A masterpiece from the past

Amnay began thinking about the man who just revealed himself to be his father—a detective. Then Erna asked, "But how did you solve the puzzle?"

"Because I'm the one who wrote it," said Amayk.

"What? How?" asked Assoulil, surprised.

"I mean, when I said the book I found was written like a puzzle—it's like the puzzles I wrote for you to find the time machine," explained Amayk.

"You mean you're the one who separated the puzzle into pieces, cut it into six parts, and helped us find the time travel machine?" asked Amnay.

"Let's just say I helped Aguilas prepare the adventure you lived," replied Amayk.

"Wait! Are you the unknown person who sent Aguilas the letters revealing the existence of the time machine?" Arinas inquired.

"Yes," said Amayk.

They all fell silent in shock. Then Amnay broke the silence, asking, "Why did you do all of that? Why did you help him?"

"I understand your point of view, but I had my reasons. Just let me continue the story of how I found the time machine, and you'll understand everything," said Amayk.

"Let's listen to him," said Gart.

"Like I told you, I was searching for something to eat. I discovered a lot of artifacts, but one of them stood out," began Amayk.

"Weird? How?" asked Titrit.

"It looked like a box but was made of rock. I picked it up—it was really soft. But I was hungry and tired, so it slipped from my hands and broke. That's when I noticed something unusual—a hidden book inside the rock. I destroyed the rest of the rock and pulled out the book. Its title was A Masterpiece from the Past."

"A Masterpiece from the Past?" repeated Amnay.

"At first, I didn't think it was related to the time machine. I started reading it—it wasn't a big book. It described the history of some artifacts, especially the time machine. The book gave many details about it: a cylindrical stone with six diamonds. When light hits it, a stone wheel appears to guide time travel—one turn equals one year, either forward or backward. The book also mentioned many rules. At first, I didn't believe it and tossed the book aside, thinking it was fiction.

"But then I found something that matched the description in the book perfectly. It had the same features! I couldn't believe it—I had found the time machine! Suddenly, my mind was filled with ideas: traveling back to warn myself about past mistakes, revisiting my childhood, and even seeing my parents again.

"I decided to test it. I placed the cylindrical stone where the moonlight could shine on the diamonds. Though it was heavy, I managed to position it. As soon as the light hit it, the cylinder started moving, and a stone wheel emerged, just like in the book. I turned the wheel slightly, and that's when I saw it."

"The blue gate," whispered Amnay.

"Yes, the blue gate," confirmed Amayk. "I couldn't believe my eyes—it was like magic! After a moment, it disappeared, just as the book had described."

"And what else did the book say that you haven't told us?" asked Amnay.

"A lot, my son," replied Amayk.

"Then tell us the rest," urged Arinas.

"Of course. After discovering the time machine, I knew I had to hide it from Aguilas. I suspected he might find it if I left it unprotected. So, I searched the room where I was being held. I looked for anything unusual and eventually found a square-shaped rock that was different from the others. I pushed it, and a horizontal rocky table emerged with four cylinder-shaped voids.

"I realized I needed to fill the voids with something, so I kept searching until I found what I needed—hourglasses!" said Amayk.

"Hourglasses?" asked Arinas.

"Yes. When I placed them in the voids, a secret staircase appeared beneath me. I used a flashlight I'd found and carried the time machine down the stairs with great difficulty. I hid it in the spot where you eventually found it. Suddenly, I heard someone entering. Panicked, I removed the hourglasses to close the staircase, returned to my original position, and pretended to be tied up.

"Then I heard a voice calling my name," said Amayk.

________________________________________

Amayk heard someone calling, "Amayk! Amayk! Are you okay?"

"Wait, who are you?" asked Amayk.

"Your friend—your assistant, Belk," the voice replied.

"Belk? How did you get in here?" asked Amayk.

"I posed as a driver to infiltrate Aguilas's castle. Let me help you," said Belk.

"Don't worry; I've already untied myself," said Amayk, standing up.

"As expected of the great detective Amayk. Are you hungry?" asked Belk.

"Yes, I'm starving," replied Amayk.

"I brought food, but thieves stole most of it. There were five of them—three boys and two girls," said Belk.

"Even girls steal?" asked Amayk.

"Don't worry. They didn't take the important thing," said Belk.

"You did it, Belk!" exclaimed Amayk.

"Yes, detective. I brought the documents that prove all of Aguilas's crimes," said Belk.

"Now, let's get out of here," said Belk.

"But how?" asked Amayk.

"There's an elevator nearby—I know how to use it," said Belk.

"You're amazing," said Amayk.

Amayk noticed that Belk had a gun.

"You're fully prepared," said Amayk.

"Of course," replied Belk. He pulled another gun from his pocket and handed it to Amayk.

Amayk retrieved the book about the time machine. Suddenly, gunfire shattered the silence—Aguilas's men appeared, shooting everywhere. Amayk and Belk quickly hid and started firing back.

In the chaos, Belk was hit in the foot.

"My foot!" cried Belk.

"Hold on, Belk!" shouted Amayk, continuing to shoot.

"I don't think we can finish the mission, detective," said Belk.

"No! We can't lose after all the effort we've made!" said Amayk.

"Detective, please do something," pleaded Belk.

"I have a plan, but we don't have time to explain. Just trust me and follow my lead. I'm sorry for what might happen," said Amayk.

"Don't apologize! I'll follow you—I don't care if I die for justice!" said Belk.