The Enchanted Forest - Riddle

In the heart of the enchanted forest, there lies a secret. It's said that only the bravest and most clever of adventurers can uncover it. But beware, for the forest is full of danger, and only those who can solve the riddle will make it through.

Part 1:

As you walk through the forest, you'll come across a clearing where the trees are arranged in a perfect circle. In the center of the circle, there's a stone pedestal with a golden key on it. The key is the first step to solving the riddle, but it's not as easy as it seems. The key is enchanted, and it will only unlock the way forward if you can answer this question:

What is always in front of you but can't be seen?

Part 2:

If you manage to answer the question and unlock the way forward, you'll enter a maze made of thick vines and trees. The maze is full of twists and turns, and it's easy to get lost. But there's a clue that will help you find your way. Along the walls of the maze, you'll see strange markings that seem to be a language. If you can decipher the language, you'll find the clue that will lead you out of the maze. The clue is written in the language, and it reads:

I am not alive, but I grow;

I don't have lungs, but I need air;

I don't have a mouth, but I need water;

What am I?

Part 3:

Once you've found your way out of the maze, you'll come across a deep ravine. The only way to cross it is to use a rickety rope bridge that's suspended over the ravine. But the bridge is old and frayed, and it looks like it could break at any moment. To make matters worse, the bridge is guarded by a fierce dragon who will only let you cross if you can answer this question:

I am not alive, but I can die;

I don't have wings, but I can fly;

I don't have eyes, but I can see;

What am I?

Part 4:

If you manage to answer the dragon's question and cross the bridge, you'll finally reach the heart of the enchanted forest. There, you'll find a beautiful crystal lake with a small island in the middle. On the island, there's a treasure chest that's said to contain the secret of the forest. But the chest is locked, and there's no key. Instead, there's a riddle that will reveal the combination to the lock. The riddle reads:

I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every person. What am I?

Ans to above riddles:

Part 1: The answer is "the future." The question is "What is always in front of you but can't be seen?"

Part 2: The answer is "fire." The riddle is "I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but I need water; What am I?"

Part 3: The answer is "a snowflake." The dragon's riddle is "I am not alive, but I can die; I don't have wings, but I can fly; I don't have eyes, but I can see; What am I?"

Part 4: The answer is "a pencil." The riddle is "I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every person. What am I?"

I hope you enjoyed the riddle!