The Riddle of the Whispering Trees

Tim picked up an old key from the ground, which glinted on the mulch exactly where they always ended their forest excursion with Lena. The key was strange: it was long, and had a leaf on the end instead of the usual tooth. - Come on, let's see where it fits! - whispered Lena, looking at her brother with a glint in her eye. They set off deeper into the forest. Amid the quiet whispering of trees and the crackle of twigs, they arrived at a place that even Grandpa had never mentioned: a blackberry-covered gate entwined with green vines. Tymek pressed the key. The mechanism squeaked and the rusty gate slid open slowly, opening a passage to an unknown world. Beyond the gate, the world was completely different. The sky was grey-purple, the grasses grew waist high and the leaves of the trees rustled as if they were talking to each other in whispers. Suddenly, a small, luminous creature with transparent wings emerged from the crown of the largest tree. - 'I have been waiting for you,' he said, and his voice was as light as a summer wind. - 'You must help me, because the shadow in the forest is growing stronger.... If we do not find the Nest of Whispers before the three moons set, the whole Land of Trees will fall silent forever! Lena grabbed Tymek's hand. The skylight's eyes suddenly grew serious, and a strange, quiet voice came from the distance, resembling.... crying? - 'You only have one choice,' said the creature, then pointed to a tunnel winding under the oldest of the trees. - Who dares to enter first?