Selected Heroes: Adventure In The World of Althea
episode 3

After we heard the riddles from the Goddess of Light, we started to think hard to find the answer. We discussed using the communication ring we had.

I asked: "What do you think is the answer to this puzzle?"

Luna said: "I think the answer is**. Ice is an object that exists where there is water, vanishes where there is fire, moves where there is wind, is buried where there is earth, and shines where there is light."

Leo said: "No, that's wrong. Ice cannot shine where there is light. Ice melts and becomes water."

Zara said: "Then, perhaps the answer is **glass**. Glass is an object that exists where there is water, breaks where there is fire, vibrates where there is wind, is submerged where there is ground, and reflects where there is light."

Kai said: "Not really. Glass cannot exist where there is water. The glass is broken and becomes sand."

Nina said: "Then, what about**pearl**? Pearls are things that are in the water, burning in the fire, carried away by the wind, embedded in the ground, and shiny under the light."

Noah said: "Hmm, that makes sense. But I still doubt. Pearls do not always burn in a fire. Pearls can withstand heat if coated with something."

Lila said: "I have another idea. Perhaps the answer is **star**. A star is an object formed from water, exploding from fire, spinning from the wind, created from the ground, and burning from light."

Liam said: "Wow, that's really cool. But I'm afraid it's too hard. Stars cannot be found in this world. Stars can only be seen from the sky."

Lana said: "I agree with Liam. The stars are too far away and not real. I have a simpler answer. The answer is **shadow**. A shadow is an object that appears because of water, is lost because of fire, is variable because of the wind, is closed because of the soil, and is formed because of the presence of light."

I listened to all their opinions carefully. I feel confused and unsure.

I asked: "You all have different answers. How do we know which is right?"

They were silent for a moment and did not know what to say.

Suddenly, we heard the voice of the Goddess of Light again from our communication ring.

He said: "Your time is up, heroes are chosen. Now it's time to answer this riddle. If you answer correctly, you will find the first light artifact. If you're wrong or don't answer at all, you'll get my punishment."

We feel scared and tense.

We ask: "Punishment? What is that punishment?"

The Goddess of Light said: "That punishment is .. hmm, I have not really thought about what punishment is suitable for you. But don't worry, I will give you a punishment that matches your mistake. The punishment can be painful, disgusting, embarrassing, or frightening."

We felt more scared and tense.

We asked: "How do I answer this riddle? Do we have to agree with each other or can we be different?"

The Goddess of Light said: "You can answer in any way you want. You can agree with each other or different. But remember, there is only one correct answer to this puzzle. If you answer with the wrong or different answer with the right answer, you will get punishment from me."

We feel more confused and unsure.

We asked: "Then, how do I send our answers? Do we have to say it or write it down?"

The Goddess of Light said: "You must write your answer on a piece of paper and point it towards the sky. I will see your answer from my temple. You must write your answers clearly and correctly. If you write your answers badly or wrongly, you will also get punishment from me."

We are getting more difficult and unprepared.

We asked: "How long do we have to write our answers?"

The Goddess of Light said: "You only have one minute to write your answer. If you don't write your answer within a minute, you'll also get my punishment."

We felt more panicked and unsettled.

We said: "Alright, Goddess of Light. We'll try to answer this riddle as best we can."

The Goddess of Light said: "Alright, chosen hero. I wait for your answers. Good luck to you."

After saying that, the voice of the Goddess of Light disappeared again from our communication ring.

We looked at each other and ran looking for a piece of paper and something to write about.

We have to write our answers before the time runs out.

We must immediately find the first light artifact before getting the punishment.

This is the end of our puzzle, the chosen hero.

This is the end of our test, chosen hero.

We ran looking for a piece of paper and something to write. We found some scrap paper and pencils lying near a tree. We picked it up and started writing our answers.

I'm still confused by the answer to this riddle. I'm not sure if I should follow the opinion of any of the other chosen heroes or seek an answer myself.

