The Eclipse Society

Chapter 5: "Puzzles of Merlin"

The air in the hidden passage was cool and musty, the walls lined with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with magic. Ethan led the way, his wand illuminating the narrow path. Behind him, Marcus and Lila followed, their expressions tense but determined.

"Merlin's puzzles," Ethan murmured, recalling his sister Lyra's notes. "She mentioned these in her journal. Tests set by Isolt to protect the Heart of Sayre."

As they ventured deeper, the passage opened into a cavernous chamber. At its center stood a large stone door, its surface covered in intricate carvings and magical glyphs. Ethan approached cautiously, feeling the weight of centuries of magic pressing down on him.

Lila pointed to an inscription above the door. "Only those who solve the puzzles of Merlin may enter," she read aloud. "Looks like we're in for a challenge."

Marcus examined the door closely. "These carvings look like a series of riddles. We need to solve them to unlock the door."

Ethan nodded, his mind racing. "Let's get started. Keep an eye out for traps."

The first riddle was inscribed at eye level, its words twisting in the dim light: "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?"

Ethan pondered for a moment before answering, "An echo."

The carvings shifted, and a faint click echoed through the chamber as part of the door unlocked.

"Nice work," Marcus said, moving on to the next riddle: "I am not alive, but I can grow. I don't have lungs, but I need air. What am I?"

Lila smiled. "A fire."

Another click, another part of the door unlocking. The process continued, each riddle testing their wits and knowledge of magic.

The final riddle read: "The more of this there is, the less you see. What am I?"

Ethan thought for a moment, then replied, "Darkness."

The door emitted a low rumble as it swung open, revealing a staircase descending into further darkness. Ethan felt a surge of triumph mixed with apprehension. They were one step closer to the Heart of Sayre, but the real danger still lay ahead.

The team descended the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. At the bottom, they found themselves in a vast underground chamber filled with ancient relics and magical artifacts. At the center of the room, on a pedestal, rested a heart-shaped crystal pulsing with a soft blue light.

"The Heart of Sayre," Ethan whispered, approaching the pedestal. He reached out to take it, but as his fingers brushed the crystal, a powerful barrier of magic repelled him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Are you okay?" Lila rushed to his side.

Ethan nodded, wincing. "It's protected by a powerful ward. We need to find a way to deactivate it."

Marcus examined the runes surrounding the pedestal. "These runes are connected to the puzzles we solved earlier. There must be a sequence to unlock the barrier."

As they worked to decipher the runes, a sudden noise behind them made them freeze. Turning, they saw shadows moving in the entrance. Blackwood's followers had found them.

"Get ready," Ethan warned, raising his wand. "We're not alone."

A group of robed figures emerged from the shadows, led by Professor Blackwood himself, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You've done well to make it this far, Auror Thorne," he sneered. "But the Heart of Sayre belongs to us."

Ethan stood his ground. "You'll have to go through us first."

Blackwood's laugh echoed through the chamber. "Gladly."

A fierce duel erupted, spells flying in all directions. Ethan and his team fought valiantly, but the followers were relentless. Amid the chaos, Ethan noticed the runes on the pedestal beginning to shift and glow.

"Keep them busy!" he shouted to Marcus and Lila. "I'll handle the barrier."

As his friends held off the attackers, Ethan focused on the runes, his mind racing to piece together the final sequence. With a final, desperate effort, he chanted the incantation, and the barrier around the Heart of Sayre dissipated.

Ethan grabbed the crystal, feeling its immense power surge through him. "We have what we came for! Let's get out of here!"

With the Heart in their possession, they fought their way back up the stairs, the chamber collapsing behind them. They emerged into the sanctuary, breathless and battered but victorious.

As they sealed the entrance to the passage, Ethan turned to his team. "We have the Heart, but this is just the beginning. Blackwood won't stop, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next."

The storm was gathering, but with the Heart of Sayre in their hands, they had a fighting chance. For Ilvermorny, for Lyra, and for the magical world, they would face the darkness head-on.