Kingdom of the Nine: Hail (I)

Chapter 7

We leave the edge of the woods and enter a large valley of grass and hills. On the other side I can see the mountains that were shown in the book. Their peaks lined with snow that reflects the sunlight.

I feel a slight whisper echo through my ear but I stop it before it can enter any deeper into my mind.

"She's not far." I say, turning to face Mia.

She nods. "I feel her too. Those are the mountains though right? Are we really that close?"

"Yeah, keep your guard up and stay close. If we move fast enough, maybe we can make it out before sundown."

The two of us continue across the valley, the grass brushing against our legs as the wind picks up. Every step feels heavier, like the closer we get to the mountains, the more the air thickens with tension. I glance over at Mia, her eyes fixed ahead, determination etched into her expression. I know she's just as anxious as I am, but we can't let Vermidia sense that.

"Do you think she's already there?" Mia asks, her voice cautious.

I shrug, trying to keep my own nerves in check. "She's probably waiting. I wouldn't put it past her to be setting another trap."

Mia frowns, her brow furrowing as she tightens her grip on the book. "If we can get to the Crux first, though..."

"We won't let her have it," I interrupt. "We stop her, no matter what."

We move quickly, keeping our senses sharp as the mountains loom larger in front of us. The snow capped peaks glisten, but the ominous purple energy from the cracks in the ground are already visible, a warning of Vermidia's presence. The air grows colder as we approach, though whether it's from the altitude or our own powers stirring, I can't be sure.

The whisper comes again, stronger this time. It's not just a voice, it's a feeling, like cold fingers reaching for the edges of my mind. I shake my head, forcing it out.

"We don't have much time," I say through gritted teeth. "She's trying to get in again."

Mia's eyes narrow, and she steps closer to me. "We need to hurry"

I nod, meeting her gaze.

The mountains feel like they're watching us as we push forward. We nearly reach the top as I feel a heat begin to pour from over the mountain side. Looking up I can see the glow of lava beginning to bubble at its surface.

"It's a volcano?" I ask as I scramble for the book in my pocket. I remove it from its place and open its cover to see the page once more. The X on the map glows brighter as if it knows how close we are to it.

Mia looks over my shoulder and stares at the page. "It wants us to go inside?"

"Okay, yeah. Don't worry..." I place the book back into my pocket. "We'll be fine. Let's try to cool the surface maybe?"

Mia raises her hands and begins to concentrate. Cool air begins to swirl over the edge of the pit as snowflakes follow. I hear the liquid rock begin to steam and sizzle.

"Yeah good, okay... um, follow me." I say as I clench my fist. An ice wall emerges on the side of the hole a few meters down. I step over the edge of the pit and drop down to the ice. I then clench my fist again and start to create a staircase leading down around the edge.

Mia follows closely behind as I form each step, her snow and cold winds helping to keep the heat at bay. The volcano's rumbling grows louder, but the icy path we're creating seems to hold for now. Steam rises from the cooling surface as the lava begins to settle under Mia's power, but I can feel the immense heat pressing against us, eager to break through.