Shadows of Ascension

42. Dry terrain

As Aiden and Luca traversed the rolling green hills, their gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of a towering peak, Aiden couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "You see that?" he remarked, pointing towards the looming structure. "Is that a volcano?"

Luca's eyes followed Aiden's gesture, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice tinged with excitement. "That's exactly where we're headed."

With each step they took, the landscape began to change around them. The once lush greenery of the hills gave way to stiffer, drier terrain, and the air grew hot and arid. Gone were the verdant fields; now, rocky outcroppings dotted the landscape, and the ground beneath their feet felt scorched by the sun's relentless gaze.

As they pressed onward, Luca produced a map, unfolding it with practiced ease. "Look," he said, tracing a path with his finger. "This volcano is marked here on the map."

Aiden frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But we're going the wrong way," he pointed out. "The treasure lies in the opposite direction."

"Ah, but there's a reason for that," Luca replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "We have a detour to make first."

Aiden's eyes widened in alarm as Luca's words sank in. "What are we doing here, then?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "And why is it so hot already?"

"That, my friend, is because the volcano we're headed towards is active," Luca explained, a smirk playing on his lips.

Aiden's eyes widened in disbelief. "Active? But what if it erupts while we're inside?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with fear.

Luca's smile only widened at Aiden's reaction. "That's precisely the point," he replied cryptically. "We're here to challenge ourselves, to push our limits beyond what we thought possible."

Aiden regarded Luca with a mixture of awe and apprehension. "But what if something goes wrong?" he pressed, his voice laced with doubt.

"Nothing will go wrong," Luca reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. We'll emerge from this stronger than ever."

With newfound determination, Aiden and Luca continued their journey towards the fiery heart of the volcano, ready to face whatever trials lay ahead.

As they drew closer to the base of the volcano, its imposing presence loomed larger with each step. Aiden couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Seriously, Luca," he began, casting a sideways glance at his companion. "What are we doing here?"

Luca's lips curled into a mischievous smile, his eyes alight with excitement. "You'll see," he replied cryptically, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

At last, they reached the foot of the volcano, its jagged slopes rising ominously against the horizon. Luca turned to Aiden with a determined gleam in his eyes. "We need to climb," he announced, pointing towards the towering summit. "And then, we go inside."

Aiden's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of apprehension and excitement coursing through him. "Inside?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luca nodded, his gaze fixed on the steaming crater ahead. "Inside," he confirmed, a thrill of anticipation coursing through him. "It's time to see what this volcano has in store for us."