As they emerged from the Inferno of Elandur, it was no longer shadows that guided them, but hope itself. After crossing the endless stone tunnels, the group finally faced the harsh winds of the mountains. And there, waiting at the edge of the cliffs, was the face they had longed for all these years.
Bete.
Kirarya and Necor's sister, Mamir's aunt. Her face carried both sorrow and joy. Her eyes filled with tears, her steps trembling.
Kirarya whispered:
— "My sister…"
Necor's lips quivered, a breath carrying the weight of years escaping him.
— "Bete…"
The three siblings embraced. Torn apart by darkness for so long, their family was finally whole again. Tears streamed down, not of grief, but of reunion's warmth. Mamir, Runya, and Ener stood in silence, watching the moment with quiet smiles.
After a while, Mamir stepped forward, his voice filled with resolve:
— "It's time to move on. We must head to the dwarven kingdom. We need to announce that we rescued my mother, Necor, and Bete. This is not only our victory, but the triumph of the entire realm."
As the group emerged from the tunnels of the Inferno of Elandur into the open air, the sky above looked like freedom itself. Kirarya breathed deeply. Necor strapped his twin black blades to his belt. Bete wiped her tears and held the hands of her siblings tightly.
Thus, the next step of their journey began. After days of travel, they finally reached the hidden gates of the Dwarven Kingdom, nestled deep within the mountains.
The colossal stone gates towered above them. Atop the walls, the guards spotted the group. At first, disbelief filled their faces. But when their eyes recognized Kirarya, Necor, and Bete, astonishment turned into jubilation.
— "Open the gates!" one soldier cried.
— "They have returned! The mission is complete!"
The massive stone doors groaned as they swung open, and a wave of cheers erupted from within, echoing across the mountains.
Mamir stood tall beside his mother and kin. In his heart, he thought:
This is only the beginning. The dwarves, the elves… all must unite. For only the light's unity can destroy the darkness.
And so, the group stepped into the Dwarven Kingdom.
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