Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

The riddle of the tapada limeña

The presence imposed by that woman was strong, but at the same time she didn’t give the impression of being a completely evil entity. As if she were a pagan entity, someone who simply not had the eternal rest that every being would long to have after a stormy life.

An uncomfortable silence loomed after she had uttered those words and there was not the slightest sound in the place to interrupt that uncomfortable calm and despite the situation there is nothing else to do but to face it.

Everyone present, with the exception of the entity and Aelum, was somewhat nervous and small beads of sweat were falling. They had been saved from almost imminent death, but now they were facing another challenge that would tempt not only their bravery, but this time their logic as well.

With nothing more to say after a few seconds Sanctus decides to take the first step.

-Well, we are ready. - Sanctus said with some fear inside, but with a slight confidence also because he wasn’t alone.

- Right... Notice the cross hanging behind me. It is made up of 4 pieces of wood.  You can only move one piece to form a square. You only have 1 try. - Said the mysterious, shadowy, but elegant woman as she turned her head to signal the existence of said cross, which was hanging behind her on the wall.

- How long has that cross been there? It probably just appeared. - Sanctus thought, now ignoring the woman's presence and concentrating on her words.

The cross was not of a large size, it could be seen at a glance that it was made of old wood and was divided into four pieces, which were almost glued together, but it could be seen that there was a very small space between them, similar to when you put together different things that end up forming a specific figure. Among those pieces of wood, one of them caught the attention, which was especially smaller than the rest and was located at the top, however, its small size was also logical because it was necessary to form a cross, but it didn’t seem to be a perfect cross as such.

- It's impossible... This test is designed not to advance, maybe this wasn't the right door for us to enter. - Smith said as he began to sweat more and seemed to panic.

- What about your book? Maybe it can help us... - Lucile said with a trembling voice while looking at Sanctus.

- Impossible. I'm only good when it comes to spiritual energy but not for puzzles. Besides, I'm tired of saving your asses. - Aelum said as he was bent over on the floor, as if he was pretending to be sitting and somewhat exhausted.

- I understand... It's a complicated riddle. - Lucile said as she ducked her head and fixed her gaze on the floor, right where Aelum was.

- What kind of trap is this? It's so unfair. - Smith said as he rubbed his hair quickly to avoid going into a nervous breakdown. -Smith is right, everything here is one trap after another, but it doesn't make sense that they go to all this trouble just to send us to the slaughterhouse. - Sanctus thought as he looked for a few seconds at the cross and the pieces of wood that made it up, separated at a certain distance.

- What do you think you're doing, you neurasthenic bastard? - Aelum said angrily as he lay in Smith's hands.

- I feel warm right now thanks to these gloves. I can really think with a cool head. He thought while still a bit lost and concentrated in his thoughts.

- San, Lucile, let's attack her between the 3 of us. Maybe there is a hidden exit right here and the real objective is to defeat that woman. - Smith said as he prepared to throw Aelum directly at the entity.

- Hey! What do you think you're doing! You don't need to throw me just because you're out of rocks! Stupid human! - Aelum shouted as he moved quickly to get out of Smith's hands, who was ready to throw him.

- Arrogant man, I could kill you with one hand if I wanted to. - Said the woman with an angry tone of voice creating a somber and cold atmosphere.

- Guys, look closely at the cross. The answer is right there. - Sanctus said as he pointed directly at the cross.

- Huh? - Smith, Aelum and Lucile said as they listened to Sanctus' words.

- I think it is a matter of perspective. The wooden stick at the top, that's the one that should be moved even higher to form a kind of small square.

- Are you sure that is your final answer? Remember that if you fail with your answer then everyone will have to go back to the beginning. - Said the woman as she stared at Sanctus with her one beautiful eye.

- That's right... - Sanctus answered with a firm voice while making a fist with his hands.

Smith and Lucile said nothing since they still had no idea how to solve the riddle, so everything seemed to be in the hands of Sanctus, who had sentenced everyone with his answer.

Everyone hopes that the sentence will be positive, since going back to the beginning with the current energies could be a symbol of certain death.

After Sanctus' response the smaller piece of wood above began to separate from the rest. The upward movement ended up forming a small square, which was a small space that separated exactly the four pieces of wood that made up the cross.

-How interesting. - Said the mysterious woman in a low voice as she faded away.

They only managed to hear a slight laugh from her before they could not see her again.

A large stone door was formed in the direction of the cross. It seemed that the test was over for everyone, because Sanctus' answer was correct.

They all went through the door quickly, but when they did so they were not in their respective homes. They were now in another, even larger place, but one that appeared to be an ancient cemetery.

There were trees, mausoleums and alleys around it full of graves. It appeared to be a citadel whose residents were people who were now enjoying eternal rest. The atmosphere didn't help the place because it was night time, there was a pretty thick and humid fog that made you feel like you were breathing water. There is no sound that disturbs this gloomy calm, only the sound of the sheet of those trees moving with the rhythm of a light wind.

There was a path to follow, but it seemed to have no end.

The test still continued.

- This is the cemetery Presbítero Maestro.  - Sanctus said as he carefully observed everything around him.

- How do you know? It could be any cemetery anywhere in the world. - Smith said more calmly.

- I have come here before on a tour when I was in school, but during the day. I know thanks to the type of structure, there is only one cemetery so imposing and characteristic in all of Lima. - Sanctus replied as he swallowed some saliva since inside, he knew that anything could happen to them in that gloomy place. 

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Mini Story:

Aelum: Hey, Smith.

Smith: Yes, aelum?

Aelum: Would you let me the hell go? I need to explain something to our readers. f*****g blond scaredy-cat.

Smith: S-Sorry... (As he lets go of Aelum)

Aelum: Hello dear readers! I am the mighty Aelum and today I’m going to tell you about the cemetery Presbítero Maestro.  

Sanctus: Mighty? You're not even capable of solving a riddle. (Laughing)

Aelum savagely hits Sanctus in his face and knocks him out.

Aelum: As I was saying. This cemetery is located in Lima, Peru and was inaugurated on May 31, 1808. It has 766 mausoleums and 92 historical monuments of the architecture of the XIX and XX centuries. Here are buried the remains of many outstanding Peruvian men and women. They also offer guided tours at night, it is such a large cemetery that you can get lost, and it is full of statues.

Lucile: What are you wearing Aelum?

Aelum: Oh, you mean my tools. I don’t want to carry any spirit with me, much less have one possess me, it is better to be cautious. (Aelum is equipped with crucifixes, holy water, garlic and a wooden stake).

Sanctus: You're a book, I don't think anyone is going to possess you. (With a patch on his forehead)

Aelum: Tell that to Annabelle.