Ghost dreamed of fire.
Not the wild, chaotic blaze that burned without control but something deeper. Warmer. It pulsed like a heartbeat.
When he opened his eyes, dawn had just begun to creep through the inn's window.
Lira was already gone probably training again and Eldric was asleep, a book still open on his chest.
Ghost stretched his wings with a yawn. "Another day, another existential crisis."
His feathers ruffled slightly, still faintly warm from yesterday's mission. The feeling of power was addictive. For the first time since being reborn, he didn't just feel like prey.
He felt… alive.
Downstairs, the inn was quiet except for the clinking of dishes and the hum of early customers.
The innkeeper gave him a nod as he hopped up onto the counter.
"Morning, fiery one," the man greeted. "No fires today, yeah?"
"No promises," Ghost replied cheerfully. "Depends on the breakfast."
The man chuckled and slid him a small plate of toasted seeds and crumbs. "On the house. Heard you handled that runaway chicken yesterday. Impressive for someone with wings and no thumbs."
Ghost puffed up proudly. "What can I say? Greatness finds a way."
He pecked at the seeds while watching people outside the window. Merchants shouting, adventurers haggling, guards patrolling it was a rhythm he was starting to enjoy.
But then he noticed something off.
A group of black-cloaked figures at the far corner of the street. Moving quietly. Too quietly.
One of them slipped a parchment to a passing adventurer, who glanced at it, turned pale, and walked away quickly.
Ghost frowned. "That doesn't look sketchy at all."
He hopped off the counter. "Better wake the others. Feels like trouble's brewing."
By the time he got back upstairs, Lira was sharpening her daggers and Eldric was stirring awake.
Ghost landed on the bed with a thud. "Guys, we might have a situation."
Lira didn't even look up. "If it's about breakfast again, I swear"
"No, seriously. Shady types outside. Black cloaks. Totally evil vibes. Like, 'We're the villains of chapter four' kind of energy."
Eldric rubbed his eyes. "You're making assumptions based on wardrobe?"
"Yes," Ghost said firmly. "It's 99% accurate in fantasy worlds."
Lira sighed. "You've been reading too many of your own meta monologues again."
He ignored her. "We should check it out. You know hero stuff."
Eldric raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you the hero?"
"Since I stopped being the roadkill," Ghost replied.
That earned a small smile from Lira. "Alright, Ghost. Lead the way. But if this turns into another chicken situation, I'm leaving you with them."
"Fair. But I bet these ones breathe fire too."
They left the inn and followed the black-cloaked figures through the twisting alleys of Ardentia. The city felt different this morning less vibrant, more watchful.
The deeper they went, the fewer people there were. Shops turned into shuttered doors. Lanterns flickered weakly, casting long shadows.
Finally, the figures stopped at a massive iron door hidden between two warehouses. A faint symbol was carved into it a black feather burning at the tip.
Eldric's eyes narrowed. "That mark…"
"You recognize it?" Lira asked.
"Yes. The Black Guild. Assassins, smugglers, and mercenaries for hire. They operate under the city's surface. Dangerous people."
Ghost tilted his head. "Black Guild, huh? Sounds like a discount villain brand."
Lira elbowed him. "Focus."
The figures entered the door and disappeared.
Ghost's feathers bristled. "So what do we do? Kick it open? Dramatic entrance? Maybe I quack a fireball as distraction?"
Eldric gave him a flat look. "We observe first."
Ghost sighed. "Ugh. The stealth approach. My mortal enemy."
They hid behind some crates as a hooded courier arrived and slipped another parchment through a slot in the door. Lira crept closer, silent as smoke, and retrieved the discarded note.
She returned and unfolded it.
Ghost leaned over her shoulder or tried to, before Eldric had to hold him back from stepping on it.
The letter read:
Target: Lira Vencrest
Bounty: 800 silver
Order placed by: Unknown Client
Conditions: Alive preferred.
Ghost froze. "…Wait. What?"
Lira's eyes darkened, but she said nothing.
"Okay," Ghost said slowly, "this is the part where someone tells me it's a prank, right? Because otherwise, that's kinda terrifying."
