The Tree of Hope, sacred to Riemc, the goddess of goodness and peace, stood as an eternal beacon in this place. The CAFLRS’s breaths were taken away as they cast their blown glances at its majestic trunk, which spiralled upwards, glowing with radiant golden and crimson threads of light, symbolising unity and divine harmony.
Its canopy’s fiery orange and pink hues appeared soft and cloudlike, casting a warm, ethereal glow across its surroundings.
Now set against the vast deep red night sky, the atmosphere transformed into serene and calm magic. The luminous tree glowed brighter than ever, its golden threads pulsed gently like a heartbeat of hope.
The full moon watched over from above, its silver light mingling with the tree’s aura, while countless stars twinkled in the red heavens, as though drawn to its presence.
The night here was so different from the nights of their realms, leaving them awe-struck.
A gentle breeze carried the songs of phoenixes with flaming plumage, their graceful forms illuminated as they soared through the twilight air. The tree’s glowing branches stretch into the heavens, weaving a bridge between the earthly and divine realms. Its presence emanated a profound tranquillity, offering solace and guidance to all who gazed upon it.
Even the ground on which the tree stood erected was crimson-hued like sprinkles of red snow had it shrouded.
"I have never seen such a beautiful tree before. What a sight?" Lotus was in awe as she took a step closer to this marvel.
"So this is it, this is how it was portrayed in the prophecy as well. This is the moment," Cassandra triumphantly sighed, not taking her eyes off this enigmatic giant. Her heart fluttered inside her chest in excitement. She was finally going to receive her eternal body back and break this curse on herself, her mate and her pack.
"It’s even more impressive than I had seen in the vision and drawn." Siroos’s broad chest tightened from the emotions bubbling in it. The moment he had dreamt and waited for the last 500 years was finally here.
"So what do we do? Is there some kind of key? Or do we simply have to climb and conquer?" Faris rubbed the back of his head while his eyes remained fixed on the tree. Aiko watched it with her heart dancing in joy. The songs of spring, which poets scribble, must be inspired by this place. Their muses whispered of this serenity and repose.
Even Razial watched in keen interest his cold blue eyes danced in warmth.
As if to answer Faris’s question, suddenly, the air thrilled, and phoenixes soared closer to the ground, encircling a specific spot. Their plumage gleamed under the cascading waterfall of the moon’s rays.
Out of the sizzling air emerged the goddess of peace and goodness, embodying harmony and compassion. Her long, flowing, jet-black hair flowed like a river of midnight silk. It shimmered faintly with a celestial glow, as though the stars themselves ran in every strand.
Her eyes were deep and luminous, the colour of warm honey, holding a gaze that pierced the very soul and yet comforted those who glanced upon her. They reflected both infinite wisdom and gentle kindness.
Donning a gown of pure silk of a red hue, a colour which could only be seen at dawn, it was adorned with golden embroidery that flowed in patterns resembling the wings of a phoenix. The fabric flowed with a life of its own, trailing soft light.
A faint golden aura surrounded her, pulsating softly like the rhythm of a heartbeat. This light seemed to dispel fear and anger, replacing them with a profound sense of peace and calmness only she could invoke in people.
She raised her hands as her phoenixes settled all around her and a particular one perched on her shoulder, its long tail glowing like burning embers and molten gold, touched the ground.
"What a sight?" Lotus murmured in a ragged breath.
CAFLRS were left stunned for a few moments even the men were taken aback by the captivating calmness this woman exuded. She held an ever-lasting smile and yet her eyes were warm and daring at the same time.
"Welcome! Beautiful souls. I am Riemc, the guardian of this tree and I have been expecting you." A large red ruby was embedded in the circlet of delicate gold chains that adorned her forehead and head. The blinding glow was enticing.
Cassandra stepped forward and offered a generous smile.
"It’s an honour to meet you, Riemc. We received a prophecy and saw this tree in a vision. I can only assume you know who I am and why we are here." She pointed to her companions by slightly turning her body.
Riemc’s smile only brightened as she cast a glance at the curious faces watching her in awe. She spoke softly, almost in a calming whisper; it eased the hearts.
"I do. You are the chosen six and have successfully completed this tedious and precarious journey. I am very impressed."
Lotus was the one who breathed the heaviest sigh of relief—it ran in her very veins. She couldn’t wait to return and take a bath.
"So what do we need to do now?" Cassandra curiously questioned. Siroos had moved closer to her and stood by her side. Others stayed behind them. Their eyes flickered between the tree reaching for the heavens and the goddess that owned it.
"Your powers will be restored, my child. Let’s elevate you back to your rightful status."
Cassandra’s heart slightly jolted at her words but she kept the smile going.
Riemc flicked her fingers and the phoenix flew over from her shoulder and landed on Cassandra’s. The bird’s talons gripped her shoulder gently but firmly, its warmth seeping into her being like a comforting embrace.
Siroos bristled slightly, going into all protective mode, but Riemc’s words had him calming.
"Relax! He wishes no harm."
With a sharp, piercing cry, the phoenix spread its radiant wings, casting a cascade of golden light over her. The air grew thick with magic, shimmering and swirling. Everyone held their breaths.
Time halted.
The magic pulsed.
Ground shook.
The stars shone brighter in the heavens.
The warmth from the phoenix’s flames ignited something deep within her. The faint light around her burst into a brilliant aura of lilac and gold, pulsating with life. She gasped as she felt a surge of power rush through her veins and seep into her heart and nerves.
From her back, lilac-and-gold wings unfurled with a resounding whoosh. The dress she wore tore from the back, making way for the wings. The membrane shimmered like the morning dew caught in sunlight, delicate yet impossibly strong. They flapped behind her with a life of their own.
"So pretty," Aiko squealed out.
Her mate and companions beheld her in wonder while she went through these transformations.
Her simple garments dissolved into pure light. In their place appeared a gown prepared from the finest gold threads, decorated with lilac and purple gemstones, flowing like liquid gold dust. The gown seemed to flow like a fresh stream, shifting subtly as she moved, catching the light in dazzling displays of colour. It was both regal and otherworldly, a true reflection of her restored divinity and immortality.
The phoenix sang in triumph and hundreds of flowers bloomed in radiant colours all around her, ranging from gold to pink to deep purple, their petals sparkling like gemstones. Every inch of the ground was strewn with these flowers.
The air was laden with the sweet, intoxicating scent of love and renewal as she glowed. Her hair seemed to have been dipped into melted gold, the wildness in them smothered down, all that dirt washed away as flicked open and swayed in the gentle breeze.
"My lovely sister," Lotus cried out, holding back tears of joy.
Cassandra finally turned to her awaiting mate.
His gold-streaked eyes glowed with endless love and obsession as he beheld the only woman he had ever loved with his full heart. The woman he had lost and found. The woman who was his everything.
"My beautiful Malakti, my queen, my goddess," his deep, needy voice swirled all around her as his hands grabbed her waist and pulled her into him. Their foreheads connected as both of them revelled in this moment which was only theirs.
"My Siroos, my Kael," she whimpered, her wings flapping behind her with an iridescent glow. The phoenix flew back to Riemc and perched himself on her shoulder again as both of them watched the eternal mates in satisfaction.
Their lips finally met, unable to hold themselves back. Sweet and tender, his fuller ones pressed into her pinkish-reddish. Siroos’s hands slithered into soft curls as he tethered her to his sweltering body.
Cassandra moaned, relishing every hard inch of her mate’s sculpted body. She slowly pulled back not wanting this moment to ever end. For the magic to continue weaving its way through them.
"You are mine," she possessively whimpered.