Palace Midas - Midas's Garden and Secret #3

After using the switch in the DISTANT TEMPLE to open the GARDEN gate and making your way there, as shown in the previous section, enter cautiously. Two more gorillas (41-42) lurk in the garden. Draw them out one at a time, then back away firing.

Approach the sundial in the middle of the room. If you also examined the Inca calendar wheel in the Caves level, you'll now unlock the achievement/trophy "It's About Time."

Turn around to face the entrance. Then find the switch on the right (south) wall behind a small tree. Use it to open the gate to the right (also on the south wall of the garden).

Enter and proceed slowly. As you turn the corner, a pair of chomping blades begin to work. At this point the chime sounds for SECRET #3. So you can actually go only this far and the secret will count. But if you want all pickups, and the shattered tile for the "After Us The Deluge!" achievement/trophy, you'll have to pass the trap.

Between the blades is a break-away floor tile with spikes below. So you can't pause between the blades without falling into the spikes. You'll have to jump past both sets. Walk forward until Lara is standing about one walking step before the blades, facing the jagged gap in the center. If possible, listen to the sounds the blades make. There are two "clangs" then a "scritch," as the blades clamp together then begin to separate. Take a standing jump past the blades right after the second "clang," or just as the blades begin to separate.

As you pass over the cracked floor tile, it should collapse, adding to your total for the Deluge achievement/trophy.

NOTE: If the cracked tile doesn't break when you jump over it, it is possible to run across the tile just as the blades begin to separate. The timing is tricky, and Lara will lose some health, but it can be done. Or, stand about one full tile plus one walking step back from the nearest blade, jump forward onto the cracked tile as the blades begin to separate, then immediately run or jump forward to clear the second blade.

Pick up the goodies from around the small room—magnum clips, shotgun shells, and a small medi pack (19-21).

NOTE: If you don't already have the MAGNUMS, you'll get them here instead of ammunition.

Exit past the blades the same way you came in: Stand facing the center line, about one walking step back from the first blade. Wait for the second clang as the blades smash together.

Then jump forward to clear them both at once. Follow the passageway back to the GARDEN.

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