Pecker: And behold! The Seal of Mar is now complete. You have passed the test, Roter. You have proven your intelligence! Onin says that the three artifacts you retrieved from the Mountain Temple... arrrk... are relics of the ancient Light Tower. Ancient songs speak of how this Light Tower once shone above Mar's tomb! I will recite one of these songs for you. "Through the mists of time, Mar's light shone far and wide..."
Sick: Hold on, Caruso! Just tell us what we should do now.
Pecker: Ignorant barbarians! Pah... You must take the three artifacts to the Gate of Mar in the Mountain Temple. Only then will the Light Tower rise and reveal the tomb.
At the Mountain Temple, they opened a new door with the seal, leading them to a chamber with three devices. Each of them took an artifact and simultaneously placed it into a device. Suddenly, all three devices activated and fired a powerful beam toward the city.
The beam destroyed the massive statue of the Baron in front of the palace, revealing a previously hidden door. The group immediately rushed there and entered. Behind the door was an elevator. Kor, the kid, and Samos were already there.
Samos: "You did it, Roter! You actually found Mar's tomb!"
Roter: Awesome! And now what? Are you suggesting we send the kid in there alone?!
Kor: I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Finally, to hold the legendary Precursor Stone in my hands.
Samos: You must be careful, child. The trials of manhood are filled with dangers, and Mar's legacy must face them alone.
Sick: It's okay, kid. You got this! It's just a deep, pitch-black tomb filled with "guaranteed to be cursed up to the top" stuff. I wouldn't go in there.
Tomb: Welcome, heir of Mar. Finally, the chosen one stands before me. Enter and prove that you are worthy of the ancient birthright. NO! The child is too young to endure the trials!
The gate began to close.
Kor: What?! No!
Samos: Do something!
Kor stared in horror at what was unfolding before his eyes. Roter and Sick were grabbed by Zäck and rushed towards the closing gate with breathtaking speed. They just managed to slip underneath it.
Samos could barely contain his dismay. "My God! They will face the trials!"
Kor shook his head. "No... they will find death."
Behind them, a large shadow emerged. "Don't move!"
The group found themselves in the first corridor of the mysterious place, noticing two more corridors opening up before them.
Roter: We'll split up. I'll go right, you go left.
Sick: Are you crazy?! There could be deadly traps and curses here!
Zäck: As if you believe in such nonsense.
Roter explained determinedly, "It seems like each corridor has a switch to activate the large door in front of us. That way, we'll save the most time. Every second counts."
Sick: Fine...
The group separated. Roter's first trial was to choose the right insect. Roter ignited a massive explosion of fire, killing all the insects. Unfortunately, he also killed the two correct insects, but that didn't stop him from moving forward.
Next, he came across a pond where storm powers raged. He effortlessly flew over it. The same happened with the colored platforms—he simply flew over them.
Then, he encountered a longer pond, which he crossed effortlessly. Suddenly, the insects reappeared, and he ignited another fiery explosion. Afterward, he overcame an even longer pond and flew over the colored platforms again.
Finally, he reached a corner pond, which posed no challenge for him. Now, he entered the first room that held Roter back—the music room. Here, he had to assemble an old song from different instruments. It took a while, but eventually, he deciphered it. The song was familiar to him from his childhood.
After passing the music room, he entered the last corridor where spiders lurked. There, he discovered a button and pressed it. A beam of light hit half of the large door, and from that point on, Roter had to wait in front of the door.
Now, onto Sick and Zäck. The first room they entered was filled with a river of dark eco. They had to jump from platform to platform to overcome the room. When they reached the top and pressed the button, a new passage opened up from below.
In the next room, a huge stone ball blocked their path. Sick decided to push the ball aside, but he slipped and the ball threatened to roll over him. A funny chase began, with Sick and the ball chasing each other back and forth in the room.
The ball broke during the chase, and a giant spider emerged from it. Sick got scared and ran for his life. Meanwhile, Zäck had to overcome another platforming challenge and climb.
Sick narrowly escaped the spider as a door closed behind him. In the meantime, Zäck found a button and pressed it. The second beam hit the door in front of Roter, opening it.
