The road stretched endlessly ahead, bathed in the soft orange light of the setting sun.
The trio an exhausted mercenary, a brooding mage, and one slightly singed duck walked in silence, their shadows long and uneven across the dirt path.
Takeshi was the first to break it. "So… anyone else think wolf meat might taste like barbecue?"
Lira snorted. "You're not seriously thinking about eating that, are you?"
"Hey, I'm a duck now. My standards have plummeted dramatically."
Eldric didn't even look back. "Do try to resist your animal instincts. The smell of burnt fur is hardly appetizing."
Takeshi grumbled. "Spoken like someone who's never been hungry and winged."
They finally stopped near a small clearing by a stream. Lira dropped her pack with a grunt and started setting up a fire pit. Eldric raised his staff, murmuring something under his breath; the wood sparked to life instantly.
"Show-off," she muttered.
"Efficiency," he replied coolly.
Takeshi waddled up to the fire and stared into it. The dancing orange flames reflected in his small black eyes. For a second, it almost looked like the fire responded to him, flickering brighter.
Lira noticed. "You're not gonna explode again, are you?"
He tilted his head. "Fifty-fifty chance, probably."
She tossed a stick at him. "Not funny."
"I wasn't joking."
She groaned. "You're a walking no, waddling hazard."
"Correction," he said proudly. "A flaming hazard."
She laughed despite herself, and for a moment, the tension melted away.
As night settled in, the forest around them buzzed with faint sounds crickets, frogs, and the distant howl of another wolf pack. The three of them sat around the campfire. Lira sharpened her blade. Eldric wrote notes in a small glowing book. Takeshi just… stared up at the stars.
"You know," he said after a while, "back home, I used to look at the night sky through a cracked window. Same stars, but they didn't look this… real."
Lira glanced up briefly. "You're from another world, right? You've said that before."
"Yeah," he murmured. "A boring one. No magic, no monsters. Just alarm clocks and rent."
She chuckled. "Sounds awful."
"Oh, it was. I spent most of my time playing games instead of actually living. Then boom air conditioner to the head. Ten out of ten ending."
Eldric looked up at that, his eyes faintly glowing under the firelight. "You died in your world… and were reborn here. You sound far too casual about it."
Takeshi shrugged or as close as a duck can. "What can I say? I've had time to process it. Kinda helps when you're too busy not getting eaten."
Eldric's tone softened slightly. "Still, not many would accept it so easily."
"Who said I accepted it?" Takeshi said quietly. "I joke a lot, sure. But sometimes… I wake up and forget I have feathers. Then I look down, and it all comes crashing back. The fact that I'll never see my old world again."
Lira stopped sharpening her blade. The fire crackled between them.
"That's heavy," she said softly. "Guess you hide it well."
He forced a small smile. "Yeah, well, comedy's cheaper than therapy."
A comfortable silence followed. The only sound was the river and the crackling flames.
Then, in true Takeshi fashion, he broke the mood.
"So, serious question: if I ever evolve, do you think I'll get cool wings of fire, or just, like, hotter feathers?"
Lira burst out laughing. "You can barely walk without tripping over roots. Maybe evolve into something less clumsy first."
"Rude but fair."
Even Eldric allowed himself the faintest smirk. "If he ever learns control, perhaps evolution isn't impossible. But at his current level…"
"Hey! I'm level two now, thank you very much!"
Lira feigned awe. "Oh no, my apologies, mighty level two duck. Please don't smite me with your fiery quack."
Takeshi puffed up proudly. "Too late for mercy now."
He opened his beak and tried to produce a tiny flame. Nothing. Just a small puff of smoke.
The bunny, curled beside the fire, sneezed.
Lira howled with laughter. "Epic failure!"
"Shut up! It's the humidity, okay?"
Eldric sighed, rubbing his temple. "At this rate, I may go insane before we reach the capital."
"You love us," Lira teased.
"I tolerate you," he corrected.
"That's progress," Takeshi said brightly.
Later that night, when the others had drifted off to sleep, Takeshi remained awake, watching the embers glow.
He extended a wing toward the fire. It flickered again, brighter, responding like it could feel him.
A strange warmth pulsed in his chest not just from the fire, but from something deeper. Something ancient.
He heard it again the same faint whisper that spoke to him in the dungeon.
"Flame remembers its bearer. Do not fear it… command it."
He blinked, heart racing. "Who's there?"
Only silence answered.
