Holowin special - Act IV - Adventuring Motivations – Started!
Successful in their previous fight and riddle-solving challenge, the four explorers noticed two paths in front of them in the new room they were now standing. They gave a quick look to the hourglass again and decided to allow themselves the short break they wanted to reward themselves with. The sat on the cold stone floor for a few moments, enjoying a few calm breaths after their more intense than expected exercise session. Eula, curious about the motivations of her Liyue allies, formulated such question to which Chongyun started answering : "We can have a long or a short answer, so I'll try to be somewhere in between. As you might be aware of, Liyue is the home of the Wangsheng funeral parlor and its famous director, a young woman named Hu Tao. Did you have the opportunity to meet her?
-I didn't have the opportunity to discuss with her much, but had the occasion to meet her during our last diplomatic meeting with the representatives of Liyue a few months ago. The least I can say, mentioned Lisa, is that she has a style that is clearly unique to her and that an unusual energy emanates from her.
-To keep it simple, continued Chongyun, this young woman possesses interesting and surprising abilities that allow her to make contact with the land of the dead, or usually more precisely the layer between that land and our world. At this time of the year, the veil gets thinner than usual between both worlds and communication is made easier between the land of the dead and our world, to borrow her words. I can say so myself also, due to my exorcism abilities. It's following such a contact within the veil between both words that Hu Tao came to Liyue Harbor's council to ask for further investigation. At that moment, both Ningguang and Keqing were unable to take part in such a time-consuming expedition and, for that reason, they came with a request to investigate Hu Tao's concerns. Expecting something potentially dangerous, I asked Xiangling if she would be interested in joining for the expedition.
-And here I am with you, continued Xiangling. We prepared for the expedition as soon as we were contacted by Ningguang and Hu Tao to have as much time as possible to investigate. We left Liyue Harbor as soon as we gathered all our equipment.
-Did Hu Tao mention anything unusual when she asked you to lead the investigation? Asked Lisa with an almost official voice tone. Considering her aptitudes, she might have discovered useful informations.
-We don't know much more than what Chongyun mentioned about this investigation. All we know is that we have to give our best to reach the end of this domain. She simply said she was asked if she could investigate this place.
-That doesn't surprise me coming from her, added the librarian. She's one who always finds out ways to come out with the most unexpected stories and theories... on which I however often find myself agreeing.
-You also mentioned you had something to tell us, reminded Eula, what secret is our librarian hiding from us?
-As you are likely aware of, I will usually be the one staying behind and not getting involved much into expeditions or action-related situations. I took part in my fair share of adventures and expeditions back when I joined the Knights of Favonius, but some time ago I decided to stay in the shadows. This time, when Mona came to us with her astrological observations and how she was able to pinpoint an accurate location like this one, it reminded me of an old witchcraft reference book I used to study when I got interested into my art. In that book, there are a few mentions of this domain... and I simply had to investigate it myself. I don't know exactly why, but my instinct strongly suggests I should be here rather than in my comfortable library.
-I'd be lying if I were to even suggest that such an opportunity doesn't fully justify your presence here, replied Eula with a smile. And for dragging me in this adventure, I'll get my revenge!
[Guoba, who remained quiet since the fight ended, was suddenly betrayed by its stomach growling.]
-Before we keep moving forward, would you like a snack? suggested Lisa as she heard Guoba's stomach. We might have to keep moving forward soon, but there's always a moment to fill our stomach. After all, there's a saying that we can't wage war on an empty stomach... so we'd better eat while we have the chance.
-Woung! commented the fallen panda god when he was offered a small meal prepared by Sara from Good Hunter."
The five explorers, of course counting Guoba as part of the team, enjoyed a small five-minute-almost-top-chrono-and-not-one-more-second-to-spare break to eat at least enough so they could venture forth without having to worry about hunger and thirst. They then got up as soon as they were done eating and, now facing a new decision about what path to follow, decided to enter the path on the left. The chamber they found themselves into after walking the short corridor they decided to follow was relatively wide with a few stones and interrupters spread across the chamber. It was clear to them that they would have to solve a new puzzle which, at least, didn't seem to be involving a battle mixed in... and long story short, it took around an hour and a half to solve said puzzle. First, they had to figure out the correct order in which to activate lever mechanisms as well as light up tiles on the floor. It took them a bit to notice a small diagram almost hidden behind a few small boulders that was giving exact and clear instructions as to the way to proceed to solve the puzzle. Once the correct sequence followed, a second area of the room opened up where they had to remember colors and shapes and activate corresponding buttons on a wider than a king-sized bed panel. During that part of the puzzle, Chongyun had the pleasure to be the unlucky sacrifice to keep pushing a wooden wheel used to feed power to the massive table containing all the buttons. Finally, as if it were not enough, the group had to take part in an accuracy shooting session for which they felt heavily penalized for not having a proper archer in their expedition party. Of course, they thought of Amber and Ganyu who would have filled the role perfectly, but they had to make do with their current team... It thus became, albeit it not being their intention, a rock throwing mini-game, thanks to a very large bucket of rocks conveniently sitting on the ground near them, where all the contestants did their best at hitting moving targets in a specific order without missing or hitting the wrong target once... and surprisingly, it was Lisa who first succeeded at the task, not without letting out a short complaint as her arm was feeling numb!
After that series of puzzles, they were granted access to the next room with their allowed time quickly escaping to the bottom part of the hourglass... They tried turning the hourglass upside down, curious to see the effect, but noticed the same phenomenon they could observe earlier : the glass core rotated to remain in its position and thus not disturb the flow of time. Inhabited by a certain feeling of haste, they rushed towards the next room, but Lisa placed her arm in front of them. She looked around her, visibly searching for something, while her allies gave her a confused look. Noticing that, she explained the reasons behind her actions: "Do you remember when I mentioned reading about this place in one of my witchcraft reference books? There is a hidden switch hidden nearby that will allow us to bypass the next challenge. It should allow us to save enough time to complete the domain in time.
-What happens if we cross the door? asked Chongyun out of curiosity.
-I don't possess the exact knowledge to that question, but I can assure you the door in front of us is trapped... answered Lisa. Our best option, unless we're out of time, is to find the secret mechanism hidden nearby.
-Do you know what it looks like? demanded Eula while looking around.
-According to the reference book, affirmed Lisa, there would be a stone brick different from the others on one of the walls near the door, and a switch hidden behind it. Do you see anything like that?
-I can't say I do, replied Chongyun, but I see electric wires covering the whole door frame here. I'm glad we followed your instructions. No wonder you insisted on coming along in this domain.
-I'm barely using the knowledge I have, mentioned the librarian in a humble voice. There are some benefits to being a bookworm after all.
-I think I found it! suddenly exclaimed Chongyun."
As the young man was saying those words, he started pulling the stone brick he considered different from the others which revealed, as expected, a small switch that was almost invisible. Due to both of his hands being occupied by the stone brick, the young exorcist asked his colleagues to activate the switch. A few seconds after, a multitude of enemies and traps were revealed in the room the group was opting to avoid, strengthening their decision to not face said challenge, and another small door slowly appeared a few steps from them. Knowing all too well that their time inside the Holowin domain was getting shorter and shorter, they almost rushed through that door, weapons in hand and ready to face any danger that could be lying ahead, and heard the door slowly close behind them as they found themselves in a totally dark room. This time, no dark-themed fire lanterns, no magical trace to bring some light into the darkness, not even a sound that could give them any clue as to where they just arrived... until a disembodied voice suddenly erupted from the other side of the room : "Time has come to see what you're capable of, adventurers... En garde!"
Holowin special - Act IV - Adventuring Motivations – Completed!