Always thanks to my fantastic beta red_w00dy

Pules was absent mindedly peeling potatoes in the kitchen, attempting to put herself at ease about the mission to rescue her oldest son when her house had started to shrink. Chogan's bedroom door disappeared, leaving a blank wall where his room once was. The knife and potatoes clattered to the floor as her whole world collapsed in a single moment. A few minutes passed with Pules lost in a whirlwind of thought before Mika ran in, covered in blood, and frantically attempted to gather the older woman to follow her. Mika's pleading was muffled but she was able to lead Pules out of her house and to the center of town where she finally snapped back to reality at the sight of the inevitable.

"Nuqisus!" Pules disintegrated in that moment when her eyes locked on the body of her fallen son.

Sahale was crouched on the ground, clutching his younger brother tightly to his chest as sobs wracked his body. Pules ran over to her two boys while tears began to pour down her face.

"Chogan saved me, nek," Sahale looked up at his mother through his grief laden eyes. "He took a curse for me. It's all my fault," he said as he looked down at his brother's lifeless form. "I did this," Sahale began to repeat in a whisper in between his sobs as he rocked Chogan back and forth, moving the blood soaked hair from his brother's face.

"I should not have let him come along on the mission," Winema said and stepped towards the grieving family, "place that burden upon my shoulders. You are not the one meant to carry this weight."

"Neither of you will do such a thing," Pules instructed harshly. "Chogan was destined to be there; to save you," she looked into Sahale's eyes. "His spirit was created for this task just as you have your own destiny, Sahale. We can only reflect on the blessing of his spirit to enter our lives as he is returned to the earth."

"I will start the preparations for the ceremony, Pules," Ituha said as she placed a caring hand on the grieving mother's shoulder. Pules reached her hand up, placing it on top of Ituha's as she smiled up at her friend.

Hassun turned on his heel and stomped off towards the woods.

"He just needs some time to process this on his own," Mika tried to excuse his behavior. "What do you need us to do, Ituha?" she said, wiping away stray tears from her cheek.

"We need to collect obsidian so his spirit can be properly channeled back into the earth." Ituha replied.

"Sahale, may I have his ring?" Istas softly asked, crouching next to him. He sniffled slightly then slid the ring off of Chogan's finger, reluctantly placing it in Istas' open hand. "Thank you," she smiled at him then took off with Rowtag to summon more of the black stone.

"I will go let Eluwilussit know, though I'm sure the spirits have already informed him," Winema said as she set off down one of the roads.

"Is there anything we can do?" Tina asked the older woman.

"Can you cook?" Ituha answered with a question of her own.

"Well, not the no-maj way, but if you don't mind a little magic, I can help make a whole feast," Tina said excitedly.

"Pules, let's get Chogan out of the road and then Tina will come with me," Ituha instructed her friend. Pules nodded and commanded a temporary structure to spring up at the edge of the forest outside of the village. Newt subtly cast a charm to lighten Chogan so Sahale could easily carry him to the outskirts of the village.

Sahale cradled his brother in his arms and slowly walked him through the village and in to the small building at the edge of the forest. Inside, there were rows of benches and a large wooden basin at the far end of the room. As Sahale carried Chogan's body down the aisle between the benches, cardinal flowers began to grow and line the path towards the basin. He lowered Chogan carefully into the wooden cradle, crossing his brother's arms over his chest and moving Chogan's hair out of his face. Newt stepped up beside Sahale and cast a cleansing charm to draw away the blood.

"Thank you," Sahale said as he continued to stare at his brother's face, trying to memorize his features before sending his body to the earth. Pules stood beside him and commanded Chogan's clothes to change into traditional burial garments. An ornately woven tunic appeared and covered his body as his feet were laced into black suede moccasins. The clothing had delicately woven mosaics of moonstone, obsidian, and labradorite beads to pay homage to the family that Chogan's spirit was leaving behind. Obsidian beads laced down his arms to look like wings as he lay peacefully beneath the open roof. Cardinal flowers crawled up to the arbor and hung down above them, the bright red petals contrasting with the hazy midday sky.

