Night was shrouding the streets of the old town when Adam, Lena and Philip met under a mural depicting a phoenix. This place had a special meaning for them - this is where their friendship began, this is where they would return after more difficult days. This evening, however, the mural somehow looked different. The phoenix's wings shone pale in the light of the lanterns, and they could see the outline of a rectangular shape beneath an exposed section of wall. Adam, always the most curious, walked closer, touching the bricks. One of them, under slight pressure, slid inwards. A quiet crack sounded and the wall began to move slowly, revealing a dark, narrow corridor leading deep into the earth. Lena squeezed Philip's shoulder: - Can you see it? It's like a scene from a novel... maybe we should.... Adam was already bending down to enter, torch in one hand, phone in the other. - We're adults, we don't need to ask anyone's permission. The adventure came by itself, we can't ignore it, can we? Philip sighed, but curiosity won out. They followed Adam in, slowly making their way down the uneven stone steps. Behind them, the mural-phoenix slid back into place, leaving them in semi-darkness. The corridor smelled of dampness and something else - a hint of old paper and spices. The walls were covered with runes and drawings, and gravel crunched underfoot. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a massive carved door with motifs of fire and birds carved on it. Lena gently moved her hand over one of the drawings. At the same moment, the door opened with a deafening groan. To their eyes appeared a huge room flooded with warm orange light. In the centre, on a stone pedestal, floated a shimmering circle formed of flames - a portal into which traces of past stories and experiences seemed to penetrate. Adam, enthralled, extended his hand towards the fiery ring. Its shadows danced on the walls and the air trembled. Lena and Philip stood as if enchanted, knowing that one thing was holding them back - the unknown future on the other side of the burning portal. Then the portal flared even stronger, a chant rang out around them - could it be the voice of the phoenix from the mural? At that moment, Adam took a step forward, and Lena and Philip looked after each other, unsure whether to join their friend or turn back before something happened that they would no longer be able to stop....