The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Twilight valley 12, Part 86

The wizard's hat trembled and spoke in a raspy voice:

"In crystal I'm trapped, a song is my plea

To free me from prison, answer riddles three

First, what binds tightly but can set you free?"

Mer-mer furrowed his brow in concentration. "Binds tightly but sets you free... a promise perhaps? Or a vow?"

The hat chuckled darkly. "Clever kitten, but not quite. Fail again and your fate is sealed in stone!"

Shadowcat's eyes widened in realization. "Ropes! Ropes can bind, but they can also be used to climb to freedom."

"Very good," the hat said begrudgingly. "Now for the second:

I'm always in front but never behind

Pursuing me is a fruitless grind

What am I?"

Lila piped up, "The future! It's always ahead, never behind, and you can chase it forever but never catch up."

The hat grumbled in annoyance. "Right again. One final riddle stands between you and the fair princess:

Lighter than a feather but ten men can't hold me for long

I travel on the wind but never toward the sun

Without me, you would surely die

What am I?"

The companions looked at each other, stumped. The wizard grinned maliciously, certain of his triumph.

But then Kira spoke, her voice calm and clear. "Breath. It is light as air, vital for life, and leaves the body but never returns."

The wizard scowled as his hat drooped in defeat. "Very clever, girl. You've passed the first test. But there are more trials ahead if you wish to free the princess..."

With a dramatic swirl of his cloak, the sorcerer stepped aside, revealing three ornate doors set into the cavern wall behind him. Each door bore a unique symbol - a sun, a moon, and a star.

"Choose wisely, heroes," he taunted. "Only one path leads to the princess. The others... well, let's just say they're not so pleasant."

Mer-mer studied the doors intently, reaching out with his senses. There was powerful magic emanating from each threshold, but one felt different - a gentle warmth, like the first rays of dawn.

"The door with the sun," he declared confidently. "That's the way we need to go."

Lila bounced excitedly. "Ooh, good choice Mer-mer! I bet there's treasure behind it!"

Shadowcat approached the sun door cautiously and pushed it open. Golden light spilled out, along with a soft, melodious humming.

Beyond the doorway stretched a narrow crystal bridge, suspended over a yawning chasm. And at the far end, they could see the princess's prison, pulsing with arcane energy.

"We're almost there!" Lila exclaimed. "Just a little further!"

But as they stepped onto the bridge, the humming grew louder, resonating through the crystal until it shook beneath their paws.

"Oh no," groaned Mer-mer. "Another trap!"

The wizard's laughter echoed around them as segments of the bridge began to vanish, dissolving into thin air.

"Better hurry, little heroes! One wrong step and it's a long way down!"

Shadowcat gritted her teeth in determination. "Then we don't miss a step. Follow my lead!"

With agility only a feline could possess, she began to leap from segment to segment, finding stable footing just before each piece winked out of existence. Mer-mer and Lila followed close behind, hearts pounding as the chasm yawned beneath them...