The cavern, hidden deep within the volcanic mountains, was filled with an otherworldly stillness. Fiery embers danced in the air, casting shadows along the rocky walls, while a faint, rhythmic thrum echoed through the chamber. At the heart of the cavern lay a single, pulsating object—a crimson heart, beating steadily amidst the swirling inferno of flames.
Slowly, the flames around the heart intensified, swirling and coalescing as if drawn by an invisible force. The fire began to twist and contort, taking on the form of a majestic bird. Feathers of radiant white sprouted from the growing mass of fire, wings stretched wide as if grasping for the sky above. With each beat of the heart, the figure solidified further, gaining substance and form, until a brilliant, resplendent bird—tall, regal, and shimmering with holy light—stood within the cavern.
Iris, the Phoenix, had returned.
