The vibrant transition of the sky from a brilliant blue to soft, warm yellows and oranges as the sun embarked on its graceful descent near the horizon was nothing short of breathtaking. The landscape, bathed in the sun's golden glow, cast enchanting elongated shadows upon the enigmatic Wildscape Haven.

The colors of the setting sun reflected beautifully in the serene nearby bodies of water, creating a mesmerizing and picturesque scene.

In the midst of this tranquility, time seemed to slow down, allowing the natural sounds of the environment to fill the air.

As the sun continued its descent, the colors of the sky intensified, creating a breathtaking display of deep oranges, fiery reds, and purples that seemed to paint the heavens themselves.

In the final moments of the sunset, the sun hovered just above the horizon, casting an ethereal light that bathed the landscape in a soft, golden glow. It was a magical moment when the sun appeared to take a rest, offering a radiant farewell before gracefully disappearing and leaving behind a serene dusky twilight.

I found myself standing there, gazing out of a window, completely captivated and entranced by the mesmerizing beauty of the sunset unfolding before me.

This enchanting scene was set at my great uncle Fred's enigmatic old abode, aptly known as "Riddles Cabin." In this peculiar dwelling, every nook and cranny held secrets, concealed corners steeped in untold mysteries, patiently awaiting the arrival of intrepid explorers such as ourselves, ready to unearth their enigmatic truths.

Just the day before, I had stumbled upon an enigmatic corridor that beckoned me into its depths, eventually culminating in a peculiar dead end. This corridor was a veritable gallery, adorned with a haunting collection of portraits and black-and-white photographs, each depicting the enigmatic visages of the house's past owners.

Suddenly, the serene moment was jolted by the eerie creak of the door, which swung open to reveal a captivating sight. Emerging from the dimly lit threshold, a mysterious figure made their entrance, adorned with a distinguished top hat perched atop their head and cradling a steaming mug. To my immense relief, the intruder was not some otherworldly monstrosity, but rather the familiar and somewhat spectral figure of my great uncle Fred, who had chosen this dramatic entrance to the room.

"Why, my dear Henry, are you gazing upon the heavens as if the cosmos holds the clandestine formula for amassing wealth?" My uncle Fred's voice resonated with a hearty, almost conspiratorial chuckle.

I replied softly, "I am simply admiring the beauty, Uncle Fred."

But then, his tone grew serious, and he continued, "Henry, I've been pondering whether your inclinations might be amenable to providing assistance in the pursuit of an exceedingly elusive item, clandestinely tucked away within the remote recesses of the attic."

"Could you please use simpler words?" I requested, sounding a bit confused.

"Alright, can you please find something hidden in the attic?" He said with a satisfied tone.

With that request, he handed me a faded picture of a book, its title barely discernible – "200 Ways to Make Money." He also placed a flashlight in my trembling hand, knowing that the attic lacked any light.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I sighed and reluctantly responded, "Very well, Uncle Fred."

A look of satisfaction danced across my uncle's face as he eagerly exclaimed, "Splendid!"

With that, I began my ascent up the creaky attic stairs, embarking on a daunting quest to unearth a mysterious tome amidst the chaotic and dust-laden landscape above.

However, my concentration was abruptly shattered when, from the dimly lit shadows of the stairwell, my sister, Ella, stumbled downward, and we collided into each other's arms.

"Are you alright, dear sister?" I inquired, genuine concern filling my voice.

"Oh, I'm quite fine, Henry. Are you excited about our stay in Uncle Fred's place?" Ella replied with uncontainable enthusiasm. "I'm excited about the possibility of us having an adventure!"

I couldn't help but mirror her excitement, knowing how deeply she cared about the feelings of others and not wanting to extinguish her infectious spirit.

"Yes, of course, I am!" I said, trying to match her enthusiasm.

"Why, though, have you ventured into this eerie attic? You're well aware of how creepy it is here." I asked, my voice quivering with unease.

"I'll reveal my reasons, but only if you share yours first," Ella responded cautiously.

With a sigh, I acquiesced, displaying the picture of the elusive book. "I am on a quest to locate this mysterious book," I revealed.

Ella's brow furrowed in puzzlement. "But what could possibly drive Uncle Fred to seek such a volume?"

       “I cannot say with certainty, but perhaps it holds the key to lottery success," I speculated. Our uncle had an unshakeable devotion to the lottery, often spending his meager earnings on the slim chance of a financial windfall.

"Yeah, probably. I'm here to assist you; I think you'll need it," Ella stated.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Now that I've shared my mission, how about you tell me about yours?" I inquired.

"I'm simply exploring the house; it's quite intriguing with its numerous secret rooms and hidden corridors," Ella explained.

"I see. Let's search for that book," I said as I carefully swung open the attic door. Inside, we revealed a dimly lit chamber with a low, oppressive ceiling. To dispel the darkness, I raised a flashlight high, casting light upon our surroundings.

We embarked on an exhaustive search, sifting through vast heaps of discarded relics that stretched seemingly into eternity. Our quest felt interminable, marked by relentless determination. In a climactic moment, Ella's triumphant shout pierced the air, declaring, "Here it is, the elusive book."

In the subdued glow of our flashlight, the book's title barely emerged, and as we turned its pages with the anticipation of discovering 200 money-making strategies, our expectations were defied.

What lay beneath the book's cover revealed a wholly unexpected title: "The Time Traveler's Guide to Success."

"The Time Traveler's Guide to Success?" I remarked quizzically.

"Now, that's intriguing," I said.

"Let's delve into its contents," Ella suggested.

Ella eagerly opened the book, and it began with a captivating premise: "The Islands of Wildscape Haven," a place shrouded in mystery where peculiar occurrences unfolded amidst its fantastical landscapes.

For over six years, I dedicated myself to the study of Wildscape Haven, but one particular investigation eclipsed all others – my remarkable revelation of a time portal concealed within a spacecraft nestled within the heart of this enigmatic realm.

Below the premise, a rudimentary depiction unveiled itself: a grand circular portal shrouded beneath an enigmatic dome, adorned with peculiar markings resembling an assortment of cryptic symbols.

"But be aware of the time boy while traveling!"

"Wow!" we exclaimed in unison, our amazement shared.

"Should we place our faith in the book's words?" I pondered aloud.

"Nah," Ella replied, a hint of skepticism in her voice, "It's likely nothing more than a work of science

fiction."

"I harbor reservations regarding that," I voiced.

We returned the book to Uncle Fred, who sat in the living room, engrossed in his TV show.

 "Great, what can I reward you with?" he pondered aloud.               

      "Perhaps a solitary counterfeit gold coin," he chuckled.

      Not Satisfied, we bid him goodnight and retired to our beds.

stay tuned for next chapter