Chapter Nineteen: Daughter of Fire

Inísel, accompanied by some indigenous warriors, the leader Zaidan, Kaelan, her maid Isra, and the knight Garath, set out on the arduous journey towards the mountain of the gods mentioned by Tahiro, the Afentikó. They traveled on sturdy camels that withstood the scorching desert sun, moving across seemingly endless dunes and rocky terrain. The heat was relentless, making each step feel like a test of endurance.

Zaidan, the leader of the warriors, rode alongside Inísel, his scars standing out on his dark skin, a reminder of the harsh conditions and dangers of the desert. During one of their brief pauses, Zaidan turned to Inísel, his gaze stern but concerned.

In dýnami: "Ílio ifaísteio, that is the name of the mountain we are heading to, your Valkoúr," Zaidan said, using the title of queen that Inísel obtained in Sabla Urbo. In dýnami: "Many have perished trying to reach its interior. It is not just a mountain; it is a symbol of the will of the gods and a test for those who seek their favor. The dýnamis will recognize you as the daughter of fire and possibly their new Ánapse. If you obtain the objects, you will earn the respect of my people. But I warn you, no one, in more than six hundred years that we have been trying to claim the objects left by the gods, has managed to reach the chamber of the gods, and thus, to come out alive."

Garath, always attentive, translated Zaidan's words into the common language of the three continents, so that Inísel could clearly understand the indigenous leader's warning. Inísel frowned and looked at the knight.

"Ánapse?" she asked.

Garath nodded and informed her:

"Ánapse is an ancient word in the dýnami culture. It does not have an exclusive meaning in our language, but it could be interpreted as 'the Hope of the Light'. The dýnamis have a prophecy. They believe that, at some point, the Ánapse will arrive and with it, Aelorian will rise from its ashes and become what it once was..."

Inísel nodded, her eyes shining with determination.

"I don't think I deserve such a title, but I will do anything to earn the respect of the dýnamis," she responded firmly. "I have lost everything I once had, and I don't want anyone to ever experience such pain again. The world is in chaos and is governed by vile men and women who turn everything into misery. I want to change that, I want to give my people, all of Erial, the stability, strength, vibrancy, joy, and happiness they deserve..."

Garath, impressed by Inísel's resolve, couldn't help but feel fascinated by her willpower. His own tribulations paled in comparison to the courage and determination that Inísel constantly displayed.

After two more days of arduous travel, facing the harsh climate and challenges of the desert, they finally reached the imposing mountain mentioned by Tahiro. The silhouette of the mountain rose majestically against the sky, its peak often shrouded in clouds that suggested subterranean volcanic activity.

Inísel, observing the structure of the mountain intently, frowned. Her geological knowledge acquired during her studies allowed her to recognize the characteristic conical shape of a volcano.

"This looks like a volcano..." she announced suspiciously, her eyes scanning the imposing structure. Garath was about to translate the young woman's words so that the leader of the warriors could understand their meaning, but Inísel interrupted him.

"No," she said resolutely. Garath frowned but did not contradict the will of the Valkúr. Inísel turned on her mount to look at Zaidan and, with a smile, said, "En dýnami: Aftó to vounó eínai ifaísteio, sostá? That mountain, it is a volcano, right?"

Zaidan nodded solemnly, grateful for Inísel's interest in wanting to learn his language.

In dýnami: "Aftó eínai sostó, Valkúr sou. Aftó to vounó, aftó to ifaísteio, eínai ieró gia emás. Eínai to Ílio ifaísteio. Sto esoterikó ypárchei mia polý epikíndyni thálassa apó láva, me pezódromous pou ti diaschízoun apó páno tis. Synistó prosochí (That is correct, your Valkúr. This mountain, this volcano, is sacred to us. It is the Ílio ifaísteio. Inside, there is a very dangerous sea of lava, with walkways crossing above it. I advise caution)."

Inísel, partially understanding what was expressed, far from being intimidated, felt her determination strengthen. She looked at her companions, at Isra who returned her gaze with confidence, at Garath who had already shown his loyalty and courage, at Kaelan, always ready to protect her and accompany her wherever she indicated, and at the indigenous warriors led by Zaidan, who were ready to guide her on her odyssey.

In dýnami: "Éla, as min chánoume állo chróno (Let's go, we should not waste any more time)," she indicated as she guided her camel towards the volcano.

The group advanced towards the imposing view of the dormant volcano, its peak piercing the sky with a majestic and terrifying aura. Zaidan raised a hand pointing towards a set of ancient doors embedded in the volcanic rock. With gestures and words in his native language, he indicated:

In dýnami: "Valkúr sou, ekeí eínai i eísodos (Your Valkúr, there is the entrance)."

Inísel nodded, her face serene but determined. They finally arrived at a massive bridge leading towards the entrance of the volcano. Inísel dismounted her camel with elegance and walked towards her maid, Isra, and Kaelan, who looked at her with eyes full of apprehension. The decision she was about to make weighed as heavily on her shoulders as the crown she once wore.

