Lady Rain’s words echoed in Askerian’s ears as the revelation hit like a freight train. The familiar background of the painting on the wall came ringing into his head once more. The remnants of the burning village flashed through his mind, along with the image of a dark deep slate city burning in dragon fire.

“Are you alright?” Lady Storm’s voice cut through the turmoil in Askerian’s mind and he found himself hunched over. He lifted his gaze as the visions faded, to find the Ark Knights watching him.

“It’s nothing.” He ran a hand over his face. “Let’s continue.”

The quartz viaduct stretched on for what seemed like eternity as the group pushed forward, the Celestial Plaza behind them growing smaller and fainter with each step further.

Around them, the Celestial sky expanded, the vibrant clouds fanning out to show the stars more clearly, the only constant the larger island that seemed to follow along with their ascent.

They passed another island, its surface covered in snow, the delicate crystals falling in a peaceful dance. Confusion took place in Askerian, “Is that…”

“Snow.” Rain finished for him. “Yes, it is.”

“There’s no bridge to that island either.” He observed.

“Correct.” Lady Storm glanced at the Celestial Realm ‘s newest citizen.

“All of the other islands have been connected, because like you, a few of our ardentians noticed them. They felt the familiarity to them and Lady Ardent let us explore them.” She continued.

“I see.” He said, never taking his eyes off the landmass, its bodice covered in evergreens tipped white with snow. He then turned his attention back to the task at hand. “So, each of you were picked by the realm to be its Knights as well?”

“That’s right.” Knight spoke for the first time in a while. “Each of us came here, just as you did, seeking refuge from that beast, to find pieces of ‘home’ here.”

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“You mean… the dragon?”

There was a long pause of silence as they trekked onward.

“If you hadn’t already figured it out,” Lady Rain spoke up, “this realm is a place of refuge.” She glanced around at the islands in the distance. “There are a total of twelve islands. Only one is left now without a bridge.”

“Let's not forget your island Lady Rain.” Lady Storm corrected.

“Correction, two islands, but my island is safe, it's just, not proportionately placed well enough for a bridge. You have to fly there.” Pride was shown in her voice as she spoke.

But just as Askerian was about to inquire about the other island, they reached the base of his island. Coming to a halt where another flight of stairs ascended up the island’s body, fading from a white marbled structure into black obsidian.

“Why is it black?” Knight hissed, taking the sight as an omen.

“Because its made from obsidian stone.” Askerian answered, stepping passed Knight to touch the quartz pillars that stood guard at the bottom of the stairs.

“At the top of this, is a black obsidian bridge, it’s always been there. But,” He rested a hand on one of the pillars. “How is this bridge perfectly connected to it?”

He stepped back to examine the stairwell once more. Lava streams were at the top of the island’s side, flowing downward into the void just like the streams of water from the palace courtyard, however the basin of the island that was filled with the magma flow, never seemed to empty or lessen. Heat waves dried the air where the glowing fluid vanished, taking the humidity with it.

“Lady Rain and Lady Seraphina.” Knight’s voice cut through Askerian’s awe. “Stand guard here incase anyone gets through the other Knights.

“You don’t want us going on the island?” Rain asked, tilting her head to the side.

“No, just the two of us.” His brown eyes landing on Askerian.

Rain and Seraphina took up their positions at the bottom of the stairs, each taking up post next to a pillar, while Knight and Askerian made their way to the top.

Reaching the ridge, as the dragon shifter had said, a black obsidian bridge stretched forward, branching off in several directions, before stopping in the middle of the glowing red ocean below. Each smaller connection held its own Gothic structure sculpted from the obsidian as well, encrusted in gold veins here and there. Knight almost mistook the display as black quartz and angel fire.

Heat drifted upward intensely from the lava below, the sound of bubbles popping came with it as the red liquid oozed and churned.

Knight glanced at Askerian with curiosity. “So you were right about one thing, that means nothing.”