Had to rework the last quarter of the part but here it is finally. There are a few parts in this section that I want to add to as they read a little rushed to me or I do not feel like they have enough weight...or time spent. But like I've said earlier, I'll revisit everything when I get the last part done. Still haven't gotten around to picking names for people or places ^o)
Act 4
_____A large rectangular building formed as the bright light emanating from ____(steve) faded. Chilled and humid air began its work in removing the warmth Klonoa still felt from the dining hall. Stagnant water surrounding the building came into focus along with the glaring reflection of the sun. Looking around, tall trees were scattered across the prairie landscape; the body of water surrounding the building seemed to be perfectly centered in the terrain.
_____Klonoa shielding his eyes from the reflection asked, "Where are we this time?"
_________(steve) responded, "We are at the Temple of ____ which contains the second element of my phantomile. The answer to the strange weather changes should be here; at least that is what my studies as a seer point towards. There should be a bridge to cross the moat. And same as the last ____ my powers do not work here and I can not handle the element so I will aid in powering your ring." ____(steve) quickly became a vibrant blue an vanished into Klonoa's ring.
_____Squinting from the reflection of the sun across the water Klonoa located what looked like the foundation for a bridge at the edge of the water. Walking closer, the sun was conveniently covered by a cloud revealing a mound of dirt leading to the bridge which had fallen into disrepair. A single rope sagged and stretched across the moat, clearly the other parts of the bridge had broken away somehow. Seeing no other way to cross the water Klonoa quizzically tested the strength of the rope.
_____"Can always swim across," said ____(steve).
_____Klonoa, having no other choice, grabbed the rope tightly with both hands, wrapped his legs around and began shuffling his way across. The rope creaked and lamented as Klonoa edged out over the water. "So ____(steve), when did you become a seer?" Klonoa asked jittering.
_____"Ohhh, not too long ago. I honestly have not been counting but it is three years now at least."
_____"Wha- Wha-t lead you int-to becoming a seer?"
_____"I really enjoy learning. Becoming a seer allowed me to dedicate my time to learning stuff most people never even dream of."
_____"Is that why we are the only ones gathering the elements?"
_____"A straight and blunt answer would be yes. Most seers join for more common studies; answers to questions with immediate results. I on the other hand, found more purpose in learning the reasons behind the difficulties. I have solved problems with ancient answers that no modern method could solve and the situation I called you in for is another example."
_____Crack! The sound came from the bridge supports still holding up the rope. More creaking and whining traveled through the coil. Klonoa's heart sank. Nearing the center of the moat the rope had sagged close to less than a meter from the water. Klonoa could feel the water's chill as he neared the trough of the rope. Ears barely touching the water he could feel a breeze building. Small waves began to form in the water.
_________(steve) broke the suspended silence, "May want to hurry to avoid getting wet. If the wind picks up any more the moat will be full of larger waves."
_____Klonoa looked down to see the stagnant moat was becoming restless. Diverting his eyes towards the sky, clouds had fully invaded without permission. Klonoa took a deep breath and quickened his shuffling speed. Swaying in the wind Klonoa's heart sank deeper as the rope wailed louder with the increasing wind. Waves splashed all around threatening to tackle the rope each pass. Droplets of ice cold water contacted Klonoa's clothing and fur as he shuffled across the final portions of the rope. Finally at the other side, he dropped from the rope and lay sprawled out on the grass heart pounding.
_____Chuckling, ____(steve) said, "Managed to make it across without the rope breaking or getting drenched; impressive. Should stand up and get to the door before you catch a cold."
_____Catching his breath Klonoa stood up. "Yes, it is becoming quite chilly out here."
_____Splash!
_____"Manyaaa!?!" A large wave had managed to escape the moat and drench Klonoa. "That water is freezing!" Wrapping his arms around himself and looking over his shoulder the moat the waves were so large they were escaping the moat boundaries and causing devastation to the plant life at the edges. Head down and drowning in self pity, "We should hurry inside before we are swept away...I hope it is very warm inside."
_____"Careful what you wish for; never know what could be waiting for us inside the ____"
_____With haste Klonoa crossed the patch of grass separating the ___ from the moat. Grabbing the door handle he thrust the door open and stepped inside closing the door behind him.
_____Entering the ___ it was hot; really hot. Klonoa already feeling like he was sweltering calmed his thoughts and observed his surroundings. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief Klonoa perceived no walls and no ceiling; just a vast sand desert with a blistering hot sun overhead. Further in disbelief Klonoa turned around to see the door was still there. Klonoa opened the door and a gust of cold air and a spray of water pressed inward. Slamming the door shut, "The weather is a bit nicer in here..."
_____"Very intersting; amazing! The mystery around this place is thicker than what the books try to convey. Oh I wish I could be experiencing the sensations with you."
_____Klonoa rolled his eyes.
_____"But-, but we must stay on task. Let us hurry to the element."
_____"Okay...which way?" Klonoa asked in dismay.
_____"Well the books vaguely state that this temple tests the determination of people seeking something. The test could be as simple as enduring the elements."
_____"So all we need to do is overcome the tests and the element will present itself?"
_____"There is no information against it."
_____Klonoa turned his back to the door and began walking across the endless desert. As he walked he could feel the intense heat from the sand radiating up through his shoes.
_____Most of the water that had drenched him had evaporated and the blistering sun was becoming unbearable. "No shade," Klonoa mumbled under his breath, "We've been walking for a long time."
