Listening to the low breathing sounds leaving her small draconic snout, Phenex' hands brushed tenderly over Sapphire's side and back as he held her in his embrace.
A feeble screech left her maw as the small dragon affectionately called out to him, instinctively knowing that these were her last moments.
"I know, I will miss you too.", Phenex replied softly, his flaming eyes shining with gentle affection, "But it's ok, you will be with your sister soon, love."
Sapphire didn't answer this time but she strenuously curled up her body while pressing herself as deep into his embrace as possible, the bond she shared with him humming with sorrow, love, and a hint of anticipation.
Sapphire wasn't sad about her death, having lived for hundreds of years and having seen the entire world at Phenex' side, she knew that this was how it should be. What caused her sorrow was the fact that she had to leave her father's side, now that her time in this world had come to a natural end, though the prospects of being reunited with Jade lightened her burden.
Phenex continued to whisper soothing words as he felt her lifeforce weakening until even the tiniest embers were extinguished and he could no longer feel her weak heartbeat through the palm of his hand.
His heart bled while impotent rage threatened to loosen the chains that shackled his existence and might, keeping him from turning all of Planetos into a world of ashes as the oldest of his daughters died in his arms.
…
The stars lit up the dark firmament while the shattered moon reflected the light of the nearest star to illuminate the night on Planetos, a veil of serenity laying over the First Daughter.
Sitting in the gardens of the quiet courtyard that had been his second home after leaving Starfall, Phenex looked at the fourteen warriors before him who had been by his side for the longest time.
He could see the weariness in the deepest parts of their being, and he knew that it was time for them to pass on, time for their souls to return to their origin and for their bodies to return to the earth.
His Feathers had endured longer than anyone else, keeping their oath faithfully even after their loved ones and children had passed away, never wavering in their resolve to stay by his side and assuage his loneliness, ready to enact his will in but a moment's notice.
Now though it was time for Phenex to keep his side of their promise and prove his loyalty to them.
"Sapphire has left my side.", he voiced out softly, "She was the last one to leave me."
"We- … We are still here, Phenex. We are still by your side.", Mera replied with quiet conviction, the rest of the Feathers sitting beside her in silent agreement.
"No.", Phenex whispered, serenity shining in his violet eyes as he looked at the last members of his family with a mild smile.
"You have fulfilled your oath, you have accompanied me enough. It is time for you to rest, it's what you deserve.", he ended.
"As long as you walk this world, our place is by your side, Phenex. Our oath is not yet fulfilled.", Obara countered, her trusty spear laying by her side while her head rested in Belio's lap.
"This world … My heart has left this world piece by piece, little flower. It is time my body followed.", Phenex replied softly, his head turned upwards as his gaze rested on something beyond the stars and the broken moon of Planetos.
This time none of his Feathers objected, though he could feel that they shared in his pain as they themselves had also lost enough over the centuries that had passed.
Ruyu though stood up and approached him, before simply seating herself in his lap, the lithe warrioress of Valyrian descent burying herself in his embrace as she whispered tiredly: "Don't forget us when we're gone."
"Never.", he promised as his arms wrapped themselves around the slender Feather's waist.
…
A week later a mausoleum without an entrance appeared in the quiet courtyard, the building being indestructible by mortal means.
On the eastern wall, it read 'Loyalty. Affection. Respect. Here lie my Feathers. My family.', written in a language long lost to this world.
…
Having given up his mortal form, Phenex looked down at Planetos as he stood in the black void surrounding the planet.
Gazing at the lands he had ruled and protected up to this point, he knew that once he left that it would only be a matter of time until the Red Temple would decline and collapse, as such was the cruelty of time.
He understood this now but it no longer filled his heart with anxiety and pity, as nothing could be preserved forever. He was the only eternal existence and even he could change and learn, love and grief.
So even if all traces of those he loved and missed would someday vanish from this world, he carried them with him wherever he went, his memories being proof of their existence while the grief in his heart was evidence of his love.
A deep sadness hidden in his eyes, Phenex let one last phoenix cry ring out on Planetos before his blazing wings carried him through the dark sea of space, wandering and searching for a place to call home once again.
...
[A/N: And this concludes Phenex' journey on Planetos, I hope you liked it! And thank you all for sticking with the story. I never expected this one to have much of an audience but I personally loved writing it, so I appreciate everyone of you that stuck around up till now!
Also, from now on, I will be uploading chapters for 'The Wanderer' every few days. I don't have a fixed schedule here on WN but the updates should be somewhat consistent. See you there!]