The Sanctuary’s grand hall was filled with the soft rustle of ancient pages and the faint scent of aged parchment. At the center of the room, Amaya hovered over a weathered map spread across the table.

  “This has to be it,” she whispered, tracing the faded ink lines with her finger. The map depicted a treacherous path through mountains, ending in the shadow of a long-dormant volcano.

  Kai leaned closer, his dark curls brushing the edge of the table. “The lost valley… Kali’dar,” he murmured, his tone a mix of awe and skepticism.

  Reya crossed her arms, standing a few paces away. “And we’re sure this isn’t just another wild chase? Legends tend to exaggerate.”

  “Not this one,” Lina replied, her calm voice tinged with certainty. She gestured to the runes etched along the map’s edge. “The markings match the texts we found in the archives. Kali’dar existed—and if this map is accurate, it still holds its secrets.”

  Amaya straightened, her amber eyes fierce with determination. “Then we find it. If there’s even a chance that the ruins hold answers, we have to try.”

  The journey began at dawn, the Sanctuary disappearing into the horizon as the group followed the map’s winding trail. The first days took them through dense forests, where sunlight barely pierced the canopy. By the fourth day, they climbed into rocky foothills, the air turning thinner and cooler with each step.

  One evening, as they camped by a rushing stream, Amaya watched the embers of the fire dance against the darkening sky. Despite the weariness in her bones, sleep was elusive. When it finally claimed her, it came with vivid intensity.

  She sat before a table laden with maps and books. To her dream eyes, the words were unintelligible, twisting and shifting as if they defied comprehension. A sharp voice spoke behind her. Though the language was unfamiliar, the tone was unmistakable—anger.

  Turning, Amaya saw a tall, stunningly beautiful older woman. Her presence was commanding, her expression severe. Amaya felt her lips move and words spill forth—words she did not understand but felt were equally laced with anger.

  The tension snapped as she grabbed a goblet from the table and flung it at the woman. It missed, clattering loudly to the floor. Without waiting for a response, Amaya turned on her heel and stormed out.

  The sound of her footsteps echoed as she descended a winding staircase. On a landing below, figures in long robes—priests, perhaps—murmured softly to one another. They bowed deeply as she passed, but she paid them no mind.

  Pushing open a heavy door, Amaya stepped into a cool evening. The sky above was a tapestry of stars, glittering like shards of ice. She stopped and looked up, her brow furrowing. The sight filled her with unease. A wave of panic rose within her, sharp and consuming.

  She gasped and jerked awake, her heart pounding.

  The fire had burned low, casting faint shadows across the sleeping forms of her companions. Amaya’s breath came in shallow bursts as she struggled to shake off the lingering panic. She glanced at the others: Kai muttered softly in his sleep, Lina clutched her blanket tightly, and Reya’s face was twisted in a troubled expression.

  Amaya pressed a hand to her chest, her mind racing. What had she just seen? And why did it feel so real?

  The volcano loomed in the distance, its jagged silhouette stark against the moonlit sky. Whatever lay ahead in Kali’dar, it had already begun reaching for them.

  The campfire’s glow had faded to embers, leaving the group shrouded in quiet shadows. Kai shifted in his sleep, the weight of the day’s journey momentarily forgotten. His mind drifted to a vivid dream.

  It was a bright and warm day, the sun high overhead, its heat pressing against his back. A gentle breeze stirred the air, cooling the sweat on his brow. Kai walked along a cobbled path worn smooth by countless footsteps, a bow cradled lightly in his hands.

  For once, he felt at ease. There was no tension in his shoulders, no nagging sense of urgency. The world around him was calm, filled with the sounds of birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves.

  Behind him came the sound of a giggle, high-pitched and full of joy. He turned, and his heart warmed at the sight of a small girl no older than three or four running toward him, her tiny feet kicking up dust.

  Without hesitation, he scooped her up as she stumbled, spinning her into the air. Her delighted laughter rang out, pure and infectious. Holding her close, he touched his forehead gently to hers, a gesture of affection that felt both natural and deeply familiar.

  “Kaiya,” he murmured, though he didn’t know why the name came to him.

  A soft voice spoke nearby. Kai turned to see a woman—likely the girl’s mother—walking up the path. Her smile was warm, her expression kind. She spoke to him, her words melodic but incomprehensible. Yet, something in her tone spoke of trust and belonging.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Suddenly, her smile faltered. Her eyes widened in fear as she pointed past him, her hand trembling. Kai turned to follow her gaze and froze.

  The sky, once clear and blue, had darkened ominously. A shadow loomed in the heavens, vast and terrible. The woman screamed, her voice breaking the serenity of the moment.

  Kai gasped as he jolted awake, his breath ragged and his heart racing. The firelight cast flickering shapes on the rocky walls around him.

  Across the camp, Amaya sat upright, her amber eyes wide with lingering fear. “Kai,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Did you… see something too?”

  He nodded slowly, the images of the girl and the shadow still vivid in his mind. “I don’t know what it was,” he admitted. “But it felt real. Too real.”

  Around them, the others began to stir, Lina and Reya waking with their own uneasy expressions. Whatever secrets the city of Kali’dar held, it was already weaving its threads into their minds.

  The camp was quiet once more, but Lina stirred uneasily in her sleep, her brow furrowing as the dream enveloped her.

