The Sanctuary’s grand hall was eerily quiet, save for the faint crackle of the central hearth. Shadows danced along the ancient stone walls, throwing fleeting shapes across shelves brimming with ancient texts and artifacts. Amaya’s fingers hovered over the worn parchment spread across the table.

“This has to be it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fiery red hair framed her determined face, the light of the flames reflecting in her amber eyes.

Kai leaned over her shoulder, his dark curls falling into his face. He traced a finger along the map’s faded ink. “The lost valley… Kali’dar,” he murmured, his tone equal parts awe and doubt.

Reya stood a few steps back, her arms crossed. The glimmering sapphire pendant around her neck caught the firelight as she tilted her head. “How do we know it’s not just a story? Every legend we’ve chased so far has come with its share of half-truths.”

“Not this one,” Lina interjected, her steady voice cutting through the doubt. The emerald ring on her hand gleamed as she pointed to the runes etched along the map’s edge. “These markings match the ancient texts in the archives. If we follow the trail, it could lead us to the answers we’ve been searching for.”

Amaya stood upright, her determination hardening into resolve. “We don’t have a choice. If the ruins of Kali’dar hold even a fraction of the power the legends speak of, it could change everything. Besides, don’t you want to know why the city fell?”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Kai smirked. “Always the fiery one.”

She shot him a playful glare. “And you’re always the wind that fans the flames. Are you in or not?”

He shrugged, a glint of excitement flashing in his green eyes. “Like I’d miss this.”

Reya sighed, unfolding her arms. “I suppose I’ll have to keep you all out of trouble again.”

With a nod, Lina added, “Then it’s settled. We leave at first light.”

----------------------------------------

The journey from the Sanctuary was anything but simple. The map’s trail led them through dense forests and treacherous mountain passes. By the third night, the group had pitched camp on a plateau overlooking the valley. The ancient volcano loomed in the distance, its jagged peak shrouded in mist.

As they sat around the campfire, the night settled heavily around them. Amaya stared into the flames, her thoughts scattered. When sleep finally claimed her, it came with a strange, vivid dream.

She stood in a grand hall, its walls shimmering with molten fire. She could feel the heat on her skin, the weight of a longsword in her hand. Around her, warriors clad in flame-patterned armor knelt, their faces obscured.

“You must choose,” a voice echoed, deep and resonant.

Amaya jolted awake, her heart racing. She glanced at her companions. Kai stirred restlessly in his sleep, muttering incoherently. Lina clutched her blanket tightly, her face pale. Reya’s brow furrowed, as if caught in a dream of her own.

“What’s happening to us?” Amaya whispered.

The volcano loomed in the distance, silent yet oppressive. Whatever secrets Kali’dar held, it had already begun reaching out to them.