Eldric's jaw tightened. "It's real. And if they're posting bounties in public channels, they're confident."
Lira folded the paper, expression unreadable. "This isn't the first time. My past has… loose ends."
Ghost blinked. "Loose ends that want you kidnapped?"
"Something like that."
He stared at her for a long moment. The joking tone faded. "You could've told us."
She met his eyes sharp, steady, but tired. "Would it have changed anything?"
He hesitated… then shook his head. "No. But I'd have set more traps."
That earned him a tiny laugh, the first hint of warmth breaking through the tension.
They didn't have long to breathe. The door creaked open again and this time, three men stepped out. Each wore the same black cloak, marked with that burning feather.
One of them held a blade dripping faintly with magic. "We know you're there."
Lira's daggers flashed into her hands instantly. Eldric began whispering an incantation.
Ghost took a deep breath. "Okay, subtlety time is officially over."
He stepped out from behind the crates and puffed out his chest. "Alright, featherbrains! You picked the wrong alley to lurk in!"
The assassins froze completely thrown off by the sight of a small duck shouting at them.
"…Is that thing talking?" one muttered.
"Yes!" Ghost shouted. "And it's also the last thing you'll hear before regret!"
Lira sighed. "He's doing the speech again."
"Let him," Eldric said quietly. "He fights better when he's dramatic."
The assassins attacked first swift, silent, deadly. Blades gleamed. Shadows danced.
Ghost flapped upward, barely dodging a strike that would've cleaved him in half. "Hey! No one told me this was the hard mode quest!"
He spat a small jet of flame at one attacker's feet, forcing him back. Lira moved like lightning, twin blades meeting steel with a sharp clang. Eldric's runes flared blue, freezing a wall of air between them and the alley exit.
The narrow space filled with flashes of fire and steel.
Ghost landed on a barrel, chest heaving. "Okay… three of them. Lira's handling two. Eldric's covering. That means"
He looked up just in time to see the third assassin appear behind him.
"Oh, come on!"
He jumped off the barrel, quacked with all his might, and unleashed a cone of flame point-blank. The assassin screamed and stumbled back, cloak ablaze.
"Duck 1, Assassin 0!" Ghost yelled triumphantly.
Lira spun, landing a clean strike that sent her opponent's blade flying. Eldric's ice shattered the last attacker's weapon. Within moments, the alley fell silent again only steam and the smell of burnt leather remained.
Ghost landed beside Lira, still panting. "Okay. We're officially not low-profile anymore."
She exhaled, wiping her daggers clean. "They were scouts. The guild will know soon."
Eldric nodded grimly. "Then we move fast. We can't stay in Ardentia much longer."
Ghost tilted his head. "Wait you're saying we have to leave? But I just started liking this place!"
Lira looked at him, her eyes softer now. "You can stay if you want, Ghost. You don't owe us anything."
He stared at her for a moment. Then, with a grin that burned like his fire, he said, "You're kidding, right? I'm your tank, your mascot, and your comic relief. You're stuck with me."
Eldric actually smiled at that. "Then let's prepare. We leave at dawn."
Ghost flapped his wings dramatically. "Fine. But someone's buying me snacks for emotional support."
Lira chuckled quietly. "Deal."
The city didn't sleep that night.
By the time the moon rose over Ardentia, whispers of fire and feathers had already spread through the taverns and backstreets.
People were talking about the talking duck that burned assassins alive.
Ghost loved it.
He sat on the inn's rooftop, wings spread to catch the cold night breeze, admiring the glowing lights of the city below. "I'm finally famous," he muttered proudly. "Took me two lives, but I did it."
Lira was sitting beside him, legs dangling over the edge, silent as usual. The wind tugged at her silver hair, making it shimmer faintly in the moonlight.
"You know," Ghost said, breaking the quiet, "for someone with a bounty on her head, you're awfully calm."
She didn't look at him. "Panic wastes energy. Energy keeps you alive."
He tilted his head. "That's either the most badass or the most depressing thing I've heard this week."
A faint smile touched her lips. "Probably both."
Ghost stared at her for a long moment. The soft moonlight reflected in her eyes eyes that looked strong but tired, like someone who'd seen too much.
