Ash finished his meal, the food fueling his resolve. He looked up at Ignis, a question forming.
"What kind of secrets does this world truly hold, Ignis?"
Ignis's gaze, steady and ancient, met Ash's. "More than you can imagine, mortal. This realm is not merely a game, as your creators designed. It is a convergence of energies, an echo of forces far older than their system. Every mountain, every river, every creature, holds a fragment of these primal powers."
He paused, his gaze drifting to a large, unpolished geode resting on a pedestal. "The Dimension Control Ring you spoke of... it is one such fragment, twisted by ancient magic. It allows passage, but the cost... the cost is rarely worth the journey."
Maya leaned forward, her bow resting across her lap. "Passage to where?"
