Two weeks of trial and error alchemy pass by rather quickly. I entered the habit of expelling my mana into the crystal and studying alchemy during the break. I sense that the ice around the snake is nearing it's breaking point, while it has yet to melt the magic keeping it together has slowly been fading. In order to save time I had a few of the crows move the alchemy lab down near the door. After constant pestering Maddy reluctantly gave me partial command of a single squad, this was also fine due to the constant arrival of more shadowbirds. Traveling much further away a small village of magpie demi-humans was found, Maddy integrated them into her army as officers due to their low melee combat abilities.While their melee abilities were low they had a strong affinity for the bow, and easily mastered it. The small shadowbirds began training in crafting to produce bows for the magpies, initially their bows were of poor quality but they quickly learned.

"Ha! Completed another potion!" Lifting up the vial full of a milky lemon colored liquid I place it next to the other nine bottles of the same color and consistency. I guess I will be testing these on my squad first before anything else.

Grabbing a smooth carved stone on my work station I activate the spell carved into it. This stone is linked to stones held by the rest of my squad to alert them of my calling. This is one of the most basic enchantments to communicate between objects, the more objects and longer the distance the more energy it takes. I meditate in the ten minutes it takes for the birds to arrive downstairs.

"Line up!" My voice, while not loud, resounds throughout the room and the shadowbirds quickly line up single file. Speaking to the first shadowbird I request it's feather. I take the feather and set it in one of the small bottles before placing the cork in it. Holding the bottle in both hands I increase the heat until it begins to gently boil, the yellow mixture has a chemical reaction with the feather causing it to dissolve completely. Reducing the heat I hand it to the shadowbird and instruct it to drink the mixture. Before drinking the mixture the bird quickly uncorks the bottle, then immediately gulps down the warm concoction. "The potion will take effect within 24 hours, please remain calm during the reaction, after the reaction has completed please return here."

After giving the potion to each of the ten shadowbirds I begin recording the immediate results, or lack thereof in a journal. 'Well, this completes the first part of my tests, and until they show signs of a reaction there is not a point on focusing on it, so I will continue my attempt to open the door.'

Walking up to the door I gaze upon the nearly full crystal, just around three more attempts and this should be complete. I immediately call Maddy the same way that I called my squadron of shadowbirds, I can't use the calling feature over a long distance so the stone is the best way to contact her over any distance. Deciding not to wait on her I pour more of my mana into the crystal, drink a few of my test mana potions and empty more of my mana into the stone.

"Almost complete." I begin to meditate as I cannot drink too many potions or it causes a negative reaction in my body.

I extend my nature observation much further than I had previously done. I sense the flow of all the air in the room, the numerous pillars in the room cause the winds flow to be quite irregular. I place myself in one of the few spots with high concentrations of magic and high air flow. While my breathing is not any better than the first time I meditated the amount of magic that I can obtain per breath is much higher after gaining experience.

After the time it takes for Maddy to make it down here my mana has been completely restored.

"Is the door open yet?" Maddy's question reveals her impatience to find treasure.

"No I was waiting for you to arrive with your bird army before I would open the door, I don't want to run into some terrible monster right after we finally open this massive door."

"Oh that makes sense, well hurry up now that I'm here with my birds."

"Sure thing."

I place both hands on the large crystal and begin pouring my mana into it. Before even reaching halfway the crystal seems to fill up completely and repel my hands. The brightly glowing liquid from inside the crystal is expelled and spreads through the door. The door initially glows very brightly before a rumbling shakes the room. Instantly I sense a disturbance in the magic of the room and immediately turn towards the golden serpent, now erupting from it's icy slumber. Though the snake has awoken it does not appear to be hostile, it's eyes are a deep blue rather than the golden orange that they were previously.The serpent begins to slither calmly towards our group revealing it's lack of hostility.

(The following is from a snake so imagine the the s to be elongated please and thank you.)

"Greetings(sss) mortals. My name is Esmir, I have been the guardian of this sacred gate for many centuries, protecting it from anyone with ill intent. However, this was not of my own will and was forced upon my by a spell on the gate. Now that you have broken the seal on the gate I have been freed. First I would like to inform you that the scientists you have been searching for were swallowed by me, and while I can not spit them back out I can inform you of any knowledge they held before their passing. Secondly I would like to grant you a request for freeing me from my curse, but this is no unconditional."

"Oooh a reques-" Maddy nearly leaps at the opportunity to have a subservient serpent, but I quickly catch her before she makes any inappropriate requests.

"As you are such an old and wise serpent, my request to you is that you assist us in improving the lives of these demi-human birds." I make the request to the serpent rather simple and easy to comply with.

"Of cours(sss)e, that can easily be arranged." The snake quickly agrees to my request before looking toward the door. "Please, venture forth into this divine gift you have acquired for yourselves."

We all look towards the massive gate which is now completely open, the site within is absolutely astonishing. Connected from the door is a large sturdy looking stone brick bridge reaching around two thousand feet in length and fifty feet in width. The area under and around the level bridge is void of anything except various small lights dotting the dark background. This space like background is awe inspiring, distinctly clashing with the stone bridge it would fit better were it something out of a sci-fi movie. Somehow being completely lit even in what should be dark space is a large circular castle wall surrounding an enormous "tower" looking more like a a number of towers combined.

"Welcome to Heavens(sss) workshop."