Mt. Ember, located in northern One Island, was the highest peak in the Sevii Islands Archipelago.
Several hundred years ago, it had still been an active volcano, but at some unknown point, it had gradually fallen dormant and finally become the extinct volcano it was today.
Yet even after so many years of weathering, it had retained its complete shape, its appearance little changed by fierce winds and torrential rain.
After resting another night at Lorelei's home, Xia You and Sabrina returned to One Island under her guidance.
According to stories passed down by the local elders, Moltres roosted somewhere among the peaks here.
Its fiery radiance was like a bright lamp, clearly visible even at night, and that was how Mt. Ember had gotten its name.
After a long walk, they reached the foot of the mountain, and Xia You looked up toward the summit.
The lower slopes were still lush and green, covered in shrubs, but the higher he looked, the sparser the vegetation became. Above the halfway point, there was nothing but bare rock!
The thick smoke occasionally rising from cracks in the rocks made Xia You feel rather doubtful.
No matter how I look at it, this place hardly seems "extinct," does it?
Especially after they followed a narrow path called Mt. Ember Trail onto the mountain's upper slopes, the scent of the forest disappeared, replaced by a faint smell of sulfur drifting through the air.
Even through their shoes and socks, they could still feel heat rising from the rocks beneath their feet.
Wiping the hot sweat from his forehead, Xia You turned to Lorelei.
"Say... are you sure this really is just an extinct volcano?"
"Well..." Lorelei looked around, doubting her own eyes as well. "It's been a long time since I last climbed