  She crouched low in the rock depression, the earth cool against her skin, embracing her like an old friend. This wasn’t fear—this was a game. A delighted sense of mischief bubbled in her chest as she stilled herself, her small hands clamping over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

  Footsteps thudded heavily on the path beyond her hiding place. A man’s voice rang out, playful and sing-song, teasing about a young man on the verge of adulthood. The sound made her giggle again, despite her best efforts to stay quiet.

  Suddenly, a hand reached into her hiding spot, grabbing her. She was pulled into the sunlight, blinking at the brightness. A young man grinned at her, his expression warm and easy, a reassurance that this was all in fun.

  He spoke to her in a gently chiding tone, but before she could respond, he took her hand and tugged her urgently down the cobbled path. The world felt strange yet familiar as if the very ground beneath her feet recognized her.

  She glanced down and noticed her attire—a pure white robe that fell to her knees, though it was stained with dirt and grass. The scabs on her legs stood out against the fabric, marking her as someone who enjoyed exploring and playing.

  The young man led her toward a grand stone building where a crowd had gathered. Their faces were indistinct in her dream, but their presence was palpable. As they reached the stone stairs, she saw other children standing there, dressed in robes similar to hers but spotless and pristine.

  A strange sensation washed over her as she stepped forward, her feet almost floating toward a large stone at the platform’s center. It was ancient, weathered, and exuded a faint hum she felt rather than heard.

  A voice echoed in her mind, urging her: “Reach out. Touch it.”

  Her small hand extended almost of its own accord, brushing against the stone’s surface.

  Pain flared instantly, sharp and searing, radiating through her hand and up her arm. It was vivid enough to wrench her from the dream, her eyes snapping open as her breath came in quick gasps.

  The night air was cool, and the campfire’s faint glow flickered against the rocks. Lina stared at her hand, flexing her fingers. There was no mark, no injury, but the ache lingered.

  She sat up, her gaze shifting to Amaya and Kai, who were already awake and exchanging uneasy glances. Lina met their eyes and saw the unspoken question reflected in them: What is happening to us?

  Somewhere in the distance, the silhouette of the dormant volcano loomed against the starlit sky, as if waiting for their arrival.

  The campfire crackled softly, its warmth a faint comfort in the cool night air. Reya shifted in her sleep, her face peaceful at first, but then her brow furrowed. The dream took hold.

  Her eyes were closed, but she could feel the cool wetness of water gently lapping against her shins. It was soothing, rhythmic, and constant. Her arms were stretched out, palms facing down, as though she were communing with the water itself.

  A voice spoke to her. The words were unfamiliar, a language she couldn’t place, but their tone carried the unmistakable weight of guidance and instruction. She nodded, understanding the intent even if not the specifics.

  Slowly, she turned her hands at the wrists, feeling the water respond to her movements, swirling and rippling. As her hands clenched into fists, the air around her seemed to shift, and the water quivered with latent energy.

  With deliberate care, she began to raise her arms. The sensation was exhilarating, the water obeying her command and surging upward. She felt the rush of cool droplets flying past her, and when she opened her eyes, a grin spread across her face.

  Above her, the water had formed a shimmering mosaic, suspended midair. Sunlight streamed through broad open windows, refracting through the droplets and casting rainbows across the room. The beauty of it took her breath away.

  She turned to see an older man watching her, his expression one of pride and joy. His long gray hair was tied back, and his robes shimmered faintly as though they, too, were touched by the water’s light. He grinned wickedly, and with a casual flick of his hand, the entire mass of water came crashing down.

  The deluge soaked her to the skin, and she gasped as the cold water splashed over her. For a moment, there was silence. Then laughter erupted around the room. Reya felt her cheeks heat with annoyance at the prank, but the mirth in the older man’s eyes softened her irritation.

  She couldn’t help herself—laughter bubbled up from her chest and spilled out. She slapped a handful of water at the man, her grin as wide as his. The room echoed with their shared joy.

  As the laughter faded, the man leaned in and spoke to her in hushed tones. The language was still foreign, but the gravity of his words was clear. She nodded, listening intently as he gestured for her to follow.

  He led her across the room, her wet robes clinging to her as she walked. At the far end of the chamber, they approached a massive stone door. Intricate carvings adorned its surface, the patterns resembling waves and tides.

  The older man touched the door lightly, continuing his flow of words. Reya stared at the door, a strange sense of anticipation building in her chest.

  Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet began to tremble. She froze, her heart racing. The man stopped speaking, his hand still pressed against the stone. A deep, rumbling sound filled the air.

  Screams pierced through the dream, sharp and panicked, pulling her abruptly into wakefulness.

  Reya sat up with a start, her breaths coming fast and shallow. The firelight cast flickering shadows across her companions’ faces. Amaya, Kai, and Lina were already awake, their expressions mirroring her own.

  “What did you see?” Amaya’s voice was soft but carried a weight that demanded answers.

  Reya glanced toward the distant horizon, where the faint silhouette of the dormant volcano loomed. The screams from her dream still echoed faintly in her mind.

  “Something… something ancient,” she whispered, her voice trembling. She rubbed her arms, as though trying to banish the lingering sensation of the water.

  Kai leaned closer, his expression grim. “We all saw something.”

  Lina nodded, her face pale in the firelight. “Whatever this is, it’s tied to Kali’dar.”

  Amaya’s gaze was fixed on the volcano. “And we’re going to find out why.”