And ahead, in the distance, a mountain rose from the rolling hills.
Lava flowed down its sides in channels, the molten rock glowing orange and red against the darkening sky.
A quarter mile in front of them, Emebrion waited for Jack.
The Magma Dragon was massive. Even coiled in a sleeping posture, his body stretched easily one hundred feet from nose to tail. His scales were deep crimson with edges that gleamed like polished rubies, each one larger than Jack's entire torso.
Lava dripped from his joints where scales met scales, the molten rock flowing down his body like living decoration.
His wings were folded against his back, each one large enough to cast shadows over entire buildings. Horns curved from his skull that could impale SUVs like smores on a stick. His massive amber orbs tracked Jack with intelligence that made most humans look simple by comparison.
Jack walked forward without hesitation, Father Caelen a silent presence behind him.
