A few hours before....

High atop the windswept mountains surrounding the volcano, Jay, Zane, and Nya huddled together for warmth. The air was thin and frigid, a stark contrast to the blistering heat emanating from the volcano below.

Jay, ever the optimist, tried to maintain a positive outlook. "So, beautiful view, right?" he said, gesturing at the sprawling vista of snow-capped peaks.

Zane, his usual stoicism tinged with concern, adjusted his goggles. "Indeed. Though the visibility is hampered by the volcanic ash clouds."

Nya, her face scrunched up, sneezed violently. "And the wind is carrying all that ash right into my nose! Just lovely." She rubbed her nose with a gloved hand, her eyes watering.

"Perhaps we should seek shelter," Zane suggested, his metallic voice devoid of emotion but laced with practicality. "These conditions are not conducive to an extended search."

Jay, shivering slightly, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, maybe a nice, cozy cave filled with friendly yetis..." His voice trailed off as Nya let out another earth-shattering sneeze.

"Bless you," Zane said politely, even though Nya clearly wasn't in the mood for blessings.

"Thanks," she sniffled, wiping her nose again. "Maybe we should head back down. At least it's hot there, even if it is spewing molten lava everywhere."

Just then, a glint of metal caught Zane's keen eyes. He pointed towards a rocky outcrop a few hundred meters away. "Look! Is that...?"

Following Zane's gaze, Jay squinted through the swirling ash. A glint of silver shimmered in the distance. As they got closer, their eyes widened in recognition.

It was a familiar golden/ bronze sword, embedded in the rock face. A sword they all knew belonged to...

"Lloyd!" Jay exclaimed, a surge of hope shooting through him. "He must be close!"

" Close? How clo- Achooooooooooooooooooooo!" Nya sneezed, stumbling.

 Jay, quick on his feet, grabbed her hand and yanked her to his body. " We need to go to shelter. Now." Jay said, feeling Nya's forehead.  It was burning hot, a stark contrast to the icy grip of the mountain wind whipping around them. The constant ash fall couldn't be helping either, only worsening her already irritated airways.

Zane, ever the voice of reason, chimed in. "Jay's right. We need to find a cave or any kind of natural formation that can offer some protection from the elements. Nya's health is our top priority right now."

Jay scanned the rocky terrain, his eyes darting from crevice to overhang. "There!" he yelled, pointing towards a cluster of jagged rocks nestled against the mountainside. "That looks like it might offer some cover."

He helped Nya towards the makeshift shelter, her legs wobbling slightly as another sneeze wracked her body. Zane followed close behind, his brow furrowed in concern.

As they reached the rocky outcrop, Jay helped Nya settle down onto a small, relatively flat ledge. He shielded her from the wind with his own body, his cloak offering a meager barrier against the chill.

"Can you breathe alright?" Jay asked, his voice laced with worry.

Nya nodded weakly, her eyes watering. "Yeah... just... a little... achoo!" Another sneeze erupted from her, followed by a helpless cough.

Zane, ever resourceful, rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a small metal canister. "I believe this might help," he said, offering Nya a steaming mug filled with a warm, herbal concoction. "It's a soothing tea I keep on hand for situations like this."

Nya accepted the mug gratefully, taking a tentative sip. The warmth spread through her like a welcome wave, easing the congestion in her chest. "Thanks, Zane," she croaked, a flicker of gratitude shining through her bleary eyes.

With Nya resting and the tea hopefully working its magic, Jay turned back to the pressing matter at hand. He pointed towards the embedded sword. "Alright, back to Lloyd. We found his weapon, which means he must be nearby. But with this weather and Nya not feeling well..."

He trailed off, his brow furrowed in concern. They couldn't leave Nya alone, but they also couldn't afford to waste time searching for Lloyd in this treacherous environment.

Zane, ever the logical one, assessed the situation with a calm efficiency. "You stay here with Nya," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I'll go find Lloyd. My metallic body is better suited for the harsh conditions, and I can locate him much faster with my enhanced scanners."

Jay, the worry for Nya etched on his face, slowly nodded in agreement. He knew Zane was right. Leaving Nya alone wasn't ideal, but Zane's search would be far more efficient.

With a determined glint in his eyes, Jay set about creating a makeshift bed for Nya. He gathered his cloak and spare jacket, layering them on the rocky ledge to create a soft cushion. He gently helped Nya lie down, tucking the makeshift covers around her shivering form.

"I'll be right back," he whispered, squeezing her hand reassuringly. He knew a simple squeeze wouldn't cure her illness, but it was a small gesture of comfort in a situation that felt anything but comfortable.

Nya, drowsy from the warmth of the tea and the effects of the illness, managed a weak smile. "Don't worry about me, Jay. Just find Lloyd. We need to get out of this... this..." Another sneeze cut her off, leaving her words hanging in the thin mountain air.

Jay chuckled softly. "This lovely mountain vacation, right?" He winked at her, trying to inject some lightheartedness into the tense situation. "Don't worry, Nya. We'll get out of here. Both of us."

With one last reassuring squeeze of her hand, Jay turned towards Zane. "Be careful out there," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Zane inclined his head in a silent acknowledgment. "I will. And you take care of Nya." Without another word, he activated his jetpack and soared into the ash-filled sky, his metallic form a blur against the desolate mountain backdrop.

Jay watched him go, a wave of loneliness washing over him. He was used to facing danger alongside his friends, a team facing whatever challenges arose. But being separated, with Nya sick and Lloyd missing, felt unsettling.

He took a deep breath, forcing down his anxieties. He had a job to do – take care of Nya. He settled down beside her on the makeshift bed, pulling his own jacket tighter against the biting wind. As he watched over his wife, a silent promise formed in his heart. He wouldn't leave her side. They would face this together, just like they always did.