Chapter 198: The Ascending Phoenix

Chapter 198: The Ascending Phoenix
Adira’s POV

As the phoenix plummeted, light glistened in the sky.

Like a golden fire curtain spreading across the skies, its wings spread wide. People's breath caught as they peered up across the Emberlands. It had been years since the Flame Queen disappeared into mythology that anyone had seen the phoenix. I had burned away, so no.

Now, however, it was back.

And it wasn't by itself.

There was a girl in its talons, nestled softly between the curving claws of molten light.

She coiled like a flame in slumber. Faintly, as though warmed from the inside, her skin gleamed. There was calm in her stillness as her hair fell like silver ash over her shoulders.

However, her heartbeat was audible to me.

I could feel her pulse even from where I drifted, between realms, between what was and what is.

She had a fiery personality.

I had her.

Of spark instead of blood.

The phoenix landed on Solenne's temple's tallest tower. Its wings folded like silk as it landed silently. The girl's body shifted as it calmed.

Standing below, Solenne bowed her head in respect. Others trailed behind, uncertain of their perceptions and emotions. Around the tower, the flame changed colour from white to blue to gold.

The girl's eyes opened. They were intelligent. Gentle. And rich in memories.

She said, "Where is Ash?"

Even the wind stopped to listen because the hush was so total. Breathing shakily, Solenne stood up slowly. "Child, who are you?"

But the girl didn’t answer.

She just stared up at the stars.

And they glistened, as though they were reacting to her eyes.

That night, the council assembled in the flame chamber, each member illuminated by the gentle glow of their lanterns that had been touched by fire. With her hands clasped behind her back, Solenne stood in the middle, her look fixed on the picture above the enormous flame.

Since landing, the phoenix had remained motionless.

Since she had asked for Ash, the girl had been silent.

However, something more profound awoke—a scratch at the core of memory. Don't be afraid. Not exactly. Something more ancient. Like a sound concealed in the warmth.

Solenne looked around at the other people. She declared, "This is not a return." "This has been rewritten."

The room was filled with murmurs. "What do you mean?"

Solenne remarked, "She is not Adira." "Yet she still carries her flame."

One of the council elders questioned, "So what is she?"

Solenne moved and approached the blaze and held her palm out. Her touch caused the fire to rise. However, a darkness flared deep within its centre. In a whisper, Solenne said, "The parasite." "Its echo is still there."

Nobody made a move.

She stated, "It is sleeping." "In the warmth, hidden." The rewrite has a crack. A breath awaiting inhalation

The room was filled with gasps.

However, a younger flamekeeper remarked, "I thought it was sealed."

"It was," answered Solenne. "However, this girl is on the next page."

The phoenix and the sleeping girl on its back caught everyone's attention.

The flames on the walls flickered black in that instant.

Just for a moment.

However, it was sufficient.

The echo of the parasite was still alive.

Only it had been forgotten.

A glimmer of black fire coiled—and grinned—far below, in the centre of an ancient emberstone.

There was no more ash. They thought so.

Even the stars, whose fire seemed to have grown weary, burned lower than usual in mourning for him. However, I was aware.

Since I sensed him.

Ash opened his eyes in a silent field, far away from the rivers and mountains, far away from temples and memories, far away from every location anyone had looked.

The ember light touched the grass surrounding him, giving it a faint glow. Gold and red wildflowers glistened in the gentle breeze. Above, the sky was clear. No clouds were in the sky. Not a star. Nothing but silence.

Ash blinked slowly.

He was unaware of his name.

He was unsure about his location. Something still blazed inside him, and when he put a palm to his chest, it felt warm.

"Who...?" His voice broke. "Who am I?"

No response was found. Only wind.

He stood unsteadily, staring off into space. Beyond them, a lake blazed with flame reflected from nowhere, while hills in the distance slowly rolled into valleys. He had a feeling that he had been on this trail before, but he was unable to recall when.

His hands shook. They were uncertain but strong.

Abruptly, over the lake, a shape glistened in the sky.

He narrowed his eyes.

It wasn't a star. It wasn't avian. It was a pendant.

Silver. Known.

It spun slowly, drifting as if it were awaiting a hand to grab it.

He gasped.

That shape had meaning, but he wasn't sure why.

As though recalling the sensation of wearing it, he stroked the area immediately above his heart.

Additionally, he said out of desire rather than knowledge.

"Adira..."

Hours have passed since the girl returned to the temple.

The phoenix remained by her side, silent but vigilant, seemingly anticipating a message that the outside world was unable to decipher. Solenne and a hundred others, none of whom dared to speak, watched from the tall tower.

Then it started.

Every single star in the sky above them moved.

Slowly turning, slowly spiralling, they swirled like water. No one could identify the patterns of lights dancing across the sky. Above the temple, a massive arch was created using golden sparkles and silver fire.

A gate.

The kind that opened to more than simply locations.

But to fates.

Slowly, the girl sat up.

Her eyes were now laced with white and gleamed slightly blue.

She turned her look to the heavens. She whispered, "He's out there."

Solenne moved forward. “Ash? Who?”

The girl didn't say anything in response.

Her hair was blowing in the wind as she stood on the phoenix's back, barefoot.

The phoenix raised its head and let out a cry.

Not a shout. Like good-bye. The phoenix then erupted into flame, shooting skyward in the direction of the star gate with a single wing sweep.

Like a ribbon, its light swept across the sky.

Stars dissolved from its body.

Once, its voice reverberated, gentle and timeless.

"Remember."

Then it vanished.

A shadow, sporting Ash's visage but lacking his light, emerged from inside the flame gate.