Finding the elemental city.

After being led through the mountains, you noticed that the rocky walls were becoming smoother. Before you realized it, there are fire sticks placed around the tunnel and it's clear that this mountain had been in renovation and construction for some time. Although you are glad that you have a flat walkway to step on, it's oddly peculiar that Maxius would go through all the trouble in the past to make these tunnel structures.

Actually, you realize you shouldn't presume Maxius to have created these walls. If there are more elemental and creatures who gained sentience and are trapped here, then it makes sense for them to carve out the mountain to be something proper.

No...wait, hold on. Why would it matter for elementals to smooth out the rocks? There's hardly any surface hazards that would bother them! At this point, you don't want any more surprises, so you decide to ask both of them.

"Not that I don't appreciate it, but why are the walls and tunnels so smooth now?" you ask to each of them.

Maxius shrugs showing he's as clueless as you are. While you knew he lost his memories, you'd hope he has at least some answers or regained enough of them to provide good information on your journey, but so far, the fool's strength is only in his magic.

Of course, Blaize is happy enough to answer.

"It wasn't like this after master disappeared. Once we regained sentience but found we were bound to this mountain, we used our abilities to carve out the stone and make it easier for us to travel through. Master made us in the image of human so even though we're elementals, it's difficult for us to travel with our human-shaped bodies," she explains.

Maxius chuckles as he rubs the back of his head. "It looks like I've made a mistake, huh?"

Blaize stops suddenly and turns around, surprising the mage.

"N-no! Not at all! Thanks to your genius, we're given uniqueness!"

You raise your eyebrow. "So I'm assuming that you're all modeled after humans...or rather, females?"

Blaizes hums cheerfully. "Except for a few, everyone is bound to a human shape. While most of us are females, there are a few that have been made in master's image and after a few of his male friends."

Maxius can only smile wide, amazed and now more excited than ever to see his creations. "I'll have to apologize then. I can't relate to my former self, but I'm proud to hear that I've essentially created a new form of life!"

"That's right, master! You're amazing!"

Blaize's heated body burns with passion and were it not for the fact that she could inflict burns, she might have hugged her creator. To see such loyalty to a fool such as Maxius baffles you, but you're constantly reminded that he was much larger in his past than you gave credit.

Breaking up the two as they stare at each other like two star-strucked lovers, you clear your throat.

"We should be moving now, but I'm guessing that since everything is tidied up, you must have built a fine dungeon for yourself, am I right?"

Blaize turns to you and cocks her head, confused.

"Dungeon?"

Cavern City by Clint Cearley

You didn't want to expect any more surprises and Blaize did reveal that they built their own city inside the mountain, but you could hardly believe it.

Now seeing it before your eyes as the cavernous walls expand, there isn't any doubt that the elementals that live here are more than just sentient, they've built a whole entire system to benefit themselves. You're at a loss of words to describe how such a city, that is comprised of simply stone, can glow green within the darkness of the mountain. A lot has to do with the moss that has built up around the city, providing a bioluminescence glow.

Standing in front of you and Maxius as you stare in awe, Blaize raises her arm in welcome.

"Welcome to our city...your city, master. Now that you're with us, we can achieve a new level of prosperity and greatness!"