Ifrit knew something was amiss. It was not too noticeable, at first, but had been growing in the years that had past. The feeling was muddled and vague that if he thought about focusing on it, it was as if she was actively trying to block him from her side. This blocking made him concerned until he knew it was too late to appear before her and ask what was the matter. When it happened, it felt like a sword had gone through him, twisted, and then pulled back out only be to repeated. It had come so fast and out of the blue that he crumbled to the ground nearly bringing Shiva down with him as he had gone to spend time with her.
"What is the matter!?" she asked quickly kneeling with her eyes roaming over him and pinched brow. Her hands flittering around him helping to hold him just a little as he was unbalanced.
Ifrit panted as he, in a reflex, curl into himself. A groan left him as he waited to accumulate through the phantom pains caused by Phoenix. Once he was able to uncurl enough he slowly lifted his head to look at Shiva, pain still clear in his features. "It…it is my sister…s-she is in terrible pain."
Shiva helped the Infernien up. "Then we must seek her out, my love. She is precious to you, and so, she is to me. What ever is the cause of this reaction is great." Her cold hand raised up to cup his jaw as another winced triggered him to grip hard at his chest. "I fear I know the source of this." Amber eyes bore into purple as he thought of revealing his sister's hidden secret. "But I must ask that what you discover stays with you. Going will reveal a truth that the others may not take to accepting."
Shiva could tell this was something Ifrit felt highly about enough that even with their knowledge of many things had been kept silent on. Things concerning his sister was always met with a seriousness that she had come to know about the sibling pair. They spent much time doing their own things but once together the two were always making sure to be near. Most of the time it was a shoulder touches, side cuddles, or at times they would take turns grooming the other. Shiva could only smile when seeing the two bond, her favorite memories being of watching Ifrit preening the flame-colored feathers of Phoenix.
"You feel strongly about this, my love." She noted leaning in to peck on his lips. "Who am I to not do as you asked. I will keep what I find to myself for I love you." Ifrit closed his eyes quickly embracing her form in his. "Thank you." She could only encircle her arms around him in an answer before they drew apart. "We must hurry." As the last word was said the two vanished.
When they reappeared the two Astrals were struck by the aura that surrounded the city. And that of the heavy silence caused by no bird songs being heard. Glancing around Ifrit took stock of the empty streets when its usual was bursting of activity. Right as a scream rang out Ifrit tensed as the pain ran through him this time even worse, but he was better prepared. That scream had come from his sister, her voice reaching far in her anguish that he was sure all who lived on this land could have heard it. Quickly he made his way through the city taking notice when he would spot a human. Each time they would bow lowly as the Astrals past them the looks of sadness plain on their faces.
Worry thumped into Ifrit as his steps ran up the long stairs that led to the temple built into the large mountain Phoenix resided most of the time. Through the large gates leading into open courtyard Ifrit found it was empty as well. Marching through the doors Ifrit glancing around the room that had been formed by carving into the mountain insides with thick columns of stone to help support the weight of the mountain in the large room. Most of the blocks that had been taken were also later used to sculpt with as the mountain gave plenty of stone to work with for the people. It was here, Ifrit and Shiva were stopped by Seraph in her bird form.
Brightly colored purple feather seemed to gleam in the flickering torchlights that hung along the walls and stone columns. The messenger gave them a bow of her avian head that had two very long display plume feathers that twitched slightly showing just how worried the messenger was. "It is good you have come." She stated raising her head back up. "Mistress is in distress. Come quickly." Seraph turned, the click-clack of her talons sounding as she led them down a sculpted-out hallway. Just at the mouth she stopped to glance a little at Shiva with a look of wariness before looking to Ifrit as her amethysts eyes let show sorrow yet purpose. "If word of this reaches the ears of the others, I will harm her. I may be a messenger, but Mistress is who I protect."
Shiva could only give a bow of her head to Seraphim's words in understanding. Many messengers would partner with an Astral while some gained more changing the dynamic of relationship. Sometimes for the better other times they would separate after a time. Shiva cherished what she has with Gentiana and knows what Seraph could do if provoked to that point to even attempt to attack her. "You have my word, Seraph, that this knowledge will not pass my lips. My love for Ifrit extends to that of his sister. She will not come to harm from me, ever."
Seraph pierced her gaze into the Ice Goddess before giving a nod. "I must warn you….Mistress has been at his side for days now. She is not take his passing very well." Ifrit nodded following the messenger into a room. It was furnished in a homely fashion with little things here and there that have been collected over time. Paper with finished drawings covered a large desk off to the left of the room with many being pinned to the wall. Vases of wild flowers brighten the room with colors, and it was here Ifrit's eyes fell upon Phoenix.
She was kneeling over the bed with a hand grasping ahold of a hand that was pale and withered almost as the bones stuck out heavily under the skin. That hand belonged to the figure who looked to be sleeping peacefully in the middle of the bed even with the sunken skin and pure white hair that had been done into a braid to help keep it from becoming ratty. Phoenix stared blankly at the figure while her wings, which were in dire need of being preened, hung listlessly around her. The feathers were dull of the normal range of orange and yellow bright colors.
