Starborn

Chapter 13

After calling us to gather at the center, near the majestic fire pit, Kiara stands tall. She uses her sword and the ashes left from our duel to outline a shape. Even Ameline could draw better.

Kenric stands by with a large pack on his back. His arms and upper torso are coated in bandages- he told me he was the one trying to hold me back. None of my comrades, thankfully, seem to have suffered any wounds on my behalf. From what I was told, Herald Rayburn had led them to safety before my rampage had begun.

I've strewn in guilt ever since, but I remain silent. I know they hold no ill will, regardless if they are burned.

"Now then," Kiara says to us all. "Here is what you must do. First, we will transport you to the base of Mt. Aeterna. Hostile creatures roam the mountain, but your worst enemy is the extreme cold and winds. But this journey will make you stronger, individually and as a unit. Your survival is your top priority. Once you make it to the top, your journey will be completed. We will provide you with the supplies needed for only one day's journey, but then you must collect your own food and find your own shelter. Any questions?"

Only one raises his hand. Exactly who I thought would object to this.

"Why must we do this?" Roland says. "This sounds like a dangerous waste of time."

"Oh, by all means," Kiara says. "Once you arrive at Mt. Aeterna, feel free to go on your own journey if you would rather. But the White Lion can get you to Mosluem in a day."

Roland looks over at us. But nobody objects with him, especially not me. So he sighs and gives a gentle nod.

Kiara and Kenric lead us down the southern tunnel. At the end, I'm surprised to see a glorious sight- a white temple spewing Vim at its top.

"A Communion Temple!" Charlotte says with a gasp. "I've never seen one with my own eyes before, but I learned about them while in the Monastery."

We climb a flight of white stone stairs leading up to the entrance of that majestic temple. I notice the statues jutting out on the front side, carved out of the same stone. They're all different-looking people, but each has the same emblem on my arm. Some hold spears and swords, while some are robed women. I can't help but think that all of them are alive, staring me down with their judgemental eyes.

The inside of the temple is like a block of hollowed marble, with the floor so shiny that we can see our reflections. The walls absorb the sounds of our footsteps. Everything is so large I feel as tall as Ameline, who must feel like a toddler. The walls are littered with designs burning with Vim's blue hue. I can see, noticeably, that the figures on the walls are fighting crude drawings of Fiends, fit with colored eyes and long, stretching arms. At the end of the room is a giant, roaring geyser of pure Vim, with yet another short flight of stairs leading closer to the flames. Finally, the geyser shoots into the ceiling and out of the roof.

Kiara stands before the veil of fire, and the heat almost instantly makes me sweat. It emits a strange sound, like soft, deep chanting. I can't understand what they're saying. Kenric tosses that giant pack on his back into the vortex, and it vanishes into the flames without a trace!

"Y' all ready?" Kenric says. "The path won't stay open long, so make it quick."

Roland's the first to go in. He takes a deep breath, steps inside the veil, and is gone in a flash. Then, Alistar steps up, then looks back at the temple. He shakes his head silently, and he walks through the fire and disappears. Duncan and Charlotte hold each other's hands before walking in together. Now all that is left are Ameline and me as it was once before. She instantly grabs my hand and looks up at me.

"Let's go!" Ameline says with a smile.

"Actually," I say. "I think this might be a bit dangerous for you."