"What are these?" Lyra asked in confusion. Even though she grew up in Mudstone and often strolled around the village, she had never witnessed such a terrifying sight.

"It’s magma but only Heaven knows what's inside," Adrian replied solemnly.

He was certain that both the cave and the magma pool were not naturally formed, but he did not know who built the tunnel and what was inside the pool.

"We've reached a dead end, so what do we do now?" Lyra asked.

Despite her curiosity, she was aware of the dangers of the magma pool. To top it off, Haris and others were still chasing them.

Adrian turned around and checked their surroundings. The passage had ended, and the only way forward was the magma pool. Escaping back where they came from was not possible.

"Hide along that rock wall over there. I'll hold them off," Adrian said.

"But can you defeat them?" Lyra asked worriedly.

Adrian smiled and shook his head. The reason he ran away was not because he feared them, nor was it because he