Heat struck them before their feet touched the ground.
Lyra instinctively raised an arm to shield her face as a wave of scorching air swept through the portal. The cool breeze of Elysia disappeared behind them, replaced by the constant rumble of volcanoes.
The crimson gate closed with a flash.
They were alone.
Before them stretched a landscape unlike anything they had seen.
Towering mountains of black stone pierced the sky. Rivers of molten lava wound through deep valleys, casting an orange glow across the land. Ash drifted lazily through the air, while distant eruptions painted the horizon with bursts of fire.
Rylan looked around and sighed.
"I take back what I said."
Selene glanced at him.
"What?"
"I miss the trees."
Kael smiled.
"I thought you hated Elysia."
"I hated being chased by monsters."
He wiped sweat from his forehead.
"This place is trying to roast me alive."
Even Lyra laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh she had shared with the group in days.
For a brief moment, the weight on their shoulders felt lighter.
The Heart Compass stirred inside Lyra's pocket.
She removed it carefully.
The emerald gem glowed softly, while the crimson gem pulsed with increasing brightness.
Without a needle, the compass slowly rotated until it pointed toward a mountain far in the distance.
A volcano.
Unlike the others, its peak was wrapped in swirling crimson clouds.
Kael studied it.
"That's where we're going."
Before anyone could move, a voice echoed across the valley.
"You've come a long way."
The group turned.
Standing on a ridge overlooking the lava fields was a young woman dressed in crimson armor.
A spear rested across her shoulders as though it weighed nothing.
Her long auburn hair danced in the hot wind, and a faded scar crossed her left cheek.
She carried herself with effortless confidence.
"So," she said with a smile, "which one of you is the Heir of Hope?"
Lyra stepped forward.
"I am."
The woman's eyes met hers.
She studied Lyra for several seconds before nodding.
"You don't look impressive."
Rylan blinked.
"Well… that's one way to say hello."
The woman ignored him.
"My name is Reina."
"I guard the path to the Heart of Courage."
She planted the butt of her spear against the rocky ground.
"If you're here to claim it…"
"…prove you're worthy."
Without warning, Reina disappeared.
Kael reacted instantly.
"Behind us!"
A loud clang rang through the valley as Kael barely blocked her spear with his sword.
The impact forced him backward several steps.
His boots scraped across the volcanic rock before he regained his balance.
Reina smiled.
"Good reflexes."
She spun her spear in a smooth arc before launching another strike.
Kael countered again.
Their weapons collided again and again, sparks flying with every impact.
Unlike the battles against the Devourer, this fight was controlled.
Measured.
Each attack tested skill rather than strength.
Selene watched carefully.
"She's evaluating him."
Lyra nodded.
"This isn't an ambush."
"It's a trial."
Kael finally created enough distance to lower his sword.
"We're not your enemies."
"I know."
Reina rested the spear on her shoulder once more.
"But anyone seeking the Heart must first answer a simple question."
She looked directly at Lyra.
"What is courage?"
The valley became quiet.
Rylan scratched his head.
"Easy."
"Running into danger."
Reina shook her head.
"Wrong."
Selene answered next.
"Standing your ground despite overwhelming odds."
Reina considered the reply.
"Closer."
She turned to Kael.
"What do you think?"
Kael looked at the white scar running across his hand, a reminder of the battle in Elysia.
"Courage isn't about fighting."
"It's choosing to protect someone even when you're afraid."
Reina remained expressionless.
Then she faced Lyra.
"And you?"
Lyra looked across the volcanic landscape.
She remembered Elaria.
She remembered her mother.
She remembered every person who had chosen hope despite their fear.
Finally, she answered.
"Courage is taking the next step after fear tells you to stop."
Silence followed.
A slow smile spread across Reina's face.
"Interesting."
She lifted her spear.
"Now let's see if your actions match your words."
The mountain behind her shook violently.
A deep roar echoed from within the volcano.
The ground split apart as molten lava surged through new cracks.
From the blazing crater emerged a creature larger than any dragon.
Its scales shimmered like molten steel.
Its golden eyes burned with ancient intelligence.
Smoke rose from its nostrils with every breath.
Rylan stared upward.
"…Please tell me that's not part of the test."
Reina smiled without taking her eyes off the beast.
"It is."
She pointed her spear toward the colossal creature.
"Meet Vulkar."
"The Guardian Beast of Ignis."
The dragon spread its wings, releasing a roar so powerful that the surrounding cliffs trembled.
Yet instead of attacking, it fixed its gaze on Lyra.
Then, to everyone's surprise…
It lowered its head.
As if waiting for her to make the first move.
The dragon did not attack.
It stood at the edge of the volcanic crater, its molten scales glowing beneath rivers of flowing lava. Every breath released a cloud of smoke that drifted into the crimson sky.
