"It's a-"

"What does that even mean?!"

"I know, it's a-"

"Any ideas?"

"Yes, it's-"

"What could it be?!"

"Five seconds!" Dale announces. "And you might want to listen to the nice lady, she's been telling you that she knows the answer ever since we started."

Everyone looks to me. "Are you sure you know the answer?" "What if you're wrong?" "No way you know!"

"Guys, it's a coffin!" I huff. "Correct!" Dale grins. "You've passed the trial!"

The door opens and the Skylanders all cheer for me. "Thanks for the help," I say to Dale. "I'll make sure I get back to you for that raincheck." "Come whenever you like!" He insists eagerly. I chuckle. "See you another time," I smile at him, then we all head through the door.

"How did you know the answer to that riddle, Vexelle?" Spyro asks, grinning. "My friends and I do loads of riddles when we meet up," I answer, smirking pridefully. "I've always been particularly good at the murder ones and I'd say a coffin fits the bill."

"I don't get how the answer was a coffin," Pop Fizz says, scratching his fuzzy head. "Well the person who made the coffin doesn't need it because they're still alive," I explain. "The person who buys it doesn't want it because they'd only buy it because a loved one has died. The Undead are rumoured to escape from them because... well, we're Undead. And the only one who uses it doesn't know it's there because they're dead and they've been moved into the coffin."

"Ohhhhhhhh."

"Yup," I nod. "A little depressing, but it's a good riddle." "It certainly was hard to guess," Jet Vac agreed. "I suppose that's why it was used. Not just anyone can come to the Core of Light, after all."

"Then why am I here?" I point out. "Because you're not just anyone!" Spyro insists. "How many people besides you do you know that have saved Stealth Elf's life by taking a dark creature from her and giving it to themself, then fighting it off when Stealth Elf - the Stealth Elf - couldn't?"

"None, but... I don't know many people."

"Well still!" Spyro looks at us all, daring any of us to argue. Unfortunately for him, I love a good dare. "Still as in 'I still don't see the logic in your arguing'?"

Spyro glares daggers at me. "Still as in-"

He doesn't get to finish because he flies into another door.

I laugh along with Pop Fizz, Eruptor and Stealth Elf while he rubs his head. Then the door randomly opens to show a seemingly endless stretch of sky. I gasp.

"What's wrong, Vexelle?" Stealth Elf asks. "I can sense the Core of Light!" I say. "We're too far away for me to absorb the aura, but I can feel it! It's so strong! I-"

Suddenly I have to hold my head. "Ah!" The others are instantly alert. "What's happening?!" Spyro asks worriedly.

I lose control for a moment and the next thing I know everyone's pinned in the air by a seemingly invisible force.

I quickly put them all down again. "I'm sorry, I lost control! The Essence Reaper is trying to take me over so I can't resist their power! That wasn't me!"

"Your eyes were red!" Spyro yells. "You said you were going to destroy us and send the Core of Light with us! You floated us all in the air... somehow!"

"I wasn't in control," I sigh. "The Essence Reaper is trying to take control of me so that I won't be able to keep fighting it. I lost control for a moment, but I got it back. If my eyes are red, the Essence Reaper is in control. I'm sorry. I should've been stronger."

Now they all pitied me. I bit back my anger at that, knowing it wasn't the right time. "Hey, it's fine," Stealth Elf smiled slightly. "Let's just get that thing out of you."

"Okay," I agree, then look down at the door. "There's some kind of magic down there. I can sense it. It's thickly woven... we can jump."

"Wow, you knew all that just by sensing the magic?" Eruptor asks. "Sorta," I shrug. "I looked at the essence of the type of magic and how it was woven into the-"

I stop when I see their looks of utter confusion. "Nevermind. Now are we gonna do this or do I have to keep this Essence Reaper screaming in my head?"

"Ok, let's go!" Spyro says. They all jump through the door, yelling. I still manage to hear an egg being laid and chuckle, then I leap out after them all and decide to show off, doing all sorts of flips and tricks. I even hear Spyro making comments on my skills like this is some kind of diving competition.

The magic manages to catch me in the air, so I flip myself upright just in time to be placed gently on the ground. "And she sticks the landing!" Spyro announces, making me smirk. "Glad I could entertain you, Spyro. Now where's the next door?"

Everyone smirks at each other. I start getting excited, realising there aren't any more doors after all. "Oh my gods, where is it?! Where is it?!"

They all step aside, revealing the infamous Core of Light.

I stare at it, mouth agape, awestruck. It's everything I ever imagined it would be and more. It's beautiful! And the light energy it releases practically radiates the pure aura I need. It's incredible.

I don't care how long I've been staring at it, it was not nearly long enough before Spyro snapped me back to reality. "Vexelle, come on! You need to save yourself!"

I shake my head to clear it, redirecting my focus to what I need to do. I head closer to the Core of Light, gazing intently at the beam of pure light bursting out of it.

Then I close my eyes and begin my work.