Aithniel returned to her home, intending to find it like it always was. She had ventured across the world in search of herself and instead found Gaucho. Together, they had tangled in the flames, burned each other with their powers and experienced what she had only dreamed of for most of her young life. He was her idol - a god-like figure on a pedestal to be honored and admired. One day, she wanted to be like him; be powerful and revered. Every action she performed, she wanted to honor him and her father, the only two powerful beings in her life currently.

The sun was setting overhead by the time she landed in the sands, her belly full of life given to her by Gaucho. She hadn't expected to be with child again, but she was honored to be the vessel in which his seed took root. Was it not perfect? That her idol was the one to give her this gift? That she could continue to serve him even now with life to carry on his line. Aithniel knew he had other children, but she liked to think that this one would be special. She was the child of the sun god and he was the god's favored servant.

Was it not fitting that they would have this opportunity?

Aithniel saw a commotion in the distance and jogged toward the crowd, her sides rounder than before. She saw Gaucho, just laying there in the sand as his breath came in short bursts. She saw his companions tangled in his antlers and the bright flames begin to dim. Her heart stopped in her chest, but she held her head high, not allowing a single tear to develop in her stony, silver eyes.

Instead, she stood back with her cloven hooves firmly planted and watched without wavering until his flames finally went out. Aithniel grit her teeth together, scowling as the vultures picked at his body and weak-willed mares poured their hearts out at his death. Seeing him like this, prone and dead was not fitting. She strode forward then easily and snatched two of his feathers, one for her and one for her child.

Then, she looked around. "Unless any disagree, I am going to send him into the world beyond in the same manner in which he lived: on fire," she said firmly, looking to her father for guidance. Aithniel summoned the flames before her, making a halo of light around their fallen king.