In the forest several yards from the cabin, Arrow heaved a long sigh. The news of Cahya was definitely surprising, "I understand. I just didn't expect this. I never once suspected that he was dissatisfied."

"Well, I wouldn't say that he was dissatisfied. He just had another call, and it is working to our benefit. You have an ally in him and his Phoenix Riders. If I were you, I would keep it that way," Jai replied.

Aqila had left for a moment to speak with some of the Flamethrowers. As she returned, she listened to Jai and Arrow discuss Cahya. "Well, if we've agreed that Cahya is no longer a member, it's settled. Arrow, do you have a moment?"

"Yeah, of course," he shrugged. Jai went inside the cabin. With Boaz keeping lookout, it was just Arrow and Aqila.

"Arrow, what are your goals for the Flamethrowers? I see that you are trying to keep things as Calida had them, but you should have goals you want the team to focus on and objectives for them to meet. If not, your team will feel confused by your leadership."

"There are things that we need, recruits and supplies. I want them to learn what it takes to keep things running. If I had died too, the Flamethrowers would be up the creek. No one knows how to operate this ship other than me right now, and I see that as a vulnerability. I have been pushing them to learn the ins and outs and do tasks without me, but I'm not sure if it is clicking."

"Have you told them that this is what you want?"

"Not really, but I don't think it's hard."

"That's why you didn't choose Yuuna for the second in command?"

"No, I didn't choose Yuuna because she looks like me. We are both Pyroceans. I don't want them to feel like I chose her because she's Pyrocean like me. Yuuna and I have known each other for a long time. She was the first person I recruited. I trust her with my life. However, I am not trying to replicate the feeling of a royal family or anything. With Zay coming in, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to show him that we trust him. He's just as strong and smart as anyone else. Not having an Element should not be a barrier to advancement."

"The Flamethrowers are a little uneasy about how you've been doing things. If you let them know what you are after, it would help clear the air. They started thinking you were doing things differently because your judgment was clouded."

"No, my judgment is not clouded. I always have a lot on my mind, but I'm managing, and every day, it gets better. I guess I've been so worried about saying something wrong that I haven't been communicating at all."

"Take it from someone who has also lost someone close to her. Talking about it brings peace. Running from what feels real will always leave you in pieces."

"You're right. Calida's last words to me were not to fear anything that reminded me of her. I should talk to Yuuna so she understands. We've practically grown up together. Sometimes I can talk to her just like I'm talking with you, then there are times when I don't feel I'm emotionally available to talk to her."

"I know it's hard. It still doesn't seem real that Zeroun isn't waiting for me with new lessons, assignments, and insights. But, you learn what love and trust are when you give those close to you a glimpse at your vulnerabilities, and they fight to protect them."

"I'll update everyone tonight," Arrow took a deep breath, "so where are you headed?"

"I'm going to the Jungle tribe. Chief Cove asked for an insight into an urgent matter. Jai and Boaz are coming with me."

"This could lead to some information on Neptune. Are you sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow and take some of the Flamethrowers with you?"

"No, we should be fine, but thank you." The pair headed inside the cabin. Arrow immediately went to talk to Yuuna while Aqila looked for Jai. She saw him talking with Arin, Alena, and Zay.

"Jai, are you ready?"

"I'll be right back," he spoke to the Flamethrowers before following Aqila outside.

"Aqila, I won't be able to go with you this time. Something kinda important has come up. You'll be okay with Boaz, right? Or can I meet you there?"

"Well, if something urgent has come up, maybe we can help you-"

"No, that's not necessary. Just trust me on this one," Jai was unsure of what Aqila would say. Her silver eyes were piercing. He almost felt the need to look away from her.

"Of course, Jai, whatever you need. It would be best if you didn't meet up with us. If something develops and you're needed, we'll send word." Aqila left Jai at the cabin and headed in the direction of Boaz. The uneasy feeling may not have come from her meeting in the Jungle tribe but from Jai. Aqila scoured her mind's eye, but there was nothing. That was unusual. That had not happened since she's been a full Seer. She scoured again. "Not yet, Aqila. If you could see everything whenever you wanted, you'd be a god. The sight is about balancing truth and timing," she heard Emet's voice.

