so welcome to the fire
i’m the one who lit the night up
see them running through the flames
as we’re walking through the flames
getting higher
i’m the one who lit the night up
see them running through the flames
as we’re walking through the flames
getting higher
A burning Phoenix was her guide as she returned to Denocte, this time for good.
For years Israfel had faithfully served Terrastella. She had loved it fiercely when so few could, going so far as to regularly patrol the swamps even though she bitched about it constantly. When Vespera turned tail and abandoned them, choosing to stand by and watch as they flailed and tried to stay afloat amidst rainstorms, torrential flooding, and gaping sinkholes, Israfel remained. She helped those who needed it, fought for those who needed defending, and protected the ones near and dear to her with stalwart determination and scathing wit. Kings and Queens came and went time and time again, and yet she remained.
There were no others who had lived within Terrastella’s borders for as long as she had, none who had served it longer than she. Israfel kept the homefires burning and no one else could say the same, but now… Well, now was a time for change. Elena had things under control.
Free of her duty and obligation to a Court now behind her, Israfel returned to Denocte like a beacon in the night. Wings aflame like a star descending the heavens, she followed Solaris as the Phoenix guided the way. They landed just outside of the city proper, dousing their flames so as not to alarm the citizens and soldiers alike. Isra honestly had little desire to cause such a stir so early on. That type of fun would come later.
Solaris took perch upon Israfel’s croup, the large bird of lore admiring the city. Darkness had fallen perhaps an hour or two ago during their travels, and it seemed fitting that they returned to the Night Court with the nightlife in full swing and revelry.
The music from the illustrious markets could be heard even at that distance, as well as the steady beat of a drum and the melodic vocals of a number of talented entertainers. The heady smell of incense carried along the autumn breeze, sweet and inviting, and irrevocably Israfel felt herself being drawn in that very direction. Like a pale spectre she moved, her steps an elegant sashay as she ambled along the streets. The buildings here lay oddly quiet, but Israfel was slowly learning that most of the inhabitants had either gone to bed or sought out the fun and excitement that came with the marketplace nightlife.
The Sun Daughter waltzed through the alleys, thoughtful and intrigued. It would take her some time until she learned the layout of this Court as well as she knew Terrastella, but that would come with time.
Time. Goodness. She had nothing but time anymore. No duty, no obligations, nothing. It would only be a matter of time until she grew bored and restless with her newfound freedom…
It was only when she rounded a corner onto a wide street and spotted another fellow out and about that evening, a man with a medley of whites and blacks with opalite-like hooves and horn, that she almost broke her silence to call out to him yet hesitated at the last moment. Vermilion eyes narrowed in thought, lips slightly parted. Was that… Now, Israfel had never met the recently crowned Night King. Ira was his name? Luvena had called him that, and she had described him enough to give Israfel some inkling that this might be him, but…
“Hey!” She yelled out suddenly, just because she could. “Are you Ira?”
Upon her back Solaris gave a mighty sigh of exasperation and rolled her lavender eyes, far used to her chosen child’s rather unorthodox approach to life by now.
