> [Location: Emberveil Nexus – Central Courtyard, Dawn]
Participants: Jiang Han, Tian Xue, Lin Suyin, Yan Qirou, Yan Feng (Arriving), Phoenix Hatchling (Phase III), Free Flame Sect Leaders
Event Trigger: Full Path Merge – Timeline Anchor Repaired
System Status: Warning – Origin Directive Presence Rising in Deep Layer Threads
---
A Return Through Fire
As dawn cracked over Emberveil's sky-split peaks, flame thread pulses rolled through the Nexus.
Jiang Han stepped onto the courtyard stone, cloak dusted with marshlight ash. Behind him walked Yan Feng, his aura silent but vast. Above, the Phoenix Hatchling circled once—its feathers now streaked with violet from Jiang's new chaotic spark.
At the Nexus heart, Tian Xue turned.
She didn't speak.
She ran straight into him, eyes shining, arms tight around his waist.
> "You came back."
> "I burned a path," he said softly. "Straight to you."
---
Flame Council Convenes
Inside the central hall, the Free Flame sect leaders gathered.
Yan Qirou, Crimson Moth Mistress
Vyran of Verdant Ash, now older and grimmer
Torun of Storm Ash, grim-faced and still under scrutiny
Lin Suyin, the sharp-eyed strategist
And now Yan Feng, silent specter of the old rebellion
Jiang stepped forward and placed Echofang—now nearly fully awakened—on the Flame Table.
> "The Sovereigns weren't the only enemy," he said.
> "We've all seen the glyphs. The warnings. The memory threads Long Chen left behind."
> "The Origin Directive is real. And it doesn't want control."
> "It wants silence."
The council murmured. Then Yan Feng stepped forward.
> "You have one chance," he said. "To light a flame so loud, it can't be ignored."
> "Because the moment they hear it…"
> "They'll come for us all."
---
The First Signal Falls
Just as the council adjourned, a sharp tremor rocked the mountain.
Lin Suyin snapped her gaze skyward—where five black flame beacons had ignited across the horizon.
> "Sovereign Division warships," she said.
> "Phase One retaliation."
Yan Qirou grinned grimly.
> "Good. I was getting bored."
Tian Xue turned to Jiang.
> "Are you ready for this?"
He looked to the horizon, where sky and flame were already meeting.
> "I've trained for the end of a world."
> "But I'm fighting to build one."
---
Phoenix Evolution Triggered
The Phoenix Hatchling landed before them, its body rippling with new energy.
It burst upward into the sky—screeching—and began to glow with threads of chaotic silverfire and crimson rebirth light.
> [Soul Pet Evolution Triggered – Class: Phoenix Sovereignling (Phase IV – Nexus-Bound)]
Abilities Unlocked: Flame Roar of Rebirth, Nexus Synchronization, Skyflame Tempest Dive
Bond Level with Jiang Han: 93% – Full Synchronization Possible Upon Battle Initiation
The flame echoed across the mountains.
> And the war began.