Orion walked toward Ophion and Libranil, one hand resting against his chin.

  What a strange chain of events.

  A white beast padded alongside him, pride evident in each step. Sirius glanced up at his master and continued silently at his side.

  I, who carry the core Silka once bore, ended up facing the Devourer responsible for Valkyrie Carmillya’s death.

  Then Stella confronted Var’Lathen—the Devourer who claimed Valkyrie Skadii.

  His gaze drifted slowly from left to right as the thought settled.

  And then there’s Olivia.

  From what Valkyrie Rakia had explained, Olivia was Keleanos’ mother.

  A stern expression crept onto Orion’s face.

  Were we deliberately sent toward Devourers bound by vengeance?

  Could the black hole we created have caused such an outcome?

  He opened his free hand. A small dark sphere formed above his palm, black droplets falling on his skin.

  “Mmh…” Orion murmured, coming to a halt. He then closed his hand, destroying the dark matter effortlessly.

  “Sirius,” he said, turning toward the dog. “Do you think a third party could have interfered with our magic and guided it to act in their favor?”

  Sirius sat, tail wagging slowly.

  “For example,” Orion continued, “that woman.”

  The white dog tilted his head slightly.

  “From what we experienced—and judging by everyone’s reactions—she doesn’t feel or act like a Devourer. At least, not one that trampled Triazils in search of purity.”

  He tapped his chin, then lowered his hand.

  “Neither Tetra nor Henrietta reacted to her presence. That suggests she wasn’t one of the Devourers who destroyed their lives.”

  He paused.

  “Still, I can’t explain how she knew about purity at all. Her identity—and her intentions—remain unknown.”

  A frustrated breath escaped him as he knelt beside Sirius.

  “Well, there’s no use dwelling on it now. Answers tend to reveal themselves in time.”

  He rested his hand atop Sirius’ head, giving him a gentle pat.

  “We have more pressing matters.”

  Rising to his feet, Orion lifted his gaze to the sky.

  “I can feel the links. Everyone is safe… for now. Let’s hope it stays that way.” He said as clouds moved gently above his head.

  He took a step forward, dust sweeping up.

  “My connection to Olivia feels weaker than usual, but that’s to be expected after a battle with a Devourer.”

  He resumed walking, the lifeless landscape of the world absorbing his voice.

  “Finding everyone in a world this vast won’t be easy,” he muttered, focusing inward. Some presences felt clearer than others. “Deveralna, May, and Stella… their links feel stronger than before.”

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Their proximity might explain it. Maybe I can use this sensation to track the others.”

  With a nod, he committed to the thought.

  “Let’s try.”

  A dark veil slid over his eyes as he turned once more to Sirius.

  “With Tetra and Henrietta still with us, there’s a chance we’ll encounter another Devourer soon.”

  He exhaled slowly.

  “We’ve dealt with the one bound to Silka. Who comes next?”

  His eyes closed as he felt the three souls resting within him.

  “Valkyrie Marianna… Henrietta’s mother?”

  “Or Valkyrie Amaryllis?”

  He hesitated.

  “Tetra’s mother.”

  The names lingered, Amaryllis’ most of all.

  As he reached the two resting beasts, his expression softened as he walked into the dragon's shadow, creating shade from the sun.

  He checked their bodies, healed lingering wounds, and fed them carefully, preparing them for travel.

  Before long, it was time to depart.

  Everyone mounted Libranil, while Ophion returned to his smaller form, coiling comfortably near his creator.

  As the dragon's wings swept dust with mighty bursts, they moved.

  Their course was set.

  East.

  Where the strongest links waited.

  Senia's...

  And Amelia’s.

  A few days prior.

  “What is this miserable place?!”

  Karteira’s shout echoed through the cavern, swallowed by the vastness around them.

  The crackling of burning wood was the only answer it received.

  Warped air shimmered in her vision as an endless forest—stretching deep underground—burned without respite. Trees blackened and aflame stood rooted in ash, their embers floating lazily through the air.

