Oshwa was leaning over Arin, gently trying to wake her. She ran her fingers through her hair, closing her eyes to block out the bright lights above her.

“You okay?” Oshwa asked, helping her sit up. “We both were out all day.”

“I’m fine. Any luck?”

“Not really, you?”

“Nothing. Mila, needs to see us so I woke up.” Oshwa helped Arin stand. He placed his hand around her shoulder as they left the sanctuary.

“Is something happening?”

“Yes. You see, there is a rare celestial event going on. We want you to see it.”

“Is it some double moon eclipse that only happens every millennium?”

“No. Tonight the rift between spirits and our world will bend in certain areas. We will be taking you to one such area.”

“What happens then?”

“It varies, it’s gonna be fine don’t worry!”

She sighed, “okay fine. How often is this event?”

“A few times a year.”

“Interesting. Well, I can’t wait!”

Oshwa smiled, walking with her down the hallway. Some Crimsons were still awake, finishing their daily activities and enjoying the chilly evening. They bowed their heads as the two strolled by.

“Looks like you’re respected, huh?” He chuckled, feathers fluffing. “Everything is back to normal.”

“This is normal?”

“For the most part.”

They laughed, entering the second courtyard. Dressed in casual clothing, Mila, Kilin, and Coyasko and their mounts awaited them.

The Crimsons prepared their mounts. Arin turned her gaze to Mila, she couldn’t help but stare. His lies, the pain he inflicted on her. It was all about his anger because of his friend. He caught her stare, turning away. What was going on in his head?

“Well come on! We can’t be late,” Mila shouted. Gage lifted off, beckoning everyone to follow.

Everyone followed Gage. Arin enjoyed the increasing altitude, hollering in the wind. Oshwa remained on the ground, watching everyone take off. He waved his taloned hand as they left, a smile stretched across his face. Arin wanted to wave back but was afraid of slipping off her saddle.

Above the castle walls, they glided. The stationed guards lifted their heads up to stare, some waving. Arin returned their gesture of kindness with a quick wave.

Over the forest, the large group travelled. Arin released Scor’s reins, hands in her lap.

“So where are we going?” Arin shouted over the wind to Mila.

“You’ll see,” he replied.

Arin gazed at the darkening sky, amazed by the beautiful colors that filled the heavens. Purple and blues blending above, pink at the horizon. Stars began to reveal themselves, offering guidance to the lost. Both moons were crescents, barely noticeable in the night.

Kilin and his pegasus mount flew next to Arin. He turned his head to her, laughing. Was something funny?

“You enjoying yourself?”

“For the most part . . .” she wondered why he was talking to her. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh no reason, I just like talking to you!” Kilin smiled, he certainly reminded her of Ms. Holt. “You excited to see this rift?”

“Kind of. I don’t understand why it is so important.”

“Oh, we haven’t told you that much yet. Basically—”

“It’s a surprise,” Coyasko interjected.

“Erm, yes that. That was exactly what I planned on saying.”

Igneous slowed down so he would be on Scor’s right. Coyasko folded his arms. “We are going to where the bend is. There we will encounter a rare type of spirit. You’ll see soon.”

“Um . . . okay?”

Kilin pointed to the trees ahead. A cluster of lights hovered in the air, reminding her of fireflies. Arin straightened, that must be their destination.

Gage sped ahead, towards the lights. Scor and the others chased after him. Arin held onto her partner’s reins with trembling hands. What was going to happen now?

Gage dove into the trees, the rest followed. Branches smacked against her leaving fresh cuts that would sting in the morning. Scor landed clumsily, almost falling onto his side. The other Crimsons appeared unscratched by the rough dive.

“Soon the Sparks of Truth should come out. It could be any moment now,” Mila stated, dismounting his partner. “I think it is best if Arin is the one to experience it this time.”

“What are the Sparks of Truth?”

“I cannot tell you for it changes each time. Walk along the trail, to the fir tree, and they will come to you.” Mila pointed to a narrow path in front of her. “You’ll know when you see it.”

For a moment, she remained still, staring at the thin path.

Scor nudged her forward then lied down. His soft stare egged her on. She sighed, making her way down the worn trail. Bugs chirped, exotic animals croaked, cawed, made a distracting noise. Arin was ready for any sudden attack. This “bend” would allow spirits to take physical forms and attack her. None would do that, right?

The trees thinned out a little as she approached a clearing. Arin stopped, facing the forest behind her. The Crimsons were nowhere to be seen. Sighing once more, Arin entered the clearing, standing before a mighty tree. Roots invisible in the earth below her.

