Chapter 44
Chapter forty-four
Wake up, pet. The Great Phoenix approaches. Kaelith’s voice drifted through her mind.
Rynna peeked an eye open to the pale light of dawn bleeding slowly across the sky, streaks of orange and purple chasing the last remnants of night. The cold bite of the early morning rushed past her face, carrying with it the scent of dew-soaked trees and damp earth below.
Air shuddered with every powerful sweep of the eagle’s wings as it carried them forward.
She hadn’t realized how tired she’d been. Not long after they’d climbed onto the eagle’s back and taken off, sleep had pulled her under like a tide. The screaming within had dulled, reduced to a low, persistent hum beneath her ribs—still there, but no longer clawing for control.
Kaelith’s fingers slid through her hair in slow, absent motions as her head rested in his lap. It was like two weeks ago, though; this time, she didn’t mind the touch. It felt safe. Familiar.
Her gaze lifted, past where Taren crouched over his large sword, oiling the edges, to where Fenn sat with the eagle’s rider near the creature’s neck. His back was straight, shoulders locked with tension. One hand rested near the blades sheathed at his side.
Rynna bit down on the inside of her cheek. He hadn’t looked at her once since they’d taken off.
Was he angry? Or…did he regret his decision?
As if sensing her stare, Fenn glanced over his shoulder, the wind tugging strands of crimson-tipped hair across his face. For a moment, his eyes softened—just barely—but it was enough. The line of his shoulders eased, and he dipped his chin in something between a nod and an apology.
Rynna exhaled slowly, releasing some of the stiffness in her frame. She held his gaze for a beat longer before he turned back to the horizon, spine still straight but no longer rigid.
For now, that was enough.
“I can’t believe we’re already here.” She stretched her arms and sat up, her muscles protesting the long flight.
As she twisted, her hand braced lightly on Kaelith’s thigh for balance, and without thinking, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
The man stilled, his eyes flicking toward her as a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
But he didn’t speak, just let his hand settle on her back, fingers splaying there in quiet possession.
“Greer here is the fastest eagle in the nest,” the rider called back. “You’re lucky she agreed to carry you.”
“You’re awfully energized after a full night of flying,” Taren groaned from beside them, his voice rough as he pushed himself up.
“There’s just something about the wind in your hair,” the rider replied. His eyes sparkled with genuine excitement as the eagle let out a screech. “Looks like you’re all about to be picked up. What I wouldn’t give for a ride from the Great Phoenix herself!”
Kaelith leaned forward, raising his voice over a sudden gust of wind. “And how exactly is that supposed to—”
His words were stolen by the roar of air as the skyline warped ahead, folding in on itself with a low, resonant hum.
“Scared?” Rynna smiled, dragging him to the front near Fenn, who slipped his hand behind her neck as he stared ahead.
“Of course not,” Kaelith scoffed, though he didn’t let go of her. “Can’t be worse than that void-spun Waygate trip.”
Then the world ignited.
The sky tore open with a blast of heat and sound, and the Great Phoenix dropped through the rupture like a meteor on fire.
Wings of flame unfurled wide, each beat sending a shockwave through the air.
Its body wasn’t flying. It was burning forward, alive with molten grace.
Rynna felt every hair on her arms rise, its presence pulling the air from her lungs.
The eagle shrieked beneath them and adjusted course as if bowing as the Phoenix passed overhead. And on its enormous back, a familiar figure stood tall, red hair blazing.
“Is that…Bran?” Rynna asked, then squinted, catching sight of a yellow-haired woman clinging to his back. “And Elara?”
A small, relieved laugh escaped her, and she lifted her hand, waving eagerly.
“Looks like Fang Unit is finally back together.” Fenn leaned into her.
Taren stepped up beside him, their shoulders nearly touching, a rare stillness settling over him as he watched the approaching figures.
Kaelith, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat, cutting through the reverie. “As epic as this is—and I get it, very nostalgic and all that—but my question remains. How exactly are we supposed to…I don’t know, climb aboard?”
“I think you just stand there, and she’ll swoop in and grab you.” The rider scratched his head. “Sorry, but the accounts from the northern front weren’t very clear on how it works.”
“Perfect,” Kaelith sighed, his chin falling to her shoulder. You don’t think he’s going to incinerate me, do you?
“Kill you?” Rynna turned her head, meeting his eyes.
Shit, she thought. He was right. Bran hated Kaelith, both for the horrible things he’d done and for luring Taren away from Ember Reach.
“I sent word that you were an ally and not to be killed on sight.” Fenn glanced at Kaelith, exhaling as the Phoenix loomed closer. “But I take it you two have some way of communicating silently? This is not the first time it’s seemed that way. Care to loop me in?”
Run! He’s onto us! Kaelith’s voice quipped in her mind.
Rynna spun around, flicking him on the nose.
Uncalled for. A hiss slipped through his teeth as he rubbed the spot, brows drawn into an exaggerated pout.
“Out loud from now on, Kae!” She shot him a warning look, though her cheeks flushed. Turning back to Fenn, she bit her lip. “Sorry, it slipped my mind with everything else happening.”
The rider, standing off to the side, gawked at them with his mouth hanging open. “I honestly don’t know which is more intriguing. The sight of a boy riding the Great Phoenix, or a newly Awakened flicking the nose of Ember Reach’s greatest traitor like he’s some misbehaving dog.”
“Glad to hear I won’t be burned to a crisp.” Kaelith ignored the rider, then gave Fenn a small, respectful bow. “Thank you. I’ll try to keep most of my discussions with Rynna out loud from now on, though I hope you understand that some things are better kept private.”
