The golden light of the Inner Domain bathed the group as they stirred from their rest. The calm, dreamlike atmosphere allowed their aching bodies and frayed nerves to recover far more quickly than they had thought possible. For Kael, the serenity of the domain was a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind in the Hollow Vale.
Time had passed differently inside—several hours for them, but only minutes in the real world. Kael stood at the edge of his domain, staring at the horizonless expanse. Though the tranquil space was his creation, he still marveled at its vastness and potential.
"It's something else," Marra said, walking up beside him. Her voice broke the quiet. "A whole world, and it's yours."
Kael smiled faintly. "It doesn't feel like it's mine. More like it's… part of me. Like it's always been there, waiting for me to find it."
"Still, it's impressive," she said. "We wouldn't be this rested without it. You should've told us about it sooner."
Kael shrugged. "I wasn't sure how safe it was for anyone else. And I wasn't ready to explain it."
"Well, you made the right call," Marra said, her tone light but firm. "This'll give us an edge. Use it."
Kael nodded, her words sparking a sense of purpose. "We'll need every advantage we can get."
***
The group had gathered in the center of the domain, their movements more energetic than before. Leena stretched her arms, a rare smile crossing her face. "I feel like I slept for a week. This place is amazing."
Thane grinned, gesturing to the open sky above. "Kael, you've been holding out on us. This domain—it's more than just a resting place. There's something… powerful about it. I can feel it."
Kael leaned on his spear, nodding. "I'm still figuring it out. It's tied to me, but it feels like it's evolving. Every time I come here, it's a little different."
"What happens if you keep adding to it?" Thane asked. "Could you grow it into something bigger? Like… a city?"
Kael hesitated. "Maybe. It's hard to say. Right now, it's just a sanctuary."
Corin, sitting nearby and spinning a dagger in his hand, scoffed. "Sanctuary or not, it's still a strange thing to carry around in your head. What happens if you drop dead, Kael? Do we get stuck in here?"
"No," Kael said with a smirk. "It's linked to me, but you'd be kicked out if something happened to me. You'd just wake up back where you entered."
"Well, that's comforting," Corin muttered.
Leena stood, brushing off her armor. "Either way, it's incredible. It's like… hope in a bottle. And we need all the hope we can get."
Kael felt warmth at her words but kept his expression neutral. "I'll use it as often as we need it. But the domain doesn't solve all our problems. The Master's still out there."
Marra crossed her arms, her expression serious. "Then let's stop wasting time. The longer we wait, the stronger he gets."
Kael nodded, stepping toward the center of the group. He closed his eyes, concentrating on opening the portal back to reality.
Inner Domain Portal Activated
The air shimmered as the golden light of the domain gave way to the harsh gray tones of the Hollow Vale. The desolate landscape greeted them once again, the contrast to the domain's serenity jarring but motivating. The group adjusted quickly, gathering their belongings as they prepared to move out.
"Back to Ironholt, then?" Marra asked, her voice steady.
Kael glanced at the others, who nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Gerric might have information about the Master's next move. If not, we'll start looking for signs of another nexus."
***
The journey back to Ironholt was uneventful, but the tension among the group was palpable. The memory of the nexus battle and the Master's chilling words lingered in their minds, casting a shadow over their thoughts. Kael found himself replaying the fight in his head, analyzing every moment, every decision.
When they finally reached the gates of Ironholt, the sight of its weathered stone walls brought a flicker of relief. The guards recognized them immediately, waving them through without question. The town's usual bustle was muted, the atmosphere subdued as the townsfolk went about their routines.
Kael led the group to Gerric's tower, his thoughts racing. They needed answers, and Gerric was their best hope of finding them.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, and Gerric's scruffy, wild-haired form appeared in the doorway. His sharp blue eyes scanned the group, his expression shifting from irritation to curiosity.
"Back already?" Gerric asked. "What happened?"
Kael stepped forward. "We destroyed the nexus. Severed all the leyline connections."
Gerric's eyebrows shot up. "You did? Hmph. Didn't think you had it in you."
"It wasn't easy," Marra said coolly. "And the Master escaped."
Gerric frowned, stroking his beard. "Of course he did. Bastard's slippery. But if you destroyed the nexus, he'll be weaker. At least for a while."
"Do you know where he'll go next?" Kael asked. "Or where we should look?"
Gerric gestured for them to follow him inside. "Come in. This'll take a minute."
***
The group crowded into Gerric's cluttered workshop, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and strange herbs. The mage rifled through a stack of maps on his desk, muttering under his breath.
"Leylines are like rivers," Gerric said, spreading a map across the table. "They flow across the land, intersecting at points of power. The Master isn't just targeting any nexus—he's looking for specific ones. Stronger ones."
Kael leaned over the map, his eyes scanning the lines and markings. "How do we find them?"
"I've been tracking leyline activity for years," Gerric said, tapping a point on the map. "There's another nexus here, in the Emberwild. It's more dangerous than the Hollow Vale—volatile, unstable, and crawling with elemental beasts."
"Sounds delightful," Corin muttered.
Leena frowned, her gaze fixed on the map. "Do you think the Master's already there?"
"Possibly," Gerric said. "If not, he's probably heading there. It's the logical next step for someone trying to harness leyline power."
Kael straightened, his resolve hardening. "Then that's where we're going."
Gerric gave him a skeptical look. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But the Emberwild isn't like the Vale. If you're not careful, it'll kill you before you even find the nexus."
"We'll manage," Marra said firmly. "We don't have a choice."
Gerric sighed, shaking his head. "You're determined, I'll give you that. Fine. I'll give you what I can—maps, notes, and a few supplies. But don't expect me to bail you out if you get in over your heads."
Kael nodded. "We appreciate the help."
***
As the group left Gerric's tower and made their way to the inn, Leena walked beside Kael, her expression thoughtful.
"Do you think we're ready for this?" she asked quietly.
Kael glanced at her, his own doubts mirrored in her eyes. "We don't have a choice. The Master won't stop, and neither can we."
Leena nodded, her grip on her sword tightening. "I just hope we're strong enough."
Kael smiled faintly. "We are. Together."