The journey into the Cradle of Embers pushes Damian, Nerrisa, and linda to their limits. As they venture deeper into the volcanic region, the air becomes heavy with heat and ash, despite linda's purification spell, Aetheris Purga. The group finds themselves surrounded by glowing streams of molten lava and crumbling rock formations, the environment itself becoming an enemy. However, this is only the beginning of the challenges the Cradle presents. The group encounters a massive, blackened gate carved from obsidian and inscribed with glowing alchemical symbols. linda translates the runes, revealing it to be a Trial Gate, an ancient construct designed to test the resolve and alchemical mastery of those seeking to wield ultimate power.
To pass through the gate, they must solve an alchemical riddle. A series of glyphs light up on the gate, forming a complex symbol with missing parts. They must use the grimoire and their combined knowledge to complete the glyph, balancing the elemental forces of fire, water, air, and earth to unlock the gate. Linda chants a Spell for the Gate: Elementum Nexus (Elemental Convergence)
Incantation:
"Ignis, aqua, aeris, terra, nexum aperite!"
("Fire, water, air, earth, open the nexus!")
linda sketches the missing runes in the air with glowing alchemical energy while Damian channels the Philosopher's Stone's power. As the incantation is completed, the glyph bursts into light, and the gate creaks open, revealing a fiery path leading deeper into the Cradle. Beyond the gate, Nerrisa , Damian and linda is ambushed by a towering Pyric Golem, a creature made of molten rock and enchanted with fiery alchemy. Its body radiates intense heat, making it impossible to approach without preparation. Nerrisa uses her alchemically charged arrows to distract the creature while linda constructs a spell circle on the ground. Damian, channeling the Philosopher's Stone, recalls a defensive spell from the grimoire: Thermae Aegis (Thermal Shield)
Incantation:
"Flammae rabidae, me servate!"
("Raging flames, protect me!"), Damian casts this spell, forming a shimmering barrier of cold energy around the group, neutralizing the worst of the Golem's heat. Working together, they weaken the construct until Damian can deliver the final blow by directing a concentrated blast of energy from the Philosopher's Stone.
As the Golem crumbles, it reveals an alchemical key, glowing red hot. linda carefully collects it using an enchanted tongs, "why are you picking it up, it might be some kind of a trap!, Damian said, being very cautious . Nerrisa turned to face Damian, reassuring him that it might be crucial for the next stage of their journey. The volcanic path leads them to a massive stone altar suspended over a bubbling lake of lava. An ancient inscription appears on the altar in glowing runes, which linda reads aloud:
"To claim the light, one must offer their own. A piece of the soul must burn to illuminate the path."
The altar demands a sacrifice of life energy. Damian steps forward, fully aware that the Philosopher's Stone will likely amplify the pain and danger of the process. linda tries to discourage him, offering to take his place, but Damian insists, Nerrisa stood still without uttering a word as she knew that Damian will never let linda take his place.
Now Damian places his hand on the altar and channels the Philosopher's Stone energy. The runes flare to life, and stream's of pain courses through his body as the Stone extracts a fragment of his energy. The altar reacts, projecting a beam of light into the distance, revealing a hidden passageway beneath the lava. Damian collapses from the strain, but Nerrisa and linda manage to stabilize him using their healing spells.
Healing Spell: Vitalis Reparare (Restore Vitality)
Incantation:
"Corpus fractum, animam redintegra!"
("Broken body, restore the soul!".
As Damian recovers, the Philosopher's Stone begins to glow ominously, projecting a vision into his mind. He sees Mortivax standing in a chamber deep within the Cradle of Embers, surrounded by swirling magma and alchemical sigils. Mortivax addresses Damian directly through the vision, mocking his struggles: "You stumble forward, wielding power you cannot hope to control. The Cradle will break you, as it has done to others before you, even your ancestors hid this power because they fear it. You humans fear what you cannot control. Surrender the Stone, and I may spare the lives of your companions." The vision ends abruptly, leaving Damian shaken but more determined. He vows to stop Mortivax, no matter the cost, but the fear in his eyes betrays his doubts.
The light from the altar guides them to a narrow passage beneath the lava. The walls are lined with ancient carvings depicting alchemical rituals and warnings about the Philosopher's Stone. linda deciphers one ominous phrase, she reads aloud : "To wield the Stone is to become its servant. The flame consumes all." These phrase eats into the heart of Nerrisa, as she fears what will become of Damian at the end of this journey, she fears if Damian could actually defeat mortivax, a creature which they have not seen or has never been heard of untill now. "Nerrisa!! Nerrisa!! Nerrisa!! , Damian called her name trying to get her attention as they advance further through the passageway.
The passageway is filled with dangers collapsing rock, bursts of scalding steam, and spectral guardians that appear to test their resolve. Damian uses a purification spell to fend off the spirits: Lux Purga (Light Purification)
Incantation:
"Lux divina, tenebras expelle!"
("Divine light, banish the shadows!"), He casts this spell creating a radiant burst of energy that forces the spirits to disintegrate, allowing the group to press onward.
As Damian, Nerrisa and linda emerges into a massive chamber at the heart of the Cradle of Embers. A towering volcanic spire dominates the room, its peak crackling with fiery energy. Suspended within the spire is an ancient artifact an alchemical crucible said to hold the key to amplifying the Philosopher's Stone hidden powers. The group stands in awe of the Crucible's power, but their moment of reprieve is cut short as the air grows heavy with malice. Mortivax's minions have caught up, their shadowy forms emerging from the chamber's edges, ready to strike!!!!.