"I'm going to collect some of his things. I'll be back, nuqisus," Pules told Sahale then offered a kind smile to Newt and started slowly to her house at the other side of the village. The two men stood in silence, Newt attempting to find the words to say in order to comfort his friend.

"I don't know what to do, Newt," Sahale broke the silence with a whispered confession. "For most of my life, my sole purpose has been to teach Chogan the world, the way of the spirit, and everything in between. How do I go on when I've lost my life's purpose?"

"One of my first adventures to learn about creatures took me to the pyramids of Egypt, they have an extensive underground market for dangerous beasts. Unfortunately for me when I arrived, there was a problem with tomb raiders looking for ancient potions or hieroglyphic spells carved in sarcophagi. One of the raiders had broken a vase that contained a liquid version of Fiendfyre, that's a dark spell that creates nearly unstoppable flames. Well the fire roared through the market destroying most everything in it's path and engulfing a cage containing a brilliant crimson bird that I had my eye on. I was devastated, just berating myself for not being able to get to this beautiful creature in time." Newt paused for a moment to catch Sahale's gaze.

"I'm sorry, Newt, but how was that supposed to make me feel better?" Sahale asked then looked back down at Chogan.

"That's the beauty of the Phoenix," Newt smiled slightly. "After being consumed by flames, the Phoenix will rise from the ashes. Through absolute destruction comes the purity of rebirth, because after losing everything comes true growth." Newt picked up his case and turned to give Sahale some privacy with his brother. "You might not be able to see out of the flames right now, but your rebirth is just on the other side." Newt smiled back at Sahale then left to go see if he could be helpful in any of the other preparations.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Tina and Ituha were excitedly exchanging recipes when Newt got to the Feast Hall. He stopped at the entrance, leaning against the wooden frame with Pickett peaking out from his lapel to continue to watch the women create elaborate dishes before his eyes. Tina waved her wand at an eggplant, making it cut itself in a spiral as herbs drifted in between each layer before the vegetable roasted in the air then floated softly down onto a serving tray.

"My sister, Queenie, taught me that one," Tina smiled for a moment before her expression sagged as she thought of how much she missed her sister.

"It smells wonderful," Ituha said as small branches snaked out from her hands and held multiple utensils to tackle different jobs. One branch was chopping wild onions while another was filleting a fish so that Ituha could use her hands to peel and core apples.

"I've come to see if I could offer a hand but it seems like you have it covered in here," Newt said as he sidled up to Tina.

"I'm barely any help at this point," Tina laughed and leaned in to Newt.

"I'll admit, I needed the company more than the extra pair of hands. I'm afraid if I get lost in my thoughts then we won't get done before sundown." Ituha said as she continued the preparations.

"I can try and distract your thoughts with stories," Newt suggested. "Oh, Tina, tell Ituha how we met," he turned back towards the older woman, "this one's had it out for me since the beginning."

"Sounds lovely," Ituha smiled as Tina told the elaborate story of Newt and his escaped beasts, finding an extremely dangerous creature who was destroying New York City, and discovering the hidden identity of the darkest wizard alive. Newt stepped in to act out the part of the creatures, making sure they were seen for the loving animals they are. Ituha laughed when Newt performed the Erumpent mating dance, he was careful to get every movement precise for the women. The three of them talked until Ituha was done with the feast and they set off towards the edge of the village to visit with Chogan one last time.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Pules and Sahale stood at the far end of the building as those wanting to pay their respects began to file in. Each new arrival placed an obsidian object in the basin beside Chogan's body. Some were just small stones and other pieces consisted of ornately carved animals, knives, and jewelry. Mika's older sister, Mala, took off her own channel and placed the obsidian wolf head necklace across his chest, holding her hand on his for a few moments before sitting down next to her sister.

