Ashmoor reeked of sulfur, lava rivers snaking through obsidian fields. Heat warped the air, and fire drakes—winged serpents—patrolled the skies. The trio sought the Flamekeeper, a ancient red dragon named Pyra, guardian of the Flame Shard embedded in her scale.
They climbed Mount Inferno, evading drake ambushes. Finn's agility saved Elara from a lava pit; Mira's runes shielded them from ash storms. At the summit crater, Pyra uncoiled, her eyes molten gold. "Mortals dare?" Her voice boomed like thunder.
Elara knelt, offering the shards. "The Eclipse comes. We need your shard."
Pyra tested them with riddles of fire and shadow. Impressed, she shed a scale, revealing the shard. "Varak was my kin once, twisted by Void. He seeks all shards to unmake the world. Go to Sylvandar—the Illusion Shard hides in the Mirror Maze."
As they descended, a shadow spy—Varak's emissary, a cloaked sorcerer named Draven—watched from afar, relaying their progress.
Auxiliary Chapter: Character Profile - Finn Silverleaf & Mira Ironfist
Finn: Elf ranger, 120 years (appears 20s). Quick-witted thief-turned-hero. Skills: Archery, stealth, forest lore. Secret: Banished for stealing a sacred gem.
Mira: Dwarven priestess, 87. Master smith, rune magic. Driven by redemption after her forge-forged weapon slew innocents in clan wars.