Maybe anger wasn’t the best route to go about this, but Xander was right. We had already done so much.
“Please, we know about the broken balance,” I said. “There is much to do in Ithenmyr. We want to restore the country to the way things were, and we will do whatever it takes. If you could just give us the amulet—”
“What has begun cannot be undone,” Pyro broke in, his tone of incredulity making it clear that this thread of questioning would not go anywhere. “The bridge has been summoned and the Gate has been opened. You can turn back now, but heed our words, Chosen Ones. When you step onto the bridge, you have made your choice. From that moment on, there is only one way out of Shadowfell Mountain, and that is with the Gilded Amulet in hand.”
Maiela crossed her arms. “What happens if we choose not to cross the bridge?”
“If you make that choice, you will forever lose access to this place of old.” Inferna’s voice deepened, echoing all around us. “The Gate does not open for just anyone. Kydona’s call is sacred, and those who reject it reject her.”
The heavy weight of what this meant hung over me.
“Can we talk about this?” I asked.
Inferna dipped her head. “You may discuss, but be forewarned, High Lady of Life. The Gate will close at sundown, never to open for you again.”
With that, the three Spirits of the Flames disappeared in a cloud of golden ribbons. We were alone once more.
Dropping to the ground, I groaned. “I don’t know what I expected, but this is…”
“A lot,” Ryllae finished for me. “It’s a lot.”
A chorus of agreement rose from around my friends as we sat in a circle. The ground was dry, thanks to the lava, and the bubbling fire chased away any chill that might have been in the air.
Xander pulled me against him. “Daegal and Maiela, can the two of you See what is to come?”
The Fortune Elves nodded. “We can try,” Maiela said. “It’s mostly black, but…”
“We’ll try,” Daegal said.
Silver overtook both the Fortune Elves’ gazes, and we all seemed to hold a collective breath as we waited.
It didn’t take long. The twins were gone for less than a minute before their eyes returned to their normal colors. The two of them exchanged a grim look, and my stomach sank.
“What did you See?” I asked, needing to hear them say it.
“Darkness,” Daegal said.
I could have guessed that. There was always darkness these days. Always evil. Always bad things to come.
“There is nothing good in the future,” Maiela added.
Daegal drew Ryllae against him, rubbing his hand on her mating mark. “Things long unseen are awakening in Eleyta. The Prince of Darkness and his wife are in danger. The fae have gathered, darkness is spreading, and the vampires are stirring. The waters of the Indigo Ocean are turning inky. None of the Four Kingdoms are safe. Even if we did leave, I don’t know what our next step would be.”
“There is nowhere to go,” Maiela added solemnly.
Their heavy words hung over me like the weight of a thousand trees.
“It seems we really only have one option,” Ryllae said in a voice so quiet I had to strain to hear her. “We came all this way. We didn’t go through all that with the spiders and the wolves just to turn back now.”
She was right. Stopping now would be foolish, and I didn’t want to. Still, at the end of the day, the map belonged to Xander. This was his decision.
“What do you think, Xander?” I asked, taking his large hand in mine. “After all, this is your map. Your quest. You should decide.”
He drew in a breath, rubbing his temples. His frustration filled the bond, echoed by the scowl on his lips. “I hate that this isn’t over,” he said. “I hate that I’ve dragged you all into this.”
“We came of our own accord, brother,” Daegal reminded him.
“Still, I feel responsible.” Standing, Xander ran his hand through his hair, taking the long silver-white locks and twisting them into a bun at the top of his head before sheathing his sword. “I already know my answer. I will cross the bridge and travel through the Gate. If you don’t want to join me or if this is too much, I understand. I won’t force any of you to come along.”