Heading towards the burning spiral at the circle’s centre, through the fire and the flames we carried on, hurried along by the odd, remote gaze of the Phoenix Elder. The jungle’s interior looked strange, illuminated as it was by the gentle aureate inferno from all directions; for most of our journey the world beneath the dense canopy had been obscured by darkness, but here it lay revealed and naked to our eyes, and I discovered that we had been blind to the life around us. I saw creatures of all types, lounging, flying, prowling and crawling in the formerly hidden world we occupied.

Sharp movement at the corner of my vision caught my attention, I turned to see a cat with six legs snapping at nothing, only for the image to shift and warp before vanishing, appearing again some distance away with the cat now sporting a look of irritation on its feline face; another squirrel, somewhat larger than what I was used to from Earth, but still much smaller in scale than most of the flora or fauna I had encountered, sat chittering on its hind legs just beyond the reach of the strangely displaced cat. As I watched, the cat tried again, but once more it missed, and for a moment I thought that maybe it was just an idiot, but when I focused my attention once more on the squirrel, I noticed that it seemed to have moved, though I had not seen it. Tapping Darina on the shoulder, I gestured over at the animals before speaking.

“What’re they? The cat sort of teleported, and I think the squirrel did too.”

Following my gesture, the apprentice glanced at the pair before answering.

“That’s a mirror cat; it doesn’t teleport, it just shifts its image elsewhere.”

“That reminds me of something, but I can’t place it. Anyway, that sounds like a useful ability, I bet they’re hell in a fight.”

The animals were left behind by that point as we continued the final leg our journey, but I still found them fascinating; I had not been exposed to a lot of wildlife, and since I had failed to defeat Url, I was very interested in the local animals. Without an Exemplar, I was at a hard bottle-neck for the first time since my rebirth.

“They are generally ambush predators, which is why they have not bothered us before. Too risky.”

“And the squirrel? Mirror squirrel?”

“They’re called Travellers, though I don’t know why. They don’t teleport; like the mirror cat, it’s speculated that they shift their images, but it’s impossible to confirm as nobody has ever caught one.”

“Nobody? You have people running around at multiples of the speed of sound and nobody has ever caught one?”

“Perhaps a Pinnacle could catch one, and it is almost certain an Apex could, but to the best of my knowledge none have ever bothered to try.”

“... I guess they probably have other things to do.”

Darina did not respond to me, but as we travelled, I pointed out a number of other creatures to ask about, and the apprentice would explain what she knew of them, though her explanations often came with a roll of the eye or a sigh. One snake I was particularly interested in seemed to walk on threads of electricity, manipulating them like solid limbs; it was actually a little freaky to watch it move, as it seemed able to extend bolts in any direction and use that as leverage and the movements reminded me a little of a spider.

Shuddering a little at the thought of all these things being around me for days on end without me knowing, I trudged on alongside my friends, trying to get to the Elder before being forced to consume another hellish mango.

*

***

*

Just under an hour after we entered the burning circle, we emerged into a clearing with a rock outcropping at its centre; around the edge of the clearing, and perched at various places on the rock, I saw birds. They looked like a cross between peacocks and hawks, in shades of gold, red and yellow and each seemed to be about four feet tall.

From atop the spire sprouted the dense flaming cyclone, and within it I could just make out a form sat cross legged. Coming to a stop, the four of us gazed up at the figure we had come so far to see, unsure of how to proceed. I turned to look at my more diplomatically inclined friends, eyebrows raised. Reff and Riffa both offered me a shrug, while even Darina looked hesitant. Unwilling to simply wait, I turned back to the spire and spoke, though I will admit that I was more than a little unsure of myself.

“Uh, hi, uh, Honoured Elder Flame Ever Dancing. Should I just leave the – that is your egg here?”

As I finished speaking, the tower of fire guttered and died and there was a snap in the air; the Elder appeared before me with a delayed gust of wind and I got my first real look at them: They stood at about six-feet, with long flowing gold and crimson hair and eyes like solid yellow topaz and a slight frame which was covered in flowing robes the ever-changing colour of sunset. Their face was beautiful and delicate, though somehow not feminine.

