Chapter 16: The Path to the Fiery Heart and the Guardians of the Ancient Forge

The attack by the sea demons was a stark reminder that the Darkness was not slumbering. Despite their fatigue and losses, Flora and her allies could not afford a long rest. The Spear of Light awaited them in the Forge of the Ancients, hidden in the crater of the Sleeping Dragon.

Preparations for the journey were thorough. The Sea Wanderer needed repairs, and Raylen and the main crew set about mending it. Flora, meanwhile, along with Naeri, Caelan, and the Elders, studied ancient maps and legends.

"The volcano was the heart of this Island," Lianna explained. "Here, our ancestors forged artifacts of power. The Spear of Light is one such creation. It was forged from the ray of a fallen star and tempered in the volcano's flames. It possesses the power to scatter any darkness."

"But why is it hidden?" Flora asked.

"Because its power is too great and dangerous," Caelan answered. "It demands of its wielder purity of heart and complete self-denial. That is why our ancestors hid the Spear and set guardians over it who are immune to temptation—the spirits of fire."

It was decided that a small party would go on the expedition: Flora, Naeri, and Caelan, as well as Son, Brenn, and Masefeg. Raylen would remain with the ship.

The journey north was even more difficult. Dense jungles gave way to rocky gorges and lifeless plateaus covered in cooled lava. The air grew hotter, smelling of sulphur.

They once again had to fight the spawn of the Darkness. But now Flora had the Shield of Truth. The bright light emanating from the Shield blinded the monsters, turning them to ash. The Shield also helped them see the truth through the illusions the Darkness sent.

After five days of exhausting travel, they finally saw it. The Sleeping Dragon. A huge, majestic volcano, a thin plume of smoke rising from its crater.

At the foot of the volcano, they were met by fire lizards—salamanders. They were the first guardians of the Forge. But the Keepers knew how to deal with them, using special herbs and spells that soothed the salamanders.

The path then lay along a narrow trail that spiralled up the slope of the volcano. The going was tough, stones crumbled underfoot, and jets of hot steam burst from cracks.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Suddenly, the ground shook, and a rockfall began. Huge boulders came tumbling down.

"Hold on!" Flora shouted.

One of the boulders was flying straight at her. She raised the Shield. The impact was so strong it nearly threw her off, but the Shield held.

When the rockfall ceased, they saw that the path before them was blocked. But Flora noticed a narrow fissure in the rock.

"Let's try to pass through there," she said.

The fissure turned out to be an entrance to a system of caves that riddled the body of the volcano. It was even hotter here, the walls glowing red. And here, new guardians awaited them.

Fire elementals. Beings woven from pure flame.

Conventional weapons were useless against them. Swords and hammers passed through their fiery bodies.

"Water! We need water!" Caelan shouted, but they had little, and it evaporated quickly.

Then Flora used the Shield of Truth again. She aimed it at one of the elementals. The flame of which it was composed reflected off the mirrored surface and struck another elemental. Both howled.

"So that's it!" Flora realized. "They can be destroyed by their own fire!"

She began to use the Shield as a mirror. It was a dangerous game, requiring incredible dexterity and precision. Her companions helped her, distracting the elementals, luring them into the path of the reflected flames.

The battle was long and exhausting. Finally, the last elemental dissolved with a howl. The way was clear.

They emerged into a huge, circular hall in the very crater of the volcano. There was no ceiling here, only a red, churning sky. And in the center of the hall, on a pedestal of black obsidian, surrounded by tongues of flame, it shone.

The Spear of Light.

Long, elegant, made of a silvery metal that glowed from within. Its tip was like a frozen starbeam. An incredible power, warmth, and light emanated from the Spear.

But approaching it was impossible. The pedestal was surrounded by a ring of fire.

"We'll be burned alive," Son said, wiping away sweat.

Flora looked at the Spear, then at the Shield of Truth. And she understood.

"I will go," she said. "The Shield will protect me from the fire. And the Spear... it will choose for itself whether I am worthy."

She stepped forward, raising the Shield. The tongues of flame licked at its mirrored surface, but retreated. Flora entered the ring of fire. The heat was unbearable, but she walked on, feeling the power of the Shield envelop her.

She approached the pedestal and reached for the Spear of Light.

The moment her fingers touched the cold metal, a flash of dazzling light filled the entire cave. Flora felt her body fill with an incredible energy, as if sunlight itself were flowing through her veins. The pain from the burns vanished. The fatigue was gone.

She took the Spear in her hand. It was light, yet a great power could be felt within it.

She had found the Spear of Light. And now they had everything to fight back against the Darkness.

Or almost everything. For there was still the Heart of the Warrior. Her own heart. And it had to be ready for the final, decisive battle.