TAKE X (6-5-17: The End)

> Ask de Soren to use the staff to force that lever.



After thinking for a moment, you turn to de Soren. You have an idea - if it works, it could potentially save you some trouble, but if it doesn't you're going to make at least one of those critters very upset.

"Can you get your staff to force something over there against that lever?"

de Soren shrugs. "I've never been able to make that staff do anything, to be honest. I think it has a mind of its own."

You eye the staff. It floats in the air in the exact same way that it has been up to this point, but it still manages to eye you back. It's a little unnerving.



But then it crosses the gap and forces the nearest creature - that simple grinnell - down against the lever. The grinnell doesn't look too disgruntled, but then you're also trying very hard not to look at its eye.



The sluice gate grinds open. Not much seems to change, but if you were inclined to swim, you could probably make it through that passageway now. Not that you are in any way inclined to take a dip in this sludge.



"The footsteps were getting closer. Metal ringing like a bell - and it was ringing for us."

Gio's right. You need to figure out how you're going to get across.