Fenn’s fingers flexed at his sides. “Let’s focus on the mission and living through it; then, we can figure out how all this… might work. Even if everything goes to plan, you will still have to answer to the Reaches for your crimes.”
Kaelith’s eyes flashed with hesitation as he considered Fenn’s words before finally nodding. “Agreed.”
The two men dipped their heads in a mutual, brief sign of respect before an all-too-human cry rose from the oncoming bird.
“FAAANNNG SQUAAAD!” Bran’s voice boomed from above, the flames around him flaring brighter with each word. “Hold onto your lunches! Here we go!”
“Oh shit,” Taren muttered just as they were engulfed.
“Be careful, you lout!” Elara’s voice rang out through the roar. “Not everyone is fireproof!”
“I got it, woman! Calm down!” Bran yelled back, gripping the Phoenix’s neck.
“Don’t tell me to calm down! You’re not the one who will have to heal them all!”
Swirling around their bodies like a vortex of igneous light, the flames pulled them in, lifting them away from the eagle they’d been riding.
Weightless, they floated up through the center of the Great Elemental herself.
And as they reached the top, fire parted around them like water while the group slowly regained its footing.
“You don’t have to ride me like that, Elara!” Bran yelled over his shoulder, shaking her loose. “Just stand. She’ll keep you in place.” He pointed toward the others, who had finally settled in. “See! They’ve got it.”
Rynna pulled herself to her feet beside Fenn, who was already standing, his eyes fixed on Bran. Tall and proud, the boy, no longer a boy, stood at the center of the Great Phoenix’s back, his red robes flowing around him like smelted silk.
“Woah.” Rynna blinked at the sight. “Very cool, Bran.”
“I know, right?!” He threw his arms wide as if to embrace the sky.
“I think I might be sick,” Kaelith groaned, pulling himself to his knees and holding a hand to his mouth. “That was actually worse than the Waygate.”
“You,” Bran growled, mirth fading as he faced Kaelith. “Snakes belong on the ground.”
Rynna moved between them, but before anything could happen, Bran’s eyes darted past Kaelith, landing on Taren.
“Taren!”
Face lighting with joy, he barreled forward to wrap his arms around the young man and lift him clean off the ground in a giant bear hug.
As Taren struggled, feet kicking against the larger boy, Rynna found Fenn standing soundlessly to the side, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Despite everything, they were all here together.
“Oooph.” Taren fought for air, squirming under Bran’s crushing embrace. “Knock it off, will you!” He tried to sound annoyed, but the smile breaking across his face betrayed him.
“No way, man!” Bran only squeezed tighter.
Suddenly, Elara jumped in, wedging herself between them, her arms straining as she tried to wrench Taren free.
“Let him go, you idiot!” Her foot hooked behind Bran’s legs, and with a swift sweep, she knocked them both off balance, sending the trio tumbling in the Phoenix’s fiery feathers. “It’s my turn!”
Kaelith watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion as the group wrestled in the glowing embers of the Phoenix's back.
“Is this how you train units in Ember Reach these days?” His tone was half-serious as he glanced at Fenn, who simply shrugged. “Where is the discipline?”
For a moment, Rynna allowed herself to believe they could have this again, that Fang Unit might stand whole once more. She gave the elder Hollow-born a playful punch on the shoulder, stepping toward Bran and pulling him into a hug.
“I’m loving the hair!” She reached out to ruffle his flaming locks but yanked her hand back almost immediately as the heat seared her fingertips. “Ow!”
“No more noogies from you two!” Bran laughed, pointing at both Rynna and Elara.
Elara chuckled along as her focus shifted to Taren.
“You’re back?” she asked, reaching up to gently grasp his chin, forcing him to hold her eyes.
Taren paused, momentarily caught off guard, then slowly removed her hand.
“Yeah, El,” he said softly, his eyes flicked toward Bran, who had stopped laughing, his expression caught between concern and hope. “I’m back.”
Silence hung in the air, thick with everything they’d endured to get here, and everything still looming ahead.
“Are we done with the hellos?” A voice danced around them, lilting and impossibly beautiful. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, surrounding them like a melody carried on the wind. “We do not have long before the horde reaches the border of Pulse Reach.”
“Is that…” Elara’s voice faltered as she looked around.
“Yes, dove,” the voice answered with a gentle hum. “I am the Great Phoenix.”
“Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you, Hika?” Bran rolled his eyes.
A laugh tinkled around them like the sound of bells caught in a breeze, sparkling with life. The sound made Rynna’s heart skip in a sudden, energizing rush. It was magic itself, pure and unfiltered, untainted by the Source.
“Oh, my boy, I do enjoy your humor,” the Phoenix replied, her voice still filled with amusement. Then the flames around her wings flared, brightening the sky as she slowed her flight, keeping them aloft above the marshlands that stretched far below. “Shall we?”
Bran swallowed, his usual cockiness giving way as he walked up the length of Hika’s back, his hands trailing along her red feathers.
“You all might want to brace yourselves,” he said, the energy building behind his eyes as he pressed his cheek against the Phoenix’s neck. “It’s time to fly.”
“I thought we were flying,” Kaelith began, the words barely leaving his mouth when the world around them suddenly warped.
The air rippled, churning like quicksilver, pulling through a tunnel of bending light and shadows, the landscape ahead collapsing into a single point before expanding out again.
“Ahhhhh!!!” Kaelith’s scream stretched out unnaturally, caught in the distorted space, as the Phoenix moved.
Is she creating her own wormholes? Rynna’s thoughts raced as she held on, her heart pounding within her. To either side, Fenn’s solid arm fastened around her waist, and Kaelith’s hand found hers, fingers lacing tight, as the world fractured around them.