Chapter 1: Lotus Rises from Water

Wei tries to move through the smoke and seek out the Hiptite. With a swing of Kung Wu, Wei hopes to end the fight quickly.

Battle Music!

You swing blindly and hit some of the wooden furniture, which comes toppling down with a loud crash. Some of it must have fallen on the sorcerer, because you hear a sharp hiss from the man. You realize that recklessly swinging your sword around in this obscuring smoke is just as likely to hurt Rong Hua as take Atekhramun out. Not to mention, you may eventually succumb to its soporific effect.

What do you do?

The smoke swirls in the wake of someone passing, but you see no one there. A flutter makes you look down and see your shirt has been slashed - you've been attacked with a knife but your armor has turned the blade away!

"Who sent you?" Atekhramun hisses. The voice seems to come from inside your head. "What do you want?"

Iko, Xian Feng, and Wu Meng

"I am Dae-Won of the Explorer's Guild," the elf explains to Wu Meng. "Your friends agreed to perform a task for the Guildmaster, down by the ferry dock. Completion of this task will save lives. But if there is a girl to be rescued from slavery, then let us get to it. If your friend Wei is headed there, then I expect my brother, Sungyeol, will be there to aid us as well."

The crashing furniture rouses Rong Hua, but she is still lying on the floor where the smoke is thickest, and she has to fight to stay conscious. It sounds like Atekhramun is fighting someone, but you don't know who.

What do you do, Rong Hua?

Rong Hua

It's difficult to think straight. You wonder what's become of Mei. Fight, or flee? You realize that if you choose to fight, you're going to have to get rid of this smoke somehow. But how? You can't even see!

What do you do?

Zhang Wei

As the smoke begins to thin, you can just make out Rong Hua, but not the sorcerer. But his voice is still in your head, "Before I kill you, answer me. Did someone send you, or are you a common thief who picked the wrong man to rob?"

Battle Music!

Zhang Wei
"She's your woman, is she?" the sorcerer's voice echoes in your head. You're unsure if Rong Hua can hear it too. As you slash the tent, more and more of the smoke clears, and you can now see your beloved, but not the Hiptite. As the green smoke wafts outside, people begin to notice. There are cries of alarm, and some shouts of "Fire!" What do you do?

Rong HuaYou are correct, there can be no negotiating with the sorcerer now. You will have to kill or subdue him to find Xin's girl. But you don't see Mei, and you don't see Atekhramun. Suddenly, something unseen grabs you by the hair and begins pulling you away. It's strong, and it's invisible. What do you do?