He realized he wanted to protect her. Not out of obligation… but because she believed in him when he was still a joke.
And for someone like Ghost, that meant everything.
Below them, Eldric's voice called from the window. "Both of you, come inside. I've finished the preparations."
Ghost hopped down through the window while Lira climbed in after him. On the table lay a map of Ardentia and the surrounding wildlands, pinned with small runes that glowed faintly blue.
"We can't use the main gates," Eldric said. "The Black Guild will expect that. There's an old smuggler's tunnel under the northern bridge. It leads out toward Emberlight Forest."
Lira nodded. "How long until dawn?"
"Three hours."
Ghost blinked. "So… nap time?"
Eldric gave him a look. "No. Packing time."
Ghost sighed dramatically. "You people and your responsibility."
By the time the moon dipped low, the trio was ready.
Lira had replaced her cloak with a simpler, travel-worn one; Eldric carried a staff and a small satchel of enchanted stones. Ghost perched on Lira's shoulder, looking far too cheerful for a wanted fugitive.
They slipped through Ardentia's alleys in silence. Ghost kept glancing back at the city's glowing skyline. "You know," he said softly, "I kinda liked it here. Even the assassins had style."
Lira smirked. "You'll have more cities to annoy."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The northern bridge loomed ahead an old stone structure spanning the river like a sleeping giant. Beneath it, the air grew cold and damp. Eldric traced glowing runes across a section of the wall, and with a faint hum, a hidden passage opened, revealing a dark tunnel.
"Smugglers used this decades ago," he whispered. "Stay quiet."
They entered. The sound of dripping water echoed through the narrow stone corridor. The tunnel twisted downward, then opened into a vast underground chamber an old transport station, abandoned but not forgotten.
Lira scanned the shadows. "No guards?"
"Not yet," Eldric said. "But magic lingers here. Be cautious."
Ghost hopped down from her shoulder, his tiny claws clicking against the stone. "Relax. If anything moves, I'll roast it before it blinks."
"Confidence," Lira murmured, "or delusion?"
"Both," Ghost said proudly.
They didn't get far before the torches flickered.
A chill swept through the tunnel, and the air grew heavy like the world itself was holding its breath.
Ghost froze. "...Okay. That's not wind."
From the shadows, a voice emerged low, smooth, and amused.
"Leaving already? And here I was hoping to meet the famous duck myself."
A figure stepped into the faint light tall, clad in dark armor traced with glowing crimson lines. A black feather emblem shimmered on his chest. His eyes burned with a strange red gleam.
Lira's hand went to her daggers. "Black Guild."
The man inclined his head. "Name's Kael. Captain of the Ember Division. You killed three of my men."
Ghost flared his wings. "Correction: they tried to kill me. I just encouraged them to stay crispy."
Kael smirked. "You've got spirit. I'll give you that." He drew his blade it shimmered like molten glass, radiating faint heat. "Unfortunately, spirit doesn't stop steel."
Lira stepped forward, blades ready. "Ghost, stay behind me."
But Ghost didn't move. His instincts screamed at him to run but something else burned stronger.
A pulse deep in his chest. That same warmth from his dream.
He hopped forward. "No. He wants me? He gets me."
Lira hissed, "This isn't bravado time"
But Ghost was already moving.
Kael's sword slashed downward, cutting a fiery arc through the air. Ghost leapt aside, wings beating furiously, the blade missing him by inches.
He spat a burst of flame in retaliation, but Kael deflected it effortlessly, sending sparks cascading across the floor.
"Impressive," Kael said, eyes narrowing. "Your fire is pure. Where did you get it, little bird?"
Ghost panted. "Trade secret."
Kael lunged again fast, brutal. Lira intercepted, blades clashing with his molten sword in a shower of sparks. Eldric chanted rapidly, sending a wave of blue energy across the floor that froze Kael's footing.
Ghost took the chance his body glowed faintly orange as that warmth in his chest surged higher.
He could feel the energy calling to him.
He focused and fire burst from his wings in a blazing arc. For a heartbeat, the entire chamber filled with light.
