Ember trudged forcefully along the dirt path. The base of Mount Hadid was now in view, barely an hours walk away. Her gaze sifted mistrustfully from side to side. Beside her, Ceaser bounded happily. The quest had done him good, at least. New muscles were starting to ripple under his reflective silver scales, his horns had began to lengthen slightly, his wings stretched higher toward the sky. He had gone through a considerable growth spurt over the past days, making him much more intimidating. 

Ember patted his head absently. Her thoughts wandered again to Old Witch Whispers prophecy about her family. Ever since the last town they had encountered not a single living soul besides the lake monster. Every other adversary had been dead. She licked her lips spitefully. Angry thoughts rumbled around in her head. 

Why had she accepted this quest in the first place? How could they even win IF they even reached the top of the startlingly tall mountain? Three of them against a massive, foul giant and possibly other chaos creatures. At this rate, she'd never make it home to Auntie or meet her family. What if that old coot was off her rocker? She could never in a million years imagine actually meeting a family that looked like her, spoke like her. 

"Ember?" Mayabelle's voice popped her unhappy bubble bringing her back to the dusty road and the panting of her friends beside her.  "Are you alright?" she asked, looking at Ember, green eyes wide with concern. 

"Oh, yes, sorry," she said shaking her head. Over Mayabelle's head she cast a meaningful look at Idril who nodded grimly. So it wasn't just her having misgivings. 

Grumpily Ember shouldered her pack and plowed further ahead. She could feel the trail changing from dirt to stone under her feet. The dirt trail headed around the mountain in both directions, no doubt leading to distant coasts and cities. Before long the path started a slow incline. Walking turned to pushing upwards. 

Ember took deep breaths to clear her head and steady her thoughts. She determined that she would survive, she would see her family. In the back of her mind, doubt still chewed at her, but she tried to shove it away and keep pushing forward.