Kyrian began descending the Great Volcano.
The heat was still intense.
Ashes danced through the air, thick as snow, covering the ground with a soft gray layer that muffled the sound of his footsteps.
The sky remained covered by a dark blanket of smoke, so dense that it was impossible to tell whether it was day or night. Only a faint glow, coming from somewhere above, indicated the position of the sun.
But now everything felt different.
Silent. Calm.
The volcano no longer roared like a furious beast. Its thunder had ceased, its eruptions had diminished, and its fury had settled.
It seemed to be merely breathing. Slowly.
Like a colossal creature returning to sleep after a moment of rage.
...
Kyrian walked without haste.
There was no reason to hurry. The battle was over. The enemies were dead. The danger had passed.
His body had recovered considerably thanks to the recovery pills.
But it was still far from its ideal condition.
