Night Pavilion 2

[ Weicheng's POV ]

The fourth level of the Night Pavilion is called "Riddle or die".

Ancient legend has it that this level is a do or die. No one ever got the answers entirely. The riddle master is as strict as the ruler of any ruler. He will never allow anyone to get into this level and go to the top floor.

He is that, skillful.

He'll either kill him due to time or to the wrong answers, a failure to answer in a span of 30 seconds will guarantee them of being thrown to the windows.

The rule here is to answer the five riddles without any mistake. One wrong answer will default all their wins and will guarantee them of fail.

"We have 16 minutes left" Weicheng said in a manner where the pressure is already taking toll on them.

She breathed once to clear off her mind. She looked around and raise her voice "Let's start"

The heavy and deep voice that came from nothing sent shivers down their spine. He laughed in sinister.

"Ahem ahem," he started as he received a rolling of eyes from the challenger. "Welcome to the final round. You can either enjoy or die here."

Tae Hua smirked as he tried getting sarcastic "You probably be embarrassed after this round"

Eun jo stopped him as they just heard a sarcastic sneer in return. "Stop provoking him"

"You all should answer my riddles or I will kill you in a snap, and drag all your bodies to throw in a wild forest before the full moon even sets."

Weicheng couldn't hide her annoyance "Just give us the first riddle"

The lights started changing in different colors as if they were in a light show. "First riddle" they heard a nerve-wracking beat as it halted in seconds.

"The more you take. The more you leave behind. What am I?"

Nonchalantly, Eun Jo blurted out the answer "Fingerprints"

We looked at him, surprised; which he just shrugged in return. We clapped as we got the first ring of the bell that indicates we got the answer correctly.

"That's basically easy," he said proudly, "No one ever answered that wrong previously" laughing.

"Next" we listened carefully as the deep voice started. "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody but come alive with the wind. What am I?"

I heard the crickets as the timer started beating again, The place dropped to silence. Crickets. I said in my head as if analyzing. Crickets are far away from here, without a body or soul we can hear them. Loud and clear.

I was about to answer when Lady Suan Ming answered in behalf as if reading my mind, the clock ticks to its last seconds "an echo"

We waited for the ring to indicate we got it right. And it did as well as I breathed, we smiled at each other feeling relieved for a moment.

We have like 10 mins left before the last flower will appear and I can see the pain in Lady Suan Ming's eyes as if her soul is being taken away from her body. I saw the moon illuminating the room.

"What is the beginning of eternity and at the end of time, is in every race, but is always on the line?"

I closed my eyes and analyze each word. This is a word riddle.

"Letter E" I answered as we waited for a while.

We spew a deep sigh when the bell rang.

The voice immediately stutters to his next question.

" Some try to hide, some try to cheat, but time will show, we always will meet. Try as you might, to guess my name, I promise you'll know when you I do claim. Who am I?"

"Death." Tae Hua answered.

We heard the voice hissed in anger. As I try to hide my laughter. This man probably has the shortest temper.

" Only one color, but not one size, stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies; present in the sun, but not in the rain; doing no harm, and feeling no pain."

I can't believe this is a riddle. I have heard this before.

Tae Hua answered. "A shadow."

The bell rang again we were about to climb up the stairs, but the voice was suddenly enraged.

"Who told you I let you all pass?" He asked in a hoarse voice.

We only have 3 mins. And Lady Suan Ming is searing in pain.

"what do you mean? We answered all??" I replied, feeling exasperated.

He laughed as continued "this is the final riddle round. The last question is detrimental to your results."

Tae Hua and Ji wok holding Lady Suan Ming rolled their eyes and continued ascending. As we already answered all the questions they are not here to play. They are having inner conflicts because of the sudden rule changes.

"One more step or you'll end up all dead" The voice threatened. I saw Tae Hua take his sword out ready to attack when I stopped him in the middle of the stairs. I looked at him, his eyes are an abyss. I couldn't find him through his eyes so I closed mine and breathe.

"Please" I said which made his forehead crease "Let him finish the riddle and we'll act afterward. We have 2 minutes left"

The voice coughed and we separated, looking away. I can feel him smile wherever he is as if winning. I smirked. I can't let him win this the wrong way. We have to over-smart him.

I will never accept a defeat using this dirty method.

"I look flat, but I am deep, Hidden realms I shelter. Lives I take, but the food I offer. At times I am beautiful. I can be calm, angry, and turbulent. I have no heart, but offer pleasure as well as death. No man can own me, yet I encompass what all men must have."

he stopped for a moment and continued.

"What am I?"

I breathed deeply and imagine the words. I hear the clock ticking, I feel the searing pain of Lady suan ming. I was out of breath as I imagine the words, as if the letters are slowly mixing inside my head I closed my eyes.

All the emotions came rushing in as I imagined myself stuck beneath, unable to breathe.

I finally realized. That was the biggest fear.

I opened my eyes and saw them still thinking, I looked at them grinning. as I said the word.

"Ocean"

We have 15 seconds left.

"No need for congratulatory" I said.

I never hesitated and took Lady Suan Ming's arm and run off to the stairs until we reached the top floor. I heard the ring of the bell indicating that I got the answer right.

I heard the footsteps of the two following us. We all dropped into the ground upon seeing the most unreal thing.

When I opened my eyes. We are in the galaxy. Or whatever astronomy calls the star's habitat. We were surrounded by millions of stars.

"Are you enjoying the universe?" I heard the voice asked and the stars suddenly turned to ashes.

Illusion?

"Yes, it is an illusion"

"Suan Ming, you brought such distinguished guests" I didn't look around and checked Lady Suan Ming's arm.

We looked at the fire flower petal it slowly faded.

We made it. We made it to the top.