Its golden eyes remained fixed on Lyra.
Patient.
Watching.
Waiting.
No one moved.
Finally, Reina broke the silence.
"Vulkar has accepted your presence."
Rylan frowned.
"It doesn't look very welcoming."
"It isn't supposed to."
Reina rested her spear against her shoulder.
"The Guardian Beast doesn't measure strength."
"It measures character."
Kael lowered his sword but remained alert.
"So what's the trial?"
Reina pointed toward the mountain behind the dragon.
"The Heart of Courage lies inside Mount Aster."
A narrow stone bridge stretched from the cliff where they stood to the volcano's entrance. Deep cracks ran through its surface, suspended above a lake of molten lava.
"It looks unstable," Selene observed.
"It is."
Reina nodded.
"The bridge was never built to be safe."
Lyra looked beyond it.
"What happens if we cross?"
"You reach the mountain."
"And if we fail?"
Reina's expression remained calm.
"You fall."
Rylan stared at the bridge.
"I was hoping for a less permanent consequence."
Before anyone could take a step, a frightened cry echoed across the valley.
"Help!"
The group turned toward the sound.
On a rocky ledge below, a young boy clung desperately to the edge of a cliff. Loose stones tumbled into the lava beneath him.
His fingers were slipping.
Nearby stood an elderly man, unable to reach him.
"Someone save my grandson!"
Without thinking, Kael rushed forward.
"I'm going."
Reina raised her spear, blocking his path.
"No."
Kael frowned.
"A child's life is in danger."
"I know."
"Then move."
Reina didn't.
"The trial has already begun."
Lyra looked from the child to Reina.
"You're testing us."
Reina met her gaze.
"The Heart of Courage does not respond to heroes who rush into danger without thinking."
As if proving her point, another section of the cliff collapsed.
The boy cried out.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"We're wasting time."
Selene quickly surveyed the terrain.
"The ledge won't support another person's weight."
Rylan followed her line of sight.
"And the lava blocks the safest route."
The Stranger remained silent.
His eyes studied the surrounding cliffs.
Lyra closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Then she opened them.
"Kael."
He looked at her.
"Trust me."
She pointed toward a cluster of volcanic pillars rising from the lava.
"If we anchor a rope there, Rylan can use his lightning to fuse the loose rocks together."
Selene understood immediately.
"I'll secure the line."
"The Stranger and I can reach the pillars without touching the unstable ledge."
Kael's expression softened.
"And me?"
"You're the only one strong enough to pull them back."
A smile crossed his face.
"Now that sounds like a plan."
The team moved as one.
Selene sprinted across the narrow rocks with remarkable speed while the Stranger covered her from above.
Rylan released controlled bolts of lightning, melting fractured stone until it hardened into solid footing.
Kael anchored the rope around his arm.
"Ready!"
Lyra knelt near the cliff.
"Hold on!" she called to the boy.
"We're coming."
The frightened child nodded, tears streaking his ash-covered face.
Moments later, Selene secured the rope.
Kael pulled with all his strength.
The line tightened.
The boy reached for it.
His fingers slipped once—
Then caught the rope.
"Pull!"
Kael leaned backward.
Muscles strained beneath his armor as he drew both the boy and his grandfather away from the collapsing ledge.
They rolled safely onto solid ground just as the cliff gave way, crashing into the lava below.
The old man embraced his grandson, unable to stop crying.
"Thank you…"
The boy looked up at Lyra.
"You didn't leave us."
Lyra smiled.
"We never would."
A warm breeze swept through the valley.
The oppressive heat eased.
The stone bridge began to glow with crimson light.
Cracks that had covered its surface slowly disappeared.
Rylan blinked.
"We… fixed it?"
Reina smiled for the first time.
"No."
"You understood the lesson."
She walked to the entrance of the bridge.
"Courage isn't charging ahead alone."
"It's trusting others enough to stand beside them."
She looked at each member of the group.
"Not one of you could have saved that child alone."
"But together…"
She stepped aside.
"…you succeeded."
The bridge was now smooth and solid, stretching safely toward Mount Aster.
Vulkar let out a deep, satisfied rumble.
The massive dragon lowered its head once again.
This time…
It wasn't testing them.
It was welcoming them.
As the group stepped onto the bridge, the Heart Compass pulsed in Lyra's hand.
The crimson gem shone brighter than before.
Then, deep inside the volcano…
A single heartbeat echoed.
Slow.
Powerful.
Ancient.
The Heart of Courage had sensed their arrival.
But it wasn't the only one.
Hidden within the molten depths, a pair of glowing red eyes slowly opened.
Unlike Vulkar's, these eyes held no wisdom.
Only hatred.
Someone else had been waiting inside the mountain.