I decided to try analyzing this puzzle with the logic and intelligence I had. I was thinking:

ice, glass, pearls, stars, and shadows are things that exist in the real world. But, light artifacts were things that existed in a fantasy world. So, the answer to this puzzle must be something that exists in the fantasy world as well.

ice, glass, pearls, stars, and shadows are objects that have a fixed shape and color. But, light artifacts are objects that have shapes and colors that correspond to the basic elements in this world. So, the answer to this puzzle must be something that can change its shape and color.

ice, glass, pearls, stars, and shadows are non-living things. But, light artifacts were objects that possessed extraordinary light power. So, the answer to this puzzle must be something living or having life.

Thinking like that, I realized that there was one thing that met all of those criteria.

That thing is ...

**Light Creature**.

The Light Beings are magical creatures that live in the world of Althea. They have bodies made of light and can change shape and color according to the basic elements in this world. They also have tremendous power of light and can control the tides of water, give off heat and fire, create winds and storms, move earth and rocks, and emit light and goodness.

The Being of Light is the answer to this puzzle.

I am sure of my answer. I wrote "Creatures of Light" on a piece of paper with large, clear letters. I then showed the paper towards the sky.

I wish I was right.

I wish I could find the first light artifact.

This is the end of my answer, chosen hero.

This is the end of my decision, chosen hero.

After we wrote our answer, we waited tensely for the reaction of the Goddess of Light. We hope we didn't answer this riddle wrong.

Suddenly, we heard the voice of the Goddess of Light again from our communication ring.

He said: "I've seen your answer, chosen hero. I'll tell you the results now."

We feel careless and anxious.

The Goddess of Light said: "There is one person who answered correctly. That person is ... Rabbet. Congratulations, Raka. You have answered this riddle correctly. The correct answer is the Being of Light."

I feel relieved and happy. I can't believe I answered this riddle correctly.

I said: "Thank you, Goddess of Light. I'm glad to be able to answer this riddle correctly."

The Goddess of Light said: "Sama-sama, Raka. You are a very talented and intelligent hero. You deserve the first light artifact."

I feel proud and grateful.

The Goddess of Light said: "The first light artifact is the Crown of Light, a circular-shaped crown that can radiate light and bright goodness and impart the power of light to its owner. The Crown of Light is the most suitable light artifact for you, Raka, because you have the power of light."

I feel interested and curious about the Crown of Light.

I asked: "Where can I find the Crown of Light, the Goddess of Light?"

The Goddess of Light said: "The Crown of Light is in the hands of the Being of Light who is its guardian. The creature of Light was a beautiful and mighty phoenix. The phoenix lived in a volcano that was to the west of this meadow. You should go there and meet that phoenix."

I feel scared and doubtful.

I asked: "How do I meet that phoenix? Will he be friendly or hostile to me?"

The Goddess of Light said: "The phoenix dragonfly is a wise and benevolent being. He will be friendly with you if you show good intentions and attitude. But he will also be hostile to you if you show bad intentions and attitude. You must be careful and courteous when talking to him."

I nodded and understood.

The Goddess of Light said: "Alright, Raka. Now it's time for you to go and look for the Crown of Light. I hope you succeed."

I said: "Alright, Goddess of Light. I'm going to leave now. Thanks for the help and guidance."

The Goddess of Light said: "Sama-sama, Raka. I will always support you from afar."

After saying that, the voice of the Goddess of Light disappeared again from our communication ring.

I turned around and looked at the other chosen hero who was still standing there with a disappointed and anxious face.

I feel sorry and guilty for them.

I said: "Sorry, guys. I don't mean to make you lose or get punished."

They shook their heads and smiled forcefully.

They said: "It's okay, Raka. We are not angry or envious of you. We congratulate you. You do deserve a first light artifact."

I feel relieved and moved.

I said: "Thank you, guys. You are all very good and sporty. I hope you can also get another light artifact."

They nodded and thanked.

They said: "Thank you, Raka. We hope so too. We'll keep trying and not give up."

I feel happy and optimistic.

I said: "All right, guys. I have to go now. I'll try to come back soon and join you again."

They nodded and said goodbye.

They said: "Alright, Raka. Goodbye and be careful. We're waiting for good news from you."

I nodded and said goodbye.

I then ran towards the volcano to the west of this meadow.

I must find the Crown of Light immediately before it is too late.

This is the beginning of my quest, chosen hero.

This is the beginning of my adventure, chosen hero.