There it was. Shining, brilliant, in a beam of light before me, hovering silently above the sacred altar—I had finally found it. Amagon. When Grand Wizard Franzen had explained my mission, spoken in the tongue of the ancients, I was unsure of what this word meant. But now, its meaning had made itself apparent to me.
Slowly, I extended my hand, reaching within the scintillating beam. This “Amagon” was now mine, becoming one with my own being. As I touched it, the light disappeared, and suddenly I became aware of the relics behind the altar. There stood a strange crystal box, raised upon a wooden pedestal. Before that, a small, grey chest lay on the ground.
As if guided by the spirits of the ancients, I felt my body begin what seemed to be some sort of ritual. Kneeling in front of the chest, I lifted the Amagon to my lips and gave two quick breaths along its edge—for what reason, I may never fully comprehend. The ritual continuing through me without my consent, I opened the chest’s lid, peering into the endless darkness within.
The shadows locked inside crept out, slowly engulfing my surroundings. What were these words I could faintly hear, whispered amongst the winds in the tongue of the ancients? A “game”? I was compelled to play. I felt my hands release the Amagon to the darkness, and, in doing so, I was transported to a strange, foreign world.
Beneath me, the entire ground seemed covered with a strange fur, enclosed on all sides by walls apparently covered with thin, flowering vines. Light poured in through a window on the left side, illuminating a scene similar to that which I had recently been taken from. The crystal box stood before me, now blazing with great radiance, displaying an odd depiction of a young man robed in pink. Archaic symbols beckoned me to “Push Start Button.” On the fur-covered ground lay an item tethered to the grey chest of shadows. Taking it into my hand, I pressed the “Start”….
The hour that proceeded from that moment was a dance with insanity. What meaning was intended by this “Amagon”? What purpose did it serve within the world of the ancients? My time spent “playing” it revealed no clues of its intentions, leaving me tired and confused only moments after beginning. Was this some sort of test? A method of determining those strong enough of will and mind to be undaunted by the horrors of the normal world? Perhaps it is better to allow rest for a relic whose meaning has been lost to the march of time.
But, I must complete my mission—for the sake of the Franzen, and for all of the GameCola Academy! I wish only that I could understand more, but the procession of runes struck out in vibrant colors appeared impossible to comprehend. Even with my education in the field of ancient symbols and artistry, these strange depictions escaped my mental grasp.
Considering the auditory characteristics of this ordeal, I am lead to believe my prior assertion that this must be a test of willpower. The horrendous screeches dispatched from the crystal box pierced to the very soul, and are certainly not intended for the ears of the average man, much less the weak of heart.
All the while, this “game” expects you to control the young man in pink. You must cause him to progress from left to right, avoiding certain runes while contacting others. This may seem a simple enough task from this description; however, the young man seems to rebel against your commands. Combined with the constant visual and auditory onslaught, this becomes quite a difficult endeavor, even with my prior training at the academy.
Upon completing my mission, I was awarded little explanation of the trial I had just suffered. After recovering from my stunned state, I found myself returned to my own world, kneeling before the relics behind the altar. How would I explain my findings? In my hands still remained the “Amagon”. Placing it in my pack, I stood and faced the entrance. I would have much time to consider my experiences on the long journey back home.
