The air grew warmer as they approached. Steam billowed in soft, curling waves, partially obscuring the rocky outcroppings surrounding a series of pools. The largest pool bubbled gently, its surface shimmering with ripples that caught the fiery glow of Grimkaroth's molten veins. The juxtaposition of the natural spring and the volcanic mountain's harshness was oddly serene.

A sudden splash broke the stillness, followed by a series of sharp clicks and melodic hums. The sounds carried a strange urgency, pulling the group's attention toward the largest pool. There, thrashing in the water, was a Nydelian.

Its sleek, iridescent form glimmered even through the heavy steam, the shifting colors of its smooth, scale-like skin reminiscent of liquid moonlight. Tentacle-like limbs flailed against the surface, and its reflective eyes glowed faintly with what seemed like agitation.

Raelyn's breath caught. "A Nydelian," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the bubbling spring. She took a step forward, her expression shifting from surprise to recognition. "It must have been sent by Sylvy and Lira."

The group stopped at the edge of the hot spring, their expressions a mixture of awe and uncertainty. Danio tilted his head, his brow arching. "It looks like it's trying not to cook itself."

Raelyn hurried forward, her boots crunching over the loose gravel. The humid air clung to her skin, making her cloak feel heavier with each step. She stopped at the water's edge, close enough to feel the faint heat radiating from the spring. Drawing in a steadying breath, she spoke clearly, her voice soft yet resonant. "Nydelas."

The melodic word carried a strange power, reverberating faintly as though the air itself responded. The Nydelian froze mid-splash, its glowing eyes locking onto Raelyn. For a moment, all was still. Then, a familiar warmth bloomed in her mind, and she felt the connection form—a thread of thought bridging her to the creature.

"Hot...I feel like I'm being boiled alive," the Nydelian's voice echoed in her thoughts, laced with irritation.

"I'm sorry," Raelyn thought back, the telepathic communication as natural as speaking aloud. "I didn't mean for you to be uncomfortable."

The Nydelian's glowing eyes blinked slowly, its frustration ebbing. "Your elven friends said this was important."

Raelyn's pulse quickened. "You bring news from Lira and Sylvy?"

The creature hummed softly, the sound resonating in her mind. "I do. They're overjoyed to hear from you. They were worried, but your message eased their fears. They've been working tirelessly, combing the Great Library for any mention of this 'Selenite.'"

Raelyn's shoulders relaxed, relief flooding her. "And? Did they find anything?"

The Nydelian hesitated, its glow dimming slightly. "There was one mention," it admitted. "But it was fleeting—a mere footnote, without context or detail."

Disappointment prickled at the edges of Raelyn's thoughts, but she pushed it aside. "Anything else?" she asked, her voice both hopeful and determined.

The Nydelian's tone brightened, its glow pulsing faintly. "They had better luck with the 'Realm of Brilliance.' They believe it refers to Eryndoriel."

Raelyn's heart skipped a beat. "Eryndoriel? Are they sure?"

"They are confident," the Nydelian confirmed. "The name aligns perfectly. 'Eryn' means woods, 'Dor' means land or realm, and 'Iel' translates to noble or brilliant. Your locket's symbol of the tree and its inscription... they believe it points directly to the elven capital."

Relief and excitement surged through Raelyn, her earlier doubts melting away. "That's... incredible."

Behind her, the others shifted uneasily, their voices breaking through the steam-filled air.

"Raelyn?" Benji called, stepping closer. "What's it saying?"

"Just a moment," she replied, her tone light but focused. She turned her attention back to the Nydelian. "What about the second clue? The 'Path of Veiled Eternity'?"

The Nydelian's glow dimmed further, its tone tinged with regret. "Lira and Sylvy found no answers for that one. They send their best wishes and hope you'll uncover its meaning along your journey."

Raelyn nodded, though a flicker of disappointment crept in. "I'll let them know if I find anything."

The Nydelian paused, then its tone grew teasing. "There was one more message from Sylvera."

Raelyn tilted her head curiously. "Oh?"

"She asked me to give Hovan her best," the Nydelian said with a cheeky undertone. "That she's sharpening her blades for their next meeting—and he should sharpen his wits to match."

Raelyn couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up, light and genuine. She glanced over her shoulder at Hovan, who was standing with his arms crossed, unaware of the teasing message. "I'll be sure to pass that along," she said with a knowing smile.

The Nydelian clicked softly, its glowing eyes narrowing in a way that felt almost like a wry smile. "You have kind friends, Raelyn," it said, its tone gentle but tinged with humor. "But if I stay in this boiling pot much longer, I might become a stew."

