Story
Chapter 10: The Shadow Over Altador
Vira and her army of shades commence their assault on the great city of Altador while Nyx and the gang finally exit the hidden passage.
Tavi
You know it? Can’t say I’ve seen anything like that during my travels.
Nyx
It attacked Juni and I, back when we were trapped in the Void. It almost… Well, let’s just say I have a score to settle with it.
Nyx
I didn’t think anyone else in Neopia even knew it existed…
Luxinia
Maybe someone else traveled to the Void and saw this creature?
Baelia
Or, the creature itself came to Neopia before?
Luxinia
There’s a scary thought…
Juni
Yip yip!
Tavi
Take a look here! There’s a plaque underneath it.
Nyx
Really? Let me see!
Tavi
Don’t get your hopes too high. It’s been battered by weather and time, so most of the lettering has worn off.
Nyx
Of course it has…
Baelia
Can you make out anything?
Tavi
Only bits and pieces here and there… Celestial Crest—where our weeping Gourmandizer blessed us—bodies and minds proved unfit to house beatific gift,
Tavi
forsaking the fallacies of the Great Feather—new purpose through preparations—mettle through the myriad of trials—may receive his boon upon his long awaited return.
Tavi
Anyone making sense of these fragments?
Nyx
Blessed? Beatific gift? This really doesn’t sound like the same guy Juni and I ran into.
Luxinia
Here, let me take a look.
Luxinia
Oh, it’s very old. Even older than those puzzles we solved. I can feel the dimmest trace of emotion surrounding this monument. A sense of… reverence?
Nyx
What? The people who used to live here admired that monster?
Tavi
Now that you mention it, the language on that plaque does sound like some kind of scripture.
Nyx
Someone revered that horror? I don’t buy it.
Juni
Yip yip yip yip.
Nyx
Why would it matter how long ago it came here? It’s still a monster.
Tavi
I still can’t believe you’ve seen it. I mean, what are the odds you and Juni end up here?
Juni
Yip yip?
Nyx
I don’t think it’s a coincidence either… those gems built into this place, that weird music, and now this… but it doesn’t matter what led us here.
Nyx
Altador is right there! I can’t wait any longer to make things right with Ozzy.
Tavi
I know time is of the essence, but this seems too big a discovery to just ignore!
Nyx
Don’t worry, after we save Ozzy, we can set up another campfire and talk this all out later over tea.
Tavi
At least let me get a frottage rubbing of it! After finally making it here, I need some sort of memento.
Nyx
Make it fast.
Tavi
On it! And I am taking you up on that fireside chat later.