Bunter arrived at the Norman Tower ruins around 2:00 am. The challenge was to remain in the ruins for a full day without bringing provisions. Bunter hoped his genie powers would aid him in this quest, a thought he didn't share with the Woeful Brethren. They already had their doubts about him.
He quickly climbed the crumbling staircases in the tower. The ruins were dark and treacherous, but Bunter thought the myths about ghosts and demons were far-fetched. There was nothing of interest to see here--until he had almost reached the top.
With just enough light from the moon, Bunter was able to detect a dart trap in the wall. He disabled it and passed through unarmed. He began to understand why the locals avoided the tower. The place was dangerous, with or without the ghosts.
Just beyond the trap, Bunter found a treasure chest, just as he suspected he would, but the amount of gold was small. There had to be more. He scanned the balcony area, then climbed the last set of stairs.
On the topmost balcony, Bunter noticed a pile of rubble and decided it needed investigating. He made quick work of it with a pickax.
Aha! A secret cubbyhole! Bunter found another bag of money, but there was also a lever inside the hole. He pulled it. Far below him on the ground, a secret staircase revealed itself among the fallen stones. He descended the tower and then made his way down into the earth.
The first room he came to was a burial chamber. There was something very evil here. This was no resting place for the honored dead. The plaque by the staircase read: Da Normanz were ere 1252. Interesting. He'd been just a small lad at the time...back before his imprisonment in the lamp.
Despite his sense of foreboding, Bunter checked out the treasure chest he found in the chamber. This chest proved a little more rewarding: gems and ancient coins. Maybe his idea about returning home with great riches would actually pan out!
Bunter moved the statue blocking another door, but the exit was sealed. There had to be a way to open it.
After digging through all the debris, his efforts were rewarded.
He found another secret latch that unsealed the door.
But there was more work to do. Bunter walked through a narrow passage looking for secret doors and rooms.
Though he found two more rewarding chests, Bunter was still hoping to discover a greater treasure.
And then he did: a cut Tiberium gem worth $7,452! This was what he'd been looking for!
But the foreboding feeling returned in full force! The evil atmosphere around him intensified. Terror seized him!
Bunter gathered his courage. He knew that in the tomb he'd left a short while ago, an evil presence had arisen from the dead.
A hollow, bellowing voice called out to him in a language Bunter hadn't heard in centuries.
Ghost: I am Terrus Ludicrus! And you've taken what's mine!!
...There was nothing for it. Bunter would have to go back and face the spirit or be trapped inside the Tower forever!
That was something Terrus Ludicrus had not expected--to be challenged by an intruder.
Bunter: Be gone, foul spirit!!
But Terrus was not so easily intimidated. He was Evil, Hot-Headed, and Mean Spirited, not to mention Brooding and Dramatic.
Terrus: It is YOU mortal who will be vanquished!
This was one angry ghost.
He raged at Bunter!
But Bunter was having none of that!
Terrus was living up to his name though. He struck Bunter back.
Which is when Bunter decided it was time to give Terrus What For! Just whom did the ghost think he was threatening?!
If Bunter was going to have to wrestle with demons, it might as well be with Terrus Ludicrus!
But this evil spirit was tough. The fight lasted longer than any Bunter had battled in decades. Was he losing his edge?
And yet, finally, Bunter was victorious!
In a blinding flash, the ghost vanished from sight.
Tired and hungry, but heartened, Bunter knew he needed to continue his exploration. His quest was not over.
