Page 67 of Embers to Flames

Emotionally—I’m still reeling.

Alyndra gives me a quick hug. “We should get moving. I don’t like being down here.” She eyes the looming darkness nervously.

Eulee’s wet nose nuzzles against my thigh, and I can’t help but smile. I scratch the top of her head with rapid movements. “She says she can smell your mother on you,” Theo translates, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“How would she know what my mother smells like?” I inquire with surprise and interest. Theo simply shrugs in response. I grin at Eulee, “Sounds like you have some explaining to do when we get home, little miss.” Her tail wags wildly and she licks my palm with zeal.

We gather our things and press deeper into the mountain, guided only by lambent torchlight. The path stretches on endlessly, passing through massive caverns and narrow crevices alike.

The overpowering stench of sulfur assaults my nostrils, causing me to break out in sweat. The air is thick with the pungent odor, making it difficult to breathe. It seeps intoevery crevice and lingers on my tongue like a bitter taste. I can practically feel the acrid fumes burning my skin. “We must be getting closer to the center,” I mutter to the group, wiping my forehead with a sleeve. “That has to be where we’ll find Mikyl,” I add, trying to quell the nervousness in my voice.

Alyndra scoffs from behind me. “And Ruvyn,” she spits with disdain.

The sound of grunts and snarls echoing from an opening in the rocky wall ahead, beckons us forward. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as we cautiously approach the source of the light and unsettling noises. Theo takes the first look, and his eyes widen in horror as he takes in the sight before him.

“It’s an army of Obscuro Elves,” he finally says.

I push past him to see for myself. A seemingly endless army of Obscuro Elves stretches out before us, marching in the direction of a grand and otherworldly castle standing tall amidst a sea of dark molten lava. The Fortress of Silence. The ground shakes beneath their footsteps, their war cries filling the air with a chilling intensity. My pulse thunders in my ears as I realize the magnitude of the threat before us—thousands upon thousands of merciless enemies, ready to unleash their fury at a breath’s notice.

We are hopelessly outnumbered. This army could decimate the Human realms unopposed. Theo’s fingers clasp mine with steely resolve, his features etched in staunchdefiance. “We have to stop them, no matter the cost,” he proclaims, his tone laden with grave intensity.

“We’re going to need a damn good plan,” I say. “And we need it now.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

We watch as the heavy gates of the castle slowly creak open. A tall figure dressed in dark, flowing robes strides out, his menacing presence palpable even from a distance. It is unmistakably, Prince Ruvyn. His deep, threatening voice echoes through the air as he addresses the horde.

“The time grows near, my legions! We will soon march on the surface world and take back what is rightfully ours!”

The army roars in response, raising fists and weapons. Ruvyn smiles coldly, his eyes glinting. “The Humans and their allies will fall before your might.Leave no one alive!”

I turn to face the others, “Alyndra, can you create a distraction?” She nods joyfully, gathering wisps of magic around her fingers.

“Not a problem,” she replies with a smirk.

“Excellent. Lenna, get ready to shoot a guided arrow. We need to find out where Mikyl is being held in this fortress.” She takes out an arrow with its xylo tip from her quiver and places it carefully on her bow, ready to aim. “As soon as Alyndra causes a distraction, you two focus on finding your way to the backside of the castle. Theo, Eulee, and I will meet you there.”

“Alright, but how are we going to escape from here?” Alyndra asks with concern.

I gaze up at the towering castle and point towards the volcano’s vent, then gleam towards Theo as I respond with confidence, “We’re going to fly out.”

“Follow me and move as quietly as you can,” I whisper as Theo, Eulee, and I creep along the cavern walls, skirting past the edges of the massive army. Moments later a thunderous boom echoes through the cavern, and a chunk of the rocky ceiling collapses, crashing down onto the army below. Cries of surprise and outrage ring out as the soldiers scatter.

Ruvyn whirls around, eyes blazing, “Intruders!” he roars. “Find them and kill them!”

Chaos erupts as the soldiers scramble over the rubble, searching for the source of the explosion. I turn to the spot where Lenna and Alyndra had stood only moments ago, just in time to see one of Lenna’s arrows soaring through the air.

I watch the glowing tip of Lenna’s arrow arc high above the chaos, then begin falling towards the back of the dark castle. Just before it hits the outer wall, the arrow changes course, now magically guided towards its target. It disappears from view—hopefully finding its way to wherever Mikyl is being held.

“Come on, we need to hurry,” I say.

The sound of shouting fades behind us as we enter a dark narrow passage. My hands scrape against the jagged stone walls, searching desperately for a way into the castle. Eulee’s low growls become more frantic, urging me towards a small wooden doorway. With trembling fingers, I grasp the rusted iron handle and take a deep breath before pushing it open, bracing myself for whatever horrors may lie on the other side.

The passage opens into a dimly lit corridor, the air heavy with the stench of mildew and decay. Rough stone walls stretch out on either side, lit with dim torchlight. I pause, listening intently for any sounds, but only silence greets me.

“Where do you think they’re keeping him?”Theo’s voice is a whisper even in my mind.

I shake my head.“No idea. But we’ll search every inch of this place if we have to. We just need to find the arrow’s path.”

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