Explore First! (Mattahouen)

Knowing that the quests in these games have no deadlines, I locate the castle, and deliberately steer clear, and explore the penninsula. I conquer a few caves, a mining tunnel and eventually come to a catacomb.

I take my time in the exploration. Thoroughly dispatching of the small imp like enemies that stood in my way, and swiftly disarming every trick and trap.

Despite my slowness, I come to a boss room before long. I enter, and into my hands, appears a bell. Curious, I give it a ring.

In front of me, appears a knight, in heavy armour, with decorative wings, a greatshield and sword. But the most distinctive feature, is the complete lack of a head! I quickly raise my own shield in preparation, but the mysterious knight charges away from me, to attack a slowly advancing shadow.

I watch in fascination, as the two ghostly figures fight. If you could even call it a fight. In three swings of the blade, the knight dispatches the shadow and approaches me, non combatively.

Me: "What are you?" In answer to my question, the knight's hand reaches out and touches my forehead.