Sure thing, I'll give you two. One is cryptic and one isn't. Pick which one you want to read.
Cryptic: red smoke rises.
Not cryptic: the runes.
I swear I thought I had tried that, but I guess I wasn't doing it right. But thanks for the hint! I was able to get the final ending, I appreciate the help and listening to my compla-- er, I mean feedback. :)