A bumpy, uneven wall appeared before them—it was actually one of the cave's dead ends.
"There's no way forward." Doctor Gels reached out and touched the stone wall, discovering that it was solid.
Mayfair also reached out to touch the stone wall. Her fingers began tracing something across it, apparently a symbol.
Doctor Gels took a few more glances and secretly memorized the movements of Mayfair's fingers.
"This wall is the gateway to the elf tribe," Mr. Snef said suddenly. "Only elves possess the means to open it. Even if you memorize this symbol, you won't have the power needed to activate it."
Doctor Gels shrugged, looking unconcerned.
Mayfair looked at Snef and asked doubtfully, "You seem very familiar with our tribe?"
"I've been here before," Snef said calmly. "Many, many years ago."
"You're human?" Mayfair suddenly asked.
"Of course." Mr. Snef nodded.
Mayfair was greatly surprised. "You really are human? You look no more than sixty or seventy years old. By that calculation, I was already in the tribe before you were born. If you'd been here before, I should have remembered you."
Mr. Snef brushed her off. "Perhaps you weren't there at the time, so you didn't know... Just like today, you've temporarily left the tribe and only now returned."
Mayfair was about to say something, but the stone wall had already begun to change—the entrance to the elf tribe was about to open.
Mayfair could only remind everyone, "Once we're inside, stay close to me. Also, try not to make too much noise. There's a small woods on the way to the village. The Sleeping Trees there hate shrill sounds the most. If you wake them, they'll become extremely violent."
Despite her words, Mr. Snef had already stepped into the entrance ahead of them.
Mayfair was startled