The Gateway

## Event

*The scene before you is like something from the elaborate stage plays of the Empire's Palace. A vast stone arena, circled by crumbling pillars.*

1) Begin the ritual.

*You step to the centre of the stone arena.*
*Just as the old books had instructed, you draw your dagger and let your ruby-red blood drip onto the ground.*
*In response, runic symbols materialize on the surface of the crumbling columns. They glow a brilliant blue.*
*At the far end of the arena, in an archway formed from two leaning pillars, a shimmering portal flickers to life - the gateway!*
[*Estrella takes a step forward. Her pistol, usually ready in her hand, hangs limply by her side. “It is truly real…”*]
[*A low whistle comes from Ariadne. "By the gods, the gateway! It's real!"*]
[*Hubie stops running his fingers through your spilled blood and stares, mouth agape, at the shimmering gateway.*]
[*Veles stares at the portal impassively.*]
**The Dealer draws Sea Dog Hali.**
If the player has saved all 5 members of Hali's Crew:
*The ghost pirate Hali steps from the shadows, interposing himself between you and the portal.*
*"You found it. You really found it." The boy captain grins. "Many would kill to take your place here - myself included."*
*He draws a spectral cutlass, holding the blade up to the light.*
*"...but I don't have to do that now that my beloved has returned to me. At last, I can let go." He sheathes the blade.*
*One by one, Hali's crew members emerge from the aether, taking up position behind him. The girl with the heartbreaking smile clasps the captain's hand, squeezing it tight.*
*Hali holds out a heavy trinket. "I stole this from the Dragon Priest himself. It's gotten me out of more scrapes than I can count. Treat it well, treat your companions well. Here, at the end of everything, they're all you've got."*
**The player acquires Hali's Ward.**
*Hali bows deeply then embraces his crew as they fade into nothingness.*
**The Dealer discards Sea Dog Hali.**
*You hear heavy footsteps behind you. You turn to confront a monstrous, bloated goblin. The Mournful Wastes have taken a toll on his already fractured mind - he is clearly mad, and overwhelmed by hate. A wooden crown rests on his leathery brow.*
**The Dealer draws a Chief of Mischief.**
*When he sees the glowing portal he screams incoherently.*
*Armed goblins scramble from the rocks to join him.*
**The Dealer draws 2 more Mischief Monster Cards.**
*You ready your weapon.*
**The player enters Combat.**
*The last goblin falls and the glowing blue symbols shine ever brighter.*
*You clamber wordlessly toward the flickering portal.*
*Fractured memories filter through your mind.*
*Warm mead. A great loss. Sheltering beneath a tree as cool rain patters down. The report of a pistol.*
[*You turn back and find Estrella gone. You nod solemnly. The portal calls to you.*]
[*You turn back to see Ariadne waving cheerfully from the stone circle. "Have fun! Try to come back in one piece!"*]
[*You feel a tug on your sleeve. Hubie looks at you, imploringly. "Do not go, it's dangerous."*
*You free yourself from the little goblin's grasp...*
*...and step through the gateway.*]
[*Veles watches you from the stone circle, unmoved. "Farewell, servant."*]
*You take a deep breath...*
*...and step through the gateway.*
*...the afternoon sun obscures your vision...*
*...the rabid cheering...*
*...there can be no mistake where you are.*
*Backlit by the sun, the silhouette of Estrella waves to the crowd - the newly crowned Empress.*
*In moments, the riot will begin, stirred by the dust of the collapsing kingdom.*
*The pistol shots are completely concealed in the cheers of the coronation's crowd. The first bullet slicing through her shoulder, the next three find her heart.*
*You won't let it happen again.*
*Time slows. You shove past the line of dignitaries and tackle Estrella to the ground.*
*You open your eyes to see Estrella staunching a wound in your shoulder. You feel no pain - only relief.*
*"What is this?" You follow her line of sight to the glowing gateway, hanging conspicuously in the air. "What is going on?"*
1) Say that you are sorry.
*She gives you a puzzled look.*
2) Say that you are glad.
*She gives you a puzzled look.*
*With a great rush of air, the gateway crumbles and fades behind you.*
*It's then when you realise that your hands are no longer spotted and lined with age.*
*Your tattered, time-dulled armor is gone. You are clad in the ceremonial garb you had worn a century ago, at this coronation.*
*Shaken, you set to your feet.*
*This is a second chance. This time you will do it right.*
Otherwise:
*The feeling of cold steel in your back stops you dead in your tracks. The tip of a spectral cutlass juts from your chest.*
*As you fall to your knees, Hali, the ghost boy, emerges from the shadows. "I truly am sorry, but if I do not bring Yurna back from death, I will walk these burning lands forever more."*
*His face is a mask of shame. He turns away and steps through the portal.*
**The Dealer discards Sea Dog Hali.**
*The light of the portal flickers then fades. The glowing runes are snuffed out.*
For not saving all his crew, Hali betrayed you. You have failed to win the Gold token.
*You hear heavy footsteps behind you. You turn to confront a monstrous, bloated goblin. The Mournful Wastes have taken a toll on his already fractured mind - he is clearly mad, and overwhelmed by hate. A wooden crown rests on his leathery brow.*
**The Dealer draws a Chief of Mischief.**
*He screams incoherently.*
*Armed goblins scramble from the rocks to join him.*
**The Dealer draws 2 more Mischief Monster Cards.**
*You ready your weapon.*
**The player enters Combat.**
*The last goblin falls and you turn to the space where the gateway was - it is as empty as before.*
*You spill your blood again, but it splatters onto the stone without ceremony. The gateway remains still and lifeless.*
2) Turn back.

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