind that his height would be a slight disadvantage when it came to passing the demon. Now he stood with the cousins by the standards, smiling at his success.
"Warriors, you have all met with success here. Place your rings on your standards." Raven said to them. "Kylam, you now have enough rings to exchange for a life. Congratulations."
Kylam grinned; the gap between himself and Aljos was not narrowing but still, this was a great victory.
"Now my friends, we must meet a more difficult water based challenge. Come." The warlord led his 3 charges away and they followed him.
Leaderboard:
1st place: Verko-8 lives, 4 rings
2nd place: Aljos-6 lives, 8 rings
3rd place: Kylam-6 lives, 2 rings
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Verko: Tree Rock was not that intimidating since I had an idea of how to find good places to put my hands and feet.
Aljos: I'm happy I did well in Tree Rock because now I need only one more ring to win back a life.
Kylam: I am disappointed that I am still in last place but I am not giving up since there is only one more challenge before the Last Stand.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
The warriors had now come to Dead Man's Gorge, their second to last challenge of the day and they looked a little nervous about it but not too much.
"This is Dead Man's Gorge, a challenge that has seen many successes and failures in past quests. You must surrender yourself to the current to land in the pool below but beware for a demon stands guard over this location. To distract him, you must gather at least one gold ring available by taking flight and leaping into the water but if you miss that ring, there are others available to collect. Fail to collect any rings and you will lose a life." Raven explained. "Verko, as you still lead this band, you must once again go first."
Verko once again had a helmet and lifejacket on and seemed aware that she would keep her lead regardless of what happened but she did not want her lead to decrease either.
"Verko, you must get at least one ring in order to avoid being taken by the demon. Are you ready?" Raven asked her.
"Ready!" She shouted.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
As soon as she heard that, Verko jumped for the first ring and got it. She tried to grab the other rings as she was carried downstream but was not quite successful. Still, she did get past the demon and her lives were preserved and that was something to be proud of.
Now Aljos was up and had a lifejacket and helmet on, ready and just as determined as her cousin had been as she pushed any distracting thoughts aside.
"Aljos, are you ready?" Raven asked her, having sensed that she was slightly nervous about being able to reach the rings.
"Ready!" She shouted in reply, trying to sound determined.
"Then let the challenge begin!" Her guide declared.
Aljos did miss the first ring but managed to reach up and get two more as she was carried downstream, much to her relief. She was just glad to win back a life and that she would be starting second in the Last Stand regardless of how well or poorly Kylam did.
Now Kylam was up after getting a helmet and lifejacket on. He was not sure how he would do here since this challenge was probably more difficult than it looked.
"Kylam, are you ready?" Raven asked the teenager.
"Ready!" Kylam answered.
"Then let the challenge begin!"
As soon as he heard Raven say those words, Kylam jumped in. He had gotten the first ring but dropped it and unfortunately could not get the other ones, causing him to be taken by the demon.
Raven went over to the address the two cousins. "Verko, Aljos, that was quite a difficult challenge yet you both had success here. Place your prizes on your standards.
Both girls did so, glad that they would keep their positions.
"Aljos, you now have enough rings to exchange for a life. Congratulations." Raven said before using his Staff of Power to remove 9 rings from the preteen girl's standard and add a feather back to it. "Now for your comrade."
Kylam was looking disappointed in himself when he was brought back. He could have done a lot better in that challenge.
"Kylam, victory slipped out of your grasp very quickly despite your best efforts. As such, you must now lose a life." Raven said, removing a feather from the mountain emblem bearing warrior's standard. "Come my friends; our final challenge of this day awaits us."
The 3 warriors followed their guide wondering how they would do in the final challenge of this week.
Leaderboard:
1st place: Verko-8 lives, 5 rings
2nd place: Aljos-7 lives, 1 ring
3rd place: Kylam-5 lives, 2 rings
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Verko: The water in Dead Man's Gorge was really cold so I think that was the reason why I didn't get more than one ring.
Aljos: I am very happy I got a life back and that I did not fall behind Kylam.
Kylam: When I failed to get the rings, I was devastated since I know I can do better and hopefully I will do so in the Last Stand.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
The final 3 warriors of this week were remembering tales of tournaments past and wondering how well they would do in the Last Stand upon coming to it.
"This is the Last Stand, an unwelcoming place and a place in which you must rely on yourselves to have a chance of completing it and going through the portal to the next stage of the quest. You will not only be racing your fellow warriors, you will also come face to face with Nevar, the enemy of all that is good and true." Raven informed them.
Nevar had now appeared on top of the portal and attempted to fire at the warriors but missed.
"You see now what he has in store for you. To protect you from Nevar's wrath, you will each be armed with a shield which can be used to reflect his attacks onto the demons that will be placed before you. Keep in mind that once two of you have entered the portal, the remaining warrior's shield will disappear and he will be left at Nevar's mercy." Raven continued.
Aljos was now standing in the middle starting cage with Verko in the cage on the left and Kylam in the one on the right. This was going to be exciting to say the least.
"Warriors, your lives and rings are of utmost importance here. Verko, you have 8 lives and 5 rings and will have quite a head start over Aljos, who has 7 lives and 1 ring. Kylam, you will be last to start as you have only 5 lives and 2 rings. Warriors, are you ready?" Raven asked them.
"Ready!" All 3 of them shouted.
"Then may the luck of the Raven's Eye be with you. Let the challenge begin!" He declared, using his staff to release Verko.
The sun emblem bearing warrior wasted no time in going over the ramps and collecting the pieces needed to make the path to her shield. Soon Aljos was released but Verko was already starting to build her path fast. Kylam would have quite a ways to go if he hoped to catch up.
Both girls focused on the task at hand, even as Kylam was released and raced to catch up. Aljos was starting to have trouble finding out which piece went where but Verko had no trouble at all, finishing her path and grabbing her shield and the first two tokens to slot them in place. The brown haired warrior held up her shield to deflect Nevar's blast to the demon in front of her, destroying it. She then got herself to the crawl through section and continued going, not thinking of anything but making it to the portal.
Aljos now had her path completed and her own shield but Kylam was also in the same position and both were neck in neck. The two destroyed the demons in front of them by reflecting Nevar's blast just as Verko had done but when Kylam jumped down from the path, he fell and moaned in pain. He had somehow twisted his ankle and dropped his shield due to jumping wrong in his haste to get ahead. He did try to get said shield anyway as Aljos took advantage to get ahead.
Verko had the next two tokens and had destroyed the next demon and was now battering the walls down. Aljos caught up quickly though, also now at that section. Kylam got himself to the crawl through section, trying to ignore the pain from his injured right ankle.
The girls remained ahead though, both having busted down the walls and the doors and destroying the demons in front of them. Verko was slightly ahead though and ran through the portal first as she held her shield up. Aljos then did the same, surprised that Kylam's misfortune had become her good fortune as he was left to be blasted by Nevar.
"So it is Verko and Aljos who will join Myrves and Jameth in moving on to the next stage of the quest but let us not forget Kylam, their unfortunate comrade." Raven said before using his Staff of Power to bring back the teenage boy. "Kylam, do not be ashamed of your failure here. Though your quest is now at an end, you can be proud of all of your accomplishments as you turn your head homeward. I will take the first steps with you and consider it an honor to do so." Raven said to the mountain emblem bearing warrior.
"Thank you." Kylam replied. Then he began walking with Raven, having to lean on the latter due to his injury though of course that was not a big deal. He would recover from that injury after all and he did not seem that upset about not making it to the final round.
(Raven's Eye confessional)
Kylam: I did not think that I would wind up in third place but I am glad that I made it as far as I have. I enjoyed my time on Raven and I wish Aljos and Verko the best of luck.
(End Raven's Eye confessional)
Next time on Raven:
Six new warriors must now face each other
Who will fall off in Long Staff
Defeat the Demon Army
Make the Loch Leap
And douse the Burning Battlements?
