The Five Realms

Chapter 17: Steven III

Hidden Treacheries

Steven had been quietly digesting the group's mounting tension since the moment they arrived at their current challenge—a grand, enigmatic door standing imposingly before them. He felt a pang of frustration as he looked around at his friends, the unease palpable in the air. Their journey had been long and fraught with danger, and this door, with its strange carvings and flowing sap, was just another hurdle in their path. Yet, the mood among the group was not just one of curiosity or caution; it was tinged with mistrust and frustration, particularly directed at him.

Steven knew the root of their discontent. They blamed him for keeping Joey's fireproof secret, a secret that had become a bone of contention among them. The revelation had shattered the fragile trust they had in each other, and now, even the simplest tasks seemed to be overshadowed by this underlying discord.

As the group stood before the door, Steven could sense the silent accusations. Chyna's sharp words from earlier and her barely masked anger were still fresh in his mind. Joey's defensive posture and the heated exchange between him and Chyna had left an indelible mark. Now, standing here, Steven couldn't shake the feeling that their mistrust was interfering with their ability to solve the puzzle before them.

The door itself was an imposing structure. Massive wooden panels—one a bone-white weirwood oozing with a red sap, the other a deep, cold Ironwood—loomed over them. The intricate carvings and the human-like faces etched into the door gave it an almost lifelike presence. Steven was struck by the sheer complexity of it, the way the carvings seemed to watch them, waiting for them to make a mistake.

Chyna, visibly frustrated, was already examining the carvings with a critical eye. "What kind of wood is this?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of wonder and skepticism.

Arya, the knowledgeable guide, was quick to answer. "The white wood is weirwood, and the darker one is Ironwood. They're rare and ancient."

"Sounds very original," Chyna quipped, her sarcasm not lost on Steven.

Arya, taken aback, responded earnestly before realizing the joke. "Actually, yes, there are continents called Essos and Southeros."

Chyna's frustration seemed to increase as she examined the sap dripping from the door. "But this sap... it's still flowing."

Arya explained that the sap was a sign of the weirwood's ancient magic and ongoing growth. Chyna's skepticism melted slightly into awe, but Steven noticed that the group's tension remained. The door had become a focal point for their strained interactions, the complex riddle carved into its surface adding to the mounting pressure.

The puzzle itself was elaborate, with inscriptions and symbols that promised to challenge their collective intellect. Arya's small orb of green light illuminated the text, revealing a series of cryptic instructions:

The door's carvings presented a new challenge: an intricate riddle that promised both mystery and peril. Arya's small orb of green light illuminated the text, revealing cryptic instructions:

Place the deer on its rear and I will appear.

Place the bear on the square, if you dare.

The wolf must dance on four hooves.

Flow with the mane and speak his name.

The group's reaction was a mix of frustration and determination. Chyna's voice carried a note of exasperation as she read aloud. "This is such a cliché. I've seen puzzles like this before. There's no room for error."

Arya, attempting to shift the focus back to the task, encouraged the team. "It's not just about opening the door. It's about understanding the process."

Steven could sense the strain in Chyna's voice, the frustration that had simmered beneath the surface now spilling over. The group's mistrust was interfering with their ability to work together. The task at hand, once a simple puzzle, had become a battleground for their unresolved grievances.

Murtagh, ever perceptive, turned to Steven. "Steven seems to have an idea. Care to share?"

Steven, feeling the weight of his role in the group's current discord, took a deep breath. "It's in the way the words are written. Look carefully. Certain letters are slightly different. It's a hidden message."

He pulled out his phone, typing out the letters and numbers he had deciphered. The task required concentration, and Steven could feel the eyes of his friends on him. Their unspoken doubts were a palpable force, shaping his every move. After a moment of silent typing, Steven read aloud what he had found. "Place the deer and the bear on the square, on the mane speak the name. Beyond that, I'm unsure."

Fate, her usual composure unwavering, stepped forward with a determined air. She began removing the carvings of the deer and the bear from the door, her movements precise. As she placed them onto the designated squares, a soft, resonant sound filled the air. The door's response was subtle yet significant—a sign that they were on the right track.

The inscriptions on the door shifted, revealing new clues:

The wolf will dance, but not alone,

Four hooves and paws, flesh and bone.

To the mane, speak the name,

Lest you invoke eternal flame.

The group's mood shifted from cautious optimism to anxious contemplation. The puzzle had evolved, and the mention of "eternal flame" was a stark reminder of the stakes involved. Chyna stepped back, her expression one of deep concentration. "The wolf must dance... Four hooves and paws... It's not just about placement. It needs a sequence. A pattern."

Arya nodded, her expression serious. "It's not just about placing the wolf. It's about what the wolf represents. And the four hooves... it's a combination."

Steven felt a sense of frustration mingled with determination. The mistrust that had followed him was an invisible barrier, a silent impediment to their progress. He knew that the group's suspicion of him was clouding their ability to work together effectively. Each movement, each suggestion, seemed tinged with an unspoken discontent.

Fate's realization seemed to cut through the tension. "It's a dance, a pattern of movements," she said with sudden excitement. "The wolf isn't alone. It's a sequence. The deer and the bear represent the steps. We need to move them in a specific order."

She began to manipulate the carvings with a deft touch, sliding them along the surface of the door. Her actions were methodical and deliberate, each movement a testament to her understanding of the puzzle. As she worked, the door responded, the inscriptions glowing brighter as if acknowledging the correctness of their approach.

Steven watched as Fate placed the wolf carving into its designated spot. The door rumbled, and the carvings lit up in a brilliant display. The ancient mechanism had been set in motion, and the door began to swing open slowly, revealing the passage beyond.

As the group prepared to move forward, Steven felt a mix of relief and apprehension. The door's opening was a tangible success, but the journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty. The mistrust that had lingered was still present, and Steven knew that it would continue to shape their interactions.

Looking at his friends—Chyna, Joey, Fate, and Beanca—Steven felt a resolve to mend the fractures in their relationships. The door had opened, but the true challenge lay in repairing the bonds that had been strained. The road ahead promised new obstacles, but it was clear that the journey would be as much about healing old wounds as it was about confronting new dangers.

As they stepped through the door and into the unknown, Steven made a silent vow to address the lingering mistrust. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to find a way to rebuild the trust that had been eroded. For now, the door had opened, and the adventure continued.