THE FIRE SAGA

BLAZE 124 - PROGRESSION

Topside reveals another surprise. Matthew's made a few modifications, as well. He's still broody but not dank. Point to progress.

Ryan furrows his brow. "How many?"

"Impossible to tell. I've done my best to steer clear of Rebel matters. It wasn't a peaceful separation."

"Matthew made me—" Dreyna swallows hard. "Matthew requested I stop helping them."

"She wasn't helping," he interjects. "She was being poorly used...and abused." His grease fire accompanies her frown. He regrets what he did to her and what he allowed to be done by his sisters. "Your visit put things into perspective for me."

I scan the treehouse. There truly is good here. Even if I don't agree my spark started it, I was part of it. I should be proud. "You were right. We dragged you to a crossroads."

He half-smiles. "When I first saw you, I saw a lost little girl who'd been tossed into this whirlpool and was waiting for the ride to end. I didn't believe you were capable of all you've done. I sorely underestimated you. I'm sorry for what I said."

I shrug.

"I was wrong about many things," he admits. "The biggest thing? You're not useless. You can offer something even more powerful than reversion. You can eradicate the disease completely. Someone wise once said to me—" He clears his throat, preparing to make a speech. "You're not a monster. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll stop behaving like one. You can't change what happened to you, but you can learn from it. You can absorb it, sponging out all the bad from the good. You help people. Helping people is a good thing."

Is he referring to the rocks in my pockets? Can I blow Sheelin right out of the metaphorical sky? That's not my primary plan, but I'd count it as a happy side bonus. My plan is to offer myself up to transition in trade for Mom, then let Fire Supreme take my powers. I can read between the lines. I won't survive it. No one's ever survived that.

No one's ever survived that...yet.

Could I try it with Tally? It's what she wants, for me to give her some of the humanity I won't need anymore. Like she said, I'm getting rid of it. Shouldn't it go to good use? My transition should mean something to those who stuck by me through disaster after disaster.

"Go get Tally."

Ryan eyes me suspiciously. "Why?"

I clench my fists at my sides. "Apparently, there's some good I need to do."

We huddle on the floor in the common area. The treehouse has no walls, only five large beams holding up the roof. The center one extends all the way to the forest floor. If not for the threat of splinter overload, I'd be sliding down it like a firehouse pole. Tempted, anyway.

"What exactly are you planning to do?" he probes.

"It isn't so much what I'm planning to do as what I'm planning to try," I clarify.

Hard lessons have taught me that when Tally and I plan something together, it tends to boast unfavorable results. There was the first experiment where she wanted me to light the bonfire, which ended in Phelan siphoning the excess energy I produced. Then, we tried to wake my mom up the first time. Me and a wall got intimately acquainted. We decided to divide and conquer for the final wake up session. It proved effective, though the cake was half baked. Finally, there was the very same experiment we're retrying. Tally 2.0. Or OG. Whatever. She wants to be human. It misfired the first go. It probably won't work now, but fingers crossed, I won't muck it up worse.

Bright side: with Barry as part of the process, there won't be any raging bulls tearing through this treehouse. Pretty sure on that last point. Best to confirm. "How do you feel about this, Barry?"