You chase after the girl but suddenly find yourself unable to proceed any farther. The heat is so intense, you can't bear another step.

The girl appears next to you. "Warriors, carry shields. They will protect you."

The crystals on the Haden's gauntlets shine and pulse, and their shields activate, forming a protective barrier around you. You breathe easier, the sweat on your skin already cooling as the temperature drops.

Together you walk onto a bridge, your eyes adjusting to the sheer brightness. Lava courses through a giant cavern, flowing under the bridge and around a bend. Next to a slab of stone, a boat bobs on the lava, tethered and made entirely of crystal. An arc of light covers the boat from end to end, its pattern similar to the Warriors' shields.

"This will lead you to the city safely," the girl says materialising again, you were getting used to it, somewhat.

"Wait!" you say before she can disappear again. "Where do we take the artifact? We don't understand."

The girl smiles. "Find the academy. Seek the great teachers along the way. All will be clear then."

As you climb into the boat, you grow queasy, but not because of the boat's rocking. The elements are not in balance, the girl said. This island needs your help. What exactly awaits you in the city of the Mages you weren't sure but you were so excited to be headed home. You could be such an awesome guide to everyone. You knew you had a task and a quest but in-between you could, see your family, stop at the tea-house by the night market, visit the Magna Falls. You urged your friends to board the boat and you could see Talik was already on the same page as you were and Kiva, how long had it been since he had been to Kath? Everyone who knew would be gone. How would he react? Haden seemed surprised by your sudden bout of leadership and was obviously still hurting that her tower being turned on wasn't the one that got the 'prize'. Sometimes guardians are a little too competitive. 

Describe in Thy Quests why you are feeling uneasy if it isn't because of the boat rocking. 

Next: E3Q2 A Fragile Alliance