INTO THE UNKNOWN : XHAIDEN'S ADVENTURE I

**Chapter 4: The Guardian's Riddle**

The path through the Veilwood led Xhaiden, Lyria, and Thorne to a tranquil glade bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of a dozen shimmering moons. At the center of the glade stood a colossal, ancient oak tree with gnarled roots that seemed to reach into the very heart of the earth.

Before the tree, a figure clad in robes of shifting colors appeared, shimmering with an otherworldly light. The guardian of the Luminous Glade, as they introduced themselves, was an enigmatic being known as Aurelia.

"I am the keeper of this realm," Aurelia spoke with a voice like a gentle breeze rustling leaves. "To gain passage to the heart of the Luminous Glade, you must prove your wisdom."

Aurelia presented them with a riddle, "I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and rivers but no water. What am I?"

The trio exchanged knowing glances, understanding that this riddle, like the one they'd encountered in the Veilwood, held the key to unlocking the guardian's trust. Thorne, the master of riddles, stepped forward, pondered for a moment, and then answered confidently, "A map."

Aurelia's eyes shimmered with approval, and she gestured towards the colossal oak tree. Its bark peeled away, revealing a hidden passage leading deep into the tree's interior.

"Your wisdom has earned you passage," Aurelia said. "Follow the path, and it will lead you to the heart of the Luminous Glade."

As they ventured deeper into the tree, a radiant, luminescent world unveiled itself before their eyes. The tree's interior was filled with iridescent blossoms that floated on the breeze, casting mesmerizing patterns of light. Each step they took seemed to awaken the tree's magic, and the air hummed with an enchanting melody.

In the heart of the Luminous Glade, they discovered a large, circular clearing where an intricate mosaic covered the ground. It depicted a map of Eldoria, but with an unusual marking—an enigmatic sigil at the center, which resembled a swirling vortex.

Thorne, Lyria, and Xhaiden knelt before the mosaic, feeling the magic emanating from it. As they traced their fingers over the sigil, it began to shimmer, revealing hidden words etched into the stone beneath. The inscription read, "To unlock the Unknown, seek the Three Seals."

The trio exchanged excited glances, realizing that the Luminous Glade held a crucial clue about the Unknown. They understood that the journey had only just begun, and the path to uncovering the realm's secrets was paved with riddles and mysteries.

With newfound determination and a deeper understanding of their quest, Xhaiden, Lyria, and Thorne left the Luminous Glade, their hearts filled with anticipation. They would now seek the Three Seals, each one a piece of the puzzle that could unlock the secrets of the Unknown, and propel them further into their extraordinary adventure.