"Hey, Newt," Mika called out to him as he was walking down the aisle. "Have you seen Hassun anywhere?"

"Not since we came back," Newt said, worry beginning to bubble to the surface. He hoped that Hassun hadn't gotten himself in any sort of trouble.

Newt stood next to Chogan's body, he appeared to be sleeping now that he was cleaned of the aftermath of that morning's battle. He fished inside of his case for a moment and brought out a delicately carved black stone.

"I happened to have this obsidian eagle that I acquired in Peru," Newt said as he twirled the small figure between his thumbs and forefingers. "I know it isn't a black bird, but it is a bird that is black so perhaps it will do." He placed the stone beside Chogan and smiled softly before turning to go sit beside Tina and Machk.

Eluwilussit and Winema were the last to give Chogan his channel. They both placed a large obsidian raven beside the basin, one at Chogan's head and the other at his feet. Winema stood with her right hand on the raven statue at his feet and her other hand connecting with Eluwilussit's. When Eluwilussit reached out and touched the raven at Chogan's head, a gush of wind passed through the small building. The structure melted away until only the benches and Chogan's basin were left exposed to the late afternoon sky.

Machk left Newt's side to join Sahale, Iye, and Rowtag as they joined hands in a circle behind Chogan and began to sing a low funeral dirge.

"It's a farewell song to call his spirit. We hope that the earth hears the music and his spirit is allowed to join the other blackbirds. It's a plea to the earth to keep his flight." Iye whispered forward from the bench behind Newt and Tina.

Pules was walking up and down the aisle with herbs burning from a small metal cauldron at the end of a chain that she swung back and forth.

"Sage," Iye explained again. "The earth is awakened by the smell and is more open to our desires."

A gentle breeze blew the sage smoke around and lifted the men's voices higher into the air. The sound of many beating wings began to get closer, causing everyone to look wildly through the sky. A flock of black birds emerged from the horizon, drifting steadily through the air as the headed straight for the group gathered at the forest's edge.

The birds landed in the tree behind Chogan, bringing a silence to the air as the men stopped singing and their wings stilled. Everyone below stared as they wondered what to do next. Never had this many spirit embodiments answered a funeral song before.

One lone bird flew down and perched on the edge of the wooden basin that held Chogan's body, looking down inquisitively at the fallen teenager. The bird reached his beak back and plucked a shiny black feather from his wing, dropping it in to the basin then flying back up to the tree. Each one of the birds followed suit, plucking a wing feather and offering it to Chogan's body until each bird had produced a feather. The blackbirds all took flight together and returned over the horizon, bringing the silent stillness of the air with them.

"I've never seen something like that before," Winema said, breaking the silence. "His sacrifice was the purest use of spirit. It's safe to say that the earth has accepted our plea and he will join in flight once again." Winema beamed and walked up to Ituha. "Let's give him the biggest, strongest tree to last for centuries."

Everybody rose from their seats as the benches disappeared into the ground. Pules and Winema stepped up behind Ituha, placing a hand on each shoulder to offer some of their magic for the task. Ituha knelt to the ground, placing her palms on the dirt. Roots began to spread out from under the wooden basin that held Chogan. Thick vines stretched up from the ground, surrounding the basin until you could no longer see him. The vines twisted up high then branched out, growing leaves as bark covered the the trunk that enclosed Chogan's body. The oak tree groaned as the wood settled in to the earth. Everyone came up to place a hand upon the trunk, saying a final goodbye as they set off toward the feast hall to celebrate the life of their fallen friend. Pules and Sahale held their hands to the trunk a bit longer as they waited for everyone to leave.

"I'll miss you, Chogan," Sahale whispered to the oak, lifting his eyes to gaze at the mighty branches.

A stark white raven peeked down at Sahale from behind a thick branch. The bird stared down at the man, neither making a sound for a moment as they studied each other.

"Ch-Chogan?" Pules stuttered out.