"Phoenix?" Ifrit called softly to her making his way to her. She gave no response other than the dulled pain that came from her through the bond. Seraph stepped to the right of him. "She has been unresponsive since his passing moments ago." He nodded to the messenger who took several steps back to let him do as he wanted.
Kneeling at her side he slowly working each feather back into place of her left wing making sure to keep his voice low and soft. "I never like the man, but I knew he would be good for you. He always made you smile and glow brighter than any I have ever seen another do, including me. I remember coming one day to see you and found him with those pages in hand and forming this picture of you. With every stroke he drew you so beautifully and with such loving care that I could see your glow coming even from that picture. This man held a deep love of you that I could see simply from how he drew you."
The only reaction Ifrit got from his twin was a slow blink of her eyes as they stayed staring at the man, so he continued to speak as his fingers worked to preen for her. "Just know I am here. For now, I will take care of you." He stated sending waves of his love for her hoping it might sooth some of the grief she held. A shuffled came to his right showing Shiva sitting next to him watching as he went about preening. "Can you show me how to do that? I can work the right side." Ifrit paused in thought before nodding teaching Shiva the proper way of getting the feathers back into shape.
As the two sat in silence behind Phoenix with only the soft sounds of breathing being heard by the four in the room. Seraph turned to the doors that had remained open to the group of Stelluxians having come to stand in mourning with the Goddess. Slowly, they put down a flower that were of marigold, lilies, orchids, and dahlias then giving a low bow then leaving. The people treasured Phoenix that it stretched to that of Cidulfus who was a constant sight near the Goddess. Many thinking he was also an Astral for how long he had lived but it was soon told with his aging features these last few years that said otherwise.
The days that followed were difficult as she gave no response to any simulation Ifrit tried often times being the only one speaking. When the time came to light the fire for Cidulfus Ifrit had to led her to the place it would happen as she gave no notion of moving until gently pushed to do so. Almost as if she was blocked from knowing what was happening around her that it took outside force to do anything. It worried the Infernien with each passing day she remained silent noticing the color draining from her feathers making them duller. The dull feeling coming from her did not help ease his worries either. A void seemed to be the only thing he could compare it to.
"I am worried she is wasting away before my very eyes." He stated pacing in the room that they were using since coming. Off to the side stood Phoenix as her blank stare bore into the two Astrals. "Each day takes more color from her, and I can feel nothing from her." He looked to Shiva tear nearly chocking on his words as his eyes watered. "I am losing her."
Shiva quickly embraced him tightly. I may not be of much help, but I will try to help you through this as well. We will help Phoenix get through this as well. It is still recent, and grief has a way of sticking to any being that can feel. More so that feel deeply as she does. She is heartbroken and that is a wound that may never heal. All we can do is help her know she is still loved by other and that this man's love of her will never go away." Pulling back Shiva rubbed a thumb along his cheek with a small smile. "Let me talk with her, my love, while you go see about the city." Ifrit sighed with a nod. He glanced to his sister with his brow together in worry seeing the feathers showing gray at the roots before he left the room.
Moving to Phoenix Shiva brought a hand to caress her cheek. "You know, I first thought of humans pitiful. Clinging to hope and dreams that vanished like the wind with the short lives they live. But it was your brother that showed me differently. While they do have brief lives they make it up with how they care for one another. Know that the people of this land also care deeply about you and wish for your recovery." Something flittered within Phoenix's eyes. "This man, Cidulfus, loved you even having never seen him till that day. He loved you enough that putting you through this was something he would never have let you go through."
"I have no doubt that he would have been here for you. To hold you close." Stepping closer Shiva raised her other hand to caress the other cheek purple eyes staring into blank amber ones. "It is time to let this pain go. It is time to let go and heal what little can be healed. He would not have wanted you to waste away." Several blinks happened fast as Phoenix's eyes filled with tears.
In a creaked whisper she breathed out. "I miss him so much." Shiva tilted her head a little giving the Astral a small sad smile. "That is okay for you held him importantly to you. It is okay to miss him, it shows you remember him. That you remember what was good and that of the bad. What is needed is to let this pain wash over you, you need to feel it if you are to move along. Keeping it a bay as you have is not good. Being nub to this is killing you." She stated watching as her tears spilled over and her face crumbled. "Let it out, I will be here as that is all I can do right now but know that you are not alone for you also have your brother." A sob broke through and her arms came around the Ice Goddess to hold her tightly. Shiva only shifted letting a hand slip her fingers through the feathered hair in a sooth way.
Quickly footsteps skidded to a stop as Shiva tilted to see Ifrit's eyes glued to Phoenix with wide eyes. "I can feel her again." He whispered some in relief and some in sorrow. With a beckoning hand Shiva waiting till he was a few steps away. "She need any and all comfort you can give." She stated glancing to the Astral in her arms that was freely wailing. With a nod he quickly took both women into his arms in a strong embrace.
