As Li approached the downtrodden king, the flames on his wings eagerly flickering towards the monarch, Tia stopped him, grasping at his hand. She looked up at him, squinting her eyes through the bright white aura of fire that shone from Li.
"Papa, can we help him?" asked Tia.
"It does not seem like there is much to help anymore," said Li as he looked to the king, or whatever was left of it.
Tia nodded and said, "But still, good heart. If I can connect, then I can bring him back. Hard to connect with, though. If papa helps me, maybe we can see?"
"You want me to help you?" asked Li.
Tia nodded eagerly, and through their linked hands, he could sense her intentions. She read his understanding and turned towards the king, staring with her black and green pupils right into the monarch's shadowy visage, no, past it, into his heart, his soul.
