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The night was quiet, broken only by the faint crackle of bonfires across Sector Six. Travelers lounged around the firepits, exchanging Mysticoins, boasting of their day's tasks, or sharpening their blades.
A ripple of light—green and orange at once—sliced through the camp sky. Every head turned as the faint outline of Oliver's group emerged from the tree line.
Oliver walked forward first, his hoodie dirt-stained but his brown hair glowing faintly under the lanterns. Fern followed at his side, calm as always, staff resting against her shoulder, green druidic aura trailing in her wake. Perched on Oliver's shoulder was Sorrel, spectacles fogged from steam, muttering something about "humidity and flame condensation."
But it wasn't them that captured the camp's breath.
It was the creature following behind.
A small amphibian, glowing like molten coal, stepped from the shadows. Its body shimmered with red-orange scales, flames flickering gently around its ridges. Its golden eyes looked far older than its size suggested—an elemental Salamander. The creature radiated heat so intensely that the nearest bonfire seemed to shrink in deference.
Whispers exploded across the camp.
"Is that—?"
"No way… a fire elemental?"
"How did Oliver bring that back?"
Nico dropped the rake he'd been using to tidy up the sparring grounds, his eyes wide, flames sparking involuntarily around his hands. Garrick, arms full of logs, nearly tripped and sent them tumbling as he gawked. Even Aurelia, who had been mid-argument with Riven, froze as the Salamander padded into the light.
Riven finally turned, gaze steady but sharpened. His wooly blue hat cast a shadow over his expression. "So. You really did it."
Oliver gave a tired but satisfied grin. "Yeah. We did." He gestured toward Fern and Sorrel. "Couldn't have done it without them."
The Salamander's flames pulsed, like a heartbeat, then it leapt lightly onto the center firepit. The flames roared higher, transforming from orange to a brilliant scarlet, heating the entire clearing. The campers instinctively drew back, but none could look away.
Sorrel adjusted his glasses, his whiskers twitching. "This one's spirit is… not just a pet or companion. It's a keystone elemental. With this, your Avernal portal might actually stabilize."
Fern gave a rare, soft smile, looking toward Riven. "It seems Oliver brought you a gift more valuable than coin or steel."
Riven's arms folded, his expression unreadable for a long moment. Then his eyes met Oliver's. "Good work. But don't think this changes what's coming."
The Salamander flared, its small body radiating light across every corner of the camp. For a brief moment, Sector Six felt untouchable—like the Travelers had secured a piece of fire itself.
But in the distance, beyond the forests, something rumbled. A faint, deep tremor, enough to make the Salamander pause, its flame flickering uncertainly.
August was still coming.
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