[Adam's POV]
'How many returns has it already been?' I thought, as I forgot to count. But I think this should be the last one. Hopefully.
Once again, like usual, I turned to Evelyn, who fell on the ground, unable to believe what just happened. Her eyes seemed more than just shocked, as usual.
"Seems like you believed in him a little too much," I said the usual statement as I moved closer to her.
"A….Dam?" She turned at me with the same shocked face as before, while I helped her stand up. Her eyes, that had suddenly lost all hope, started getting normal as her composure returned.
"Don't worry. I am not leaving you," I smiled as I patted her head, making her look at me with a warm look. Her smile finally returned as she stood up and wiped her tear drops that escaped through her eyes.
"Thank you, Adam," she thanked me before looking around the gates before she asked," but still. How are we going to get out of here?"
Both Gray and Oriel have escaped through, and we are the only ones left. Though I had already figured the way out of here.
"Come with me. I guess there is one thing we can try," I spoke as I walked towards the bluish purple gate. The gate of Intelligence.
Evelyn followed me without any questions.
"Would you like me to explain how the Gate of Intelligence works?"
The voice asked, but I shook my head. I already knew the rules.
"Entry for 2 please," I smiled as I looked at the gate, making it shine brighter before the gate opened up for both of us. Turning around, I glanced at her.
"Come."
She nodded before she followed me into the gate.
On the other side, we came across a dark hall that seemed like it was made for giants. The wall was dark, while the floor was of some white marble. The hall was circular, with a giant gargoyle statue in the center.
The gargoyle was in the shape of a distorted eagle that had two tails and a strange crown-like projection at the top.
Step by step, we moved towards the statue at the center and as soon as we got fairly close to it, its eyes lit up making us halt our steps.
"Adam?" Evelyn, who was quiet till now, looked at me with worry, but since I had already done it over so many times, I simply stood there watching the statue come alive slowly and slowly before it looked down at us.
"Mmmhhh… how long has it been?" The statue spoke in a feminine voice as she stretched her wings.
"Are you both the challengers?" She asked as finished her stretch.
"Yes," I answered her, making her look at me with a peculiar gaze as she smiled before speaking," aren't you an interesting one?"
"Am I?" I chuckled, making her shake her head before she spoke." since you already know the rules, I will begin with asking the first question."
Maybe it was too much of a cheat? The fact that I could restart, ask Alepsia the answers and come here and tell them to her? I was lucky the questions never changed despite my repeats.
"What is 7 Wings and breathless dual fire? It can survive all climates and to some extent only be closer to an immortal?" she asked as she looked at me.
"An Elder Arnerich Dragon Champion," I answered in a single breath, making her surprised at me just like last time. Not only her but Evelyn too turned at me with a surprise before I spoke.
"Next question."
Both of them paused for a moment before the gargoyle asked again,
"If you happen to run into a siren. What would be your first response?"
"To block the vibrations present in the air."
"Within the mountains of Giza, which temple is situated at the center?"
"Temple of the Curse Goddess, Miraka."
"The best way to win the favor of the elves?"
"To restore at least 100 plants around their forest."
"The most cruel race."
"Black Demons."
"The strongest being there is."
"God of All Being, Irvan."
"What lies at the edge of the world?"
"A curse."
"Who protected the world for 10,000 yrs?"
"Piers Le Dirias."
"Full name of the Goddess of Balance."
"Equi de Nova Arma isla Benirie."
"Who am I?"
"The Familiar of Denise."
Silence covered the entire area as the three of us stood there without making even a single sound. It wasn't easy to figure out the answers, but after so many hits and trials, along with talking with Alepsia, I was somehow able to get all three answers.
As soon as the final answer was registered, two portals appeared in front of us. Each of the portals was on one side of the eagle, while it stood there observing me, still with the same expression as before.
"Let's get out of here," I turned to Evelyn, who blankly looked at me. I observed her for a moment before speaking," getting out of here comes first. I will explain everything later."
It was a lie, though. I don't think I will be meeting her again after this.
Hearing my words, she nodded slowly as we walked towards the portal. Letting her go into it first, I waited for her to disappear completely. And once she was gone, I turned around to the eagle as I spoke,
"I am not going to answer any of your questions. But for now I will say only this: I am not a follower of Equi. In fact, I am no follower of the Gods."
She pretty much asked me hundreds of questions last time, which did give me a lot of information, but nothing really worth enough. Though it did pique my interest to find out more about this Goddess of Balance.
"Is that so? Well.. I guess that is better than nothing," relaxed that eagle Gargoyle sighed in relief as she watched me passing through the portal that took me back to the central room.
'Well. Since there are no more restrictions, let's finish the other ones as well,' I stretched a little as I looked at the other Gates in front of me.