Feet finally moving, Nikolai took a deep breath before drawing his wand and disappearing into the maze. He half expected to be ambushed by creatures or perhaps some more Venomous Tentacula as soon as he stepped inside but, there was nothing. He'd still be cautious. After the last task he learned he could never be too careful.

Taking a few more steps inside, a light up ahead caught his eye. He dared not to quicken his pace, so, with a slow and steady pace, he neared closer until he found himself in a clearing. The clearing was small, but not as small as the passageway he walked through to arrive there. He looked around quickly, ignoring the table for the moment. He doubted the table would be a danger, but there could be something..

Nothing again.

With the clearing clear, he took those last few steps until he was standing in front of the table. Standing in a row, a few potion bottles stood, along with a note. Leaning over, he read the parchment and..

"A BLOODY RIDDLE?"

Of all the things to place in a maze, they put riddles. Nikolai would rather fight a Chimaera! It would be far more manly than solving a riddle. Unless, of course, he got the riddle wrong. He read one line at a time, mentally eliminating the bottles as he went. One bottle was left, and he hoped to Merlin he was right.

He did not want to know what would happen if he was wrong. Would he be finished right then or there, or would he have another chance to drink?

Erm..

Reaching out, he grabbed the fourth bottle before uncorking it and taking a sip.