  “This is the same as above. I see no difference whatsoever,” Mia said, her eyes scanning the massive cavern held aloft by uneven stone pillars.

  “That is a strange sight,” Titania murmured, carefully choosing her steps to avoid the embers smoldering across the ground. “I would never have expected a forest to burn beneath the earth.”

  “Hm~”

  Nia’s thoughtful hum caught her sister’s attention.

  “What kind of stupidity are you about to spout this time?” Mia crossed her arms with a tired sigh.

  “Excuse you?!” Nia flailed her arms in indignation as she faced her twin. “I wasn’t going to say anything stupid!”

  Turning away, she puffed her cheeks in a small pout.

  “I was just thinking about something Orion mentioned once.”

  She glanced back at them, her tone lowering.

  “I was wondering if there’s enough oxygen for us to breathe properly. We’re underground… and we also have a large dragon with us. We should be careful.”

  Her words made the others pause.

  “That is a good point,” Titania said slowly, fingers brushing against her chest. “I have been feeling lightheaded since we entered the cave.”

  “Now that you mention it,” Karteira added, lifting a hand to her nose and mouth, “my breathing feels off too. And these embers aren’t helping.”

  Both turned toward Mia.

  “…”

  Understanding dawned on her face.

  “Ah. Uh…” She shifted awkwardly, then looked at her sister. “Sorry, Nia. I wasn’t trying to be mean.”

  Nia turned her head slowly—then stuck her tongue out.

  The twins stared at each other in silence.

  Mia let out a long, audible sigh, her shoulders dropping.

  “This is not the time to act like children. But… whatever.” Seeing Nia grin, she chose not to press further.

  “We should keep moving,” Titania said, her gaze lifting toward the darkened expanse ahead. “We do not know how deep these caverns run—or what lies further in.”

  For a split second, her eyes shimmered green, unnoticed by the others.

  Though I have an inkling as to what might be responsible for this place…

  Her faint smile faltered. I do hope I am mistaken.

  Turning, she looked up.

  “Lucensia, are you comfortable walking? Will the burning trees trouble you?” she asked gently.

  The white dragon, radiant even amid ash and fire, lowered her head.

  She dipped just enough for Titania to rest a hand against her nose.

  “Very well. If you believe it safe, I will not insist further.”

  Titania lifted her leafy wings, preparing to rise—

  “What about the lack of breathable air?” Karteira interrupted, her tone sharp with concern. “It’s a cave system. I have fought underground, so I know. This fire will consumes oxygen fast, which is even worse than what I experienced.”

  Nia’s expression sobered. Mia mirrored it immediately.

  “I can help by keeping us damp so we don’t burn,” Nia offered.

  “And I’ll manage the heat with wind magic,” Mia added. “That should keep things bearable at best.”

  Titania and Karteira exchanged a glance, then nodded.

  “That is a sound plan,” Karteira said, her scorpion tail shifting over her shoulder. “Just don’t overexert yourselves. We may yet face an enemy.”

  “Your abilities are precious,” Titania added. “Use them wisely.”

  “Will do!” Nia replied, lifting her hand cheerfully.

  “Then let’s move,” Mia said, ending the discussion as she grabbed Karteira’s hand and lifted her into the air.

  They settled onto Lucensia’s back, gazing ahead at tunnels wide enough for the dragon’s passage as they cut through the burning forest.

  With heavy, deliberate steps, Lucensia crushed trees whose flames refused to die, ash billowing around her as she marched forward.

  …

  Four days later.

  “Mother…”

  Karteira stared up at the cavern ceiling, exhaustion heavy in her voice.

  Titania remained silent, waving her hand slowly before her face, searching for even the faintest trace of a cool breeze.

  “…Where the fuck are we?” Karteira growled at last.

  No one answered.

  Not Titania.

  Not Mia or Nia.

  Not even Lucensia.

  Even the dragon had grown weary of the endless tunnels and burning forests.

  With no end in sight, they continued onward.