10. THE FIVE CRYSTALS

CHAPTER 10 THE FIVE CRYSTALS With the key in its beak, the crow flew up and sat on top of the wall. "Hema, get that key!" Darma cried. Hema flew off Darma's shoulder and chased the crow but bumped into the magical barrier. The crow disappeared over the wall. Hema transformed back into a dragon. Rune frowned.

Darma put a hand on Rune's shoulder. "Do not worry," he said. "I have an idea!" Darma turned to Drake. "Drake, where is the piece of gold that I gave you?" Puzzled, Drake took the gold disc from his bag. "Right here."

"You got a good look at the key. Hold the gold in your hand, and picture the key," Darma instructed. "Close your eyes." Drake closed his eyes. The prongs of the key looked like dragon's teeth, he thought, and a picture formed in his mind.

He felt the gold disc move. He opened his eyes. The disc had turned into the key! "Well done, Drake!" Darma said. Drake tried the key in the lock. The door handle turned, and he pushed the door open. When he took out the key, it transformed back into a gold disc. Rune says: That was amazing! "This is a very useful magical object," Drake remarked, putting it back in his bag. "Thanks, Darma." They all went through the doorway, and the door slammed shut behind them. They had entered a dark, dirt tunnel. This new pathway sloped down. As they walked, Drake had a feeling they were heading deep underground.

The tunnel opened up into a room with stone walls and a ceiling overhead. In the center stood five large crystals. Each one was as tall as Griffith the wizard. "Is there a way out of this place?" Drake wondered.

Rune stepped into the center of the circle of crystals. The others followed him. Then he pointed to the crystals. Each one had the same, flower-like symbol carved on it. That reminds me of the symbol on Lysa's chest and on the labyrinth door, Drake thought.