My hands ran through complex seals as I approached the spread-eagled Lena almost choked by her own sweat. Locking the energy flunctuations within the tent, which by seals had become as thick as brick walls; I grasped Lena's sweaty hands in mine and forcefully plunged into her mind image.
It was a roaring magma world, and I couldn't even spot Lena. The magma frothed and bubbled, rose and fell. I wrapped myself with an imprint of neutral fire energy while I scanned the magma surface for any signs of Lena.
"It's no use," said a voice. I spun around in the air suspended above the magma sea.
"Grandmother?! What are you doing here?"
Hovering in the air behind me was grandmother with her iconic staff.
"I'm not here. This is just an imprint of me,"
"But...Lena? How come your imprint is on Lena?"
"Her mother begged me to place an imprint on her when she was born." She replied simply.
"But why is it magma?" I asked, confused, "your imprint isn't magma,"
"My imprint is subduing the magma. It is too furious. When Lena was born, the backlash killed her mother. It was with her last breath she told me to seal the magma."
I didn't ask how come she was present at Lena's birth. Among the many duties of the Matriarch was to deliver clansfolks children. Especially if it was proving difficult, as in Lena's case, as I was now finding out.
"So you mean that she will never be able to use this seal?" I asked her.
Grandmother sighed.
"The seal I casted is almost expired. The magma will erupt soon,"
"But where is she now?" I scanned the magma again.
"Down underneath. Probably searching for the core seed. If she is able to find the core seed before the magma erupts, she will be able to control the seal and also prevent a major catastrophe."
"Where is this core seed?" I asked.
"Neiman, you can't--" she hesitated, "you are right, though. She's not powerful enough to find the core seed herself. But you--" she sighed, "you can't throw yourself away like this. If something happens to Iria--"
I realized that grandmother had sensed something back at the clan and was now talking through her imprint.
"I'll be fine. I promise you. Just tell me where the core seed is,"
"It is tricky," grandmother replied, "once you find the core seed, you must not touch it, or the seal will be under your control. You have to use Lena's hand. So you first have to find Lena."
"Where is she?" I asked eagerly.
Grandmother closed her eyes.
"She is already at the eight layer. Two more layers to the magma seal core seed. You just have to keep decending in a straight line."
"Thanks, grandmother," I plunged feet first into the magma sea. Faintly I heard her weary voice.
"It has not been long since I got you and Iria back... please be safe,"
"I will!" I yelled back, but she could no longer hear me.