The mountain was collapsing. Lava started flowing down like a wave, unstoppable. Everything was annihilated in its way. The fire trees burned to nothingness, and the rocks were tainted by red.
Louan jumped forward; the lava splashed out, his body rolled downward. Mia followed behind him. Amarok and his group halted their steps. The lava wave was still rushing down.
"We can't stay here; the mountain is going to disappear," Louan said.
"I have nothing left for me down the mountain. I have lost everything I cared for. It's useless," Mia said with a smile. The lava had already swept through her feet; she grimaced but didn't move.
"I don't hate you nor blame you. I have no regret either... Maybe just not being able to witness my brother change."
Amarok was blank at her words.
Mia blinked faintly, seeing Jorah's face on Amarok. "Don't leave me." She raised her hand forward with tears in her eyes.
Amarok refused to let someone else die on the mountain, but reality was grim. He raised his hands in tears, thrusting them into the lava wave that threatened to engulf him.
"Are you crazy??" Louan waved his chaplet forward. It shone, forcing the lava a few seconds back and violently pulled Amarok back. "Respect her will," he said with a deep frown. Then he dashed down in another way, not looking at Amarok and his friends.
Amarok stared at the disappearing figure in the lava. All were shaken by her actions that seemed incomprehensible to them. Lyra was trembling, her eyes locked with Mia in a final goodbye.
The group rushed down, soon catching up with Neo. Neo was shaken at their state. Just from their wounds, he knew they must have gone through a lot of hardship. He didn't ask anything, just pulling Mist from Kinty into his arms as they bolted downward. The three celestial guardians alive weren't far behind.
Soon, they caught up with Skly, Aetherial Midrel, and the two Arcana elders. They all hopped on the Jaguarwing.
It sprang to life, like an arrow let loose, bolting downward. In a flash, it flapped its wings upward, taking to the sky.
Amarok stared at the disappearing fire mountain with a mix of emotions. Anger for what Kleid had done, guilt for leaving all that innocent blood on the mountain, and warmth from the people sitting near him.
The return was much faster than when they left. In the meantime, Amarok's group explained what happened and why the other celestial guardians didn't return.
Everyone was silent; Aetherial Midrel would sometimes glance at Amarok without a word. Upon hearing what had happened on the fire mountain, everyone had different feelings. Skly looked emotionless, hearing that Kleid had died. He just felt it was a pity he had wasted all the resources used to groom him.
The celestial guardians stayed far away from Amarok and glanced at him. They now stood, with Amarok and his group in the middle, while Skly, Aetherial Midrel, the Arcana elders, and the few celestial guardians left stood not far from them in a circle.
No one had taken attention to that earlier, but it happened shortly after Amarok recounted what had happened.
Neo had a very bad feeling. The group flew at lightning speed, and a few days later, they could see Alden over the horizon.
Their return caused an uproar in Alden. Many curious people wanted to know what happened, but unfortunately, no news was released yet.
They all had to wait in anticipation; this would determine the future course of Alden city. Did they find the legendary dragon breath? They couldn't wait to find out.
Another piece of mind-blowing news was the arrival of the high enchantress in Alden. That day the entire of Alden was shaken. She was the real representative of law in Lower Elysium. All the Aetherial had to answer to her. She was skilled as any city Lord, second only to the city Lord of Lowe, the capital of lower elysuim. She was a rank four rune sorcerer, a smith.
Many taverns gave beer for free, and people could eat at their ease. The town was extremely lively. Many people from other towns came too.
The result of the quest on the fire mountain would be divulged soon.
Lyra returned to her family manor and likewise didn't step out.
Kinty vanished once more to God knows where.
Silvia returned to Alden Academy to resume her studies.
Amarok, Neo, Wisdom, and Mist all returned to the soothing garden.
A few days went by after their return. Amarok sat facing the compound, deep in thought. He would sometimes have nightmares over what happened on the fire mountain.
Each time, the only thing he remembered was the blood on his sword after that last strike, but that wasn't the worst. He would sometimes see himself on a mountain of people, all battered in blood. All he would see still be a river of corpses fallen to his sword.
"If you don't sleep enough, you wouldn't heal," Neo's voice came from behind. Amarok tilted his head, rubbing his eyes. They were slightly open and drowsy. It was clear he desperately wanted to rest but didn't dare to.
"You're always absent. I need to stay up late to practice," he said with a faint smile. He didn't want to bother Neo with that.
"Shut up. You have never been studious; don't pretend," Neo spat out.
Suddenly, Wisdom rushed to Amarok, his eyes shining brightly. Amarok smiled pleasantly but soon found out that something was off. Wisdom had grown, literally grown. It looked majestic, its dark blue moon fur soft as cotton. Its eyes now deep and would sometimes flash with a tinge of fire red.
It opened its mouth, and a shiny ruby could be seen inside. Amarok and Neo jumped in fright. They couldn't believe their eyes; it was the ruby, the legendary rune dragon breath.
Amarok's eyes flashed a dumb look. Now that he thought of it, during the chaos at that time, no one had bothered with this little figure.