“How could I help something like that?” Abby said aloud. “Saving a city of over three billion when the city itself is on the verge of collapsing and no one knows? It’s almost like…” She trailed off, coming to a conclusion.

“Almost like a black hole devouring a planet?” Nat asked from behind her. He had crossed his arms and made himself comfortable against a wall.

Emberax was distracted, moving energy and magma around his being, trying to do something only he knew. He looked frustrated, but it seemed like he was making progress.

“So that’s why you led me here, and to Janice…” Abby mused, her attention focused on Nat. “You knew I’d be in a similar situation.”

“Yep, though I didn’t know how close it would come to be like it.” He brought a hand under his chin while the other gripped his elbow. “Honestly, the parallels are shocking, to say the least.”

“Her determination transcended the concept of a mortal’s timeframe. I got considerably less time than that.” She refocused her attention to Emberax. “Great volcano spirit, do you know of a way I can help?”

“I SENSED A SPARK OF HEAT FROM YOU.” He bent his everchanging body down to Abby’s level. “I THOUGHT PERCHAPSE YOU COULD BEND LAVA TO YOUR WILL. HERE…” He placed a finger onto her head. A soft blue hue cascaded through his body and into Abby, causing her eyes, mouth, and minisuction cups to glow the same color. It was a strange feeling being filled with energy. It was as if she were a halfway filled cup that was suddenly dunked into a well, power overflowing.

Warm sensations began to surround her. She saw Emberax as a heat source, and the heat that made up Nat. Her immediate surroundings she saw as a firey orange, and outside of the chamber was yellow, while further away was blue and black.

“Huh,” she said. “He’s right this place is almost drained of magma. He’s unlocked a heat sense of sorts for me.” She looked around. “It’s kinda cool. Unfortunately, no lava moving for me. Maybe a grounder could do something like that.”

The spirit shrugged. His booming voice now much quieter. “I focused much of my remaining strength to awaken that for you. It will help you in helping me somehow. I care deeply about the people who live above me, regadless of how Serenity had tricked me into her curse.”

He showed Abby his arm that was marked with a criss crossed pattern of black lines.

“That’s right,” Abby said, “almost all the High kings are the third type of kah, the one unique to humans, cursing.”

“A combination of type one and two kah.” Nat said inspecting the tattoo like markings. “And if I remember correctly…” Nat continued.

“Serenity was the queen of the Eternal King, the one who cursed him with immortality.” Abby finished. “She founded Arvendon to oppose the king of Rothurd.”

“Please,” Emberax said while yawning, a sudden rumbling was felt in the inner chamber causing Abby to become very alert. “Help them.”

“I promise with every fiber of my being as an Auctian, I will find a solution.”

“Thank you, oceanborn.”

Abby bowed and made her way out of the chamber, Nat following not far behind. “This is easier said than done.” He sounded far away as if he was trying to find an answer.

“Yeah, and don’t forget I’m on the run above us so there’s all that.” She waved a mangled tentacle in his direction.

“That is true too.” He still seemed to be in contemplation. “There should be a trail that leads to the Crown if it hasn’t collapsed.”

“Then let’s search for it.”

They set out into the magma made passages, their path lit by the faint glow of Emberax’s bestowed energy. The air grew colder as they delved deeper, the sounds of the city above becoming a distant hum. Abby knew they were somehow going in the correct direction because of those sounds. For hours, they navigated the twisting corridors, their progress marked by the occasional tremor and the drip of unseen water. Abby was using her heat sense to help her and Nat in their search, staying clear of magma that were down some passages.

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After four hours of searching, Abby finally spotted a faint, overgrown trail. “Here!” she called out, her voice echoing off the damp walls. Nat hurried to her side, his eyes scanning the path ahead.

“It’s partially collapsed, but it’s definitely the trail to the Crown,” he said, brushing away some of the debris. “Good find, Abby.”

She nodded, determination flaring in her eyes. “Let’s follow it and see where it leads.”

As they moved along the trail, the way grew narrower and more treacherous, but Abby pressed on, driven by her promise to Emberax and the people of Arvendon. The weight of her responsibility hung heavy, but she knew she couldn’t afford to falter now.

Abby and Nat moved silently along the desolate streets as they wandered aimlessly through the slums, Abby’s mind swirling with the weight of Emberax's revelation. The night enveloped her like a shroud, casting shadows that danced along the crumbling facades of the buildings around her. With each step, she felt the weight of exhaustion bearing down on her, a relentless burden that threatened to consume her resolve.

Nat, ever vigilant, kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his senses attuned to any signs of pursuit. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness. Abby couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides, a persistent reminder of the precariousness of their situation.