He looked down at his wings. Tiny orange sparks danced between his feathers, faint but alive.
He smiled faintly. "Alright, mystery voice. Guess we're doing this together."
He leaned back, resting his head on the ground, eyes half-closed. "Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."
The last thing he saw before sleep took him was the faint shimmer of firelight reflecting off the blade Lira had left beside him and for the first time since his rebirth, he didn't feel alone.
By the time they reached the hill overlooking Ardentia, the sun was climbing high, painting the horizon gold. Below them sprawled the city massive, vibrant, alive.
Towers of stone and brass pierced the skyline, airships floated lazily above the rooftops, and the streets shimmered with the constant motion of merchants, travelers, and beasts of every kind.
"Whoa," Takeshi breathed. "It's like… fantasy Tokyo."
Lira smiled faintly. "Welcome to Ardentia the heart of the Western Realms. If you can't find something here, it probably doesn't exist."
Eldric adjusted his cloak, his expression unreadable. "Let us hope we remain unnoticed. I'd rather not draw attention to a talking duck."
"Rude," Takeshi muttered. "I'm adorable, not suspicious."
Lira smirked. "You're a talking, flaming duck, Ghost. That's the definition of suspicious."
He puffed his feathers. "Semantics."
They descended the slope and joined the road leading into the city. The main gate loomed ahead a massive arch of iron and carved obsidian guarded by armored knights. Their eyes widened the moment they spotted Takeshi.
"Hold up! What in the " one guard began, lowering his spear.
Takeshi froze. "Uh oh. Okay, play it cool."
Lira stepped forward smoothly. "It's fine. He's… enchanted."
The guard blinked. "Enchanted?"
"Yes," Eldric added quickly, his tone perfectly calm. "A familiar spirit bound to us by the Arcane Accord of Brimvale."
The two guards exchanged glances. "Never heard of it."
"Of course not," Eldric said smoothly, "it's very advanced."
Takeshi nodded furiously. "Yup. Totally advanced. Super mystical stuff. Don't question it."
The guards stared for another moment, shrugged, and let them through.
As soon as they were clear, Takeshi hissed, "The Arcane Accord of Brimvale? Really?"
Eldric gave a faint smile. "It sounded convincing."
"Yeah, well, next time my life depends on your improv, maybe rehearse first."
Lira laughed. "Relax, Ghost. You're lucky he's good under pressure."
"Lucky?" Takeshi muttered. "I'm like one bad lie away from being roasted—literally."
The streets of Ardentia were overwhelming. Stalls lined every corner, overflowing with fruits, spices, and strange glowing crystals. Children ran past carrying mechanical toys powered by mana stones. Somewhere nearby, a bard sang an upbeat tune about a dragon who fell in love with his own reflection.
Takeshi was mesmerized. His little head turned every few seconds, eyes wide. "Oh man… this place is incredible."
"You've never seen a city before?" Lira asked.
"Not like this," he said. "My old world had cities, sure but none with flying cats and bread that glows. I mean, look at that bakery! It's literally on fire."
She followed his gaze. "That's… intentional. It's called Flame-Forged Bread. Supposedly baked with dragon heat."
"Awesome. I need that."
"Do you even eat bread?"
"I don't know. But I'm willing to find out."
They made their way to the Adventurer's Guild, a sprawling three-story building made of blackwood and steel. A huge emblem a sword crossed with a feather hung over the entrance.
Inside, it was chaos. Adventurers of all shapes and species filled the hall—humans, elves, beastfolk, and even a few talking animals that made Takeshi feel slightly less out of place.
A loud receptionist with magenta hair and a scar across her cheek waved them over. "New registrations?"
"Yes," Lira said. "Two humans and one… companion."
The woman raised an eyebrow at Takeshi. "That a pet?"
"Excuse me! I'm sentient!" Takeshi squawked.
A few heads turned. Someone dropped their drink.
The receptionist blinked. "...Okay. Talking duck. Haven't seen that in a while."
Takeshi looked offended. "A while? How many of us are there?!"
"Couple dozen, maybe? Some cursed, some summoned, one married a noblewoman—long story."
Lira choked. "He what?"
"Yeah," the woman said casually. "Anyway, you'll need to fill these forms."
Eldric leaned closer to Takeshi. "Don't get distracted."
"I'm not," Takeshi said defensively, already scanning the form. "Name, species, skills… wait, do I put 'Duck' or 'Fire Duck'? I feel like the latter sounds cooler."