Raelyn chuckled softly, nodding in understanding. "Thank you for coming all this way. Please pass on my gratitude to Lira and Sylvy—and let them know I'll do my best to uncover the answers we're all searching for."

The Nydelian hummed in acknowledgment, its melodic clicks blending with the bubbling of the spring. "Good luck, Raelyn," it said, its voice carrying a serene warmth. "May your path lead you to clarity."

With that, the creature began to sink beneath the surface of the spring, its iridescent form shimmering faintly before fading into the depths. The water stilled, the ripples dissolving into calm as the Nydelian disappeared entirely. Steam curled lazily into the air once more, the hot spring returning to its quiet solitude.

Raelyn straightened, her thoughts racing as she turned back to her companions. Her face was alight with determination and relief, the weight of the Nydelian's news lifting her spirits. "They've found something," she began, her voice strong as she prepared to share the message.

"So?" Hovan asked, his tone steady but laced with curiosity. His sharp gaze rested on Raelyn, his usual calm demeanor holding a hint of anticipation. "What's the news?"

Raelyn straightened, taking a steadying breath as she relayed the Nydelian's message. Her voice carried the weight of both excitement and focus, recounting the connection between the "Realm of Brilliance" and Eryndoriel. As she spoke, the group listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to quiet understanding.

"The tree symbol makes sense now," Benji said, breaking the silence. His voice carried a note of wonder as he looked to Raelyn. "Eryndoriel—the Realm of Brilliance. It fits perfectly. But what about the 'Path of Veiled Eternity'? That one's still a mystery."

Thomrik stroked his beard, his expression thoughtful. "Could be a hidden passage," he rumbled, his voice low and deliberate. "Something treacherous, something hard to find."

Benji nodded, his youthful face alight with possibilities. "Or maybe it's a place shrouded in magic," he suggested, his tone hopeful. "Something mysterious, something we'd never expect."

Danio leaned lazily against a nearby rock, his trademark grin sliding back into place. "Or," he interjected, his tone full of mischief, "it's another mountain to climb. Because that's exactly what we need—more mountains."

The group chuckled, the sound a welcome reprieve from the weight of the discussion. Even Thomrik's lips twitched in amusement as he shook his head at Danio's remark.

Raelyn smiled faintly, but her thoughts lingered on the unanswered clue. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal of the locket hanging around her neck, the weight of its secrets grounding her. "The locket's clues must be pointing us to places in Unevia," she said thoughtfully. "The 'Realm of Brilliance' led us to Eryndoriel. Maybe the 'Path of Veiled Eternity' is another location we'll need to uncover."

"Whatever it is, we'll figure it out," Benji said, stepping closer. His tone was gentle but firm, and his brown eyes met hers with quiet determination. "We always do."

Raelyn looked at him, her smile softening as she drew strength from his unwavering optimism. "Thank you, Benji," she said, her voice carrying the sincerity of her gratitude.

The group began to mount their horses once more. As they made their way back to the path, Raelyn slowed her steps, falling into stride beside Hovan. Lowering her voice, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Oh, I almost forgot," she said.

Hovan arched a brow, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Raelyn's lips twitched with a barely contained smile. "Sylvy wanted me to pass along a message," she said, her voice hushed but teasing. "She said to tell you that she's sharpening her blades for your next meeting—and that you should sharpen your wits to match."

Hovan's stoic composure faltered for the briefest moment. His sharp eyes widened slightly, and a faint flush crept up his neck, barely visible in the warm light of the molten mountain. "She said that?" he asked, his voice betraying a mix of surprise and excitement.

Raelyn nodded, her amusement evident as she studied his reaction. "Word for word."

Hovan cleared his throat, the edges of his lips twitching upward despite his best efforts to remain composed. "Well," he said, his voice low and measured, "I suppose I'll have to be ready for her, then."

Raelyn chuckled softly, unable to resist. "She certainly seems ready for you."

Hovan huffed, his expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and genuine amusement. "She's relentless," he muttered, though the faint smile tugging at his mouth betrayed him.

They reached the horses, and as Hovan mounted his steed, Raelyn caught the brief, thoughtful glance he cast back toward her. For all his stoicism, it was clear that Sylvy's message had struck a chord.

Raelyn mounted Maisie, the familiar rhythm of the group's journey resuming as they pressed onward toward Grimkaroth. Though the answers they sought still felt elusive, Raelyn's heart was lighter. With her companions beside her and the locket's mysteries beginning to unfold, she felt ready to face whatever awaited them in the heart of the dwarven kingdom.