“You will not place my egg upon the dirt.”

The Elder’s voice was high and melodious, though there was a definite firmness in the sharp way they bit the words off.

“Sorry, bad idea...”

Reaching a filament of Praxis into my storage ring, I pulled out the egg so that Flame Ever Dancing could see it was fine, and held it out carefully, conscious that I had only a single hand with which to secure it. As I offered the egg, I felt a small movement inside it and experienced a moment of panic before I shifted my hand to compensate; I did not think the Elder would be happy if I had dropped it then... At that same moment as I once more felt the movement from within, the firm expression of the phoenix before me changed, shifting rapidly from haughty to panic, shock, anger and finally settling on glee.

“It is near to hatching! Give it here!” Wordlessly, I handed over the object I had been through so much to retrieve and return; it felt weird to be willingly giving it up, but the overriding happiness on the Elder’s face more than reassured me.

Stroking the egg lovingly with one long fingered – and long-nailed – hand, they looked up and met my eyes before speaking.

“I sense damage was done to it, but it was healed. Which were you responsible for, human?”

I felt cold sweat breaking out over my skin as I stared into those strange, alien eyes; their voice was cold with promise and I hoped once more that they shared Walker’s ability to sense truth.

“I... don’t really know? The people I took it back from were using it to produce some sort of plague, using the regenerative abilities to prevent a cure. But it seemed to suck that back up as it drew near the victims.”

The heat around us once more grew in intensity until we could feel it even through the effects of the Blazing Mango, and I saw a wisp of smoke rise up from the ragged end of my sleeve before it once more cooled down, the gaze of Flame Ever Dancing still locked on my own.

“You speak the truth; I will find those who stole my child and used it so, wherever they may be, and wipe them from creation.”

“Actually, the guy I took it back from was here, in the Sha Forest only a few days ago. Rainmaker tried to catch him, but he has the ability to... pass between worlds, and used it to escape.”

“Rainmaker, that idiot monkey... at least he was not responsible, as I thought. I thought I smelled the monkeys on you; I nearly destroyed you, and would have done if they had been any thicker on you, stuck in that thought process as I was.”

I blinked, wondering whether not defeating Url had been lucky after all; I did not know how their extended senses worked, but I was suddenly glad I did not have a beacon for trouble inside me...

“It is hard to believe that a mortal would dare to steal my child, but an Apex... perhaps it is time I remind you ephemeral fools what anger is to a being that cannot die.”

My eyes opened wide, recalling both the words of Walker and Ro and of my quest; I did not want to be responsible for this bird-shaped-nuke going off. I held up my hands and spoke hurriedly, even as I felt my friend shift nervously around me.

“No-no-no-no-no-no! It wasn’t an Apex, it was... something else. He doesn't move between worlds like an Apex, he does it another way, we don’t know how. The Apexes are gathering to discuss it as we speak, and they’re going to take care of it! We’re totally going to eradicate them, I’m pretty sure.”

“With deep respect, my companion speaks the truth, Honoured Elder; we have encountered the man twice now, and he is involved with an organisation called The Risen Throne. They have broken the laws of several nations, including my own. My Brother – The Apex of the Mountain’s Seed – fully intended for there to be a reckoning.”

“... If a gathering is called, to ‘discuss’ this group’s annihilation, perhaps I should attend. Though, it offends me that they merely discuss it. My inclination is to set an example. Your Apexes may hold me back for a time, but I am eternal, should I so wish it, I could extinguish all life upon this world... though it would take some time.”

“I’m totally sure you would be welcome to attend – I'm sure it’s more a matter of coordinating efforts than it is a question of whether to act. Maybe there could also be consequences to somebody with the ability to move between worlds like that too? I’m sure those are the reasons, and then they’re all over it.”

“You speak strangely, are you from this world? I smell death upon your soul, and yet you have not been washed clean within the River of Souls... Are we perhaps related?”

“Uhh, I don’t think we’re related? It was a total fluke, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t get the same opportunity again. Sorry.”