Lira sighed. "Just write your name."
"Fine. 'Ghost, the Flaming Duck.'"
Eldric muttered, "Subtle as ever."
While waiting for approval, they sat at a corner table. Takeshi watched adventurers brag about monster hunts and rare loot. Some showed off new scars; others flashed enchanted weapons. It reminded him of gaming guilds back in his old life.
He whispered, "You know, this whole setup… it's like a real-life RPG. Parties, ranks, quests…"
Lira grinned. "That's basically what it is. You start low, prove your worth, climb the ranks."
"Sweet," Takeshi said. "Except, you know, I have wings instead of thumbs."
She chuckled. "Details."
A bell rang at the counter. "Team registration complete!" the receptionist called. "Team name?"
Takeshi perked up instantly. "Oh! Oh! I've got this one."
Lira groaned. "No."
Eldric closed his book. "Absolutely not."
"You didn't even hear it!"
"We don't need to," Lira said flatly. "Last time you named something, it was 'Operation Duck and Cover.'"
"Which was brilliant, by the way!"
After several minutes of bickering, they settled on a compromise: Team Emberlight simple, fitting, and slightly less embarrassing.
After the paperwork, Lira stretched. "We should rest at an inn. Ghost, try not to set anything on fire this time."
"It was one table! And technically, it was already kindling."
They found a small inn near the guild, cozy and filled with the smell of honey and woodsmoke. As they entered, the innkeeper blinked at Takeshi.
"...No pets."
Takeshi sighed dramatically. "Here we go again."
Lira stepped in quickly. "He's not a pet. He's our teammate."
The innkeeper squinted. "Teammate?"
"Yeah," Takeshi said, hopping onto the counter. "I pay rent, I fight monsters, and I occasionally provide emotional support."
The man blinked, then burst out laughing. "Alright, fine. But if you molt on the sheets, I'm charging extra."
Takeshi gave a solemn nod. "Fair."
Later that evening, after baths and dinner (Takeshi insisted on trying bread—he ended up sneezing fire onto it and calling it "self-toasted"), they sat together by the window overlooking the glowing streets.
Lira leaned back in her chair. "You did good today, Ghost."
He looked surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. You made it through the gates, didn't die, didn't cause a city-wide panic. That's progress."
Eldric nodded slightly. "You've improved your control. The fire obeys you more willingly now."
Takeshi looked down at his wings, faintly glowing in the candlelight. "Yeah… maybe it's starting to trust me."
"Or maybe," Lira said softly, "you're starting to trust yourself."
He paused, eyes reflecting the city lights outside. For once, he didn't have a joke ready.
Just a quiet smile.
The next morning came with the scent of rain.
Mist curled over Ardentia's rooftops, and the cobblestones glistened under the gray sky. Inside the inn, Ghost was the first to wake. He sat by the window, watching the street below merchants setting up stalls, kids chasing each other with mana-lanterns, life unfolding as if magic were ordinary.
He exhaled softly. "Guess I'm really here… not a dream."
The faint reflection of his feathery face stared back at him. Same beady eyes. Same ridiculous beak. But now, there was a spark behind them a flicker of purpose.
He heard footsteps. Lira entered, already armored and adjusting her gloves. "Morning, duck."
He blinked. "Did you just call me duck?"
She shrugged. "It's faster than saying Lord of Fire and Questionable Decisions."
He squawked. "I like that title better!"
Eldric followed behind, carrying a staff and a small satchel of scrolls. "You two are unusually energetic for dawn."
"Energy is my middle name," Ghost said proudly.
Lira smirked. "Pretty sure it's 'Crispy.'"
He glared. "Keep it up, and I'll toast your boots."
"Promises, promises."
At the Adventurer's Guild, the morning rush was in full swing. Adventurers crowded the quest board, arguing over bounties and rewards. Ghost had to hop onto the counter to see anything.
"Whoa, look at all these!" he said. "Goblin infestations, escort missions, magical plumbing issues wait, people actually post that?"
Lira scanned the board with a trained eye. "We need something low-risk for our first job. Something easy."
"Define easy," Ghost said.
"Something that doesn't involve you setting half the forest on fire."
Eldric ignored their banter and pointed at a parchment near the bottom. "This one. A lost pet near the southern outskirts. Low pay, but minimal danger."
Ghost tilted his head. "A missing pet? Isn't that, like, irony? A duck helping find someone else's animal?"
"Consider it poetic," Eldric said.