In kune: " Mi volas, ke vi atendu ĉi tie (I want you to wait here)," said Inísel, her voice firm. She knew, from the warnings of the dýnamis, that what awaited her inside the volcano was an adventure filled with possibly mortal dangers. Inísel remembered how, days ago, during the attack orchestrated by the Tiger's Claw, she had emerged unscathed from the explosion. For a few seconds, she looked at her arms, recalling the silver scales that protected her days ago.

In kune: " Mi devas alfronti ĉi tiun provon sola. Vi ne povas akompani min. Estus tro danĝere por vi (I have to face this trial alone. You cannot accompany me. It would be too dangerous for you)."

Isra and Kaelan immediately protested, their voices resonating with concern.

In kune: " Pardonu min, mia Valkúr, sed ni ne povas lasi vin iri sola. Ni ĵuris protekti ŝin kaj mi ne gravas ĉu mi renkontas morton tie, mi ne povas lasi ŝin esti elmontrita al ebla danĝero sen taŭga protekto (Forgive me, my Valkúr, but we cannot let you go alone. We have sworn to protect you, and I do not care if I meet death there, I cannot let you be exposed to potential danger without proper protection)," said Kaelan, his brow furrowed in a gesture of protection.

In kune: " Estas tro danĝere, mi povus morti tie (It is too dangerous, I could die in there)."

In kune: " Kaelan pravas. Mi promesis, ke mi neniam forlasos vin, Inísel (Kaelan is right. I have promised never to abandon you, Inísel)," added Isra, her eyes shining with loyalty and affection.

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Inísel raised a hand to silence them, her gaze as resolved as her voice.

In kune: " Estas io, kion vi ne scias. Ion mi kaŝis de vi (There is something you do not know. Something I have hidden from you)," she began, causing her friends to look at her with growing interest.

In kune: " La tago de la atako. Mi ne povis reagi kaj la eksplodo influis min same kiel ĉiujn en la pavilono. La fajro konsumis miajn gepatrojn, mian edzon, kaj ĉiujn ĉeestantajn konsilistojn. Sed tamen mi eliris nedifektita. La fajro ne tuŝis min... Ĉu vi ne vidas? El ni ĉiuj, mi estas la sola kiu havas ajnan ŝancon pluvivi tie (The day of the attack. I could not react and the explosion affected me just like everyone in the pavilion. The fire consumed my parents, my husband, and all the attending counselors. But still, I came out unscathed. The fire did not touch me... Don't you see? Of all of us, I am the only one who has any chance of surviving in there)," she pointed with her hand towards the entrance of the volcano behind her. Isra immediately contradicted...

In kune: " En la tago de la atako vi bonŝancis, ke vi estis sufiĉe malproksime, por ke la eksplodo ne tuŝis vin. Inísel, mi petas, vi ne estas senmorta. Mi scias, ke vi volas savi nian popolon, sed vi ne devas fari tion sola (The day of the attack you were lucky that you were far enough away for the explosion not to touch you. Inísel, please, you are not immortal. I know you want to save our people, but you don't have to do it alone)," Kaelan supported Isra's words with a firm nod. But the tenacity shone in the emerald eyes of the Valkúr.

In kune: " Mi faris mian decidon. Vi povas fidi mian vorton aŭ ne, sed ĉi tiu estas mia vojo, kaj mi devas iri ĝin sola. Mi scias, kun certeco, ke kio ajn okazos, mi revenos (I have made my decision. You can trust my word or not, but this is my path, and I must walk it alone. I know, for sure, that whatever happens, I will return)," with those words, she turned and headed towards the volcano, her steps sure and her heart pounding with a mixture of fierceness and bravery.

In kune: " Mia Valkúr (My Valkúr)," she heard Kaelan call her, but Inísel ignored him.

Some indigenous warriors accompanied her to the doors, their robust silhouettes and faces etched with the wisdom of generations that had revered this place as sacred.

Upon reaching the doors, one of the warriors took an amulet from around his neck, an ancient and sacred object that glowed with a mysterious light. With precision, he inserted the amulet into a hidden slot in the doors. A deep, reverberating noise filled the air, and the entrance began to open slowly, revealing a dark and deep passage into the heart of the volcano.

Inísel sighed, feeling the weight of the moment. With one last look at her companions, who watched her anxiously from a distance, she crossed the threshold without hesitation, venturing into the heart of the volcano.

The interior unfolded before her like a world unlike anything she had ever seen. A huge walkway stretched into the depths, built from an unknown material. The surface of the ramp was smooth and reflected the light of the lava below, creating a play of shadows that danced on the walls of the place.

As she walked along the walkway, the air became denser and hotter. The atmosphere, permeated with a mineral scent, constantly reminded her that she was inside a volcano, even though the structure she was entering seemed to defy the very nature of the place. Ignoring her growing curiosity about the construction and its origin, Inísel kept her focus on her goal.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of walking, she reached a colossal door adorned with intricate engravings depicting scenes from ancient civilizations. The symbols and figures were detailed and precise, sculpted with a mastery that made her hold her breath. She moved closer, her eyes scrutinizing the inscriptions.

