Scene 4 - Hebe's puzzle (1)

A luminous notification appeared in front of us, signaling that we had passed a crucial milestone in our quest. 

[Congratulations, you've unlocked the next part of the clue ~It's time to defuse the bomb!]

The text dissipated, giving way to a secondary riddle, glimmering with a mystical aura. Its words danced before our eyes, inviting us to plunge into a new trial.

[Secondary puzzle: -The heavenly feast-

Explanation: In 15 minutes, the gods of Olympus will proceed with the celestial feast. 

If you want to take part, you'll need to be in the presence of a relative (god).

To do so, place yourself next to the god who best represents your parents.

Time: 50 minutes

Rule: Don't choose your parent (god) without thinking! After this step, you'll be given a test to verify the veracity of your choice.

Solve the mystery: 3,200 coins won, ???

Failure: Refusal to participate in the celestial feast].

Edano raised a pertinent question, as usual, about the discrepancy between the announced start of the celestial feast and the time limit of the secondary puzzle. I took a moment to reflect on his remark, trying to understand the link between the two pieces of information.

After a moment's thought, an idea occurred to me. "I think this secondary riddle is not an obligation, but rather an opportunity based on the clue we've unlocked. They both seem to have the same time limit for some reason," I explained aloud, sharing my thoughts with the group.

Edano fixed me with an inquisitive look. "Is this what you're after?" he asked, probing my motives.

I offered him a wry smile. "Not exactly, but this riddle intrigues me. I think there's more to discover than what seems obvious at first glance," I replied, knowing that we still had much to learn about the mysteries surrounding our situation.

This secondary riddle sounded like a challenge from ancient times, a test worthy of the greatest heroes. We knew that solving this riddle would bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal: defusing the bomb and saving our lives.

Saé's words opened up an intriguing perspective on the rest of the riddle. 

"As I recall, at the celestial feast the dish of the Olympian gods consisted of nectar and ambrosia. These dishes are reputed to confer immortality on the deities, so if we can partake and eat them, it could make us invulnerable to harm!"

The correlation between this information and the riddle at hand was undeniable: perhaps the solution lay in eating these divine foods, making us invulnerable to damage.

A shiver of excitement ran through the group at this revelation. Perhaps we had finally found the key to solving the enigma that had been set before us. "That would explain the question marks in the potential rewards," I added, realizing that the mysteries of this riddle were gradually unfolding.

"I agree, this is a chance not to be missed," Saé declared, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "This is our best opportunity to protect ourselves and make progress in this enigma."

"So, what are we waiting for?" asked Edano, a confident smile stretching his lips. "Let's get that nectar and ambrosia and show these gods that we're up to their challenge!"

This unanimous decision filled us with determination. We were ready to take on this new challenge and discover what the mysteries of this enigma had in store for us.

[You've just accepted the secondary puzzle!]

We entered a dining room, its former splendor now veiled by time and neglect. The walls, once adorned with flamboyant frescoes, were now dull and cracked, testifying to the decrepitude of the premises. At the center of the room sat a large solid wood table, covered with a faded tablecloth.

On this table, an abundance of colorful fruit was carefully arranged, forming an appetizing rainbow and contrasting with the ambient gloom. Red apples, juicy pears, sweet grapes and bright oranges brightened the space with their vivid colors. Scattered alongside these natural delights were cards from the famous Ultimate Bounty Hunter game, adding a modern touch to the old-fashioned decor.

Edano asked, "Do you know those cards over there on the table? They look rather intriguing."

"Ah, yes, of course. They're cards from the famous video game 'Ultimate Bounty Hunter'. In that game, there were several paths to take. The combination of paths led to a different ending for each player. The aim, of course, was to find the path to the treasure. But as far as I remember, nobody ever found it."

Saé then intervened in our discussion. "Wait, I think someone claimed to have found it, but they could never prove it. I heard it was a 12-year-old kid." 

True, I'd forgotten about that rumor. At the time, it was the talk of the town. In my case, I'd finally given up.

"Yes, that's right. It was a fairly old game, but it's come back into fashion recently because some people are selling cards that are now rare."

Opposite the table, twelve majestic chairs were arranged in a semicircle, each adorned with a god from Olympus. In front of these seats, symbolic objects represented mythological deities. These artifacts almost seemed to pulsate with ancient energy, testifying to the power and grandeur of the gods.

However, despite this impressive display, a heavy atmosphere reigned in the room, as if the passage of time had left its mark on these places steeped in history and mystery.

Edano broke the silence with a question. "Okay, but where are these gods in all this?"

I thought for a moment, realizing that we had to rely solely on the objects that represented them to locate them. The problem was that our knowledge of Greek mythology wasn't very extensive.

After a brief discussion, we decided to adopt a methodical approach. By carefully observing the objects on the table, we easily identified Zeus, represented by a lightning bolt, Poseidon with his trident, Dionysus holding a cup of wine, Apollo with a lyre, and Artemis, recognizable by her bow and arrows.

The rest of the process was one of elimination.

Saé, thinking quickly, chose Dionysus because of his connection with cooking and travel. However, after a moment's reflection, she realized that the figure of Hermes suited her better.

"I thought Dionysus would be the right choice, but on further reflection, Hermes seems to better represent my parents' personality. He's versatile and curious, as I am thanks to the various cultures I've discovered because of the different moves with my parents."

"If you think he's the right choice, then follow him," I replied. In this situation, there was nothing I could do. Saé was the only one who knew her parents better than anyone else. 

So, Saé spotted the representation of Hermes, symbolized by a winged sandal, and placed herself next to this mythological figure, hoping to have made the right choice to solve the riddle.

I approached Edano, silently observing his choice. He seemed to be staring at a sword as the representative object of a god. His expression was inscrutable.

"You've made your choice, haven't you?" I said, trying to engage him in conversation.

He simply nodded, his gaze distant. "Yes, it's Ares. The god of war."

I sensed he didn't want to say any more, so I decided not to insist. But something inside me urged me to dig a little deeper. "It seems you've made a well-considered decision. But you know, it's not just about the physical representation. There's often more depth behind each symbol."

Edano remained silent for a moment, then turned to me with a scrutinizing look. "You don't have to tell me what to do, Bun. You don't know anything about me."

I wasn't surprised by his reaction, but decided not to back down. "It's true, I may not know everything about you. But I know there's more behind this facade you're willing to show. Think for a moment about what your parents really represent. When I see that sword, it makes me think of more than just war. Like brutality, rage and impulsiveness, for example..."

Edano shook his head in exasperation. "Stop playing Sherlock. You're not as perceptive as you think. Is it because of the movie you saw or something that you're talking to me like you know everything about me?"

An enigmatic look slid from my eyes to his. "Oh? You wonder why I'm talking to you like I know you well? But... why bring the film forward directly as an explanation for your suspicions?"