Through the mountain of rubble, a metallic gleam pierced the settling dust. Winter emerged first, but he was different—transformed. His skin had become living steel, a petrified shell that had instinctively formed to protect him from the crushing weight of the collapse. The metallic coating caught the fading sunlight, reflecting it in strange patterns as he pulled himself free from the debris.
Not far from his position, an otherworldly glow drew his attention. Among the rocks lay Kyo, unconscious but alive. His body had undergone its own transformation—iridescent scales now covered portions of his skin, pulsing with electrical energy. This latent power, previously unknown even to himself, had manifested in the moment of crisis, leaving him suspended in a precarious state between life and death.
Then came the flames.
Fire erupted from beneath the rubble as Eldo's body burst forth, wreathed in familiar crimson flames. But something was different this time. His consciousness floated away from the physical world, drawn into a realm of eternal fire. There, he found himself face to face with a being of pure inferno.
"Welcome, young vessel," the being's voice resonated through his mind, crackling like wood in a massive bonfire. "I've saved your life twice now. Perhaps it's time we had a proper conversation."
The figure before him coalesced into a mirror image of himself, but composed entirely of living flame. "Come. Visit my domain. Let us discuss your future in the fires of hell itself."
Eldo hesitated, Strider's earlier warnings about ancient spirits echoing in his memory. The being had indeed saved him during his first transformation, and now again from certain death. But something felt wrong—a nagging doubt he couldn't quite place.
"Why should I trust you?" Eldo's mental voice wavered.
The being's laughter roared like a forest fire. "Trust? You owe me your life, young one. Twice over. And now I offer you power beyond imagination."
Eldo's consciousness drifted between two worlds—the physical realm where his body lay among the ruins, and this domain of eternal flame. He owed this being his life, but the price of that debt remained unclear.
"Time grows short," the spirit urged. "Your body cannot maintain this state forever. Come to my realm, and I will teach you to master the flame in ways your frigid friend never could."
As Eldo wrestled with the decision, Winter's metallic form stirred in the physical world, and Kyo's scaled body pulsed with electrical current. Whatever choice he made would affect not just his future, but theirs as well.
The being extended a burning hand. "Well, young vessel? What is your answer?"
Eldo's consciousness wavered between worlds, the pressure of time forcing his hand. With no chance to fully consider the implications, he reached out and grasped the flaming figure's hand.
"I... I accept."
Back in the physical world, his eyes snapped open. The first thing he saw was Winter's metallic form, and panic seized him. "WINTER!" he screamed, scrambling to his feet. The steel coating that had saved his friend's life made him look like a petrified statue, lifeless and cold.
"No, no, no!" Eldo's hands trembled as he wiped tears from his face, the heat from his skin turning them to steam. He reached out to touch Winter's metallic shoulder, dreading what he might find.
To his relief, the steel began to recede, revealing Winter's familiar features underneath. His friend blinked slowly, clearly dazed and confused by what had happened.
"We need to get out of here," Eldo said quickly, helping Winter to his feet. "We have to get back to the cabin before anything else happens."
Winter swayed slightly, still disoriented from his transformation. His eyes swept the destruction around them before finally focusing on Kyo's scaled, motionless form. "Help me... help me get him," he managed, already moving toward their fallen friend.
As Winter lifted Kyo's unconscious body, a familiar ethereal voice echoed through the rubble. "Go," Strider commanded. "I will manage. Leave this place immediately."
"But Strider—" Winter started to protest.
"NOW!" The spirit's voice brooked no argument. "There isn't time. Go!"
With one last look at the ruins of their sanctuary, they began their retreat, leaving behind the mountain that had briefly been their home. Kyo's scaled body remained limp in Winter's arms, while Eldo led the way, trying to ignore the burning presence he could still feel at the edges of his consciousness—and the debt he now owed to the being that had saved his life twice over.