The words on the door were written in the original language, Satus, a language that Inísel had learned in her studies. The inscription proclaimed:

"In satus: Solus dignus, a superis benedictus, superare potest aerumnas quae eum extra has fores manent" (Only the worthy one, blessed by the gods, can overcome the trials that await beyond these doors) she read in Satus. The message resonated within her, and a mixture of anticipation and reverence filled her heart.

She continued reading the engraved instructions, which detailed that she had to place the palm of her hand on a kind of switch, a panel embedded in the door, to open it. Without hesitation, Inísel extended her hand and pressed it firmly against the panel.

A low hum began to emanate from the depths of the door, and a soft golden light traced the lines of the engravings. The door emitted a deep, guttural sound before starting to move, slowly sliding to the sides. Inísel felt a surge of energy travel from her fingertips to her heart, as if the volcano itself recognized and accepted her.

Without hesitation, guided by a force she could not understand, Inísel took several steps forward, entering the next corridor.

The new path that unfolded before her was both astonishing and terrifying. Inísel could see that, beneath the walkway she was walking on, there was a bubbling sea of lava. The incandescent liquid glowed with an almost hypnotic intensity, emitting vapor that rose in spirals, creating an unreal and ghostly aura. Despite the proximity of the lava, Inísel did not feel the scorching heat that should have been emanating. The atmosphere, although charged with energy, was surprisingly cool for her.

The walkway was constructed from the same strange material she had seen before. The surface under her feet was smooth and cold, contradicting the presence of the burning lava just below. As she walked, the sound of bubbling lava was constant, a muted murmur that filled the air and echoed against the walls of the volcano.

After what seemed like an eternity, Inísel reached an imposing threshold. From the threshold, waterfalls of lava fell in a continuous flow, creating a burning curtain that blocked her path. The sight was both majestic and terrifying, with the lava cascading and sizzling as it hit the rock floor below. Inísel stopped, observing the barrier of fire and contemplating how she might cross it.

She looked up and read the inscriptions engraved on the threshold above the lava curtain. The characters, written in the ancient language of satus, said:

"In satus: Solus dignus, qui animum et iustitiam excedens superat, per portam lavae transire licebit, soli digni elementa petere licebit" (Only the worthy one who surpasses the courage and justice of Vocat will be allowed to pass through the lava door, only the deserving one will be permitted to claim the elements).

The words resonated in her mind, a direct challenge she had to overcome to continue her mission.

Inísel stood thoughtful, her gaze fixed on the curtain of lava blocking her path. She knew that outside the volcano, there was nothing waiting for her; her city, her home, everything she loved and knew, was in danger. If she did not obtain the trophies that the Afentikó had indicated, she would not be able to reclaim her city or help her people. A force beyond her comprehension began to build within her, a deep conviction that she could pass through the curtain of lava without suffering any harm. She vividly remembered the incident that occurred weeks ago in her city's square, when the traitors used explosives to kill her, her husband, her advisors, and her adoptive parents. Inísel recalled how, at that critical moment, her skin transformed into reptilian scales, protecting her from the explosion and allowing her to emerge unscathed from the chaos.

Finally, she decided to trust in that inner strength. Without hesitation, she began to unbutton her clothing. She knew that the fabrics would probably not withstand the incandescent flames. Standing completely naked before the eyes of the fire, she slowly approached the curtain of lava, feeling the intense heat as she drew closer. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped forward. Just as her body began to make contact with the lava, she felt a kind of inexplicable resistance. The lava, as if recognizing her courage and strength, parted magically, creating a path for her to pass through and reach the next chamber.

Inísel opened her eyes as she crossed the threshold, and the first thing she did was look back, seeing the curtain of lava flowing with the same intensity. She wondered if her strange magic had prevented her from burning like last time, but there was no time to reflect. Her attention quickly turned to the center of the room where she stood. Before her, on a ceremoniously placed platform, were two oval spheres, glowing with an ethereal light. They were rough, one reddish like fire and the other a wintry blue.

She instantly understood that these objects were the trophies the indigenous people sought. There were no more doors leading to other chambers; this was the end of the journey. Without a second thought, she approached the platform and, with a mix of reverence and urgency, grabbed the two oval spheres. Upon touching them, she felt a surge of power coursing through her body, a strange connection with the objects she held. It was as if the essence of two immense beings was contained within her arms. Inísel hugged the spheres tighter to her chest, and an intense need to protect them grew in her heart.

With the spheres in her hands, she turned and began to walk back. When she reached the curtain of lava again, she felt no hint of fear. On the contrary, a renewed confidence drove her forward. The lava parted once more, allowing her to pass through without any difficulty. She crossed the curtain of fire with firm determination, feeling the magical energy flow around her.

She emerged from the lava passage, placed the objects on the ground momentarily to dress again, and returned to the main hall. The heat and glow of the lava faded behind her, and she felt a mix of relief and triumph. Her steps echoed on the strange material of the floor as she made her way towards the volcano's exit. As she approached the end of the journey, a thought circled through her mind...

"This is just the beginning..." she whispered, her eyes manifesting a fiery magical spark as she tightened her grip on the spheres against her chest.