A Missing Ring

The Dark Oak

The next day they were off into the Dark Oak, where Payarur's gem was hopefully located. "In the forest, seriously? No wonder no one knows if they are anymore" Ryker complained slightly as he tripped over a couple of branches. "Ryk it's a forest, be careful! Who knows what lies in this one" Andrea held her flashlight and cut the branches in the way with her pocket knife.

By the time they reached the Dark Oak the sun was setting, and the animals and creatures would appear. They could hear the rustling sound of the animals running in the bushes. The trees went on high and high forever among the Dark Oak that covered the inner core. The dirty path got their shoes messed up and they felt soggy, they stepped on twigs, rocks, and after hours of walking their feet were sore. And the leaves and branches fell down from the height, one hit and someone could be knocked unconscious.

"Ash, Ryk move to the left!" Andrea yelled, pushing them out of the way as a branch came crashing down. "After today, I do not want to think of how many people passed going on this trip" Asher balanced himself onto the branch and followed behind Andrea.

"Sucks for you I've already seen a skeleton, that image will never get out of my head as long as I live" Ryker ducked down a branch as they were disgusted.

"Gross, but I've seen about 5 so I completely feel you" Andrea stepped over a bunch of dead leaves and tripped over a root right after, "Stupid woods". "Andrea, do you know if we are getting any closer? This trail seems to be going on forever and I believe it's been 2 hours" Ryker tried to see the sun over the trees ten times taller than him, the sun was nowhere to be seen, and neither was a way out.

"I hope we are getting closer, being in the forest they're really are no directions, but my assumption is that it is deep within the woods. Hopefully we are getting near" Andrea walked up in front of them both and led the way with the paper in one hand and the flashlight in the other, oh what the heck did I just get myself into.

After the next 30 minutes their luck was running out, they felt like they were walking in circles and felt like every turn they made was the same every single time. They all leaned against a tree and took a quick sip of water from their canteen, "And I thought the first one the other ones were going to be hard". "Wait, am I hallucinating or do I see light? Did we walk across the entire forest?" Ryker pointed out, "Only one way to find out".

All three of them ran to the light flashing, and it only became closer with each step. Once they reached it they saw a massive door, a golden door shining as it was just polished. Though covered in moss and mulch it was easy to know it had been there for a very long time. "Nice going Ryker, you found what we were looking for" Andrea looked up, seeing the door could at least be 12 feet tall. "Nice going for you too, if you didn't think of just walking we might've given up".

"Well, is there any way for us to even get in?" Andrea walked up front and touched the golden yellow handle only for it to shoot her back slightly. Asher caught her by the arms and brought her away from the hard wood tree.

"Welcome, this is your first riddle you must solve, and the riddles only become harder as you progress" an elderly man spoke right beside it. "Ok sir, what is the riddle" Ryker was the bravest one to talk from all of them being in shock.

"I belong in the month December, but not in any other month. I am not on holiday. What am I?" they spoke, beating to a soft rhythm on their drum.

"That's our riddle? It doesn't make sense" Asher leaned against the mossy tree and Andrea leaned her back onto it. "Belong in the month of December, but not in any other month... I am not on holiday... what if they aren't talking about a date?" Andrea took in her realization. She took a quick glance around the forest again and mumbled to herself... the letter D. "The letter 'D'".