The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and twist, the environment around them morphing before their eyes. The darkness of the dungeon engulfed them once more, its oppressive weight pressing down on their shoulders. Joanne, her voice commanding, called upon the power of Somnus, the god of sleep, in the form of a spell. With a gentle touch, she guided Alice towards a bed in one of the cold chambers. And once the girl was snoring, she covered her with a thick blanket.
Joanne's eyes darted around the dimly lit cell; her senses heightened as she took in her surroundings. With a flick of her wrist, she cast, "Claudo!" and the heavy door slammed shut, sealing the confines of the bedroom. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed in the silence.
Meanwhile, Habondia carried the torch, its fiery glow casting eerie shadows on the rough stone walls. Joanne followed Habondia as they ascended the stairs, the flame danced and flickered, illuminating the path ahead. At the top, a circular room greeted them, its walls made of cold gray rock. In the center, a massive pyre stood, constructed from hundreds of branches from many different trees. Habondia set the wood on fire, and soon after, the smoke started going through a hole in the ceiling, dissolving into the night sky above.
With purposeful steps, Joanne noticed how Habondia made her way towards the north wall of the circular room. There, an altar stood, adorned with an array of mysterious objects. On the altar, a blue metal trident gleamed, its intricate design hinting at its significance.
Naamaah's laughter filled the room, her voice carrying a touch of mischief. "We have two now," she remarked, her eyes gleaming. "I wish Ilmarinen could get the third one a bit faster."
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"Blaspheme!" A voice, deep and resonant, interrupted their conversation. Joanne turned her face toward its direction as Ilmarinen's presence materialized, his figure imposing in the flickering light of the bonfire. "I have tracked the coin of Mamm... my dear Annikki is keeping an eye on it."
"We don't need mere surveillance; we need to bring the artifact here." Naamaah sighed, Joanne agreed, she was as frustrated as the other woman.
Ilmarinen, seemingly unfazed by Naamaah's outburst, offered reassurance. "Do not worry... it will be ours soon!" His voice held a note of awe as he glanced at the mesmerizing flame before them. Its red flames burned with an intensity that matched the color of blood.
"It is truly amazing," he marveled, unable to resist the temptation. With a mixture of curiosity and disbelief, he extended his hand towards the flame, his fingers hovering just above the dancing fire. "It is as the legends say... it’s not hot!" he exclaimed; his voice filled with wonder. Then he introduced his hand into the flames but he nor his clothes got burned.
Habondia's voice rose above the crackling of the fire, Joanne stared at her as she approached the flames. "It is a fire that does not burn... it is a fire that purifies," she explained, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing display before them.
Naamaah nodded in agreement. "The flame that lights the road," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the vibrant glow.
Ilmarinen's expression softened, a sense of awe washing over him. "Incredible," he concluded, his voice filled with reverence. And with those words, he faded from sight, leaving behind only the lingering warmth of the flame.
Joanne stared at the flames but she couldn’t get why her companions were so awestruck. However, as the seconds flew, and started to understand it. The red fire danced, drawing shapes that looked like things she recognized, and then she saw her own sad face. She averted her eyes and left the room as her heart pounded in distress.