The next thing I see is pure darkness, no light anywhere around me. I kick my legs, yet I can't feel solid ground, only air.
Am I dead? Have I truly lost everything? I've failed everyone.
The silence is suffocating. Heavier than stone. The darkness feels infinite—a prison of my own failure. I reach out with my flames-nothing. Not even a puff. I am powerless in the void. I am alone. And I have failed.
"Blaze, please, wake up!" Gardon's voice echoes in the void, sounding distant. I reach towards the sound, hoping I can free myself.
"Gardon! I am here!" My own voice sounded soft and weak. For the first time in a long time, I was afraid, truly afraid.
I float in the nothingness, weightless and broken.
Is this it? Is this how my story ends? Is this what I deserve for failing my kingdom?
Then-a voice. One strong yet unfamiliar. I look and see before me a bird-spirit made entirely of flame, its presence illuminating the void and making me feel seen. Its size made me feel like I was in the presence of a goddess or a force of nature, something beyond my scope of imagination. Whatever this spirit was, it was real.
"Child of warmth and ember, why do you weep?" She spoke softly, a voice that carried the weight of a concerned mother.
"Who are you?" I stuttered, in awe of her.
Her wingspan spread wide, covering the whole void in a blanket of warmth.
"I am Solarina, guardian of peace and creator of what you defend."
My ears fall back, and my head drops in shame.
"But I failed to defend. I have perished and left my people in the hands of my enemy." My lips quivered, holding back tears.
"You are not dead, guardian of flames. Though you walk close to Death's edge, this is not the end of your tale- merely a new beginning. I am the one who blessed you with flames since birth and watched over you when you felt alone."
Her flames flickered, as if struggling to hold her form.
"But even now, I am losing my strength. My spirit weakens as the dimension falls into darkness. You must save all that is lost. You must find the seven elemental guardians and repair what has fallen. Your quest begins when you find the guardian of life, Nyx Naugus."
"But where will I find them?" I ask, my fists clenching in determination.
"Soon, Blaze. Once you awake, your quest will begin. Be warned, this quest will not be easy. You will have to be stronger than you ever have been before. I will be beside you in spirit. Good luck."
Her form burst around me, blinding me in white light. I awoke to find Marine, shaking my shoulders desperately, rocking me in a hand-woven tan hammock inside a small wooden room.
"BLAZE, WAKE UP, SOMETHING'S AFTER US!" Her voice was in a panic.
I quickly sprang up from the hammock, my legs sore. I rush out to the deck and find the waves are wild and the Coconut crew are desperately trying to keep the ship afloat; Tabby is trying to keep everyone organized, Setter is busy keeping the rudders turning, Colonel and Muzy are trying to keep the sail tied down, Daikun is trying to patch up the sail, and Kylok is keeping lookout. I rush to the source of the chaos to find a giant robotic bird that was the size of a mountain. It was all black, almost made to look like a shadow. Its destructive power was shaking the waves, trying to take us out. My fists clenched, and, by instinct, I tried to ignite my flames.
But as I tried, all I got was a splitting headache that sent me to my knees. I gripped my head, feeling a roll of cloth around my forehead where my gem used to be. Marine helped me back to my feet.
"Marine, what happened to my head?" I ask, shaking in worry.
"Your gem is gone. You were bleeding when I found you. Gardon was the one who wrapped that bandage around your head."
The mention of Gardon made me tense up.
"Gardon? Is he alright?"
And speak of the devil, I see him running up the steps to the hull of the ship.
"Blaze! Thank goodness you're okay!" He seems shaken. Who wouldn't be?
"Gardon. I'm glad you're alright. How bad is it back home?"
His head dropped, and he began to fidget with his gloves.
"There's no home to go back to. Negative destroyed it all. We tried to evacuate all that we could, but-" He looked at me, knowing my anger was building. Marine grabbed my hand and smiled at me. "We can handle anything! You're Blaze, the best hero of all! You can fix this, right?" She seemed so sure and optimistic.
I sat against the banister and sighed. "I don't know, Marine. I've lost a lot. But I had a vision. From a great phoenix."
Marine gasped, and Gardon seemed surprised.
"You... saw the great phoenix? No one has spoken to her in-" He clutched his head and his breathing sped up. I've never seen him so scared before. I hold his shoulder, trying to calm him down.
" Gardon, it's okay. She told me to find someone to help me. Someone named Nyx."
He looked at me, then sighed.
"I knew someone named Nyx long ago, when I was a young Koala. She used to be the guardian of our village, even before you were born, Blaze. But one day she disappeared. No one knew where she went or where she is now."
But as we were talking, a flash of light flew across the sky. A loud screech flooded the sounds of chaos, and the seas calmed for a moment. A streak of orange flames followed the bird. It was the spirit of Solarina.
"Marine, follow that trail!" I told her, determined.
Marine quickly ran up to the wheel, then saluted me. The ocean tornado was now off. So it begins, the journey of my life.
Nothing could be worse than this. I have really fallen far. How can I get back up from this? For once, I have no idea if I can do this. These elemental warriors better be worth it. I need all the help I can get.