The Earth After Rebirth

Hiro just sat down and started pounding on his shield. Kiro started practicing some moves, with his staff he could slice a couple of trees before his breath got a bit ragged.

Isla was sharpening her arrows. None of them but Kiro, had any idea how ironic what they were doing was. Nobody knew that the enemy that they will be facing isn't one that could be damaged by physical attacks. If they knew, they'd be working on their mental fortitude or break down completely since there was no stat for that in-game.

Saanvi walked over to Hiro, she watched as he pounded a beautiful shape back into his shield. She was utterly impressed. She'd never seen a Smithy work before, it was bewitching to her.

She sat by Hiro's side, "What's his deal?" She asked, while corking her head toward Kiro.

"What do you mean?" Hiro asked confused.

"You know, his cold and hot temperament. I can't figure him out at all. One minute he's Prince charming, the next he's like a beast lying in wait for its prey."

"You're better off not trying. Kiro let's people in he wants to let in. Trying to figure him out will just make your brain explode. You're better off figuring out this riddle before you figure him out. I'm his best friend, and even I don't know everything. There are parts he keeps hidden."

"And you don't mind?"

"I don't. He's genuine. That's all that matters to me. A man has his secrets."

"Even you?"

"Well, have you figured out the riddle?"

"No."

Hiro's answers became more and more one-worded. He wasn't trying to be rude. He was just too shy to converse with a girl he didn't know that well. He had spent 30 in-game days with her, but he was still stiff.

He remembered the train ride to Eden academy and wished he could be like that every time, back then he had been experimenting.

He wanted to change his quiet nature, so he promised himself he'd talk to anyone he rode with, and he ended up with the greatest friend. Somehow he's never been able to do that again. But he'd like to, with Saanvi. She didn't seem like a bad person.

Hiro's train of thought was interrupted by Kiro. It had been a whole day since they arrived here, they had agreed to think then regroup and share their thoughts.

"Well, everybody. Its time."

Kiro had already broken the code. It took him a whole half day to figure it out, but he didn't want to stand out too much so he waited. The wait had been long and excruciating, but it was finally over.

Each of them came up with their own answers, except for Nikolai. He had exhausted his brains trying to figure it out, Kiro found himself feeling sorry for him. He cursed the devs for straining their mental strength at the start of something that needed mental strength.

Amongst them, only Hiro had an answer that was plausible. His answer was fire, he figured that fire could run wild while it didn't have legs, it could spread far and wide while it's still rooted in the same place. The mouth could be the fact that fire devours anything in its wake. But it didn't have a roar nor a bed.

They were excited at Hiro's answer, while Hiro's face was sour. However everybody wore a face of disappointment when they realised that not every part of the riddle fit.

All but one had given their answers, they all turned their heads to the boy sitted on the far left. Their gazes said it all, he had to get it right otherwise they'd just give up.

Kiro gulped loudly. The pressure their gazes carried was unfathomable. He found himself sweaty with a dry throat, and then he realised it was just him wanting to prolong the inevitable.

Realising he'd never be ready for what's waiting for him inside, he wiped the sweat, stood up and looked toward the Sphinx.

It looked so big and domineering. Kiro was sure anybody couldn't help but cower before it. The nature surrounding the labyrinth was truly something. The sun was drowning, everything was bathed in a red-orange hue.?

Kiro was peacefully watching this phenomenon, which he had never taken the time to appreciate in real life. He made the mental note that he'd love to watch a setting or rising sun one day.

Without looking at his companions, he softly said, "River. Its a river." The words came out as a whisper, yet everybody's ears caught them.

Without looking at them still, he waited. Waited for them to digest the answer. After what seemed like an eternity, their faces looked excited. Kiro wished he could share their excitement, but he knew what figuring out the riddle meant.

As they were getting closer to the sphinx, Kiro went to walk by his friend's side.

"No matter what happens in there. Stay strong, mentally. Can you promise me that?"

"Kiro, what are you talking about?"

Kiro couldn't explain any further so he just smiled and shrugged, "You're stronger than you think Hiro." Without waiting for him to say anything else, he walked ahead.

Hiro didn't have time to ponder about his friend's peculiar actions. It hadn't been ten seconds after their conversation and they were already standing in front of a monster. Head of a woman, a body of a lion.

The monster had an air of wisdom about it, at the same time it felt murderous. It felt as if the riddles were a simple game to trap fools into an eternal torture.

All of them shuddered, thankful that this was just a game.

It looked at all of them one by one, its piercing gaze would kill if it could.

"You've come before me," It said with an ominous voice. "If you wish to go through answer my riddle correctly, answer it wrongly and you'll suffer the consequences."

None of them dared to say anything, it seems their words were caught in their throats. As though in queue, they all nodded.

The Sphinx didn't understand but took their silence as consent all the same.

"I am a devourer of all things. I am constantly moving forwards yet I have no legs. I cannot be stopped. I do not age. I am existence."