Roter, who was already waiting in front of the door, immediately entered the room without waiting for the others. A deep voice echoed from the room.
"Welcome, young warrior. It has been eons since our hope burned so brightly. Today, you have proven yourself worthy to inherit the legacy of Mar. Great power is now bestowed upon you, along with great responsibility. Eons ago, the Precursors fought a terrible war against the Hora-Quan, those dark creatures you call the 'Metal Heads.'
With their leader, the Metal Head legions destroyed our great civilization and now roam the universe freely, searching for the remnants of our power.
Mar hid the Precursor Stone in this tomb to protect it from them. It is our last hope, and you have been chosen to keep that hope alive."
Roter interrupted the voice. "You've mistaken me for someone else. I just want the stone."
The voice of the tomb replied, "It is time to follow your destiny! Look!"
As the door behind Roter slowly closed, a machine suddenly flew into the room. It was Praxis.
"You fools! You led me straight to the stone! Your pathetic underground friends stood no chance against my elite soldiers. With the power of the stone, I will crush all my enemies. And you will be the first, Roter!"
The tomb retorted, "Monster! The Precursor Stone is not meant for you!"
The door now closed completely, and nobody could enter the room anymore. Unfortunately, Sick and Zäck had to witness the door closing in front of them. The Baron grabbed the stone, and it fused with him. He grew larger, gained more muscles, and emitted a green aura.
Roter declared resolutely, "I've been waiting for this day, Praxis. It's time for us to settle the score."
Praxis laughed darkly, "As have I, Roter. With the power of the stone, your pathetic eco powers are nothing."
Roter's voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, "Then show me what you've got!" Flames surrounded him as he unleashed his fire powers with all his might. Praxis took a full hit, but surprisingly shrugged it off. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Praxis countered with a powerful strike, heavily hitting Roter. However, Roter remained undeterred by the impact, and an intense exchange of blows ensued.
The battle between the two fighters grew fiercer, each testing the limits of their strength. In a sudden surge of energy, Praxis hurled Roter through a previously sealed door. Roter broke through it, and Praxis followed closely behind, continuing their fight in mid-air. Roter skillfully struck Praxis with a devastating burst of flames, sending him staggering. Determined not to give up, Roter unleashed a massive fire beam on his opponent.
Nr2 and Red watched Roter and Praxis from a distance.
Red: Roter... be careful.
Nr2 observed Red's behavior attentively.
Praxis evaded the fire beam and struck Roter through a pillar. Then through another one. Roter landed on the ground and knelt down, breathing heavily.
Roter: Damn... this stone is damn powerful.
Roter screamed, and the hall was engulfed in flames. Praxis paid no attention to it and attacked Roter.
Roter blocked the blow and kicked Praxis into the fire. Praxis immediately leaped towards Roter, and another exchange of blows ensued. Praxis seemed to grow stronger and pushed Roter away.
Roter was desperate and filled with hatred and anger, he transformed into his dark form. He tore through Praxis. Praxis' wounds did not heal due to the power of dark eco. Praxis began to fear Roter.
A new battle began, and Roter inflicted more and more cuts on Praxis. Praxis repeatedly knocked Roter away, but he returned immediately. Roter continued to scratch at Praxis, while he drew more strength from the stone and forcefully threw Roter aside.
Roter caught himself in the air and unleashed his powerful dark attack by striking the ground with full force. The attack hit Praxis completely and almost brought him to defeat.
Roter slowly approached Praxis as he reverted to his normal form.
Praxis: Y-You monster! Don't come any closer!
Roter prepared for the final blow...
Out of fear, Praxis drew his sidearm and shot Roter. The shot stopped Roter, and Praxis emptied his entire magazine on him.
Roter fell to the ground, bleeding, while Praxis was taken away by his elite soldiers.
Praxis: Fools! You never stood a chance against me! Just wait until I unleash the full power of the stone!
Sick and Zäck saw Roter lying behind him.
Sick: Roter!!! Hey, Roter! Stay awake! Listen to me! You have to stay with us!
Zäck: Don't shout at him like that!
Sick: He has to stay with us! Damn it... what do we do now?! This looks bad.
Roter lost consciousness.