Oliver and his companions set off, following the path illuminated by the rising golden sun. They maintain a relaxed and unhurried pace, taking the opportunity to breathe deeply. Soon, they stop, standing before a majestic cluster of towering trees.

     Everyone tilts their heads back, their gaze unable to reach the tops of the dense pine trees. Then, they shift their focus forward, scanning the horizon through the gaps in the foliage. The distance appears hazy and obscured by a dark mist. They exchange nods of understanding before summoning their courage and stepping into the forest.

     Oliver takes the lead, with the others following closely behind. They continue their journey, traversing into the woods until the tree canopy shades them from the sunlight. Along the way, they encounter a river with stepping stones. They carefully hop from rock to rock, crossing into the opposite bank. Oliver reaches the other side first and turns around, patiently waiting for his companions.

     Once the entire group has crossed the river, they resume their march. Bushes and hanging vines become obstacles, forcing them to push the plantations aside to clear their path. The once straight and steady path now requires them to navigate in a zigzag pattern, adapting to the changing terrain and unknown destination ahead.

"This moment feels... familiar," Bethany remarked, gazing at the towering pine trees.

"I agree. It's like we've been here before, passing through a dense forest on our way to a mission, only to encounter a relative who's been keeping tabs on us..." Sophia glanced at Edgar.

Edgar lowered his eyes, a faint blush colouring his cheeks.

As he cut through the neverending labyrinth of trees, Oliver spoke up. "Do you think we're getting close?"

"Perhaps," Gregory answered.

"Are there any signs of civilization around here in the woods?" Oliver wondered.

"No," Sarrah shook her head. "When I was a child, my parents used to tell me about Emria. They said most Emrians prefer living in urban cities or rural villages, staying close to civilization. That's why we won't find any houses out here in the forest."

Oliver turned to Sarrah, intrigued. "Sarrah, do you... know more about Emria?" he asked.

"Well, hmm..." Sarrah paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "...Emria used to be a part of the Geverian Empire. So, uhh... in many ways, it shares similarities with Geveria. The architecture, art, literature, and writing system are almost identical. But, their food, oh, they're unique; you should try it. My parents always cooked traditional Emrian meals for me and..."

"Me!" Bethany ventured, finishing Sarrah's sentence. "Sarrah's parents are incredible cooks! Their traditional meals are truly delicious!"

"Hm," Oliver thought. "Maybe, after I do my task in Emria, let's try their cuisine as a treat."

Gregory's stomach let out a rumble of agreement, prompting him to join in. "I couldn't agree more. I'm already famished!"

     As Edgar lags behind the group, his mind starts to wander. He scans his surroundings, observing the world around him with curiosity. Suddenly, he feels a gentle warmth and a slight sensation on his nose, resembling a raindrop.

     Glancing at his nose, Edgar notices a small, unfamiliar substance. He uses his thumb to wipe it away. To his surprise, the material smudges his thumb, leaving behind a dark, inky residue.

     Meanwhile, the rest of the group continues their steady walk, blissfully unaware of the impending change. But, as they progress, a striking sight interrupts their carefree demeanour. Their eyes are drawn upward, where they witness dark, ash-like substances descending from the sky. Their eyes widen as they watch thick clouds of dark dust pour from the heavens, resembling a macabre version of snowfall. The air becomes heavy with the haunting presence of the blackened particles, casting an eerie atmosphere over their path.

"Ash...?" Gregory murmured, extending his hand to catch some of the falling particles, studying them intently.

"Ash..." Oliver's eyes widened in realization. "...Could the dark clouds we saw earlier be caused by a volcanic eruption? It's not an ordinary storm..."

Gregory nodded, still fixated on the sky. "It would also explain the unusual scent in the air when we passed through the dark cloud earlier."

Sophia added, recalling the experience. "Yes, and it felt suffocating within those dense, dark clouds."

Suddenly, Bethany's voice broke through their conversation. "Wait, do you hear that?"

     The group stood frozen, their bodies as still as statues, straining their ears to catch any sound. Amidst the low, rumbling thunders emanating from the sky, a chilling realization crept in. The faint but distinct cries of terrified voices reached their ears from a distance.

Oliver's eyes widened with worry as he turned to his companions. "Are those screams?" he asked.

     Sophia's gaze drifted ahead, leaning over the bushes. Sophia took a step forward, her emerald eyes shining through the darkness. As she walked past a tree, she abruptly halted, locking her gaze on the ground while the distant shouts grew louder and more urgent.

     Oliver hurriedly moved past Sophia. He pushed aside the dense bushes that obstructed his path, clearing a way through the forest. With each shove, he made progress, gradually forging a path out of the woods.

     As the group emerged from the seemingly endless forest, they entered a vast grassy land. In the distance, a sprawling city with towering buildings came into view, its grandeur partially concealed by a grey brick wall encircling its perimeter. On the rear left side of the grassland, where the woods resumed their line, trees engulfed in flames reached skyward.

     The blaze consumes everything it touches, summoning thick, black smoke that blends with the dark clouds above. The left side of the scene resembles a hellish inferno, while on the opposite side, the city stands, crying out for help. Suddenly, lava surges and spews forth from the forest on the left, gradually encroaching upon the defenceless structures as it traverses the grassy plain.

     Oliver's breathing grows rapid, urgency overtaking him. Without hesitation, he sprints forward, causing his companions to panic. Oliver dashes through the tall grass, his gaze locked on the approaching lava.

     Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany swiftly follow in his wake, their hearts pounding with fear. But, no matter how much they exert force on their calves, they can't match Oliver's speed. His pace resembles a leopard, leaving them trailing behind in his sprint. All they can do is run and strive to keep up with him.

     Oliver races alongside the massive wall that encircles the buildings. He hastens, straining his feet. He then stops, standing in front of the gaping entrance to the city.

     The lava draws closer, igniting the grass and casting waves of heat that distort one's vision. The scene resembles a depiction of hell at its most dramatic—a fiery blaze consuming everything, with molten lava overflowing like a spilt cauldron. As the searing rocks approach the towering gate, the falling ash intensifies, thickening the opaque air.

     Oliver furrows his brow, taking a sharp breath in through his mouth. He bends his knees and clenches his right fist. The frantic and anxious shouts from the scattered crowd within the city gradually subside. Oliver can feel the weight of their collective gaze on him as he glances back, his eyes scanning the faces behind him.

"Oli!" Gregory called out, standing beside Oliver as they both watched the relentless advance of the lava.

     Swiftly, Oliver opens his right palm wide, extending his arm towards the direction of the lava. Then, a shockwave of brilliant light radiates from his hand. As the wave reaches the lava, the blazing, molten rocks transform into cold, solid mineral formations that resemble ordinary soil. The magical energy touches the dark clouds in the sky, sweeping the rain of ashfall away in the opposite direction, transpiring within seconds.