In a time of legends, Alexis, the brave knight, stood at the edge of the dark, whispering forest. His hand rested on the hilt of his trusty sword, ready to safeguard the innocent. Tales of evil armies hidden within the forest's depths had reached the kingdom, and it was Alexis's quest to defeat them.

The forest was dense, with tangled branches clawing at the skies. As Alexis ventured in, a strange silence fell. His first challenge quickly appeared: a mystical door, with a riddle inscribed, 'I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?'

Thinking hard, Alexis murmured, 'An echo!' As soon as the word left his lips, the door creaked open. Beyond it lay a narrow path surrounded by luminescent flowers. The flowers hummed softly, and Alexis felt a sense of peace as he continued his journey.

The sense of calm was short-lived. A band of shadowy figures emerged, brandishing weapons. Alexis drew his sword, the blade gleaming even in the darkness. The figures hesitated, a voice spoke, 'Answer this: What has keys but can't open locks?'

With the sword still drawn, Alexis replied confidently, 'A piano!' The figures, revealed to be illusions, vanished in a whisper of shadows, and a melody filled the air. Alexis moved ahead, and the path twisted upwards into a hillock crowned with ancient stones.

Atop the hill, among the standing stones, a spectral figure awaited. The ghostly presence spoke, 'Brave knight, what is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?' Alexis paused, then answered, 'Silence.' The figure nodded, granting passage across the stones.

With each riddle solved, Alexis felt stronger. Deep into the forest, he stumbled upon an encampment. Evil armies were planning their attack on the kingdom. The knight realized he needed a plan. In the center of the camp, a chest with an inscription caught his eye.

The chest had its own challenge, 'I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?' Alexis pondered deeply before answering, 'Fire!' The chest popped open, revealing a magical shield.

With the shield and his sword, Alexis was a formidable force. He challenged the army's leaders to combat. One by one, they fell to his might. But the final adversary, a powerful warlock, had one last riddle, 'I can fly without wings. I cry without eyes. What am I?'

Clouds gathered overhead as Alexis thought. 'A cloud,' he declared. The warlock screeched in defeat as rain began to fall, impairing the army's sight. Seizing the opportunity, Alexis freed the forest from their clutches. The kingdom was safe at last.

As the sun broke through the trees, Alexis made his way back. The forest transformed, no longer dark but alive with beautiful colors. The flowers by the mystical door bowed as he passed, and the standing stones glowed warmly in farewell.

The king greeted Alexis with grand celebration. For his bravery, wit, and strength, Alexis was named the protector of the realm. The people cheered, for they knew that with Alexis, the knight of riddles, their future was bright and full of hope.