读英文微小说，习得英语词汇 | Chapter 5: The Moonlit Path

The twins stood beneath the ancient willow tree, clutching the map and parchment, their breath visible in the frosty night air. Theo held the map up to the faint moonlight, squinting to decipher the symbols and paths it displayed.

“It looks like this path leads back to the manor,” he said, tracing a line with his finger. The map depicted a hidden route that cut through the overgrown gardens and twisted corridors of the estate.

As they followed the path, the moonlight seemed to guide them. It illuminated a narrow stone walkway hidden beneath the overgrowth, leading to an arched doorway at the side of the manor. The door creaked open as they approached, revealing a staircase spiraling down into darkness.

“Do we have to go in there?” Clara asked, her voice trembling.

Theo nodded. “We’ve come this far. We can’t stop now.”

They descended cautiously, their footsteps echoing against the stone steps. The air grew colder with every step, and the faint sound of dripping water reached their ears. At the bottom, they entered a vast underground chamber lit by flickering torches. The chamber was filled with strange artifacts—books, paintings, and sculptures that seemed to belong to another time.

In the center of the room stood a pedestal, atop which rested a crystal orb. The orb pulsed with a soft, blue glow, casting shimmering reflections on the chamber walls.

“This must be it,” Theo whispered, stepping closer. “The answer to the riddle.”

Clara reached out to touch the orb, but the moment her fingers grazed its surface, the room erupted with light. Shadows danced wildly along the walls, and a booming voice filled the chamber.

“Who dares disturb my sanctuary?”

The twins froze as the figure from the music room appeared again, this time more solid and imposing. Its dark cloak billowed as though caught in an unseen wind.

“We didn’t mean any harm,” Clara stammered. “We just wanted to understand the riddle.”

The figure’s glowing eyes narrowed. “The orb holds the key to understanding your past and shaping your future. But the truth comes at a price. Do you accept the burden?”

Theo and Clara exchanged a glance. Despite their fear, they both nodded.

Key Words:

1. clutch - 紧握

2. decipher - 解读

3. illuminate - 照亮

4. spiral - 螺旋状

5. pedestal - 基座

6. orb - 球体

7. sanctuary - 圣域

8. flickering - 闪烁的

9. imposing - 威严的

10. burden - 负担

中文译文：

双胞胎站在古老的柳树下，紧握着地图和卷轴，呼出的气息在寒冷的夜空中清晰可见。西奥将地图举到微弱的月光下，眯起眼睛辨认着上面的符号和路径。

“这条路好像通向庄园，”他说，用手指沿着一条线轻轻划过。地图显示了一条隐藏的小径，穿过杂草丛生的花园和庄园的曲折走廊。

他们沿着这条路走，月光似乎为他们指引方向。它照亮了一条隐藏在杂草下的石板小道，小道直通庄园侧面的一扇拱形门。当他们靠近时，门嘎吱一声打开，露出一条向下延伸的旋转楼梯。

“我们必须进去吗？”克拉拉颤抖着问。

西奥点点头，“我们已经走到这一步了，不能停下。”

他们小心翼翼地下楼，脚步声在石阶上回荡。空气随着每一步变得更加寒冷，隐约还能听到水滴的声音。到了底部，他们进入了一个巨大的地下大厅，闪烁的火把照亮了四周。大厅里摆满了奇特的物品——书籍、画作和雕塑，似乎属于另一个时代。

大厅中央有一个基座，基座上放着一颗水晶球。球体发出柔和的蓝色光芒，将闪烁的反光投射到墙壁上。

“这一定就是答案了，”西奥低声说道，向前走近了一些。“谜题的答案。”

克拉拉伸手去触碰水晶球，但当她的手指刚触及表面时，整个房间瞬间被光芒笼罩。阴影在墙壁上疯狂舞动，一个低沉的声音充满了整个大厅。

“是谁胆敢打扰我的圣域？”

双胞胎僵住了，音乐室里的那个身影再次出现，这次它变得更加真实和威严。黑色的斗篷仿佛被无形的风吹动。

“我们没有恶意，”克拉拉结结巴巴地说，“我们只是想解开谜题。”

那身影发光的双眼微微眯起。“这颗水晶球蕴藏着解开你们过去和决定你们未来的钥匙。但真相总是伴随着代价。你们愿意承担这个负担吗？”

西奥和克拉拉交换了一个眼神。尽管心中充满恐惧，他们还是坚定地点了点头。