"Yes, you're right. So either I don't have enough information, or the timing isn't right," Aqila pondered.

She heard Emet chuckle, "Or it is not for you to know. That is possible too. Seer does not mean all-knowing."

"Yes, it is possible," she whispered. Boaz was waiting beside Talon.

"Aqila, I haven't seen any winged shadows or anything," he said while mounting Talon, "how did things go?"

"Well enough," Aqila climbed onto Talon's back.

"Where's Jai?"

"He changed his mind."

"What's up?"

"I don't know. He lied to me like I knew he would." She urged Talon to fly off. Their journey would take several days.

"He lied? How do you know? Wait, don't answer that. Why didn't you call him out on it?"

"The time wasn't right. It's hard to explain."

"Well, that doesn't change that the Jungle tribe requested your expertise."

"Yeah, I just have this feeling that something is really off. Right now, I don't know if it is Jai, the Jungle tribe, or whoever is tailing me. I tried using the sight, but I can't now."

"Well, we must keep going forward with what we know. Besides, we can handle ourselves. Maybe it's for the best."

"I hope you're right."

Jai took a sigh of relief once he saw Talon fly off. He wanted to tell Aqila about his father. He really did. But, for some reason, he could not bring himself to tell her. Not because he didn't trust her, he didn't want her to find him selfish. The world was crazy and in chaos, and while she was working hard to do her part, he was reconnecting with his father. He had so many questions for him. Jai believed he would be a better help to the world if he wasn't constantly fighting the feeling of abandonment. He trusted that closure was what he needed.

"I thought you were going with them," Arin approached him.

"Something came up," he kept his back turned towards her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"It just feels like you are hiding something. More like, you're holding something back."

"I am. A part of me doesn't want to bear it alone. Then there's another part of me that doesn't want anyone to know how selfish I am."

"Jai, what's going on?"

"I remember everything. Where I come from, my family, how I got separated. Despite remembering, there are so many holes and gaps. And I'm screaming for closure."

Arin touched his shoulder gently. Jai turned to face her, "Just between the two of us."

"Only between the two of us, that's my word."

"I-I saw my father. It was almost like the Universe wanted us to bump into each other today. I want to go visit him as soon as possible because I don't know what the future holds. Especially with Agnes running amuck."

"That's not selfish, Jai. That's normal. You haven't been able to remember for such a long time. These are normal feelings. You don't have to hide them. We all care about you. We are here literally to serve you, help you. I won't tell anyone, but I don't want you to go alone. You are still the Legend, and Agnes has it out for you. Let me go with you."

"Thank you. You know you don't have to-"

"I'm going! Just let me know when you're ready."

"I'll be ready within the hour." He watched Arin return to the cabin. Jai was thankful that she had been so supportive of him. However, he also felt horrible for lying to Aqila. It wasn't like she would not have understood. Maybe it was for the best. She probably would have wanted to postpone her meeting with the Jungle tribe to go with him. Not telling her was definitely for the best. Aqila was a true Windmaster. She thinks, communicates, and does. Jai's passionate drive was probably going to be met with a slurry of questions from her. Arin, on the other hand, was passionate about life and people. She was like a warm, protective ring of fire, wanting to support and inspire you through your ambitions.

"I'm ready," she smiled with her pretty, right dimpled cheek.

"Alright, let's walk,' he led the way through the forest after rustling his hair nearest his eyes.

"Not that I'm opposed to walking, but let's grab some horses from the stables in Lower Ember before we get too far."

"Seems like you don't have the endurance for this journey," Jai joked.

Arin ferociously slammed her shoulder into his arm, causing him to groan, "Please, I'm from Kindle. Horse riding is a workout as well. Not that you would understand it."

"Competitive are we?"