I could feel Darina’s eyes on me, but I steadfastly kept my eyes glued to the phoenix; it was not just fear of the Elder, I also did not want to give the tenacious little apprentice any more ammunition before I had a chance to discuss it with my mentor.

“Hmm, strange. I suppose it is of little consequence. My beautiful child will hatch within the next month or so; I will attend your... discussion then. You may go.”

The Elder started to turn, clearly having dismissed us from their mind, however they turned back as Darina spoke up, a look of irritation on their delicate features.

“Your Parson, Honoured Elder Flame Ever Dancing, might I ask how your egg was stolen? It does not seem possible that a thief of such ability exists.”

The phoenix did not seem happy about the question, the irritation growing on their face, close to anger, though not quite.

“I do not know; I awoke to find it absent. As you say, it should not be possible for a thief to sneak up upon me, within my Domain, but perhaps this has something to do with your friend, the strange World Walker?”

“Not our friend, Honoured Elder. Just saying.”

Darina gave me a dirty look as I interrupted, but she quickly returned her attention to the humanoid-bird before us.

“The man we fought had the ability to cloud Elder Rainmaker’s senses-”

“And an Apex’s!”

“- However, he could sense that disruption. I do not think he would be able to accomplish this, though if he is capable of impossibilities, perhaps others are. My point, Honoured Elder, is what is to prevent the same thief from striking again? Even you, Honoured Elder, must sleep.”

“Hmpf. My brethren here are to keep watch; this will be the first child to be born to us in a thousand years and we will not risk another such theft. They may evade my senses, but they shall not avoid us all.”

“In hesitant addition, the group responsible seem to possess a number of individuals capable of becoming invisible; if they can hide from your senses, and from the sight of your brethren, there may still be a risk. Perhaps, we should stay; Hunter here appears able to sense their approach.”

I flashed Riffa a look as she finished talking, wishing she had at least asked before volunteering me, but I could not really blame here. I did not think the Elder would restrain themselves further if their child was taken again.

“We do not rely on visible light, girl. We focus on heat.”

“What about cold-blooded things? Are there cold-blooded sentients?”

I addressed the last to my friends, my voice hesitant. I did not want to point out weaknesses in their defences, as they seemed kind of proud, but I wanted to take every precaution possible.

“With mostly firm knowledge, I am not aware of any cold-blooded sentient race in the world, though I cannot rule out an ability that allows a person to hide their heat. Though a person able to hide from standard sight, the phoenix's heat sight and the Elder’s perception seems unlikely.”

“Your overly large friend is correct; such an individual would be... rare. I... thank... you for your concern, however. It pleases me that you show such deference to your betters.”

I thought their arrogance was probably going to get the better of them, but there was not much we could do if they insisted that they would be alright.

“Well... if you’re sure. I don’t suppose you could... turn the fire off? We’re only fine because we ate Blazing Mangos, and that wasn’t fun. We’d really appreciate not having to eat more, your Elderness.”

“I think not, at least before my egg hatches. I will exclude you from its effects, however, as I have done the local wildlife. There is little to be gained from killing the weak, when not hungry.”

I offered a small bow in thanks, glad that the phoenix was not hungry at that time. Rainmaker had seem to take great pleasure in fruit, but looking at the phoenixes around us, they seemed far more likely to enjoy meat...

“You have our deepest thanks, Honoured Elder Flame Ever Dancing.”

Darina offered another deep bow, but the androgynous demigod had already turned away, still stroking the egg and making soft cooing sounds.

The four of us shared a glance, and given that we had clearly been dismissed, we took our leave, backing out of the clearing under the piercing gaze of the golden birds of prey around its edges.

We were silent as we walked; for my own part, I wanted to be out of the Elder’s territory before I voiced my thoughts, but I wanted to stay close. My quest was showing about thirty-one days left on the timer; much like my first, it did not look like Xiournal was going to consider it a done-deal until the opportunity for the bonus to trigger expired. And that matched up pretty well with when the egg would hatch.

Gazing at the smoky screen hanging stationary in my vision, I had a bad feeling...