"Burny, what am I looking at?"
The party stood on a red cliff overlooking a pit of glowing crystals. Burny had led only Bianca and Elian here, quiet and somber since Sunny’s death. The Snow Wolves stayed at the entrance of the passage leading to this place.
To humans, hearing that a friend would disappear for a few years was sad—but it wasn’t truly the end. In Averignis, death was sotis similar—temporary, cyclical, expected. So, Elian couldn’t bla him for being sad.
But sothing in Burny’s silence felt heavier than re sadness.
The Fla Swallow pointed towards the crystals, "This is our graveyard. In Averignis, our journey ends when we et the Fire for the last ti. These are the Swallows that no longer wished to co back."
Elian felt Bianca suddenly hold his hand, "Burny, do you an to say that not all Fla Swallows co back?"
She gazed at the sea of Fla Swallow cores before her.
"I thought, you had to break a Fla Swallow core, before your kind would perish."
Burny sighed and lowered his head, "Under normal circumstances that is the case. But when a Fla Swallow ets the fla, we are often given a choice: to continue burning or to be content with what we have achieved."
"Then that choice determines if they co back?"
"Yes. I fear... Mother might not co back this ti. And on the off chance she does, there might be nothing waiting for her. Even if we find my father or my siblings... they may already be truly gone."
Burny looked directly at Elian. "I’ve heard much about Fralha," he said softly. "Like them, our people don’t burn because they’re told to. They burn because they choose to. Every ti."
"I see, and why have you brought us here?"
"Now that this land has lost the Tyrant, it will rge with Earth. I do not wish to leave my kin for humans to desecrate. It would be far better for them to be used as fuel for your growth, it is my own selfishness."
If I didn’t et Sunny, I probably wouldn’t even think much of how Fla Swallows thought.
Elian gazed at the flocks of Fla Swallows escorting them. These were the ones he freed and intended to use as part of the Weapons. But as he made a promise to Sunny, Elian knew he had to change that plan.
I don’t think putting a gun to their heads is considered leading. At the minimum they should choose to fight with .
He tightened the hand holding Bianca’s causing her to turn to him.
"Elian?"
"Bianca, I intend to give the swallows a choice. It may reduce our numbers, but I assure you I will just find others."
She pursed her lips and tilted her head, "I understand. As a mber of Fralha, I naturally support this. Do not worry about . Our journey together has barely begun."
Elian brought her hand closer to his lips and kissed it. "Thanks, can you humor for one more thing?"
"Which is?"
"Burn the entire graveyard after I talk to them."
"Why? Burny said they are already dead."She asked puzzled.
"I have a feeling."
Bianca paused and stared at Elian’s face. After a mont she agreed, "Okay."
Elian turned around to face the Fla Swallows flying up above. Knowing sothing was up, the birds descended, landing in the trees that surrounded Elian’s party. Their flas consuming their plumages all smothered and left soft wisps of smoke.
"System. Extract the Dominator variants from the Swallows."
[Understood.]
All of a sudden, hundreds of Burny’s kin began to choke and spit out ashen colored fluids. The material then raced back to Elian’s foot and rejoined his body. Turning toward them, he made his address.
"I am sure you all heard. I killed your matriarch. I don’t know if you know why. But in a nutshell, it’s so Sunny could no longer be used a shackle for her kin. Now, she entrusted with a task, gather her Anchor and Knights."
Using the pause, Elian looked at each of the Fla Swallows eagerly watching him. Much like Burny, even the noisy ones grew quiet after Sunny passed.
"This task will pit directly with humanity. Against the church that enslaved you all. I promised Sunny to give you all a choice, for those that wish to flee or leave, you may do so. How you survive will be up to you."
One of the larger Fla Swallows eyed Elian suspiciously as he asked, "And the ones that stay?"
"Bianca’s promise to you will remain valid. You may burn as many tis as your desire, we will always bring you back to the best of our ability. Until the day we fail, or the Fire welcos you for the last ti."
The air above the crystals shifted—growing thinner, sharper. Bianca raised her hand, and the ambient moisture split, torn apart at the molecular level.
Fog ford, but not from condensation—from chemical separation.
Pure hydrogen and oxygen swirled together, colorless but volatile.
Then a hail shard struck a crystalline edge, generating a single spark.
The gases ignited instantly.
The crystals were suddenly engulfed in flas.
"I make the sa offer to those that are still awake in this graveyard. To those that hunger. To those that yearn to offer more to the Fire. Rise up. You still have more in you. Join and burn for Averignis once more. That the entire crucible knows of the fire."
After Elian’s simple speech, there was silence.
But then Burny flew before Elian and landed, he then raised his wings as he ignited his plumage, "I shall join you, Tyrant. Even if I must do so alone."
"I as well." A voice called out. But it did not co from a Fla Swallow up on the trees, it ca from behind Elian. From the cores scattered among those that already rested.
A spark—barely visible—flashed from one of the crystals. Then another. One by one, they answered.
"The Fire can wait." "I never thought I would co back." "Finally, the Tyrant has been freed." "Ti to get to work." "Ballsy, this human."
Voices ca from the graveyard. From the crystals ca Fla Swallows from the grave. Like phoenixes they reclaid their bodies and flew upward. Burning like stars as they did so. They began to circle up in the sky, creating a hurricane of flas.
More and more returned. Gathering under Elian’s promise. Eventually, those up on the trees grew envious and joined in as well.
Elian watched the sky burn—and smiled. Not with triumph, but with relief. They had chosen to rise. That was enough.
He offered them little. No glory. Just one truth: the chance to burn again. But that was enough. Even those that already gave up once ca back for the sa reason. The suppression of the Church had ended.
And now it was ti to counterattack.
"You have given the Truthsong Church a heavy blow," a srizing voice remarked.
Turning his head, Elian saw his lovely Anchor, her eyes grew excited with their victory.
"Yeah, and it won’t end there. Piece by piece we will hit them where it hurts."
"That is well and fine, but can we focus on getting back first, Elian? Changing your face is not an issue for you so we can just hide in plain sight."
"Why?"
"I am concerned about your parents. The worldwide announcent made them a target. I am sure they will be used to get to you. And I am quite concerned about Driven-Hopeless, so, I wish to learn of your past. I cannot remind you of things I do not know."
Bianca’s explanation was airtight. So, Elian said nothing and nodded in agreent.
"And..."
"Hmm?"
The witch flushed and looked at her shoes while her hand grew clammy.
"I want to et them. Your parents. Cause you know, they will eventually beco my in-laws. I have to make a good impression."
Her words caused Elian’s smile to grow wider. Although, they were severely lacking proper steps in their relationship, it made him happy for Bianca to worry about such matters.
They had yet to share even a year together. But the peace Bianca brought into his life—the clarity, the warmth—made him sure. While most marriages ended in heartbreak, so didn’t.
"Okay, let’s go see them."
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