" It's so hot here," Silvia complained. Her face was already hot red, giving her a unique charm.
" You're all red. You should cover yourself," Kinty commented from the side. Silvia's eyes flickered as she turned away.
" Cover yourself carefully. Stay on alert," Aetherial Midrel said. The celestial guardian nodded. Although she was speaking specifically to them, every one of them turned serious. They put on the cape with a hood they had prepared in advance. It hummed to life with runes shifting on its edges.
Amarok smiled in awe, extending his palm. It had been turning red but was finally returning to normal.
"Anyone who can't handle the heat should stay outside of the mountain," Skly said as he took the lead.
The group began walking. Their advancement was slow but steady. They didn't encounter any resistance.
"Any problem?" Amarok suddenly slowed to catch Lyra. Everyone was advancing, and no one paid attention to them.
"It's fine. It's just some little heat," she smiled and continued. Amarok nodded and continued. He could feel his entire body sweating.
After some hours of walking, Skly suddenly stopped. His face was not good under the hood. His forehead sweaty. "I will be waiting for you down here," he sat, sitting on the ground.
With a wave of his palm, a rune grew underneath him. It was silver and had markings on the inner circle. His body and that of the Jaguarwing were instantly enveloped by a bright luster.
They all looked at him in curiosity. Only Aetherial Midrel wasn't surprised. "From here, you will have to continue alone," she said. The youths nodded.
"Keep in mind, you're not the only one on the mountain. People from other big cities will be here. Although you are going as individuals, you are all the same person and will be representing Alden city," she continued.
Determined looks flashed on their faces. Some began moving forward. "You know what to do if anything happens," Aetherial Midrel said to the five celestial guardians before her. They all nodded in understanding. Then began moving into the mountain too.
Aetherial Midrel, Skly, the two arcana elders, and the Jaguarwing all stayed back, observing the disappearing figure.
Advancing a few more meters ahead, Neo suddenly stopped.
"Go and be careful. If it becomes too dangerous, forget about the rune and come back," Neo said. His voice was hoarse and dry. Although he was speaking for Amarok, he glanced at them all.
Amarok was clueless about what was happening. Why were they all staying back one after the other? Everybody had already left; only Amarok and his group were left.
He could see fire breeze dancing from time to time. He was already covered in sweat. As he breathed, white gas would escape his lips. He was fighting internally, feeling an aggressive energy trying to invade his mind. He knew he was certainly not the only one feeling that.
"Let's keep moving," Kinty stepped forward. Their steps were not as resolute as at the start; they moved forward. "What's happening here?" Amarok asked.
"It's the dragon's will," Silvia said with a half-smile. She was grimacing but kept moving.
"I have heard about it but never knew it was this terrifying," Mist commented.
"Legends say Elara killed a dragon in her youth. It was the Flaming Darko, a rare dragon capable of generating flames that could burn anything. It was on this mountain that they fought. After being defeated by Elara, it refused to die and merged its will with the mountain," Silvia explained.
Amarok's eyes sparkled. He knew about that legend but never knew it was a Flaming Darko. He had read about the Darko dragon while going through the books at Alden Academy library. It was a species at the pinnacle of the pyramid, considered the strongest monster that roamed the sky. Its power was unfathomable; a single blow of its fire could incinerate a whole city like Alden. He couldn't help but gasp again when he thought of Elara Wizeldof Grimgar. She was definitely something different to be able to defeat such a monster.
"I wonder what it was like to look at the world through her eyes," Lyra questioned. Her steps had also slowed. Amarok and the group instinctively slowed down to let her catch up.
"Certainly nothing you can possibly imagine," Mist suddenly said out loud. Everyone was a little startled.
"What's wrong with you?" Amarok's voice rose. "What's wrong with her? Can't you see she is delaying us?" he said.
"I didn't ask you to wait," Lyra retorted. "You see, she doesn't even care. Such a pampered princess should have stayed down the mountain," Mist added.
"I am not a pampered princess," Lyra stepped forward. An arrow blitzing with thunder whistled forward, a whooshing sound could be heard.
Mist scoffed, his sword leaving its sheath at lightning speed. The two forces collided, a sparkle painted the void, creating an ear-piercing sound.
"You are all wasting time. If you're too weak to continue, just go down," Kinty's harsh voice came forth.
"Since you're strong, why are you still here?" Amarok retorted.
Silvia's eyes flashed with panic. It was happening. "Stop all of you. Don't listen to the voices. It's trying to control you," she said, stepping in between Mist and Lyra.
"Stop acting like you know everything. I can't stand it," Amarok spat out. Silvia felt like a hammer had struck her heart.
"I am not trying to act intelligent," she glared, her eyes turning wet. "You can all keep wasting time if you wish." Kinty stepped forward, not turning back.
Lyra turned and left. Mist went in the other direction. Amarok in another direction. Silvia stood rooted on the spot.
She was battling inside not to succumb to the invasive voice. What should she do? Who should she follow? In their current state, if they were attacked, the consequences would be disastrous.
There was only one way to guard against the dragon's will. She needed to make a decision fast, whether to follow Amarok and wisdom , Mist, Lyra, or Kinty.