Regroup outside.

The moment you pass through the exit of the cavern back into the scorching hellscape of the island, a wall of flames erupts from the ground and completely seals the entrance away. Once again, the heat hits hard. Though it wasn't cold within K'iina's domain, it was paradise compared to out here. Plus, you sensed something was truly bothering her before. As things proceeded, she only became more temperamental though. You think it's best that if you're going to speak with her again, it wait until another time.

Amara tugs on her dress. "Back into the heat I suppose," she says. "I hope she will be all right."

"I have too many questions not to come back," you say.

"And we all saw that thing, right?" Captain Silver asks.

"... Yeah. I think I know why she's so frustrated," Stax responds. "I wonder how long it's been."

The truth seems to be that simple. Somehow, she's been locked in chastity for an nondescript amount of time. She was hiding it well, but as soon as she felt the touch of your body, and her mind was filled with long forgotten thoughts, it became unbearable.

"If she's so powerful, why doesn't she just remove it?" Eva asks.

"Maybe she likes it," Niki mutters.

Malakae crosses her arms and rolls her eyes. "Obviously it's some sort of exceptionally powerful magic, moreso than her own, or she would have. She said she had a falling out with the patron of Thunderbeard. That means he likely has the protection of somebody just as ancient as K'iina. Whoever that may be, she sealed the woman away. Well, sealed her uhm... you already know. I don't need to say it."

"Our potions may not last much longer," Dixby speaks up.

"We should go to the other half of the island for now," you say. "Maybe Aak'aba the Empress of Ice can help. It sounds like fighting Thunderbeard might be more complicated than simply beating a dwarf in combat."

"Not that such a thing is simple to begin with," Bek adds.

"Of course. But yeah, Malakae is likely correct. There's a third being at play here. We got fire and ice, so given all we know, I'm gonna go with something to do with the sky. That's why his island floats. That's why he has powers. And that's why his lower island has the protection of two powerful women."

"Our plan hasn't changed," Vyzia says. "Just another body to pierce."

Captain Silver waves a breeze from her hat over her face, though it does little through the burning hot air. "We're not done suffering yet. It's about to get a lot colder, but not in ways we're gonna like. Come then. It seems we might have to seek out Aak'aba after all."

Xue meets her eyes.

"I know," she whispers. "But we knew this whole ordeal was going to get complicated."

"No more talk!" Niki shouts before marching forth. "Give the girl some space in there. Follow me, everyone. We got a lot of asses to kick, and some of you aren't looking so good."

Fava lands down on your shoulder. "Phew. I'll say. It's better than when I was in my other body, but I'm cooking here."

"Everyone quickly have some water," you command. "Hurry up. There's no time to spare. Onward we go, to the land of ice."