The group trudged onward through the snow, the distant booms of explosions reverberating through the mountains. Each rumble seemed to shake the very ground beneath their feet, a constant reminder of the dangers closing in on them.
It was then that a small, tentative voice broke the heavy silence. One of the children, the son of an old hunter, dared to ask the question that had been on all their minds.
"Brother Bastian," the boy began, his voice trembling with uncertainty, "isn't this the way out of the mountain?"
Bastian didn't break stride, but his expression darkened. "Yes," he replied quietly, "but no matter how fast we move, we'll never outrun the elves with their flying birds, nor can we evade the teleportation magic of their wizards. By now, they've likely set up ambushes ahead, waiting for us. However…" He trailed off, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "There is another way. A secret passage, one only I know."
The thought of that passage stirred memories he had long buried. He never imagined he would one day lead others down this path; one he swore to keep hidden. But desperation had a way of forcing even the most reluctant hand.
Several hours later, after winding through the mountains and veering far from the main road, Bastian led the group to a small, inconspicuous cave. His memory had served him well, though the cave's entrance was nearly hidden beneath the accumulating snow.
"Stay close," he warned. "And be quiet. There may be wild animals inside."
The children, once noisy and full of chatter, moved in silence now, gripping sticks and torches as they ventured into the cave's darkness. The only sounds were the crackling of fire and the crunch of snow underfoot.
The cave wasn't deep, but the stale air within held the musky scent of hibernation. Two blind bears lay slumbering near the back, their massive forms curled up against the cold. They were dispatched quickly, providing a meal for the weary group, an unexpected but welcome bounty.
As they reached the far end of the cave, the world turned pitch black. They could no longer see their hands in front of their faces. Bastian moved with caution, his fingers brushing against the cold, rough stone. He hesitated, then, after a long pause, whispered a phrase he hadn't spoken in years.
"Karst'… Tier… Helion."
His voice echoed, bouncing off the walls, and suddenly, the stone wall in front of them shimmered. It rippled like water, dissolving into a strange, translucent veil. Bastian, caught off guard, stumbled forward as the barrier gave way.
On the other side, dim alchemical candles ignited automatically, revealing a small, cozy room. The warmth was almost overwhelming after the bitter cold of the cave.
Bastian blinked in surprise. It was smaller than he remembered.
The group had to duck to enter, but Bastian felt a sudden rush of nostalgia as he stepped inside. He had grown. Once upon a time, this room had seemed enormous to him, like a giant's domain. Now, it was a snug space, almost cramped.
Inside was a simple but inviting home: a wooden desk, a dining table, an old crib, and a thick blanket laid out on the floor. Everything was just as he remembered; simple, but warm, a place of refuge. This was Bastian's old home, a place he had long since left behind.
But his attention was quickly drawn to the two teleportation arrays on the far wall. They were intricate, powerful, and surrounded by rare magical gems, glittering faintly in the candlelight.
Bastian stared at them for a long moment. His heart was heavy. This had once been a place of safety, of family. His mother, an elf from the north. His father, a dragon of another world. Together, they had been an impossible pair, a union that neither of their worlds had ever accepted.
And now, here he was, leading this small group through the remnants of a life he had tried to forget, standing before the very magic that could either save them or tear their world apart once more.
After certain secrets were revealed, Bastian's father was forever barred from approaching the northern elf tribe. Their love, already forbidden, became impossible. The only way they could meet was through this hidden place, far from prying eyes.
For a time, when Bastian was just a baby, he had lived here, nestled between the worlds of elves and dragons. The room had once felt like a sanctuary, but now it was little more than a bittersweet memory.
Bastian shook his head, forcing the memories aside. Now was not the time to get lost in the past. Too much was at stake.
He crouched down, his sharp eyes carefully examining the gems and intricate wiring of the teleportation arrays. One wrong move and the consequences could be catastrophic. Teleportation was a delicate, dangerous process. Any miscalculation, and whoever used the Alter could be lost forever in the twisting void between dimensions, trapped in the cracks of time and space.
Two teleportation arrays stood before him. One led to a hidden corner of the elf tribe, used only by his mother. The other led outside the mountains, to a place known only to his dragon father. Bastian had never imagined he'd be forced to use his father's route to flee for his life. Yet here he was, caught between these two paths, neither of them certain.
But there was a problem. A serious one. Bastian couldn't remember which Alter led to the outside world. Neither Alter was marked, there had never been any need for such precautions before. On an ordinary day, it wouldn't be an issue. He could have simply tested them one by one. The gems had more than enough energy for multiple attempts.
But today was different. Today, if he chose wrong, if the Alter sent him to the elf tribe, it might drop him into a place crawling with guards, especially now, with everything that had happened. And if things had changed in the tribe, that place might no longer be the safe refuge it once was.
"No, she's careful," he muttered to himself. "She wouldn't let it be discovered. It should still be hidden, the safest place in the tribe."
But there was no way to be certain. He had to try. There was no time for doubt.
With a grim expression, Bastian turned to the children. "Stay here. If I don't come back in time, use the other Alter to escape. Understand?"
The children nodded, their eyes wide with fear but resolute.