Aa
Kira and Seren reached a bridge that stretched over a deep chasm. It was the only safe way forward. But monsters were already waiting near it, so the crossing was dangerous from the start.
An armored creature with stone skin lunged at them on the bridge. Its hard shell made it difficult for Kira and Seren to get away. It also cut off their path and kept them from crossing.
Kira had to choose between saving the lantern’s fire and saving their lives. She used the lantern’s blue fire in battle for the first time. The flames burned through the creature and gave them a chance to live.
The attack proved that the lantern fire could incinerate the monsters. But the lantern lost some of its strength when she used it. Kira understood that every use of the fire brought them closer to failure later.
Seren told her not to spend the lantern carelessly. Kira accepted that staying alive now came with a cost to the final mission. They moved on across the bridge with less fire than before.
On the far side of the bridge, the road turned toward a place where Kira saw signs of a dragon nearby. She also saw clear signs that someone had been taken and held there. Kira understood that the road ahead could lead to a new ally, but it could also lead to new danger.
Kira kept the lantern hidden as she went on, even though fear and doubt followed every step. They chose the longer road to the hearth, because that was the path they had to take. The weak lantern was still needed if they were going to make it there.