"Jai, all Firehearts are competitive," she whispered, "it's in our nature." The pair laughed as they left the forest and entered Lower Ember. They hurried to the stables to grab two horses for their journey. "So, where are we going, exactly?"

"Upper Ember, Comet Town," Jai replied after watching Arin mount her chosen horse, a black stallion, with extreme ease. He tried to follow her motion. However, it was not as smooth and effortless. His horse was a pale gray with charcoal mane and tail.

"Well, this is going to be easy then."

"What makes you say that," he asked as they both gave their horses a kick.

"Comet Town is for the affluent. Only twenty or so families live there. Seems like you are from a well-to-do family."

"Probably not. We're from Kindle, near the Theyran border. The homes near the cliffs."

"Hmm, your father must have struck it large then."

"I suppose. Thanks for coming with me. It means a lot to have you here right now."

"Of course, I'm glad you trusted me with this."

Jai shook his head, "I'd trust you with my life."

"And I trust you with mine." The Firehearts rode in blissful silence for a long time, hours. They passed through the trodden villages of Lower Ember.

"It seems like Agnes has slowed his recruiting process by the looks of things here," Arin murmured.

"Yeah, many people lost their lives in that border fight. The worst thing is that they really believe in Agnes' cause."

"What is his cause? If he just wants to take over the Firehearts, how is that a cause?"

"Because it's deeper than that. He wants to kill all of the Legends. He believes that Legends like myself are the problem with the world. In his mind, Legends bring imbalance, with one person from every nation being significantly stronger than the rest. For down-trodden people, that message is music to their ears. His vendetta seemed almost personal when he was about to kill me."

"Personal?"

"Yeah, like something happened to him to make him truly believe that."

"I wonder why the Universe hasn't removed his gift, though. Like the people of old."

"Losing a gift has always been more of a faith problem, right?"

"You're right, but how can he believe in the Universe and be planning world domination?"

"I don't know, Arin. Hopefully, Aqila and Boaz find out something in the Waterbearer tribes."

"I heard that we now have a Neptune to deal with too? When will it end? What if there is a nemesis in every nation that we will eventually have to topple to achieve peace?"

"If that's the case, then we will topple every one of them and achieve peace," Jai replied confidently.

"We're here. This is Comet Town," Arin pulled the reins, causing the black stallion to halt.

"You weren't joking when you said about twenty people live here," Jai took in the beautiful town. There was a gold-painted water fountain in the center of the town, and all the houses were multiple stories with ornate craftsmanship. The town looked like it belonged to the DragonLord himself, not an Emberite town.

"Like I said, you have a well-to-do father," Arin wiggled her eyebrows. "Stay on the outskirts, and I'll ask for...."

"Yuuta."

"I'll ask for Yuuta, come back and tell you which house it is. We wouldn't want you to get caught in the clutches of some Agnes supporter, now would we?"

"Alright, but promise if something feels weird, you'll come straight back," Jai spoke firmly.

"I promise." Arin rode the lean black stallion into Comet Town while Jai peeled off. He sighed in relief as the pale gray horse trotted along the border of Comet Town and Upper Ember's bustling main city. The difference between the two Embers was night and day. This caused Jai to reflect on Cahya and his Phoenix Riders. The two Embers have been divided for such a long time, a prosperous, flourishing Upper and a war riddled, down-trodden Lower. Was it even possible for the two to ever become one? Jai was lost in this train of thought when Arin returned.

"Jai! I've been calling you!"

He shook his head violently, "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"I could tell. But Yuuta's house is the second house on the right of the fountain."

"Thanks, Arin, you wouldn't mind staying here while I go," Jai suggested.

"What are you talking about? Yes, I mind! You're not going alone. What was the point of me coming along?"

"To keep me company, like I knew you wanted to," Jai joked. When Arin started tussling his already mangled locks, he groaned, "Okay, okay! I get it you're coming with me. Let's go." The Firehearts strode back into Comet Town to talk to Yuuta.