The Ashvathar Flame Garden was quiet at dawn, but never still.
Aether drifted above the crimson blossoms like shimmering heat haze. Wisps of fire-touched pollen drifted lazily
through the warm air, each particle glowing faintly with the breath of ancient flame.
Arav stepped inside with his mother and Isha, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot echoing in
the tranquil garden. The scent of ash-soaked soil mixed with the gentle sweetness of ember
flowers.
Sharanya gestured toward the curved path. "Stay close, little ones. Some of the flowers like to
release heat when they feel excited."
Isha's eyes widened. "Excited? Because they're angry?"
Sharanya chuckled. "No, no… because they're passionate."
Isha nodded seriously."Like papa."
Arav snorted under his breath.
Aether shimmered above one of the flowers, the blossom perking up as if listening.
The system's voice chimed softly in Arav's mind.
[Sign-In opportunity detected.]
[Special location: Ashvathar Flame Garden.]
[Begin sign-in?]
Arav willed his answer.
Sign in.
[Sign-In Successful.]
[Reward: Ignis Pulse Node — Aether Flow Enhancer (Minor).]
[Effect: Improves stability of early Aether cycles.]
Warmth pulsed in Arav's chest, subtle but grounding. His Infernal Pulse Physique resonated
softly, as though welcoming the new fragment.
For the first time in days, the distortions inside him quieted.Isha leaned close, tilting her head. "Bhaiya… your flame stopped wobbling!"
Sharanya blinked. "Youcan sense that?"
Isha nodded. "It used to go bzzzz, and now it's going mmmm."
"…Is that good?" Arav asked carefully.
"Yes!"she declared. "Now you won't explode!"
Sharanya pressed a hand to her forehead. Arav just sighed.
She's going to expose me one day…
They reached a stone platform encircled by flame lilies. Sharanya knelt in front of Arav.
"Yourawakening is coming soon," she said softly. "Earlier than for most children."
Arav swallowed. "Will it hurt?"
"Not with your physique. But awakening brings change. Youremotions, instincts… your
relationship with aether. The clan will view you differently."
Arav stayed silent.
Sharanya lifted his chin gently."Youdon't have to fear it. We'll guide you."
Isha latched onto Arav's arm. "If you explode, I'll moon-fix you!"
"Please stop saying explode…" Arav muttered.
Sharanya stifled a laugh.
They walked further, stopping by flame murals carved deep into stone pillars. Warriors.
Mythical beasts. A massive burning bird rising from a cosmic river."That is the Ashvathar progenitor,"Sharanya explained.
"It's said he carried a fragment of
primordial fire."
Isha gasped. "Like bhaiya!"
Sharanya froze.
Her eyes shifted slowly toward Arav.
Arav stared back, deadpan. "Isha… stop."
Isha puffed her cheeks proudly."He glows at night too! One time his pillow smoked!"
Sharanya's jaw dropped.
Arav covered his face with both hands.
Why is this child like this!?
As they prepared to leave the garden, Arav felt something shift
.
Aether bent—
not violently,
not with distortion—
but with recognition.
Like the world briefly acknowledged him.
The moment passed quickly.
Sharanya placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'regrowing fast."
Arav nodded. "I… can feel it."
Her smile softened. "Come. Yourfather wants to prepare you himself."
Isha grabbed his hand. "Don't fly away this time."
"I never flew away.""That is the Ashvathar progenitor,"Sharanya explained. "It's said he carried a fragment of
primordial fire."
Isha gasped. "Like bhaiya!"
Sharanya froze.
Her eyes shifted slowly toward Arav.
Arav stared back, deadpan. "Isha… stop."
Isha puffed her cheeks proudly."He glows at night too! One time his pillow smoked!"
Sharanya's jaw dropped.
Arav covered his face with both hands.
Why is this child like this!?
As they prepared to leave the garden, Arav felt something shift.
Aether bent—
not violently,
not with distortion—
but with recognition.
Like the world briefly acknowledged him.
The moment passed quickly.
Sharanya placed a hand on his shoulder. "You'regrowing fast."
Arav nodded. "I… can feel it."
Her smile softened. "Come. Yourfather wants to prepare you himself."
Isha grabbed his hand. "Don't fly away this time."
"I never flew away."
"You ALMOST did."
Arav sighed again.
Todaywas going to be a long day.