[The Predator](https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/69491/falcon-circus-chapter-1-the-predator) ----------- The hidden voice behind the monster's bellows caught your attention. You scramble backwards and shout, "Sparrow!" Light streams in as the door behind you opens. You go through, shaking the black sludge off your shoes. The creature screams behind you, and you [look back to see](https://i.sstatic.net/uKMYC.png). As the door closes, you hear a familiar voice call out to the monster- "Lycan?" The door shuts behind you. You turn around to survey the new room and jump in fright. A huge... chimera? Its fur was white, and seemed to be well-kept. It began to speak, and you recognize its voice as the one who was behind the first door. [![Lalia the chimera][1]][1] "Oho. What a sneaky way to come visit me, little one. Do not be so afraid. I am Lalia, though I was once Frita. Does that confuse you? You have noticed that those of the Circus are... different. Allow me to tell you about the world you have fallen into. Come; sit, sit." she beckons to the floor in front of her. You take a seat. "I am the oldest replacement. The Circus was once a real place, but someone sabotaged the tent. We were trapped inside and set aflame. The souls of the Circus members died untimely and unforgivable deaths, and the collective anger created a malevolent spirit; the Falcon Circus was reborn as a living phantom. Any traveler who enters may never leave. If their body and soul are deemed worthy, they are destined to become the puppet of an original member. Everyone you have met are such beings. Unfortunately, you encountered King, though you never saw my message, did you?" she smiles at you. "Nevertheless. King was an unsuccessful fusion. The original body and soul has been resisting the will of King. What you saw was the battle between them." You nod, and remember what you saw when the door shut. "And what about Lycan?" you ask. "You have been deemed worthy of reincarnating an especially vile member: Snake. Lycan and Lichen knew this when they stopped you. Lycan took a liking to you, despite knowing your fate. The key he gave you lets you see the real Circus, no? He has been saving your life without you even knowing it. As for his relation to King... the original bodies of the twins were friends with him. Neither Lichen nor Lycan have fully integrated with their Circus member, the very same as with King." You think for a moment, pondering aloud, "I had choices back there. If I had solved the riddle..." "If you had solved King's riddle, he would have gladly taken your body. Him and Snake were never on good terms anyway. However, you chose a different way out. Every member has something that was dear to them when they were alive. For King, it was 'Sparrow', his only child. By reminding him of her, you weakened him enough for the original soul to temporarily take back control." Lalia looked back at the door. "I digress. You have not yet truly earned the right to talk to me or to learn more. Solve the riddle of my door and we may speak again." She beckoned towards her door. A marvelous gust of wind knocked you off your feet, whirling you back outside to the lobby. [![circus entryway][2]][3] $\hskip1.4in$[![go left][4]][5][![forward][6]][7][![backward][8]][9][![right][10]][11] ------------------- tldr; -------- You have escaped being consumed by a confused yet fierce creature. By going back the way you came, you've reached- ... a new location? You have been greeted by another large monster, though this one does not seem to be dangerous (except to the ears... will it ever stop talking?). She has sent you back to the main lobby as you have visited her before you are ready. Solve her original door riddle to proceed. Note: The lobby was recreated above for you, so you do not have to travel back to The Decision post (though you can if you'd like). [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/WhIo2.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/XsfKe.png [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/gu1FV.gif [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/Jyute.png [5]: https://i.sstatic.net/PFUgh.png [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/6LmVn.png [7]: https://i.sstatic.net/kYplb.png [8]: https://i.sstatic.net/oBaY1.png [9]: https://i.sstatic.net/Y5K5j.gif [10]: https://i.sstatic.net/wm34K.png [11]: https://i.sstatic.net/coc6J.png