Chapter 11: The Ancient Riddles
Rohan stood on the deck of the Sky-Skipper, looking up at the massive eye of Elara. He took a deep breath and spoke, "Wise Elara, how can we reach the Queen of Light safely? The Shadow's Breath is everywhere."
The giant whale groaned, a sound that made the very air vibrate. "The path to light always leads through the darkest shadows, little Guardian. To reach the Queen, you must pass through the 'Labyrinth of Lost Stars.' But be warned: the Labyrinth does not test your strength. It tests your truth."
"My truth?" Rohan asked, confused.
"Everyone has a secret they hide even from themselves," Elara's voice echoed in his mind. "The Shadow King feeds on those secrets. If you enter the Labyrinth with a lie in your heart, you will become part of the stone forever."
Suddenly, Elara opened her massive mouth, but instead of teeth, a tunnel of swirling blue starlight appeared. "This is the shortcut. It will take you to the edge of the Labyrinth. Do you trust yourself enough to enter?"
Pip looked at Rohan, his blue eyes wide. "If she's offering a path, we have to take it. The Winged Scouts will find us if we stay in the open."
Rohan gripped the steering wheel. He thought about his village, his grandfather, and the silver key. He didn't know if he was a hero, but he knew he couldn't turn back. He steered the Sky-Skipper directly into the whale's glowing mouth.