Chapter 13: The Forbidden Pantry of Echo Hollow
It began on a lazy Arcanian afternoon, the kind where the skies blushed lavender and golden dragons napped in sunbeams. Inside the grand royal palace, Phoenix was sprawled across the lap of his mother, Empress Rose Nightshade, listening intently to one of her ancient stories.
"And in the depths of the Echo Hollow," she whispered, "lies the Forbidden Pantry, sealed by the ancient chefs of Arcania. They say it holds the lost desserts of the First Era—treats so delicious they drove entire empires to madness."
Phoenix blinked. "You're making that up."
Rose smiled mysteriously. "Am I?"
Just then, Lyra popped in, her silver hair tied up in twin buns. "Echo Hollow? I overheard! That's real. It's part of the Elven-Dwarf borderland. Totally off-limits."
Cassiel peeked from behind a curtain. "I've read about it too. It's rumored to be cursed. But there's a cake called the Chrono Crème that resets time if you eat it."
Saphira floated in on a breeze of magical perfume. "If we're going… I'm bringing emergency eyeliner."
Phoenix's eyes widened. "We're going?!"
Rose blinked. "Wait—I didn't mean—"
---
One royal teleportation portal later…
---
The group stood on the edge of a lush, fog-shrouded forest. Echo Hollow was no simple woodland. Trees shimmered with translucent leaves, and soft, musical whispers echoed between trunks.
Phoenix held his plushie sword like a brave knight. "This is a quest!"
Isolde, armored in shimmering pink mithril, unsheathed her real sword. "We'll keep you safe, little flame."
Elowen read from a floating spellbook. "The pantry is protected by food-based traps, mirror illusions, and a guardian called... the Muffin Beast."
Solara lit a guiding orb. "Let's move. Before it gets dark and Phoenix eats a hallucinogenic mushroom again."
"I thought it was a jellybean!" he protested.
---
The forest was alive.
Every step echoed with musical tones. Phoenix found that by stepping on certain patches of moss, he could play songs. After his third performance of "The Duck Parade March," Rose gently levitated him.
"Let's avoid summoning wild duck spirits today, darling."
---
The first trap came swiftly.
A glade opened, revealing a giant spinning wheel of cheese.
"Cheddar Gauntlet," Vanya muttered, reading her enchanted monocle.
Phoenix charged ahead.
"Phoenix, no!" Lyra shouted, too late.
He dove, dodged, and cartwheeled past giant rolling cheddar balls.
"I AM THE DAIRY SLAYER!"
Saphira slow-clapped. "Bravo. He's gone lactose berserk."
---
The second challenge was a mirror maze—each reflection twisted into a dessert-themed illusion. One version of Phoenix was made of candy. Another wore a crown made of whipped cream.
"I want to eat me," he whispered.
Cassiel pulled him back. "Stay focused!"
Athena traced her fingers along the walls. "This is soul magic. The mirrors show your dessert identity."
Phoenix grinned. "Then I'm the Supreme Sweetroll Overlord."
Vanya, blushing, nodded. "It… suits you."
---
Deep within the Hollow, the terrain changed. Trees turned crystal, reflecting starlight despite the daylight. The air tasted like sugar and mint.
Rose halted them. "The pantry is close."
Elowen whispered, "I sense the Muffin Beast."
It was massive. Furry. Sugary. Round.
And it roared.
"A MUFFIN WITH A FACE!" Phoenix shouted.
The creature charged. Cinnamon steam blasted from its nostrils.
Rose stepped forward. "Let me."
With a wave of her hand, she conjured a blood-magic lasso infused with sugar-bane.
They clashed.
Cakes exploded. Jellybombs detonated. Phoenix ducked beneath a flying frosting disc.
Isolde tackled Phoenix to safety. "Don't get frosted!"
"Never!"
---
Finally, Rose subdued the beast with a lullaby made from vanilla extract magic.
The Muffin Beast snored softly, dreaming of blueberries.
The golden pantry doors opened.
Inside: rows upon rows of ancient desserts. Cookies made from starlight. Ice cream that shimmered like galaxies. The Chrono Crème itself floated in stasis.
Phoenix touched it.
"Don't!" yelled nine voices.
Too late.
---
FLASH!
Time reversed.
They were back at the entrance of Echo Hollow.
Phoenix blinked. "Déjà vu."
Rose groaned. "Again?"
Lyra: "That cake resets time."
Phoenix smiled. "Can we eat it after we win next time?"
Cassiel sighed. "That's it. I'm putting a dessert lock on his hands."
Rose laughed, scooping Phoenix into her arms. "Well… we'll call this mission a sweet disaster."
They began walking back toward the portal.
Phoenix licked frosting off his cheek. "Best day ever!'