_____"Can't be too much farther. These dunes are probably just blocking our view."
_____"Maybe there is something we are missing. Did the books say anything about these ___?"
_____"This ___ has almost zero information about it. Very few people venture here or have a desire to study such an ancient and complex mystery. One book spoke as if the temple presented 'tests' as a figurative of something. Unfortunately the book was so old that segments of the writing had faded or are missing."
_____Standing at the top of a sand dune Klonoa paused. His entire body felt like it was too close to an open flame. Gazing to the horizon a sense of desperation for shelter from the heat arose. But then Klonoa spotted a black spot not too far away. "There it is!" He rushed down the dune, almost tripping on the sand as he went, and hastily trekked to the black spot he saw.
_____Feeling lost, Klonoa climbed the last dune and spotted the door. It was dark black as if charred by a flame. Dehydrated and exhausted Klonoa reached out and flopped his body against the door. Taking one last look across the desert he slightly opened the door and slipped through.
_____The new environment was refreshing. Water was streaming down the rocks lining the door. Small flowers and moss lavishly surrounded the door and pools of water scattered about the area. The sun was no longer blistering hot. Without hesitation Klonoa lurched to the nearest pool of water and began drinking. The water was perfect.
_________(steve) spoke in awe, "Lovely place."
_____"So far this room seems pretty easy," said Klonoa slightly out of breath from drinking.
_____"Oh don't start underestimating the ___."
_____Refreshed, Klonoa sat on a nearby collection of rocks. A dense facade of trees presented itself a short distance from the door. No sound came from the trees and there was no indication of additional life. After a moments pause, "Okay we should get going. Just one more drink and we'll set out through this forest." As Klonoa reached his hand into the pool the source of spring turned to ice. The ice continued to grow down the stream of water. In fright Klonoa pulled his hand out as the ice fully encased the pool and then invaded the moss and flowers that had made the pools their home.
_____Shocked Klonoa stood up and slowly backed away from the door. "That's a bit harsh isn't it?"
_____"Battling the elements can be harsh."
_____Turning to face the trees Klonoa noticed the forest had also changed. A cold fog had moved in and covered the forest floor to waist height.
_________(steve) whispered, "We haven't time to lose."
_____"Wahoo..."
_____Entering the forest the sun provided enough light to see clearly. The fog however was chilling to the touch and thick, making each rock, root, and fallen branch an obstacle. Venturing farther into the forest the trees became more dense and the air chill was beginning to have a bite. Sunlight was decaying and insufficient.
_____Klonoa stopped moving and looked around. "We've been walking for a long time... Are we lost?"
_____"Interesting way to pose the question. If we have been traversing the forest the same way we walked through the desert the door should present itself."
_____"Okay but I am getting chilled to the bone again from this fog and I can not see where we're going anymore."
_____"Hmmm, hang on. Something is wrong."
_____"What is it? Are we in danger?"
_____"No, no, just...I do not feel disconnected from my powers as much here."
_____"Are we walking the wrong way!"
_____With a nervous tone, "No, no...I must think; keep walking."
_____"It's too dark, I can't see."
_____"Right, right, um... here let me create some light."
_____The gem in Klonoa's ring began to glow with a white light.
_____Astonished, "Your powers work here?"
_____"They should not work here; something must be wrong with the ___. We must hurry and find the door."
_____"Wahoo!" Klonoa continued forward with a new found fervor. As Klonoa pressed onward he noticed the fog was dissipating and sunlight was returning. Hurdling over a fallen tree Klonoa almost ran face first into the door. "Finally found it." Klonoa quickly opened the door and stepped through.
_____Now in the next room Klonoa stood in what looked like a normal but empty wooden house interior. The door was clearly visible a short distance away and was oddly painted with white blotches.
_____"Wha-? The room is empty? Is this some kind of trick?"
_____"Maybe it is but we do not have time to stand around."
_____"Right," Klonoa affirmed. He rushed across the room and everything felt normal; even the sound of his shoes against the wood flooring sounded normal. Stopping in front of the door Klonoa curiously examined the white blotches which plagued the flawless facade. He raised his hand and touched a blotch at eye level but there was nothing to touch; Klonoa's hand continued into the white abyss. "Maybe the this room is broken." Pulling his hand back to his side and peering over his shoulder there was nothing else visible wrong with the room. Grabbing the door handle he opened the door with caution as if something might be on the other side. Peering through the door and finding nothing hazardous he stepped through and closed the door behind him.
_____There it was, the element resting on a wooden pestle in the middle of the room. Looking around Klonoa could see the white blotches were larger and more populous but did not obstruct a straight path to the element. Not seeing any obstacles or any reason to suspect trickery Klonoa carefully watched the white spots as they appeared to slowly grow while he walked towards the element. The element partially covered by one of the white blotches was half yellow and half a transparent blue inside the white abyss.
_________(steve) burst out with concern, "See that Klonoa, the element is being attacked!"
_____"Attacked?"
_____"Whatever magic is creating these white abyssal spaces is using them to consume the element; this would explain why the weather patterns have been unstable."
_____"And why the last room was empty."
_____"Precisely! Quick, take the element."
_____Klonoa reached out and touched the yellow half of the element. The element appeared to struggle as it faded away and pulled from the abyss; a yellow mist spiraled up Klonoa's arm and disappeared.
_____With relief ____(steve) said, "Great, now let us get out of here. Go back to the previous room so we can travel to the final element."
_____Klonoa scurried back the previous room. There was a blue flash and ____(steve) was standing adjacent to Klonoa.
_________(steve) put out his hand in silence. Klonoa grasped his hand firmly and the wooden room faded away as all the places had.
