Zerthon approached the old windmill, his senses on high alert. He knew that this was a trap, but he was willing to take the risk to save Tessie.
As he entered the windmill, Zerthon saw a figure waiting for him. It was the same person he had chased earlier, dressed in dark robes with their face hidden behind a mask.
"Welcome, Zerthon," the figure said, their voice low and menacing. "I've been waiting for you."
Zerthon drew his sword, his eyes locked on the figure. "Where is Tessie?" he demanded, his voice firm.
The figure chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "Tessie is safe, for now," they said. "But if you want to see her again, you'll have to do something for me."
Zerthon's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening. "What do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice firm.
The figure pulled out a small, intricately carved box from their robes. "I want you to open this box," they said. "And if you can do it without triggering the trap, I'll let Tessie go."
Zerthon's eyes widened, his mind racing with thoughts of the trap. He knew that he had to be careful, but he was determined to save Tessie.
He took the box, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the surface. As he examined it, Zerthon noticed that the carvings seemed to be a puzzle, a complex lock that required a specific sequence of presses to open.
Zerthon's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with thoughts of the puzzle. He knew that he had to solve it quickly, before the trap was triggered.
With a deep breath, Zerthon began to press the carvings in a specific sequence, his fingers moving quickly and precisely. The box clicked and whirred, the sound of gears turning and locks disengaging.
Finally, with a soft click, the box opened, revealing a small, glowing crystal inside. Zerthon breathed a sigh of relief, his heart pounding in his chest.
The figure nodded, a look of approval on their face. "Well done, Zerthon," they said. "You're cleverer than I thought."
Zerthon's eyes narrowed, his grip on his sword tightening. "Where is Tessie?" he demanded, his voice firm.
The figure smiled, a cold, mirthless sound. "Tessie is waiting for you," they said. "But first, you have to get past me."
And with that, the figure drew their own sword, the blade flashing in the dim light. Zerthon's eyes widened, his mind racing with thoughts of the battle ahead.
He knew that he had to be careful, but he was determined to save Tessie. With a fierce battle cry, Zerthon charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light.
The battle was on, and Zerthon was ready to face whatever lay ahead.