“You came . . .” a voice said, “I am so happy.” Arin looked up to one of the branches. Made out of little green lights was the young Green Phoenix. He hopped from his perch, landing in front of her. He was so much taller than she remembered, the feathers atop his head flowed behind him. “I wanted to use the Sparks of Truth to communicate to you. Luckily my efforts to come here were not in vain.”

“A—are you okay, you sound sad? Also, is there something you wish to tell me?”

He was silent for a moment, orange eyes focused on the ground. “Yes.”

“To what?”

“To both.” He shook his head slowly, “let us stop wasting time, mine is limited. Sit if you wish child.” Arin remained standing, silent. She didn’t want to delay him with his lecture. “I am proud of you for making it this far. Despite the little things to help you go forward, you continued to move on. I blame myself for this. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, everything is fine now.”

“No, no it isn’t. I dragged you away from your home and threw you with a bunch of strangers. Growing up, I never had a family like you. I thought my duty of fulfilling the prophecy was the most important thing. I selfishly thought an orphan would have the same mindset as me.” He began to pace, using his wings to show his emotion. “While I was recovering from the incident back at your home world, I busied myself with watching you. I saw your sadness, loneliness, all of it. Still, I focused on my duty. I’m sorry. The reason I came here was to apologize.”

“You didn’t know that this was going to happen. You did the right thing by bringing me here. These people need me.”

He turned to Arin, obviously burdened by something. Was it about her? “Yes, but . . . I just . . .”

“Green Phoenix, what’s wrong?”

“Now that you are with the Crimsons, you are safe. You are where you belong.” Arin opened her mouth to speak, but he continued. “We will be parting ways soon. I will only be in your life for a few more days.”

“What?! Why?!”

“I have . . . important things to do.” He turned away, hunching over. He continued to speak to himself.

“Green Phoenix, please tell me how I can help!”

“You can’t.” He faced her again, eyes watering. “Watching you develop your life here made me think of mine.”

“Aren’t you a spirit? You’re immortal, it can wait surely.”

“No. This whole time, but the camp battle long ago, I have been using telepathy to speak with you. I am a living person, who has a life. My duty calls.” He lifted his beak to the stars above. “I need to return to my home, it’s been so long since I’ve been there.”

“I’ve seen other phoenixes—” Arin blurted, “are they related to you?”

“Not important.” He noticed Arin’s sadness and approached her. “Although we are parting ways, I’m sure we will meet again. Hopefully sooner than later . . .” He pulled his wings to his side, “Now that I am leaving, I want you to take my place. Lead the other Children of Destiny. I know you will find them. You just have to trust yourself.”

“You’ll come back as soon as possible, right?”

“I promise. You just take care, okay? Nothing stupid.”

“You’re sounding like Dargon now.” The two laughed awkwardly. “Although we never really talked, I did appreciate your company in the orphanage.”

“I’m glad, even though you ignored me for most of it.” Arin rubbed her arm, cheeks burning. Green Phoenix smiled, but it suddenly disappeared. “I think it is time to go. Maybe we can talk one last time before I leave.” Arin hurried forward, hugging him. His ghostly body bent around her so that she was touching nothing. He wrapped his wings around her. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Please don’t keep me waiting for long.”

“I’ll try my best. Stay safe, Arin.”

“You too, Green Phoenix.”

He straightened, staring at the dark forest behind her. Arin tried to find what Green Phoenix was staring at. Was someone else here?

“The bend. Someone else is here.” He backed away, “Arin, listen closely. I cannot fight in this form, only you can defend yourself. Be smart.”

An Abyssal representing a bear appeared. Seven eyes, horns and spikes. The monster roared, rearing back.

“Fight smart, Arin!” She summoned her fire, hands in tight fists. “Try not to burn down the forest too.”

Before the Abyssal could attack, Arin unleashed her fire. There was no white in the ember, disappointing her. Perhaps white was the only thing that could defeat this enemy.

Green Phoenix perched himself in the tree behind Arin. “Aim for its eyes. Try to blind it!”

“On it!”

The Abyssal swiped a paw at Arin. She ducked, side stepping out of its way. Her ankle twisted as she tripped over a gnarled root. Pain surged through her leg; for a moment, her fire extinguished.

“Arin, watch out!”

The Abyssal launched itself forward. Arin evaded again, falling over. It was impossible to see the ground below her.

