Dawn broke gently over the frozen lake. The aurora had faded during night, leaving clear sky painted in soft pinks and golds. Draven woke slowly, comfortably—first truly restful sleep in months.
Malvorn's massive four-legged form remained still as behemoth presence stayed steady and protective even in sleep. The pack stirred gradually—Feyra stretching elegantly, Velnar rumbling awake, Sylvara blooming morning flowers reflexively, Zor preening golden feathers.
The three allied Overlords were already alert. Frostina's ice sculptures remained perfectly preserved as morning light refracted through them beautifully. Naelvorn floated lazily in the lake with serpentine form content. Raziel's volcanic warmth had kept everyone comfortable through the night.
No urgency pressed them. No crisis demanded attention.
Just morning, peaceful and calm.
"Ready to continue?" Malvorn asked through bond.
Draven nodded while sitting up. "Ready. We need to find the Second Anchor."
The alliance prepared departure efficiently. Frostina's ice sculptures dissolved with respectful gesture—beauty temporary, preserved in memory. Naelvorn emerged from lake reluctantly. "Best swim I've had in decades. We're coming back here, right bro?"
"Maybe," Draven said while smiling.
The pack gathered close, ready to fly. Malvorn rose to his full height as four powerful legs remained steady and behemoth form looked impressive in morning light.
Through Genesis Codex, Luminestra's presence stirred—more animated than usual, purpose evident.
"Bearer," she began, "I've been considering the Second Anchor's location. Based on merger-era memory and planetary resonance patterns, I believe the closest Anchor is located in the central plains—roughly two weeks' flight southeast from here."
Draven listened carefully. "Central plains? What's there?"
"Vast grasslands. The Anchor would be buried deep, likely in subterranean ruins similar to the Northern complex."
---
Before Draven could respond, Raziel's deep voice rumbled across the lake. "Is it in the volcanic region?"
Everyone turned toward the Magma Drake. His magma-light pulsed thoughtfully as ancient eyes grew distant with memory.
Luminestra paused with presence uncertain. "The volcanic region? That's... southeast as well, but further. Perhaps three weeks' flight. I hadn't considered it primary—the central plains Anchor feels stronger in resonance."
"Volcanic region?" Naelvorn asked curiously as serpentine form coiled. "What's got you thinking about fire-mountains, Raziel?"
Frostina's ice-ring eyes narrowed with interest. "You sense something?"
Raziel remained quiet for long moment while considering carefully.
"Centuries ago," Raziel began slowly as volcanic rumble carried weight, "I sensed something unusual beneath the volcanic region. Deep in the lava layers—perhaps even beneath the crust itself."
Malvorn's attention focused completely. "What kind of something?"
"Unknown," Raziel admitted. "It was only for a moment—brief pulse of... resonance? Energy? I couldn't identify it precisely. Then it vanished completely, as if it had never existed."
"Why mention it now?" Draven asked, intrigued.
Raziel's magma-light brightened as eyes glowed with remembered sensation. "Because whatever it was... it attracted me. Specifically. Powerfully. In all my millennia of existence, I've felt that pull only once—and I've never forgotten it."
Velnar rumbled thoughtfully. "Attraction implies compatibility. Something resonating with your fire element?"
"Perhaps," Raziel agreed. "Or something designed to attract Overlords. Or dragons. Or..." He paused meaningfully. "...Anchors designed to call specific beings."
Silence fell as everyone processed implication.
"Anchors calling specific beings?" Feyra asked as dimensional understanding engaged. "The First Anchor was in neutral territory—no specific elemental bias."
"But the Second might differ," Luminestra suggested thoughtfully. "Each Anchor was designed to stabilize different planetary systems. Fire-element Anchor in volcanic region makes logical sense—stabilizing magma flows, preventing catastrophic eruptions."
Naelvorn's bioluminescent teal brightened. "And if it's designed to attract fire-aligned Overlords... Raziel would sense it naturally. That pull you felt—that was the Anchor recognizing compatible presence!"
Raziel rumbled agreement. "Possible. I dismissed it centuries ago—thought it imagination, random geological phenomenon. But if Anchors exist... perhaps what I sensed was exactly that."
Draven looked between Luminestra and Raziel. "Luminestra, you said central plains felt stronger in resonance. But Raziel actually sensed something specific. Which do we trust?"
Frostina spoke calmly. "We trust experience. Memory doesn't lie. Raziel felt attraction—that's evidence, not theory."
---
Malvorn's bond hummed with agreement. "Raziel's instinct shouldn't be ignored. Overlords sense planetary resonance naturally—if he felt attraction, it's significant."
Sylvara added gently, "The central plains can be investigated later if needed. But Raziel's memory is specific—location, sensation, timing. That's more than theoretical resonance."
Zor's golden wings flared with excitement. "Volcanic region sounds dramatic! Fire and magma and ancient ruins buried in lava! Much better than grasslands!"
Even Luminestra's presence shifted while accepting logic. "You're right. Raziel's attraction is evidence I cannot dismiss. The volcanic Anchor makes sense—fire-element stabilization, magma control, planetary core regulation. We should investigate."
Draven nodded decisively. "Then it's decided. We fly southeast toward the volcanic region. Raziel, you'll guide us?"
"Gladly," Raziel rumbled as ancient satisfaction was evident.
Naelvorn coiled thoughtfully. "Volcanic region's intense, even for Overlords. Toxic gases, lava flows, unstable ground. Draven, you'll need protection."
"Warden's Mantle has environmental adaptation," Draven confirmed. "Temperature regulation should handle heat. And Raziel's presence will help."
Raziel nodded. "I'll maintain thermal buffer around alliance. My element—my responsibility to keep everyone safe."
Frostina added practically, "I can provide cooling barriers if needed. Fire and ice—balanced approach."
Velnar rumbled agreement. "My earth-sense will detect unstable ground. Between all of us, we'll manage."
Feyra smiled warmly. "We've faced worse together. Volcanic region won't stop us."
The alliance felt unified, prepared, determined.
Challenges awaited, but they'd overcome them.
Together.
The alliance lifted into sky—Malvorn's four-legged behemoth form rising through gravity manipulation, Overlords following, pack accompanying.
Southeast. Toward volcanic region. Toward fire and magma and ancient ruins buried beneath lava.
Toward whatever had attracted Raziel centuries ago.
Draven felt anticipation building. The Second Anchor awaited—potentially calling to fire-aligned beings, designed to stabilize planetary magma systems, hidden in Raziel's territory.
Three weeks of flight ahead. Time to prepare, strategize, bond further.
But the destination was clear.
Through Genesis Codex, Luminestra's presence carried excitement. "The Architects loved symbolism. Fire Anchor in volcanic region, guarded by molten earth. Beautiful design."
Raziel flew ahead while leading confidently.
Homecoming, in a way.
The volcanic region awaited.
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