With a wall built around Darkspine, soon a crowd of wolves emerge.

“What is the meaning of this, Darkspiners?” One growls.

“You all have underestimated Darkspine for the last time!” Mercy rumbles.

Gasps pass through the crowd, until one particular wolf steps out.

“You dare accuse us of being weak?”

Silence cuts in, scoffing, “You work against us secretly, you think we can’t manage our own corrupted!”

“You have never given us a chance to prove ourselves!” The same wolf snarls back.

“Oh? Then here’s your chance. Tonight, when the moon is full, you shall start your trial for the

first key. The first of many, to unlock the gates. My trial.. Is the trial of Trickery and Wisdom.”

With that, Mercy dangles an auburn key, an owl’s face engraved upon the bow of the key. “The First Key. And it starts… now.”

“A little riddle, a little illusion, here and there, soon, you’ll have no mind left to cope!” Silence adds, chuckling.

“You all don’t see the traitor standing amidst you all. I am Mercy, and this is Silence”

As she speaks, the flames bursting against her fur bloom, brightening the dark snowy woods around her. She looks down at you with glowing, unblinking eyes, chanting softly:

“I have weaved countless illusions, but this, by far, is my best.

Through the brambles you shall run,

Side by side, paw by paw,

Your eyes shall fill with determination,

But one only fills with dread.

Dread at the future,

Of what to come,

One wolf. One Traitor.

Fail to find the traitor, and the key shall disappear.”

She flashes a ruthless, sharp smile. “I have survived many years of these flames. Let’s see if you mutts have the smarts to survive.”

“But if you must make me simplify…

I have chosen one wolf among you. One only, be thankful for that. Find out who the traitor is, and you get the key.

If you fail, the key… will go to the traitor. And the traitor gets to decide what to do with the key.

It may be good, it may be bad, so do it wisely, wolves of foreign!”

“Good luck, or not!” Concludes Silence, the two wolves trotting away.”

The first clue will be posted after everyone comfirms participation.