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Chapter 3: The Betrayal Unveiled
As I anxiously scanned the wall, my confusion grew. Where was the gem I had come here for? The one that promised protection to all who sought it? It was nowhere to be found, and I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. I turned to the witch, my eyes filled with concern, and voiced my frustration. To my surprise, she smiled and beckoned me to follow her.

We retraced our steps back to the bedroom, where the witch revealed a small chest made entirely of ice. Intrigued, I watched as she sprinkled a mysterious dust onto the chest, causing it to open. Inside, I beheld two more gems, unlike any I had encountered before.

The first gem I laid my eyes upon had a unique appearance. It was a brittle metal with a white, silver-pink hue, adorned with an iridescent oxide tarnish that shimmered with colors ranging from yellow to blue. Instantly, I recognized it as bismuth. But this particular stone had been reinforced, making it stronger than even Tungsten, which was widely regarded as the strongest metal ever discovered. I marveled at its newfound resilience and understood its purpose – bismuth, now reinforced, would serve as a formidable ally in battle.

The second gem, known as Lonsdaleite, held its own allure. It was an allotrope of carbon, surpassing even diamond in hardness by 58%. Its protective nature was evident, offering a shield against any harm that may come my way. Lonsdaleite would be my trusted guardian, ensuring my safety in the face of adversity.

With the discovery of these two extraordinary gems, reinforced bismuth and invincible Lonsdaleite, I knew that my quest for protection had been fulfilled. It was a reminder that sometimes, what we seek may not be exactly where we expect it to be. Yet, through unexpected twists and turns, we may stumble upon something even more remarkable and powerful than we could have imagined.

As I cautiously and eagerly collected the stones, expressing my gratitude to the mysterious woman, she nodded with a hint of satisfaction. However, her next words sent shockwaves...