The bird swooped down and circled them a few times before flying back up in to the dense canopy.

"He's okay. Chogan's flying again," Sahale said while holding back tears. "Let's go eat." Sahale put his arm around his mother's shoulders and they walked to the feast hall, grief melting away once they realized that Chogan's spirit was free to fly again.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Alright, Pickett, I'm going as fast as I can. Mum's a bit weighed down by all that food," Newt said to the bowtruckle that tugged on his ear, leading him to the new tree at the edge of the forest. He continued to walk until he saw Hassun leaning against the tree and pressing his forehead to the rough bark.

"I'm so sorry, Chogan. You were right, you've always been right. I screw everything up. I tried to save you and look how that went," Hassun sobbed to the sturdy oak. "I've come back to get a few things but I'm leaving before I hurt anyone else. I don't belong here, I know that now. I wish I had figured it out before you paid for my ignorance."

Pickett jumped from Newt's lapel and scurried over to the oak, climbing up Hassun to get into the canopy. The bowtruckle stopped on Hassun's shoulder though settling in to tuck himself into the teenager's long hair.

"Funny things, bowtruckles," Newt said as he stepped closer to Hassun. "Normally very predictable creatures; eat, tend to their home tree and fellow bowtruckles, and keep to one tree their whole lives unless their tree dies. But Pickett has never been considered a normal bowtruckle. He's always been the outcast of his home tree, which is why he latched on to me. I think he could sense that I was an outsider like him," Newt explained as he walked up to the tree, placing his palm against the bark.

"What do I do with it?" Hassun asked.

"Him," Newt corrected. "Pickett will gather his own food, woodlice are his favorite, so you only need to engage him. He's a fantastic listener. I think that's why he brought me here. Pickett could sense an outsider who just needs someone to talk to, someone to call a friend."

Pickett trilled from behind Hassun's curtain of hair.

"Well, I guess," the young man replied. Newt's eyes lit up as a large smile crossed his face.

"You're understanding each other already! Now, how about some dinner? I could use a cup of tea," Newt said and began to walk back to the center of the village.

Hassun hesitated, looking up at the large oak tree. "I should have been here for him."

Newt looked back over his shoulder and shook his head with a small smile. "Better you come to terms with his death alone than to send his spirit away while still heavy with rage."

"I guess," Hassun began to follow Newt but was stopped by a loud caw from within the dense leaves of the oak. The white raven flew down again, landing on Hassun's head. The bird gave a hard peck to his forehead before flying back up into the tree.

"I think Chogan just called you an idiot for thinking about leaving," Newt laughed out.

"You know what? I think you're right." Hassun rubbed at his forehead, laughing with Newt as they went to join the others at the Feast Hall.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"I feel as if I could sleep for a century," Newt said as he and Tina crossed the threshold of her cottage.

"I think I prefer the Native American send off; food, friends, and laughter. Wizards and witches have such sad and boring funerals," Tina said as she took of her boots, stretching her toes out as she took off her socks.

"I couldn't agree more. Still upset that Pickett left me, though," Newt sulked and plopped down on to the sofa.

"I think Hassun could really use a friend right now." Tina sat next to Newt, leaning into him and resting for the first moment that day.

"True. Would you like a cuppa?" Newt asked while lightly trailing his fingers on her shoulder.

"I didn't sleep a wink last night. I think I'm just going to shower and go straight to bed. Thank you though," Tina turned her face up to meet Newt's eyes and he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Tina raised up and pressed her lips firmly to his. After a moment, she drew away slightly with her eyes still closed and gave a soft "goodnight," leaving the sofa to retreat to the bathroom.

"Night. Good. Uh, goodnight," Newt called after her as he got up from the sofa. There was a nice clawfoot tub he had installed within his case that was sure to help him relax after such an eventful day. Though that kiss was already melting all his worry away. He looked towards the closed bathroom door, whispered "goodnight" once more, and disappeared for the night.