They accepted the quest, grabbed directions from the receptionist (who gave Ghost a small biscuit as "motivation"), and set out.
The trail led them out of the city and into a quiet woodland path. Rain dripped softly from the leaves. Birds chirped above, though they all went silent whenever Ghost tried to join in.
"Rude," he muttered.
Lira laughed. "Maybe they just know competition when they hear it."
After an hour of searching, they reached a small clearing. A nervous farmer waited there, wringing his hands.
"Thank the gods you came!" he said. "My daughter's familiar Fluffie ran off last night. She's heartbroken!"
Lira nodded. "Don't worry, we'll handle it. What kind of creature are we looking for?"
The farmer hesitated. "Well… technically, she's a chicken."
Ghost blinked. "A chicken."
"Yes."
"As in, feathers, wings, lots of clucking?"
"Yes."
He slowly turned to his teammates. "So… we're looking for my cousin."
Lira barely held back laughter. Eldric sighed. "Focus, please."
They followed the clues tiny clawprints, scattered feathers, and oddly enough, a trail of singed grass.
Ghost squinted. "Uh… guys? Is it possible your chicken can breathe fire too?"
Lira frowned. "That would be… bad."
Moments later, they heard it: a shrill, furious clucking mixed with faint bursts of flame.
"Found her," Ghost said dryly.
In the next clearing stood Fluffie an overgrown chicken with glowing red eyes and smoke curling from her beak. She was perched atop a pile of broken barrels like a feathery warlord.
"Oh great," Ghost muttered. "She's gone feral. Evil poultry edition."
The chicken screeched and spat a small fireball that barely missed them.
"Okay, I take it back!" Ghost yelled. "She's super evil!"
Lira drew her twin daggers, darting forward to distract the creature. "Eldric, cover her right flank!"
The mage lifted his staff, chanting a quick frost spell. "Frost Bind!"
Ice tendrils shot from the ground, trapping Fluffie's legs. She shrieked and fought wildly, sending embers flying.
Ghost hopped in circles nearby. "What do I do? Do I… talk to her? Intimidate her? Join her rebellion?"
Lira shouted, "Do something useful!"
"Right! Useful! Okay!"
He inhaled sharply, feeling the familiar warmth in his chest. The fire responded faster this time, almost eager.
"Fire Quack, level two don't fail me now!"
A stream of flame burst from his beak, swirling into a neat arc that hit the chicken squarely in the chest not enough to kill, but enough to scare the feathers off her.
Fluffie squawked, stumbled backward, and finally collapsed in the mud, smoking slightly.
Ghost stood there, panting. "Holy quack… I actually did it."
Lira blinked. "You didn't incinerate her."
"I controlled it!" he said proudly. "Character development, baby!"
Eldric examined the creature, satisfied. "The binding holds. She'll live."
The farmer came running, eyes wide with relief. "You saved her! Thank you!"
Ghost puffed up proudly. "No need to thank me, citizen. Just doing my ducky duty."
Back in Ardentia, they turned in the quest and received their first official pay. It wasn't much barely enough for a meal but the guild receptionist clapped her hands. "Good job, Team Emberlight. First mission success!"
Ghost beamed. "Heck yeah! Level-up time!"
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Quest Completed: "Lost Familiar"
+25 EXP
Skill Proficiency Increased: Fire Quack Lv.2 → Lv.3
New Trait Unlocked: Kindled Heart (Uncommon) "Your flames respond to emotion more vividly."
"Emotion-based fire?" he said, blinking. "So… if I get angry, I burn hotter?"
"Essentially," Eldric said.
Lira smirked. "Guess we better keep him happy, then."
Ghost grinned mischievously. "Free bread might help with that."
That night, the three of them sat again by the inn's window, the city glowing below. Rain tapped gently against the glass.
Lira leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "You know, I didn't think I'd ever say this but I'm glad we picked you up, Ghost."
He tilted his head. "Really?"
She nodded. "You're insane. But in a good way."
Eldric added quietly, "You bring… balance. Chaos, perhaps. But also something more."
Ghost blinked, a little taken aback. "Wow. Actual compliments. Are we dying tomorrow?"
Lira laughed. "No promises."
He chuckled, staring out at the lights again. For the first time, this world didn't feel foreign. It felt like a game he actually wanted to win not just survive.
He whispered to himself, "This time… I'm finishing the story."
Outside, a faint spark glowed on his feathers, flickering like a heartbeat of flame.