The gunshot echoed loudly through the forest as the spinning bullet flew directly toward Martin's head. Ryan watched the bullet travel through the air, expecting it to strike Martin. But before the bullet could reach him, Martin suddenly raised one hand. His fingers moved with incredible speed.

"How?" Ryan asked, his voice filled with confusion. "How can you possibly be the Gatekeeper?" Martin smiled when he heard the question. He seemed amused by Ryan's inability to understand what was happening. He slowly lowered the massive staff and looked directly into Ryan's eyes before answering

"Martin!" Ryan shouted again angrily as he looked between the trees. "Stop hiding and show yourself!" Instead of receiving an answer, Ryan heard another burst of high-pitched laughter. The sound seemed to come from several different directions at once, making it impossible for him to determine Ma

When Ryan finally regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was the cold ground beneath his body. He slowly opened his eyes and stared blankly at the trees above him. For a few seconds, he remained motionless, trying to remember what had happened. Then the memories suddenly returned to him.

He looked toward the portal again and said. "But I have to admit something. I was expecting the Gate to look like an actual gate." Ryan scratched the side of his head as he continued staring at the distant opening then he continued. "I thought I would see something like a huge doorway, maybe with