Green Phoenix swooped down, pecking at the Abyssal. The Sparks of Truth could not make up for talons, beak, or fire. It did serve as a wonderful distraction though.

Again, Arin stood, charging fire in her hands. She had to summon white fire. How did she absorb energy again? In panic, she released her normal flame. Burning the monster’s eyes, it backed away. Green Phoenix retreated as well, hovering in the air.

“Great work!”

Pulling her hands back, she tried to absorb energy again. The Abyssal attacked, ramming its head into Arin’s stomach, throwing her into the air.

The world spun as she fell, green, red, black, blue, flashed across her vision. Reality struck like a rock. She landed on something, breath gone. While Arin tried to muster the strength to stand, the Green Phoenix distracted the Abyssal.

“Get up!”

The Abyssal moved past Green Phoenix as if he was a cloud. Arin opened her eyes, sitting up. Slowly, the monster crept closer, black goo dripped from its mouth.

“Arin, summon your fire! Don’t just sit there!” She scurried away, using a tree to hoist herself up. Lighting her hands up, she focused on white fire. Startled by another roar, Arin fired her attack. Red and white fire engulfed the beast. The Abyssal gurgled, falling to its side. Green Phoenix cheered as the enemy disappeared into smoke.

The trees around her were unharmed, why they were remained a miraculous mystery.

“That was great!” He wrapped his transparent wings around her. She hugged his ghostly body. “Are you okay? No injuries?”

“Other than a twisted ankle and small headache, I think I’m fine.”

“Good . . .” He began to disappear. “I sense that my time with you is almost over. I’ll miss you Arin, but may fate bring us together once more.” Arin remained quiet, hugging him until he completely disappeared. Once he was gone, she fell to her knees. It sounded like they would never see each other again.

Green Phoenix . . . She stood up facing the trail she came from. Slowly, she made her way back. It was hard to believe that this was happening. I’m going to miss him, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. That we will both be okay.

In silence, she returned to the Crimsons.

They greeted her with hugs, ruffling her hair, trying to make her happy. Did they know what she saw? Did they know about the attack?

“How did it go?” Mila questioned.

“I lost a friend . . . An Abyssal attacked me. I think I twisted my ankle.”

Their smiles disappeared. Scor came forward ears drooping. “Will you be okay?”

“In a few days. I’m sorry if I disappointed you.”

“Nonsense, I’m just sorry that you had to suffer.” Arin remained silent, hugging Scor for comfort. “Well, um, we have some good news at least.”

Mila fumbled for something in Gage’s saddle pocket. Careful of the item inside, he handed a wooden case to Arin. She opened it to find a small red plastic pin. The shape was a red cross, the color of their flag. Arin ran her thumb over the smooth surface wondering what this insignia meant. She recognized it, Hawthorne had one as well.

“Would you like to become an official protector of the Crimsons?” Mila asked and Arin shrugged.

“What do I have to do? I’m thirteen, I am far too young to lead an army to war.”

“Don’t worry, you’re just going to be a mascot, rally the people and such. Leave the rest to us.”

Croun’s biggest fear. “I think this is a bad idea. I don’t know anything about this leadership thing.”

“We are called the Seal. We are the guardians of the Crimson Kingdom and the line of leaders to the throne. Mila is the current leader, then Coyasko, and Kilin. You’ve probably seen Maro, the one who conceals his identity. He coordinates all spy work and is also a future leader if anything was to happen to us. We gave Hawthorne a position to protect him from Avillia.”

No. I can’t. I just can’t do this. This caused bad things last time, if I accept things may become bad. Everyone noticed her choppy breathing. “I—I . . .”

“Don’t speak,” Coyasko placed a hand on her shoulder. “We clearly overwhelmed you. You’ve had a chaotic, sad day. Let’s take you home, I’ll make you and Scor some dinner, take you to a doctor, and you can go to sleep. Would you like that?”

“You’re right, let’s head back. It’s getting late.” He sounded sad. Mila instructed everyone to saddle up, swinging onto Gage’s saddle. Arin mounted as well. Her ankle was in a little pain as she walked.

The group took off into the night sky. Only now did she feel her exhaustion. Too much has happened the past few days. Croun, white fire, meditation, lots of Abyssal talk, farewells. Overwhelmed, Arin focused on Scor’s wingbeats.

None of the Crimsons spoke to Arin on the flight back. Scor flew next to Mila, both silent. She kept looking at Mila to start small talk but he seemed concerned about something. Was it Croun? She wanted to say something to calm their nerves but was quiet as well.