Since there was technically no combat in the section where the sarcophagus is destroyed, so Boris somehow manages to wolf down his last meal and restore his STAMINA to 11
through the heartburn.
At last you find yourself face-to-face with the ancient evil that you carne all this way to destroy. Remember to deduct any points of SKILL or STAMINA damage you may have already caused the Mummy, then do battle with Akharis, who tries to beat you into oblivion with his powerful fists.
AKHARIS SKILL 13 11 STAMINA 25 7
If you overcome your inhumanly strong, ultimate opponent, turn to 336.
COMBAT LOG:
Akharis 18, Boris O’Connell 22. Akharis is at 5.
Akharis 19, BOC 22. Akharis is at 3.
Akharis 17, BOC 22. Akharis is at 1.
Akharis 19, BOC 20. Akharis is defeated!
Against all the odds, you have done it - after countless centuries, Akharis is dead! Regain 1 LUCK point. All that remains is for you to burn his undead remains and then.. A terrible groaning sound, coming from high above you, and gasps of terror from the cultists cause you to look up at the statue of Sithera. Just when you thought it was all over, the great statue's eyes are glowing with a sinister light and the colossus is coming creakily to life. The statue sweeps a taloned arm at you which you manage to dodge before it can hit you. Your non-magical weapon will have no effect on the animated statue, so what can you possibly use to defeat it? If you have an ankh among your possessions, you will know how many precious stones it has set into it. Multiply this number by twelve, then turn to the paragraph with the same number. If you do not have an ankh, turn to 73.
Key of Life activate!
Something tells you to pull the Ankh out of your backpack and brandish it in front of the statue. The Ankh glows with power in your grasp. The statue's piercing gaze falls on the ancient artefact and it stops in its tracks. Then the stone limbs stiffen once more and the eldritch light of its eyes fades. Screaming with fury, the cultists run towards you, intent on avenging themselves by your demise. But the transformation of the statue is not over yet. With a terrible cracking sound, fissures appear all over Sithera's image and pieces of it break off and fall to the floor of the chamber. At the same time, great rifts form across the walls of the dark temple and huge chunks of masonry crash down all round you. The whole temple is starting to collapse! The cultists forget about you and, more concerned over their own plight, try to flee from the crumbling building. Just as you are thinking of following suit, two rotting hands reach out and grab youround the neck. Unravaged by fire, Akharis lives again! Breaking free of .the Mummy's grip, you must now fight Akharis again.
AKHARIS SKILL 8 STAMINA 10
If you reduce Akharis's STAMINA score to 4 points or less in five Attack Rounds or fewer, tum to 46. If you do not, before your battle is even over the temple roof falls in, crushing you under tonnes of rock.
Rematch! He's weaker this time, but there's a time limit...
COMBAT LOG:
Akharis 15, Boris O’Connell 17. Akharis is at 8.
Akharis 18, BOC 17. BOC is at 9.
Akharis 14, BOC 14. Tie.
Akharis 13, BOC 18. Akharis is at 6.
Akharis 13, BOC 17. Akharis is at 4.
We just made it in round 5! I can't believe we had more trouble with a SKILL-8 Akharis than a SKILL-11 one.
The force of your blow sends Akharis reeling back into the one brazier left standing. Instantly the magical fire ignites his wrappings and the Mummy bursts into flames. Howling, Akharis's burning undead body stumbles forward and topples down the steps. In moments, all that is left of the evil creature is a pile of ashes. Akharis is truly dead at last.
But even though you have succeeded in your quest, will you be able to escape and live to tell the tale? For the first time, you notice, behind the broken remains of the statute of Sithera, an alcove which contains some of the cult's magical artefacts Will you waste no more precious moments and flee the temple, or will you see if you can use the artefacts to help you get out?
Adventure Sheet:
[spoiler]Name: Boris O’Connell
SKILL 12/12
STAMINA 9/18
LUCK 7/12
Poison: 6/18
Equipment: Sword, backpack, Rope and Grapple, Crystal Pyramid, Papyrus Scroll (subtract 20 from section number to translate hieroglyphic script), Statuette of Assamarra, God of the Sand, Ankh (Key of Life, set with 12 precious stones), Jet Cat, Gold statue of Cracca, Lord of Rivers and Ferryman of the Gods, Dajaratian Book of the Dead, Falcon Breastplate (60 feathers), Golden Key ('34' inscribed on it), Eye Amulet, Iron Wand, Sun Talisman (24 rays of light projecting from it)
Provisions: 0
Gold: 3
Extra Lives remaining: 1
Notes: We received Cranno's Warning. "And all those who would despoil the shrine of Cracca, Lord of Rivers and Ferryman of the Gods, beware the wrath of the crocodile-headed one." We gained the Wisdom of Khunam (understanding of ancient Djaratian speech - add 30 to section number when spoken to in that language). Dajaratian dead making their journey through the underworld must face thirteen hazards.
[/spoiler]