“Of course I can’t expect you to trust me over that.” Askerian answered, passing Knight. “Perhaps this will change your perspective of me. Follow me.”

He led Knight down the bridge, the heat from the atmosphere, causing Knight to sweat beneath his armor. I’m glad I didn’t force the others to come up here.

Askerian turned down a short extension of the bridge and stopped at the edge. He turned to Knight. “You’ll have to trust me.”

Knight followed Askerian’s gaze. Down below this particular path, hardened magma and red stone lay in wait.

“What’s down there?”

“Your proof that I’m not a threat.”

The two men stared at one another; a few heart beats passed before Knight shifted his weight to the side. Arm sweeping towards the hardened island surface below, “After you.” He finally said.

Nodding, Askerian took a leap and landed below in a half squat before straightening his back to stand.

Knight stood at the edge of the path, extending his hand outward. A golden wave of electric currents sparked from his palm then took on the shape of a shield at his feet. Knight stepped on the shield once it solidified and descended to where Askerian was waiting.

“That was interesting.”Askerian commented.

“I do have a few tricks of my own.” Knight smirked, making his way to where Askerian stood by a golden object on the ground.

“This is a gate.” Askerian met Knight’s questioning eyes. “It leads to the prince of Moria’s private chambers. Inside you will find the proof I was talking about.”

Knight knelt down and touched the gate and tried to pry it open. The image of a dragon was etched into the surface, despite his efforts the contraption didn’t budge.

“Allow me.” Askerian unsheathed his sword.

“I knew we couldn’t trust—”

Knight’s words were cut off as Askerian sliced the palm of his own hand, the one that was ungloved, lifting an eyebrow against the soldier’s words.

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“Never mind.” Knight drew closer to the dragon Shifter. “What exactly are you doing?”

“I’m opening a gate.” Askerian deadpanned in response as he held his fist over the gate, blood dripping down and onto the golden surface.

The blood from Askerian’s wound filled the lines of the dragon etched in the gate. The outline of the dragon glowed a brilliant flame red and then vanished. The ground rumbled and shook, then the gate opened ever so slowly.

Without saying a word, Askerian jumped into the opening. Knight took one last look at the black bridge and then taking a deep breath, followed suit.

Landing on his feet with a thud, Knight scanned his surroundings. The large room was dark, lit by several lanterns that clung to the ceiling, the light bouncing off of the golden filigree that lined the walls, illuminating the chamber with a soft glow.

To his right, a smaller room separated from the main one by small obsidian archways, hosted space for a shelve containing many different chests.

In the expanse before him, a large desk sat with a leather chair behind it. The desk itself was tidy, while numerous shelves lined with books spanned the wall behind it.

Knight walked across the floor, taking note of the areas where light pulsed from stone like veins below his feet. Above was just a dark ceiling of deepslate brick.

“Here.” Knight spun around at Askerian’s voice, reminding him he was not alone, catching the tiny object that the dragon shifter had flung at him.

Opening his hand, Knight found a golden key, the face was carved into the head of a dragon. “What is this?”

“That desk,” Askerian motioned with his head, “The top drawer. That key unlocks it. Inside is your proof.”

“And what exactly am I searching for?” Knight narrowed his eyes.

Something akin to pain flashed over Askerian’s eyes before cold calmness took its place. “There’s a stop watch inside.”

Knight quickly scaled the empty space left between himself and the desk drawer and then placed the key into the lock. A click was accompanied with turning the key, signaling that the drawer was now unlocked.

Knight pulled the drawer open and found the item that had been mentioned, gently picking it up.

“Open it.”

“What?”

“Inside the stop watch is a picture of the Imperial Family of Moria, the land this Island belongs to.” Askerian explained.

Knight did as told, inside was in fact a picture, inset into the left frame of the stop watch, the tiny clock ticking away on the right side.

In the picture, a tall lithe man with black hair and brown eyes, wore a crown on top of his head, his hair long and wavy like Askerian’s, cascaded down dark clothing that. Beside him stood a woman, her tawny hair straight, she was small next to the king of Moria, she wore a crown as well. A young girl stood between them, she appeared to be identical to Askerian, except she was short in stature, her brown eyes holding a light to them. And standing in the midst of the family, was Askerian.