"Mr. Podrick!"
Held in Peter's arms, Zatanna's lips quivered as she spoke, and her face instantly turned bright red.
With his free hand, Peter held onto the ears of the rabbit, Berks.
With a bang, Peter landed safely on the ground, carrying both the rabbit and Zatanna.
"I told you before—don't use magic recklessly here."
Having just experienced a free fall, the terrified Berks immediately complained to Zatanna, "If it weren't for Mr. Podrick, you almost got me smashed into a meat patty!"
"S-Sorry! I acted on impulse!"
Feeling guilty, Zatanna quickly apologized to the rabbit.
Peter set her down and remarked, "Looks like you still can't fully control your magic, little Za. Next time, try not to get angry and make me 'disappear' completely."
He was genuinely wary of these young magic users—one wrong spell from an emotional outburst, and he might end up suffering an unbearable fate.
"No, of course not!"
Embarrassed by Peter's teasing, Zatanna's face turned even redder. "I'm usually very good at controlling my emotions."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward their surroundings.
In front of them stood a dark red door.
"There's another door here. Maybe we should search these rooms one by one?" Zatanna suggested.
Berks shook his head and warned her, "I need to remind you, Zatanna—if you find the Black Door, under no circumstances should you open it."
"The Black Door?"
Zatanna looked at him in confusion. "What is that?"
"The Realm of the Dead—the final exit from this place."
"Is it… hell?" Zatanna continued asking.
"Something like that. What I do know is that once someone enters the Black Door, they never come out. But sometimes, it's said that you can find the answers you seek there."
Berks twitched his ears as he spoke.
"Well, we don't have any other options."
Zatanna glanced around. With only one room available, they had no choice but to check it out.
Even if they encountered another Goblin Kitchen, with Peter here, she felt confident that the goblins wouldn't be a real threat.
Summoning her courage, Zatanna pushed the door open with a creak and stepped inside.
What met her eyes was an overwhelming sea of books.
Endless rows of bookshelves were stacked to the brim, and even the floor was covered with thick piles of books and loose pages.
Seeing the scene before her, Zatanna swallowed nervously.
"A world of books? My father is a total bookworm—this place suits him perfectly."
She was still making fun of her father when, suddenly, a powerful gust of wind roared through the room.
With a deafening crash, a colossal figure appeared before them.
"Those who fail my riddle shall go no further!"
The creature's thunderous voice echoed through the room.
Startled, both Zatanna and Berks instinctively took a step back.
The creature had the body of a lion, a human-like face, and wings sprouting from its back. With each breath, it let out a sound like rolling thunder.
Though massive and terrifying, it was not made of flesh and blood—it was composed entirely of folded paper.
"It's a Sphinx!"
Berks stared at the paper beast in shock. "Sphinxes are riddle-givers—that's their purpose!"
"A riddle?"
Zatanna halted her instinct to flee and looked at the Sphinx.
"It really gives riddles?"
The Sphinx's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "If you answer correctly, you shall receive a reward."
"A reward? You mean a prize?"
Zatanna's interest was immediately piqued. "If we get it right, will you let us leave? And… can you tell me where my father is?"
"First, answer the riddle."
The Sphinx spoke its challenge to the trio:
"My spine is stiff, my body pale, yet I always have a tale to tell."
"Beware—an incorrect answer will bring dire consequences!"
Hearing the riddle, Zatanna turned to Peter for help.
She was terrible at riddles.
Berks thought for a moment but couldn't come up with an answer either.
"I got it!"
A sudden idea struck Zatanna. "The answer is… a talkative zombie!"
"A zombie has a stiff spine and a pale body—it fits!"
Before she could finish her explanation, the Sphinx's deep voice bellowed, "Those who answer incorrectly shall be punished!"
With that, it swung its massive claw toward Zatanna.
In the blink of an eye, Peter moved beside her and pulled her out of the way.
With a thunderous crash, the spot where Zatanna had been standing was obliterated, sending wooden debris flying everywhere.
Though made of paper, the Sphinx's strength and speed were terrifying.
Before it could attack again, Peter raised his hand.
"Wait! I know the answer."
Hearing this, the Sphinx halted its attack and lowered its gaze toward him. "Either you answer correctly, or you suffer punishment."
Peter glanced at the books scattered on the floor and replied,
"My spine is stiff, my body pale, yet I always have a tale to tell—the answer is a book."
"Correct!"
The Sphinx's voice boomed with approval.
"Amazing, Mr. Podrick!"
Zatanna cheered excitedly.
Peter, however, silently looked at her.
This is supposed to be the future Grand Magician of the Dark Justice League?
She couldn't even solve a simple riddle like this?!
He was beginning to suspect that the master of this secret chamber was just a kid—why else would there be a riddle-asking monster here?
Unaware of Peter's thoughts, Zatanna eagerly asked the Sphinx, "Since we answered correctly, will you help us leave?"
"I shall."
With heavy steps, the Sphinx led the way.
It leapt through the doorway and soared upward. Peter carried Zatanna and Berks, following closely behind.
Soon, the Sphinx brought them to a vast open space and spoke, "Ahead of you are several doors. Choose the right one, and you will find your way out. I wish you luck."
With that, the Sphinx spread its wings and departed.
Staring at the various doors before them, each unique in shape and design, Zatanna scratched her head in frustration.
"Every room has been scarier than the last. Honestly, I don't feel like going in anymore."
Peter was about to respond when a freezing wind howled through the air.
A bone-chilling presence swept over them.
"We meet again, Zatanna… and Peter Podrick."
A familiar voice echoed behind them.
Peter turned and saw a woman in a white coat—the Witch Queen.
Zatanna froze in shock.
"I expected you to take longer to reach this place," the Witch Queen said with a smile. "But your speed is impressive."
"You!"
Zatanna glared at her in anger. "What do you want?!"
"You already know what I want, don't you?" The Witch Queen's eyes gleamed. "Tell me the secret magic hidden in this house, and we won't have to be enemies. I'll even help you find your father."
Zatanna's eyes lit up but quickly dimmed as she shook her head. "No. I don't want to find him anymore. He lied to me… He made me think my mother was dead."
"Uh…"
The Witch Queen looked momentarily caught off guard.
Peter coughed and stepped forward.
"Hey, did you forget about me?"
The Witch Queen turned her gaze to him. "Of course not, Mr. Podrick. You are powerful and mysterious… but you don't understand magic. You don't know my place in the magical world."
"Oh?"
Peter smirked. "If you're so powerful, then why, despite having the key, can't you unlock the secrets of this house?"
The Witch Queen's expression darkened.
Before she could respond, Peter lunged forward—ready to end this fight once and for all.
...
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