The volcanic region appeared on the horizon like a wound in Theia's surface.
Draven stood on Malvorn's broad back as the four-legged behemoth's pillar-like legs remained steady beneath him. Ahead, the landscape transformed from green plains to blackened wasteland—ash-covered ground stretching toward multiple volcanic peaks rising against darkened sky.
Seven volcanoes dominated the region. Some smoked lazily while others erupted violently—fountains of magma arcing into air before crashing back down. Rivers of molten rock flowed between the mountains as glowing orange-red arteries cut through obsidian fields.
Even from kilometers away, the heat shimmer was visible.
Raziel flew ahead as his massive draconic form was silhouetted against volcanic glow. Black-scarlet scales caught light from distant lava flows while wings spread wide—obsidian blades lined with magma channels. The Magma Drake's chest glowed brighter as they approached and volcanic energy resonated with his element.
"Beautiful," Raziel rumbled with molten orange eyes fixed forward.
"Terrifying," Feyra corrected gently as snow-white fur remained bright against darkening landscape.
"Both," Draven agreed quietly.
Naelvorn's serpentine form coiled uncomfortably as deep-blue scales dimmed without ocean nearby. "Bro, where's the water? This place is the opposite of everything I love. Dry, hot, no currents—just fire and sadness."
Frostina's pale-blue armor plates crystallized with frost as she created cooling barriers around herself. Her arctic-blue eyes narrowed against heat shimmer. "Manageable. Uncomfortable, but manageable."
Malvorn's single glowing stone eye pulsed steadily as earth-element remained stable despite volcanic ground ahead. His bone-spikes jutted confidently—built for any terrain.
Velnar's bark-and-stone exoskeleton shifted as thorn-spines bristled slightly. Forest-green eyes dimmed with concern. "No soil here. Just ash and rock. Unsettling."
Sylvara's antler-branches drooped slightly with turquoise eyes sad. "Nothing grows. It's... empty of life."
Zor circled overhead as midnight-black feathers streaked with violet lightning caught volcanic light. His predatory purple eyes scanned territory analytically. "Defensible terrain. High ground everywhere. Good vantage."
Each reacted differently—element determining comfort.
---
The temperature spiked dramatically as they crossed into volcanic territory proper.
Heat slammed into Draven like physical force—air shimmering violently, sulfur smell overwhelming, ash particles floating everywhere. His lungs burned with first breath.
Then Warden's Mantle activated.
The enchanted armor's environmental adaptation engaged instantly—temperature regulation stabilizing his body, filtering toxic gases automatically, protecting him from volcanic atmosphere. The discomfort faded while being replaced by manageable warmth.
"Raziel, thermal buffer please," Draven called forward.
The Magma Drake rumbled acknowledgment. Heat rolled from his body in controlled waves—creating protective zone around alliance. The temperature within the buffer remained intense but survivable as Raziel's mastery over fire-element stayed precise.
Frostina reinforced protection with ice barriers—cooling the air further, balancing Raziel's heat with arctic cold. Fire and ice working together as opposing elements achieved equilibrium.
The pack moved closer to Malvorn's massive form while using the behemoth as windbreak against ash-laden gusts.
Together, they managed.
Raziel's molten orange eyes scanned the volcanic landscape with something resembling fondness. His black-scarlet scales absorbed heat eagerly as cracks between them glowed brighter—chest burning like contained furnace.
He remembered this place.
Centuries ago, flying alone through these same mountains, feeling sudden inexplicable pull from beneath lava layers. Brief pulse that vanished immediately, leaving him confused, searching, finding nothing.
He'd dismissed it eventually. Returned to his territory. But never forgot.
Now, approaching the central volcano—the largest of seven peaks—that pull stirred again. Faint, but present. Growing stronger with proximity.
*It's here,* Raziel thought as certainty built. *Whatever called to me then... it waits still.*
Through bond, Malvorn sensed his ally's anticipation. *You feel it?*
*Yes,* Raziel confirmed internally. *The attraction. After all this time.*
His wings beat harder, eager despite millennia of patience.
Homecoming.
---
They landed on obsidian plateau between three of the seven volcanoes.
The ground beneath them was black volcanic glass—smooth in places, jagged and sharp in others. Cracks spider-webbed across the surface while glowing faintly orange from magma flowing beneath. Heat radiated from below, intense and constant.
To the north, the central volcano rose highest—massive cone spewing ash and smoke continuously, lava lake visible at its peak. East and west, two smaller volcanoes erupted intermittently as fountains of molten rock painted sky orange.
Behind them, four more peaks stood at varying distances—some dormant and cooling, others actively burning.
Rivers of lava flowed everywhere while cutting paths through obsidian fields like glowing serpents. Steam vents hissed violently while releasing sulfurous gases into already-thick atmosphere.
The volcanic region stretched for dozens of kilometers—untamed, ancient, deadly beautiful.
Draven dismounted from Malvorn carefully as boots touched hot glass.
"We're here," he said quietly.
The alliance spread out slightly as each surveyed volcanic territory with different perspective.
Raziel stood tallest with draconic form relaxed despite surroundings' hostility. His molten eyes scanned the central volcano specifically—where the pull originated, where the attraction waited.
Naelvorn coiled on cooler obsidian section as serpentine form kept distance from active lava flows. "This is your idea of paradise, fire-lizard? Respect, but hard pass from me."
Frostina's wings folded tightly as frost constantly formed and melted on her pale-blue armor. "The central peak. That's where we investigate?"
Malvorn's stone eye focused on the largest volcano with massive frame steady. "Raziel sensed attraction there. Logical starting point."
Velnar's thorn-spines relaxed slightly as earth-sense read ground. "Stable enough. We can approach safely."
Sylvara remained quiet with turquoise eyes sad but determined.
Zor landed beside Draven as violet lightning crackled. "Ready when you are."
Raziel's attention never wavered from the central volcano. Magma channels along his obsidian-blade wings glowed brighter while responding to proximity.
"The Second Anchor is here," he stated with absolute certainty. "Beneath that mountain. Deep in the magma chambers, perhaps deeper—into the planetary crust itself."
Luminestra's presence stirred through Genesis Codex. *Fire Anchor stabilizing volcanic systems, preventing catastrophic eruptions. The Architects would have placed it at the region's heart.*
Draven looked up at the massive volcanic peak—ash billowing, lava flowing, ancient and powerful.
Somewhere beneath that mountain, the Second Anchor waited.
Called to Raziel across centuries.
Calling still.
"Tomorrow," Draven decided. "We rest tonight, investigate at dawn."
The alliance settled among the volcanoes.
Fire's domain surrounded them.
And deep below, something ancient stirred.
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