FRANK PAYNE AND THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE

-- Chapter 25 -- Artmeck's riddle

"What are you?" Frank asked, pointing the knife at him.

"Where's your manners, boy?" asked that bizarre being, moving the opening of the trunk like a mouth, while his tongue moved all the time, often releasing drops of saliva in all directions. "My name is Artmeck, a being of the mimic race, very ancient, created by a wizard who mastered the art of enigmas and mysteries of the entire universe. I have been forgotten in this cave for many years, awaiting my master's return, and as I wait, I meet brave warriors who venture into these accursed caves, beyond, of course, creatures of darkness that you dare not face."

Frank kept looking at his mouth full of big teeth. They've seen it all in that place, but nothing compared to this. Barbara, who was now beside him, also couldn't take her eyes off that creature.

"Tell me what's going on here, please. How can I break the spell of my friends?" Frank asked, snapping out of the trance they'd been in as they stared at the creature without even being able to tear their eyes away.

"This is an enchantment spell, one of the spells derived from the water element. Nothing more than an illusion created to relax you and take away your worries about the outside world. Generally, those who master this element can create a relaxing environment for a faster recovery from any illness, both physical and spiritual."

"But who is behind this?" asked the boy, curious and at the same time afraid.

"As I said, this is elemental magic and can only be performed by a person who has mastered it, and from what I've seen so far, it's not the case with you mere humans."

"So, it can only be that water elemental general we heard," Barbara thought aloud. "We don't know of any other being capable of mastering any kind of element in nature."

"It's true, Barbara. If it's him, then we'll need to wake up the staff and get the team together so we're at full strength. Apparently, he must be pretty close."

"I can ask you a question?" Barbara questioned to the old errant trunk.

"Yes of course. Anything for a girl as beautiful as you," said that old trunk, running its drooling tongue all over its monstrous mouth.

"How do we manage to defeat a being as powerful as this general?" Barbara asked, not paying attention to that repulsive scene.

"This general you refer to is a magical being summoned from the depths of the icy waters of the Pacific. He is an elemental water warrior, specialist in combat and unless you have magical powers and are experts in the art of war, which I very much doubt, get out before being killed" said that being with all the arrogance that was his due.

"But in the event that we have to face this monster, how could we win?"

"The correct question is: how to beat the water?" snapped the humanoid chest.

"How?" Frank asked.

"You already know the answer," said Artmeck.

The boys were thoughtful and could not reach any conclusions. Finally, tired of thinking, they changed the subject.

"What's inside you?" asked Frank curiously.

"A few years ago, someone kept inside me the legendary transmorphous stone."

"Transmorphous stone?"

"Yes, it is a magical item, exceedingly rare, which can transform itself into the deepest desire of the one who touches it. There are very few such stones on earth and, by coincidence, here in this cave there are two, one trapped between large rocks somewhere out there and the other inside me, well-guarded and safe as only I can keep it."