Story Reader / Festival Event Story / The Destined Surprise / Story
Hey, there you are! Ready for this year's surprise?
The clock just struck 3:00 PM and the artificial sunlight is shining ever so brightly. Seeing you in a hurry, Ayla takes a hop and stops you in your tracks, her hands behind her back.
She has this mischievous glint in her eyes, obviously hiding something behind her back.
Well... I can't say how long it'd take most people...
But I'm sure this is gonna be a breeze for you since I've trained you so well.
The porcelain-white surface of the card Ayla handed you looks plain enough, with only one line that reads, "To [player name]".
Flipping the card over, you see what's on the other side. The backside of the card has been painted with random patterns in green and blue tones that, at best, seem like some kind of post-modern doodle. From afar, it looks like something, but up close, you have no idea what it is.
It's an abstract art piece that's a puzzle, too.
Yup, it's part of the puzzle, and you'll have to work your way through the rest of it.
I've marked a location on this card, and you'll have to use this clue to figure out where you're supposed to go to uncover the next card.
Exactly! See, told you it'd be a breeze.
With a smile on her face, Ayla seems like she's about to explode in excitement.
Feeling Ayla's excitement, you have no choice but to take another look at the card and hope that you can actually live up to her expectations.
Woah, that's fast!
I thought it'd take you at least five minutes to figure that one out. Guess I made that too obvious?
O-oh, I see.
Ayla seems a little embarrassed, a soft spot in her heart apparently touched by what you just said.
But her usual cheerful smile quickly resumes.
Well then, let's go!
The two of you find the second card in the shady green under the trees.
Like the first card, this one, too, simply reads, "To [player name]". Turning it over, you see several squiggly yellow patterns that, apparently, are supposed to form a large square.
Haha, this one took me quite some time to come up with. Pretty sure it's not as easy as the last one.
I'm always here to drop you a few hints, though, if you find it too challenging!
Holy... no way!
Ayla looks flabbergasted beyond words.
Man, I didn't think these puzzles would be this easy for you...
My puzzles aren't easy at all! It's just...
Ayla's voice trails off, but she quickly shakes her head and stops herself in her tracks. Then, she puts on the professional smile she uses when hosting events.
Ahem! Forget what I just said. Let's hurry up and head down to the next location.
You and Ayla find the third card at WGAA.
You find the fourth card in a breeze in Ayla's studio.
According to the hint on the fourth card, the last one is in Gray Raven's lounge.
H-hold your horses there! There's only one card left, and I have to give it to you personally!
Just as you and Ayla enter the lounge, Ayla suddenly stops you, looking more determined than ever. No longer calm, she now looks like a child afraid of getting caught in a prank.
Stopped in your tracks, you have no choice but to give in—with victory right within your reach.
Because it's the last piece of the puzzle.
Geez, Commandant, you've got to see things the way a girl does. It makes sense that for me to present at least one part of this birthday party when I put so much effort into putting it together, right?
Her face is red. Ayla takes your hand, spreads out the cards you've collected on the table, and puts them in a line.
Then she takes the very last card from Gray Raven's lounge and places it in the missing spot.
The dazzling puzzle finally has its last piece, and the five cards form a complete picture.
At first glance, nothing seems out of the ordinary with these cards, but a closer look reveals the message hidden within the vibrant colors.
Bingo, and there goes the final puzzle. Congratulations on cracking all of them in a breeze like you always do, by the way.
Thank God you had all of them figured out, though. I thought you'd find that last one overly challenging.
But together we're strong, right?
With a smile, Ayla stacks up the five cards into a pile and hands it over to you.
I know you're smart enough to crack any puzzles, Commandant, but there is this one thing I have to tell you myself.
The colorful cards in Ayla's hand seem to be reflecting the colors in her mind.
Happy Birthday! May your days ahead be as colorful as ever, [player name].