As they stumbled upon an abandoned building, relief washed over Abby like a wave, her muscles protesting with every movement. With Nat's help, they navigated their way to a secluded room tucked away in the depths of the structure. It was a place of refuge, a sanctuary from the chaos that raged outside.

Collapsed on a makeshift bed of dust and debris, Abby finally allowed herself to succumb to the exhaustion that had been gnawing at her bones. The events of the past few nights replayed in her mind like a haunting melody.

In the stillness of the room, Abby's thoughts drifted back to her encounter with Emberax, the ancient spirit of the volcano that powered the city. His words echoed in her mind, a solemn warning of the city's impending demise. One hundred years, he had said, before his energy would fade away completely. It was a daunting revelation, one that weighed heavily on her heart.

Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, Abby refused to give in to despair. She knew that they would need to find a way to protect the city, to ensure its survival for generations to come. But the path ahead was fraught with peril, and the challenges they faced seemed insurmountable.

As exhaustion claimed her weary body and sleep beckoned her into its embrace, Abby's dreams were haunted by visions of a city on the brink of collapse, its fate hanging in the balance. And somewhere in the depths of her subconscious, a flicker of determination ignited, something she had never thought of, someone even the city of Arvendon would not expect to come to their rescue. She had to find the Eternal King. But first, she had to escape the city she swore to save. She let sleep take her.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the Crown, Thane moved with purpose. For days, he had been religiously searching the decaying underbelly of Arvendon, reinforcing the sinkholes he found to prevent further collapse. The people of the Crown watched him with a mix of admiration and gratitude, their faith in the High King Sevas renewed. They saw Thane’s efforts as a sign that they had not been forgotten, and it filled them with hope.

As Thane secured another precarious sinkhole, an elderly man approached him, his eyes filled with both reverence and urgency. “Sir Thane,” the man said, bowing slightly. “The people of the Crown have noticed your dedication. We are grateful that the High King has not forsaken us.”

Thane nodded, wiping sweat from his brow with the arm that was missing his hand. “It is my duty to ensure the safety and stability of our home,” he replied. “Every life here is precious, and I will do everything in my power to protect it.”

The elderly man hesitated for a moment before continuing. “There is something you should know. Some of us have seen strange occurrences, signs that might be of interest to you. Last night, an Auctian was spotted in the lower districts. It might be related to what you are seeking.”

Thane’s eyes widened slightly. “An Auctian? Are you certain?”

“Yes, sir. Several people saw it. It was near the old market square, moving quickly and stealthily.”

Thane straightened, the weight of his responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders. “Thank you for this information. I will investigate it immediately.” He turned to his men, who were reinforcing the nearby structures. “Continue your work here. I must follow this lead.”

As Thane made his way towards the lower districts, the gratitude and hope in the eyes of the Crown’s people gave him renewed strength. He asked the man for a guide to help him, or at least someone who saw Abby. The old man agreed and found two people to help Thane.

The narrow alleys and winding streets of the lower districts were eerily quiet as Thane navigated through them. The old market square, once a bustling hub of activity, now stood silent and desolate. He moved cautiously, his senses on high alert, searching for any sign of the Auctian.

Meanwhile, Abby awoke to find herself in an unfamiliar, dimly lit room. As she blinked away the remnants of sleep, she noticed several of Sevas’ spiritual eyes floating around the room, their presence unnerving and invasive. Nat was sitting nearby, his knees drawn up to his chest, his expression unreadable.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said softly when Abby looked towards him. “Guess what?”

“Where are we?” she whispered, her voice hoarse from sleep.

“Well, you’ve been captured...by Thane. Some people of the Crown saw where we had entered.”

“Shit.” Abby blurted out, her grogginess replaced by a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“And we are in Sevas’ throne room.”

“That’s even worse. I—” Before she could finish, Sevas stepped out from around his throne and took a seat, his presence imposing and authoritative.

“Abby Tiller...” he started, his voice deep and resonant. “I have a few questions for you before I reach my verdict on whether or not you should survive the day.”

Abby’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process the gravity of the situation. The throne room was grand yet foreboding, its high ceilings adorned with tapestries depicting the history of Arvendon. Tall, narrow windows let in slivers of light, casting eerie shadows across the floor.

Sevas’ gaze was piercing, his spiritual eyes floating around him like silent sentinels. Abby felt a cold sweat break out on her skin as she struggled to maintain her composure. She knew that her answers could determine her fate, and the fate of those she cared about.

“Your actions have caused quite a stir,” Sevas continued, his tone measured but firm. “You have been seen associating with individuals who threaten the stability of our city. The sentence for that is death.”