Shera left from outside our private quarters. A row of maids and servant stood in front of us to welcome us. They were from all kind of Feran tribes. I even noticed a rat tribe member. That was an unusual sight.
But instead of going in, I looked around at everyone and stretched my shoulders slightly. "So," I said, tone casual, "does anyone actually want to rest?"
I paused, then added honestly, "Because I don’t."
Ragnar barked out a laugh almost immediately. "Why would I want to rest?" he said, grinning wide. "We just closed a rift. I’m still running on adrenaline."
That earned a few nods.
I chuckled. "Fair enough. Then let’s explore the island. No objectives. No plans. Just... spread out."
The moment the words left my mouth, things moved fast.
Lyrate turned toward Silver without hesitation. "You," she said, pointing. "You’re coming with me."
Silver blinked once, surprised by the suddenness. But looking at her red glowing eyes he nodded.
"Allright if you say so," he muttered.
Aurora was next. She hooked a thumb toward Steve. "Steel. You’re with me."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "I don’t remember agreeing—"
Aurora was already walking. "You’re agreeing now."
He sighed and followed anyway.
Knight glanced at Ragnar. Ragnar glanced back. Neither said a word. They shrugged almost in unison and headed off together, already arguing quietly about which direction looked more interesting.
That left just the two of us.
North tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Well," she said, "should we go?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Let’s."
The island revealed itself gradually as we walked.
This wasn’t a tourist district in the usual sense. There were no loud signs or forced attractions. Everything here felt... curated. Open plazas that flowed naturally into markets. Paths that curved along the terrain instead of cutting through it. Structures built to accommodate wildly different body types without looking awkward.
Guests like us weren’t meant to be impressed.
We were meant to be comfortable.
North walked a little ahead at first, hands clasped behind her back, taking everything in without rushing. This part of the island wasn’t a marketplace in the casual sense. It was divided cleanly into districts.
The Feran quarter came first—wide avenues, solid architecture, shops built from stone and reinforced alloys, their displays understated but confident, meant for those who valued function as much as prestige.
Beyond that lay the Aquas’ section. Water flowed openly there, not contained in channels but rising into gentle fountains that curved through the air before settling back into polished basins. The shops themselves had their entrances framed by liquid arches that parted silently for customers.
The Elemental district was impossible to miss. The air itself shimmered, bursts of contained fire, frost, lightning, and crystal blooming and fading above the street like soundless fireworks. No noise, no chaos, just controlled displays of elemental expression woven into the space.
And further in, separated by a subtle shift in lighting and texture, was the Naga quarter.
It was quiet.
The structures there were sleek and refined, materials smooth and dark, every surface polished to a near-mirror finish. Everything about it spoke of wealth, restraint, and confidence that didn’t need to announce itself.
North slowed her pace slightly as we reached the intersection between districts, eyes sharp with interest.
"This place is... nicer than I expected," she said.
"That’s usually how it works," I replied. "Real power doesn’t need to look hostile."
She glanced back at me. "You sound like you’ve thought about that before."
I shrugged. "More than once."
We stopped at a clothing shop first, mostly because North slowed down and then stopped entirely, eyes already scanning.
The vendor was a broad-shouldered Feran with antler-like horns, wearing layered garments that mixed fabric with reinforced plates in a way that somehow looked casual.
North picked up a tunic, feeling the material between her fingers. "This is lighter than it looks."
"Adaptive fabric," the vendor said easily. "Responds to movement and Essence flow. Doesn’t restrict."
She turned slightly, holding it up against me. "This would look good on you."
I raised an eyebrow. "You’re sure?"
She smiled. "Yeah."
I gave in without argument.
A few minutes later, I found myself holding a garment I hadn’t chosen, while North inspected another rack. I picked something in return, a dress with subtle layered folds, designed for speed and movement rather than display.
She noticed immediately. "You picked that for me?"
"Yes."
She took it, looked it over, then nodded. "Good choice."
We paid and moved on.
We wandered without direction, stopping when something caught our attention and moving on when it didn’t.
My perception though was fully active, scanning everything and listening to every conversation. I did notice a few important things. Specifically, someone important’s birthday was coming. I noted it to explore later.
At one point, North stopped in front of a small amulet shop tucked between two larger structures. The air inside felt... old.
The vendor was ancient by Feran standards, fur faded, eyes sharp despite the weight of years. His shop was filled with pendants, rings, charms, each one carrying a faint, distinct resonance.
"These are all authentic," he said as we entered. "No replicas. No embellishment."
North picked up a small amulet carved from dark bone, etched with faint spiral markings. "What’s this from?"
The vendor smiled faintly. "Bone of an ancient hydra that lived over a million years ago. Beast died in a natural calamity. The Essence it absorbed never fully faded. Provide good luck and warmth in relationships."
She looked at me. "What do you think?"
I focused briefly, letting my perception brush against it. "It’s okay," I said.
She nodded, satisfied, and bought it.
I picked up a different piece. The vendor watched me closely.
"That one’s from a deep-sea leviathan," he said. "Good for endurance and lasting long."
I handed it to North. "For you."
Her expression softened, just slightly. "Thank you."
We left the shop and continued walking, the path eventually opening onto a wide overlook. Below us, the island curved gently toward the sea, ships gliding overhead in distant lanes.
North leaned against the railing, the ocean wind lifting strands of her hair as it rolled in from the open water.
"It feels... soothing," she said quietly.
I nodded. "When we build a base of our own, I want something like this. A private island. Just for us. What do you think?"
She glanced at me, a faint smile forming.
I chuckled. "Or more than that, if you want. A whole planet. A continent."
She shook her head slowly. "No. Just an island. It reminds me of home."
I looked at her for a moment, then slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"An island it is," I said.
=================
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Ashen Ascension: The Divided Flame
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Thank you!