Welcome back to Uncharted: Beyond Realms. Last time, while just trying to enjoy a nice dinner at an upscale alehouse, Nathan Drake is yet again dragged into the crosshairs of madness as Malefor's followers, the Malefic Order, take over the restaurant. But thankfully for Nate, who of course has to play the hero, he's not alone. Spyro and Cynder were at the same restaurant. And not by coincidence either, they were looking for Nate and company, seeking the pendants they have. But... why? What is happening here? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes not at the restaurant, considering that's an active crime scene now, but instead, at a fairly imposing structure of obsidian stones, surrounded by crystal fields. Yes, we're in Concurrent Skies, and within, we find the Malefic Order members arrested at the Gilded Dragonfly Alehouse being tossed into a cell, all but one that is. That unlucky soul is brought to an interrogation room, and shortly behind them: Spyro, Cynder, Nathan Drake, Elena, and Sully)
Nathan Drake: Well this place is... spooky.
Spyro: The vibe really works when trying to get people to talk. Or so they say.
Cynder: Trust me, it works. (Looks back at the Malefic Order Rifleman they just arrested) If you need me, I'll be interrogating this creep.
Spyro: No worries, I'll catch these three up on our pendant predicament.
Cynder: Good. I'll rejoin you later then.
(And with that, Cynder heads off to do her job, and within a few minutes, Spyro, Nathan Drake, Elena, and Sully are in a side room with a map spread out on a table)
Sully: So, you said there's something to these little trinkets?
Spyro: Well, we think there is. We're unsure to be honest.
Nathan Drake: What do you mean?
Spyro: It started a few days ago, with the death of Terrador, the last of our Guardians.
Elena: I heard about that in the news, terribly sorry for your loss.
Spyro: Yeah, he was like a second father to me. Second only to Ignitus, who I later found out was my father. But, getting back to the point, Terrador told us before he died that there was a story behind these pendants, and that's why Ignitus entrusted this one to me. He, Volteer, and Cyril who predeceased him were entrusted with pendants just like this one.
Nathan Drake: The same ones we have now for some reason.
Spyro: They were looted from the Swamp Temple the night of the Raid. Ever since they retired Terrador and company tried to track them down. They never did and we presumed them lost. Until tonight, when they turned up around your necks.
Elena: But... why are they so important?
Spyro: That's the part we've been trying to figure out. Terrador said it was in reference to a scroll he carried, and willed to Cynder, his daughter, upon his death. (Picks a scroll up off the table) And this is where the mystery begins. He told us the text was explicitly talking about these pendants. But for the life of us we can't figure out what the hell it means.
Nathan Drake: Well... what's it say?
Spyro: (A little suspicious) Why do you want to know?
Nathan Drake: If these are what those Malefic Order guys were after, we need to figure this out.
Spyro: I can't involve you guys, your civilians.
Sully: Technically, so are you, being a farmer rather than a cop.
Spyro: (Thinks it over) Touche. In that case, take a look. Just don't wreck the scroll, it's thousands of years old.
(With that, Nathan Drake carefully unfurls the old parchment, and reads on it what seems like a riddle. It reads in this fashion:)
"Cross the Realms the mystic signs unfold.
We seven shall lead the way to magics untold.
Four of us are held in elemental might.
Three of us hidden farthest from the light.
Seek the first in city's tomb
The second, within the nightmare's womb
The last, found upon savior's land
Will put the Ancestors' power in hand."
Nathan Drake: (Having finished reading that) You're right, that is pretty weird. But... I think I've got it.
Spyro: (Bewildered) You figured it out that quickly?
Nathan Drake: Not all of it, but at least enough to figure out what to do next. It's clear that if this is talking about the pendants, then there's seven of them in total. The Guardians were entrusted with four, and three were hidden somewhere. Where they are though, I'm still figuring out.
Spyro: We've been working on that thing for nearly a year, and you figured out more than we did in two seconds!
(But before Nathan Drake can respond, Cynder re-enters the room)
Cynder: He won't talk. Stubborn bastard.
Spyro: We'll get intel out of him later. It looks like Nathan here has cracked the scroll
Cynder: Really?
Nathan Drake: At least enough to know there's three more pendants out there. And if I had to guess, this scroll tells us exactly where to find them.
Cynder: I've had my best investigators working that thing for a year. And you've already gotten more out of it than any one of them. (Thinks about it) Have you done this before?
Nathan Drake: (Remembers his past adventures with El Dorado, Shambhala, and Iram of the Pillars) You could say that.
Cynder: Normally, I'd be against putting a bunch of civilians on this. But... I'm willing to let you in on this.
Nathan Drake: (Thinking about it) I'd love to, but...
Elena: (Rolling her eyes playfully at this) Come on, Nate. We both know you're already dying to be part of this.
Nathan Drake: But I promised there'd be no madness on this vacation.
Elena: We both knew it wouldn't be long before something found us. Go for it.
Nathan Drake: (With a sigh) Alright, we're in.
Cynder: Good. Then let's get to work.
(And as the team forms up to study the scroll, our tale ends for today)
And that looks like a good spot to leave off for now. So, looks like Nathan Drake can't catch a break, even on vacation! And he's managed to find himself another treasure hunt. But what are they hunting for exactly? All we know is it's likely some immense power. So where is this scroll going to lead? Tune in next time to start finding out! Same time... same channel!