Ember’s Real Name

Jonas wasn't sure when the stone exit to this space lit up, but at some point, he noticed the light coming from it. He wasn't sure if that's what it was supposed to look like when it was active, but he didn't see a reason to just ignore it.

It felt like it had been three days since he'd entered this place, but he was doing his best to remind himself that the amount of time for him might be different than it was in the real world.

"I think the exit's open," Jonas told Etaina, interrupting whatever topic she was currently going on. "So, you have a choice to make."

"Huh? A choice?" she asked, as if she didn't understand his statement.

"Yeah. I'll be leaving and you have to decide if you want to leave too," Jonas answered. "You can stay in here and enjoy this place for however long it'll take before Elysia comes to get you, or you can come out with me and see if you can find Elysia yourself."

Jonas felt a little bad at using Etaina's sister in that manner, but he wasn't that broken up about it. Part of it was to confirm some suppositions he'd made talking to Etaina, since she wouldn't answer him if he asked about some subjects directly, while indirect questions and statements seemed to get some information, it was a little difficult to connect some of it for certain.

Such as what a firebird was. As well as if Elysia was one too or something else.

There were a number of different things that he wanted to learn, but apparently Etaina's mother and father had done a very good job of coaching her on what she shouldn't say to people who weren't familiar to her. Or people who didn't already know that information.

Which made Jonas wonder if that's how Etaina got trapped in the first place. That Douglas knew so much about firebirds in the first place that he was able to talk to Etaina without having to ask any sensitive questions, which in turn helped the trust she had in him grow until he took advantage of that.

While that was another supposition, Jonas didn't care to inquire about it. As if it was true, he had a feeling that Etaina might feel rather embarrassed about it and Jonas didn't want to do anything to risk her deciding to leave or anything.

In regards to leaving this place, Jonas wanted Etaina to make the decision. If she chose to leave, then he'd be able to learn more from her, but if she chose to stay, then he'd at least know that he'd fostered just a little bit of trust there by allowing her to make the choice and respecting that decision. Otherwise it'd be essentially him kidnapping someone who was already kidnapped. It certainly wouldn't help her trust him, nor would it help him actually learn anything like he had from her so far.

"I'll go," Etaina said after several minutes of silence. Which was actually the longest period of time that Jonas had heard her be quiet. Outside of her sleeping that is, even though she still made noises every so often while she slept that made Jonas wonder if maybe she was talking to someone in her dreams.

"Maybe this Ember knows where I can find my sister. It's been too long since I saw her," she added as she flew to Jonas' shoulder.

"Good to know," Jonas remarked, hoping that Ember wasn't actually Etaina's sister. That would complicate things a little, although he had a feeling he might not get the result he wanted this time. Not with what Ember had said before about the birds that were still in the crystal.

However, Jonas didn't say anything about it. He knew that regardless of what he'd like or wouldn't like, that facts weren't going to change simply because he wanted them to. If Ember really was Elysia, then she would remain that way, regardless of any other circumstances.

Or even preferences.

Jonas stepped onto the stone, immediately feeling the sensation of moving out of the crystal. Though, while he'd experienced something similar when he'd first entered the crystal, he couldn't say that it was exactly familiar.

When he got out, he could see not only Elin, the one holding the crystal up, with a look of relief of her face, but also Ember. Who clearly had noticed Etaina on his shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing out here!?" Ember raged, as if Etaina should have known better than to have left her prison. "You were safe in there! You know mom and dad aren't going to be happy to learn you decided to put yourself in danger, right!?"

While Jonas had the urge to step away from Ember due to her outburst, Etaina acted as if it was just rain sliding down her feathers and not bothering her at all. Instead, she left Jonas' shoulder and began flying around.

"Elysia! I can fly now! When can we go on our flight? You know, the one that you said we'd go on when I learned to fly! I'm ready whenever. Though, I guess we'd have to wait until the sun goes down, since it's not midnight during any other times, right?"

"Etaina!" Ember, or Elysia, snapped. "Focus!"

"You are going to take me on that fight, right Elysia? Right?"

Jonas was glad that he wasn't the one in front of them like that. He wasn't sure that he'd be able to been able to say anything. Largely because he wasn't sure what would be the right choice. Not when a child's feelings were involved.

"Look," Elysia said, sounding like she was trying to sound stern, but Jonas had a feeling she was about to cave in. "Now's not the time. The one who imprisoned you in that crystal is still a problem. You and I can't go on that flight until we take care of him."

"But you still remember your promise, right?" Etaina interrupted.

"Yes, I remember it, but I can't hold up my end just yet. We need to wait until we deal with Douglas before we can go on that flight, okay?"

Elin tapped Jonas at that moment on his shoulder, pulling his attention away from the two birds. "What did the smaller bird mean by calling Ember 'Elysia?'"

Jonas wasn't sure how much he should divulge to Elin himself. As it wasn't exactly his secret to share, but at the same time, he felt like she should know. Especially with how she was the first to have met Elysia and also Ember. So as far as Jonas was concerned, it was only fair that Elin find out.

Although, that kind of revelation really should come from Elysia herself. Otherwise Jonas had a feeling it could damage the trust that Elin had with her. As it could seem like she was trying to hide it.

"You'll have to ask her. Though, it might be best to wait until those two are done with whatever discussion they're having."

Elin sighed. "Fine, but I expect her to tell me everything. Including why she didn't tell me in the first place."

Jonas nodded. "Don't worry, I think Etaina will help with that. As she seems to have her own ideas of things."

"How long were you in the crystal?" Elin asked suddenly.

Jonas merely shrugged. He didn't see the length of time he'd spent in it to be very important. "Just a few days. Enough to have started to get to know Etaina."

"Just how old is Etaina?" she asked, though Jonas didn't like the implications that her tone were suggesting.

"Not really sure," Jonas answered honestly. "I didn't even think to ask because that's not something that's really important to me. Not when it involves a child like her who was trapped like that. Although, if I'd have to hazard a guess, I'd say she's probably close to what we'd consider a child of about six to eight to be."

"So, what is it about Etaina that you like?"

Jonas glanced at Elin out of the corner of his eye. She was clearly messing with him, but he had to make sure that she wasn't getting ready to get carried away with her fun.

"Look, when they're done talking, you can talk with her. You'll quickly find out just how exasperating she can be. Even when she's trying to be helpful."

"Does this Elysia have anything to do with Elysia Violet?" Elin asked, sounding more than a little troubled by the idea.

Jonas merely patted her on the shoulder. "That'd be something you'd have to discuss with her yourself," he said calmly. Partly because he didn't want to get involved and say more than he really should. Especially since he was still working out some of his suppositions about the firebirds. As he couldn't be sure about some of the finer details just yet.

"When should we ask them?" Elin asked, amusing Jonas with how she included him in that statement.

"Let's give them some time," Jonas suggested. "At the very least, let's release the serpent, okay? Maybe that'll give them enough time to work through… whatever it is they're working through."

Elin nodded, looking eager to get it started.