Chapter 12: ~Ties.~ (1/2)

“In Greek mythology, a phoenix or phenix is a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. According to some sources, the phoenix dies in a show of flames and combustion, although there are other sources that claim that the legendary bird dies and simply decomposes before being born again.”

- The Journey to the Afterlife

***Dedessia, the Sea of Souls, Clan: Carissimi***

***Elona, 10 years old***

It's so hot! “Quianna! More!”

“Ah... I can't. I am at my limit. Take over,” my little sister moans.

I reach for the magical fan and infuse more mana into it. The device immediately continues to blow cool air at us. “You are useless. Less than forty minutes and I have to take over.” Bless this small piece of luxury.

“I am three! How am I supposed to feed a magical object with my limited mana pool?” she complains and rolls over.

“I don't know. You are the one who has all her memories. Think of something,” I wave my hand. “Summon a pool or make it rain. I thought my prodigy little sister can do that with her little finger.”

“I was a Siren! Not a djinn with three wishes!” she answers.

“One wish is enough!” I mumble.

During the recent week the desert's weather changed from hot to baking and then someone decided that a brown crust on his food wouldn't be so bad. According to Doreen our relocation is going well, but Dedessia's weather system is a little unstable at the moment. All the clans are having trouble surviving. That causes unrest among Carissimi's high members. They believe that we have to expect raids for water and food by the less scrupulous clans. Something we cannot allow under any circumstances.

Quianna and I are somehow enduring it by hiding in our domicile’s deepest part, the wine cellar. Although I think that I will never get to taste all the good stuff in here. After this week the wine is surely spoiled and ruined.

Suddenly the door flies open and a young stranger steps inside. He is dressed in red silk and his hair colour is a mix of various shades of red, orange and yellow. It looks hilarious, almost as if he wears a flame on his head. His face is cleanly shaven and his features may be just a little on the feminine side. When he sees us he spreads both hands. “Finally! Found you! Come here, Cuties!”

I instinctively jump up and step in front of my sister. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”

He ignores my aggressive stance and bulldozes into me, practically hugging me and grabbing Quianna behind me. “Oh, Doreen is so cruel. She didn't even tell you about me!” He squeezes while I try with both my hands to push his face away. No chance. It's like pushing against a mountain.

“No hugging! So hot!” Quianna complains from behind me.

Finally the stranger lets go of us. “I am Moonray, leader of the clan Draconis and your grandfather! Isn't it great that we finally meet each other?”

“You are very late if even my sister doesn't know you!” Quianna shoots a destructive glare at Moonray.

He reaches for his heart and sits down next to us. “Oh, you got me there. You see, your grandmother and I had a big fallout a few years ago. She didn't even tell me that you were born. All the information I get about you is through rumours and spies. In fact we can prepare ourselves for my immediate departure from this world as soon as Doreen or Chloe find out that I am here. You could say that I sneaked in.”

“Then I probably don't want to talk to you either!” I step backwards, away from him.

“So cruel! They were right when they said that you two promise great potential. But you have nothing to fear. I just came to make you an offer.” He winks at us conspiratorially. “I want you two to know that you can always join my clan if you want to. Probably you already figured out that Doreen is trying to hide herself and her clan from the world. If you seek a less isolationistic policy it would be best to come over to Draconis. I also happen to have two young higher immortals who happen to match your age-”

His sentence is interrupted by Grandma appearing behind him. Her hair is flowing in all directions, flaring in white light, her face an expression of pure fury, and her eyes, her eyes emit a blue fire!

“She is behind me, isn't she?” He asks.

Both of us nod.

“You should probably look away. This isn't rated for children.” He turns around. “Hi, Doreen.”