Chapter 51
They charged toward the forest. The meadow collapsed and peeled off, layer by layer, right behind them.
In the jungle, they could smell wood burning.
"This is definitely the calcination stage,” Ciaran said while running. Then he stopped. Everyone else stopped, too.
"We can't run aimlessly." Ciaran concentrated. He spoke quickly, "There will be fire everywhere. We are looking for the sign of a salamander. If we see it, that means we have passed the black stage."
"There." Madeline pointed toward the right where they saw the shadow of a reptile tail.
They ran toward the retreating shadow. Trees on both sides and behind them burst into flames. The fire did not blow in the wind. Instead, it was restrained within the trees, making them gigantic burning coals.
They turned the co
