The Heart of Fire (68 page)

With the giant defeated, victory is now looking assured. Turn to
466
.

448

Your choice was a bad one. The metal monster cuts and dices your soldier to pieces, stomping their remains into the ground as it continues to advance. (Remove your soldier from
your hero sheet. Then return to
208
to fight this monster yourself.)

449

The monkey temple has bested you. Remember, you can attempt this difficult challenge at any time during Act 2 of your adventure. If you wish to try to assault the temple again,
turn to
596
. If you wish to continue your journey across the dark interior, turn to
667
. If you have already completed the dark interior,
you may return to the quest
map
instead.

450

The accursed spear quivers and shakes, its runes suddenly emitting a blood-red glow. From the corpse a spectral light rises up into the air, forming the ghostly shape of a
spider. Then it sweeps towards the spear, spiralling around the blade and shaft. The runes flash and spark as the spear continues to tremble – then, with a screeching cry, the spirit-light is
gone, absorbed into the weapon’s dark runes.

Congratulations, you have gained
the spirit of the spider
. (Make a note of this on your hero sheet.) You may now return to the quest
map
to continue your adventure.

451

You send your paper soldier forward. The rock monster attempts to smash it with its mighty boulder-fists, but the paper soldier simply folds beneath the blows, rising up again
afterwards to press its attack. You notice that its paper cuts are not penetrating the beast’s rock armour, but your soldier is holding its attention, allowing you to move behind it and
deliver a fatal, killing blow. Congratulations, you have chosen well and defeated the rock monster. (Remove the
paper soldier
from your hero sheet.) Then turn to
444
.

452

The white tigris grunts, turning his back on you. ‘This skin not worthy of the Sheva. Take this one to the marsh. We are done here.’

The white tigris depart in silence, heading back into the dark forest. Scar-face walks over and places a paw on your shoulder. ‘You kin now. I believe the great spirit, Shonac, sent you to
fight for us.’

The leader, Grey-hair, watches you from the rock shelf. ‘We welcome you to Shara Khana, bright claw. The journey across the marsh has many dangers. Prepare yourself, we leave at first
light.’

453

You believe that the demon speaks the truth – without its aid, the thorn monster will continue to regenerate, wearing you and your companions down with its relentless
attacks.

‘I will be damned for this,’ you bellow, bringing your weapons down on the first of the demon’s restraints. Ventus and Bea race to your side.

‘What are you doing? Stop!’ Bea pulls on your sleeve, trying to drag you away. You ignore her protests, moving quickly around the dais to smash the remaining iron rings.

‘One God protect us,’ growls Ventus. ‘Hold now! This is madness!’

‘No,’ snarls the demon, its breath quickening with excitement. ‘This is your salvation!’ Turn to
393
.

454

Bertie shakes his head sadly. ‘Them pictures are those that have gone missing – out in the jungle. A few of ’em were explorers, looking for lost cities and
treasure, but the rest are just kids – eager for adventure. Come here with their backpacks and a compass and think they can just go off in the jungle like it’s some walk in the
woods.’ He jerks a thumb towards the assortment of faces, all beaming back at you with innocent smiles. ‘Those come from the families. They get likenesses done, just in case anyone
finds them . . . like there’d be anything left to find.’

You can’t help but be concerned by the sheer number of missing persons displayed on the board. Bertie pushes his hat back to wipe at his brow. ‘I knows what brings them here –
and what leads them where they shouldn’t.’ He glances around quickly, then beckons you to step closer. ‘There’s a story amongst the backpackers, more a legend they say,
about a place they call “the cove”. It’s meant to be paradise, secluded – perfect white beaches, coral reefs, clear blue waters, you get the picture. There’s meant to
be a map that shows the way. You need the map to find it – and that map gets passed on, from traveller to traveller. Sounds simple, don’t it? You find the map, you find paradise. But
you see, I ain’t never met anyone who ever saw it with their own eyes. Like I says, it’s just a legend.’ He glances back at the board with a sigh. ‘It’s a shame, but
least I make ’em pay up before they leave. Just a precaution, mind.’

455

Your weapons and magic blast away at the knight, reducing the monster back to its starting state – a mound of dirt and armour, writhing with maggots.

Using the tip of your weapon, you poke through the fetid remains. You find 30 gold crowns and one of the following items:

Not wishing to tarry here any longer, you leave the hilltop and return to the mire. Turn to
375
.

456

Your choice was a bad one. The metal monster cuts and dices your soldier to pieces, stomping the remains into the ground as it continues to advance. (Remove your soldier from
your hero sheet. Then return to
208
to fight this monster yourself.)

457

You crawl forward to take one of the eggs. However, the moment your hand passes over the nest you hear a loud screech from above. A shadow falls across the ledge, growing
bigger by the second. Frantically, you twist around to see a giant bird swooping in to attack. It is time to fight:

Special abilities

If you manage to defeat this bird of prey, turn to
509
.

458

You notice a number of items snagged in the weed-choked waters. Using Boom Mamba’s staff, you are able to fish them out of the pool. As well as a pouch containing 40 gold
crowns, you also find one of the following rewards: