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“And as the last time that happened?”

“The years all blur after so long”

I lower the cloak and push up the sleeve of e the outcome My hand trembles as I sink it into the icy deeps The cold sinks bone deep My teeth chatter The sprites circle ainst s work in tanderaceful shapes and forhten their ranks My throat dries out Are they going to attack?

I pick up the key, ready to fend off an attack Their tiny hands brush up against my skin as they wrap their bodies around me I lift my arm out carefully I clear the water, uncertain if a battle with theer Sebile The s are iridescent, glowing in the ht They ently I don’t understand the significance, but it’s a far sight better than the tiny teeth ripping into ht

“They’re giving you their blessing and thanking you for their freedom They’re bound to protect the key, but while it’s in use, they can do as they please”

“Thank

you,” I whisper I s the top of the water while they disappear from view

“You’ve passed the first test Come”

Clutching the key like a taliser and flesh out A trail turns to the right The light lessens as the trees grow together above us My sto yellow eyes watch us frory beasts that possess those luazes Branches rustle My instincts kick in, adrenaline pu us Plenty of lore describes the being with teeth, claws, and ill intentions a the Unseelie

I glance overbehind us Spindly fingers appear on the edge of the ay Goblins? I’ Three tall oak trees reach for the evening sky Their branches like fingers spread as they worship its majesty In the center of each thick trunk are doors I study the key It gives no indication which door it will unlock The door in the iant owl Its eyes are carved deep and seem to follow you A navy-blue door, which has a rounded top with an eht On the far left is an ornate black door with a gold fran

“What am I supposed to do?” I ask

“Each door leads somewhere But only one will take you to the hall of mirrors”

“What keepsevery door?”

“You htforward I want to ask, ‘Where’s the catch?’

“May I touch the doors?”