Elemental Magnetic Star

Chapter 80 Soaring to the Skies

"Let's go to the Ancestral Tree," Raina Grace decided, recalling what the Ancestral Tree had told her: "When you're ready to leave, come here, and you'll see it."

Was it really happening now? When she wanted to leave, she would find the Ancestral Tree and then see the Azure Phoenix?

The Ancestral Tree's location, sacred and forbidden to the Terra Grove tribe, kept the free people at bay. But Terra Grove members kept arriving, trying to drive Raina Grace and her group out of the sacred land. However, deterred by the pressure of the Azure Phoenix eggshell, they hesitated to approach too closely.

Meanwhile, Raina Grace could do nothing but stand in a standoff with the Terra Grove tribe. The Ancestral Tree seemed to have fallen asleep, unresponsive to her calls. And there was no sign of the Azure Phoenix.

"What do we do, Raina Grace?" Flicker Shadow was on edge, "What if there's no Azure Phoenix at all? Should we take the mountain path you mentioned to Verdant Thistle Forest?" He always believed more in his own strength than in elusive entities like the Azure Phoenix.

Escaping through the mountains was risky, as they could easily be cornered by humans. Though Flicker Shadow was a formidable fighter, he would not harm his kin, and with Raina Grace, their escape seemed even more uncertain.

Azure Phoenix, Azure Phoenix... why did the Ancestral Tree mention the Azure Phoenix? How would it appear?

Staring at the Ancestral Tree, lost in thought, Raina Grace hoped for an answer.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She removed the Azure Phoenix eggshell necklace and handed it to WeeStick, "Take this to the top of the Ancestral Tree."

WeeStick, though unclear of her intentions, hurriedly took the necklace and flew towards the top of the tree.

Raina Grace waited anxiously below: Would a miracle happen? Could the Azure Phoenix sense her call?

A gentle breeze swayed the leaves, as if observing this mysterious realm. In the midst of the quiet vastness, a melodious chirp rang out, like a celestial song calling across time and space.

The Azure Phoenix! It had really come!

The wind grew stronger, causing the Terra Grove members to cower, and soon the entire valley was astounded by this phenomenon.

There, amidst the treetops, a majestic and mysterious presence appeared, its feathers shimmering with a radiant green, a hint of eternal vitality from a bygone era.

"Raina Grace, it's here! I'll take you up!" WeeStick called out excitedly.

Raina Grace, containing her excitement, turned to Flicker Shadow, "Let's go together!"

Flicker Shadow shook his head. Amazed that miracles did exist, he felt happy for Raina Grace but knew that this miracle was not for him. His destiny lay in returning to the jungle. "WeeStick can't carry both of us."

Raina Grace had considered this: "Let it take you first, then come back for me."

"But the Azure Phoenix can't carry us both," Flicker Shadow remained calm.

Desperate, Raina Grace pulled him along, "You haven't even seen it, how do you know? Let's go!"

Flicker Shadow pulled her into an embrace, "Raina Grace, my destiny is in the jungle. Yours lies in the sky. Haven't you always wanted to see the stars?"

"But..." Raina Grace choked up, unprepared for such a sudden goodbye.

"I know, it seems we never had the chance to properly say goodbye. But what you don't know is that I have been counting down to this day in my heart."

"Why? When?"

"Because you never belonged here. From the moment you arrived at the tribe, you disappeared into Verdant Thistle Forest, and as soon as you met the free people, you became closer to the Terra Grove tribe. Since the day an aircraft descended from the sky of the valley for you, I knew that one day you would leave, on a craft I could never catch up with." Flicker Shadow's fiery eyes were filled with deep reluctance, but he tried to smile, hoping to leave Raina Grace with the last impression of the fearless free man Flicker Shadow, not the coward who helped others deceive her in the tribe. "I am happy, Raina Grace, that although you have left, it was not on an aircraft. You always find your own way. You have given me the most beautiful farewell."

They never had time for a proper goodbye, yet it seemed that every day was a farewell, every moment a parting.

Raina Grace cried.

"Don't cry!" Flicker Shadow groaned, "Don't make it harder for me."

After a moment of shock, the unaffected free people began to converge towards the Ancestral Tree. Since the Terra Grove tribe was no longer able to stop the free people, they were gradually surrounding Raina Grace and her group.

Flicker Shadow, immersed in sorrow but still aware of the surroundings, pushed Raina Grace away for the last time, "Go. I'll deal with them. It's easier for me alone, whether to fight or flee."

WeeStick hurried to her, "Raina Grace, hurry up, or it'll be too late."

Raina Grace knew that staying would only endanger Flicker Shadow further, so she turned and embraced WeeStick, being helplessly taken upwards. In the final moments, she couldn't resist looking back. On the vast land stood a solitary, tall figure, once her pillar against all storms, now her reluctant ferry. Oh wild wind, where are you blowing me?

Flicker Shadow watched her figure recede into the distance. Farewell, my girl, my love, the bond of my life. Thank you!

When WeeStick finally brought Raina Grace to the top of the Ancestral Tree, there sat a magnificent, elegant, giant bird, casually preening its feathers.

"Look, that's the Azure Phoenix!" WeeStick exclaimed excitedly, then began to chant, singing praises of the Azure Phoenix's majestic beauty, wisdom, and power.

The Azure Phoenix, interrupting its casual preening, spread its wings slightly, as if to welcome Raina Grace.

Raina Grace looked towards the noble creature. Its eyes, bright and penetrating, seemed to understand everything, its wings shimmering like emeralds, reflecting the desires and fears of all beings.

In its eyes, Raina Grace saw affection and joy, knowing it recognized her. She approached and touched its head, exclaiming, "So you have grown into such an elegant and beautiful being!"

The Azure Phoenix's eyes radiated warmth and determination, comforting Raina Grace. It felt like they had a special connection, an unspoken understanding between their souls.

Raina Grace's heart was filled with a whirlwind of emotions – gratitude, wonder, reluctance, longing, confusion, aspiration. The past and the future, the present and the now.

Invited by the Azure Phoenix, Raina Grace climbed aboard. With a clear chirp, the Azure Phoenix soared high into the sky.

Freedom, Raina Grace realized, was but a dizzying state of weightlessness.