Kael staggered back, shielding his face. "What?"
Ghost blinked. The flames around him didn't fade this time they danced along his feathers, forming faint patterns, like glowing veins of magma.
Eldric's eyes widened. "That's… impossible. That's not ordinary fire."
Lira turned toward him. "Then what is it?"
"Spiritfire," Eldric whispered. "The flame of an ancient guardian. It shouldn't exist anymore."
Ghost looked down at himself, the glow reflecting in his black eyes. "Spiritfire, huh? Sounds fancy. Does it come with a manual?"
Kael growled. "Whatever it is, it won't save you."
He swung again but this time, Ghost moved differently. Faster, smoother. He ducked under the strike, feathers blazing, and unleashed a blast that split the floor in two.
Kael slammed into the wall, smoke rising from his armor.
Ghost landed on a stone pillar, chest heaving. "Okay… that was awesome."
Lira smirked. "You're getting the hang of it."
"Hang of it? I just went Super Saiyan Duck!"
Eldric stepped forward. "Don't get cocky. That energy isn't endless. You need to control it before it consumes you."
Ghost tilted his head. "Consumes me? As in metaphorically, or like 'whoosh I'm on fire' literally?"
"Both," Eldric said grimly.
Kael rose again, battered but grinning. "Interesting. Very interesting." He sheathed his sword slowly. "You're more valuable than I thought, little duck. The Guild will pay fortunes to have you alive."
Ghost's feathers bristled. "Not happening."
Kael smirked. "We'll see." Then he vanished melting into the shadows like smoke.
For a moment, only the sound of crackling fire and Ghost's panting remained.
Lira touched his shoulder gently. "You okay?"
He gave a tired grin. "Define 'okay.' My wings are on fire, my heart's doing jazz solos, and I might be a magical nuke. But yeah. Peachy."
Eldric extinguished the remaining flames with a wave of his staff. "We have to move. If he reports back, they'll be ready."
Ghost nodded. The adrenaline was fading, replaced by exhaustion but also something new.
Resolve.
He looked toward the tunnel's dark exit. "Then let's finish this trip. Before more people try to roast me."
Lira smiled faintly. "You sure you're not enjoying it a little?"
Ghost winked. "Maybe a tiny bit."
The tunnel opened into the night.
Cold air rushed in, carrying the scent of wet earth and pine. Ghost stumbled out first, feathers smoking faintly from the last burst of his Spiritfire. Behind him, Lira and Eldric followed, both looking as if they'd aged a few years in the past hour.
"Well," Ghost said between heavy breaths, "that went great. Nobody died, I didn't explode, and my feathers are only moderately roasted."
Lira gave him a flat look. "You almost burned half the tunnel down."
"Details," Ghost said, waving a wing dismissively. "I call that an environmental hazard."
Eldric, leaning on his staff, stared at him with furrowed brows. "That flame wasn't normal. I've studied mana for decades. What you unleashed… it was primal."
Ghost tilted his head. "Primal as in 'cool and mysterious' or 'I'm going to explode in my sleep'?"
"Both," Eldric replied darkly.
"Oh. Great. Can't wait to wake up as roast duck."
They began their trek through the forest, leaving the faint lights of Ardentia behind. The ground was slick with dew, and mist coiled around the trees like pale ribbons. Every step echoed faintly.
Ghost hopped alongside Lira, who walked silently, scanning the shadows. He finally broke the quiet.
"So… when you said 'assassins,' you meant an entire organization run by molten sword guys, right? Not, like, one dude with a knife?"
Lira smirked faintly. "You wanted adventure."
"Yeah, not suicide missions! There's a difference."
"You're still alive."
"Barely! I almost turned into duck kebab!"
That earned him a small laugh rare and quick, but real. Ghost blinked, surprised. "Wait. Did you just laugh?"
"No."
"You totally did!"
"Keep talking and I'll deny it harder."
Ghost puffed up his chest, smug. "You like me."
"I tolerate you."
"Close enough."
They stopped near a small clearing, where a stream reflected the starlight. Eldric began setting up camp with silent efficiency. Lira took first watch. Ghost flopped near the fire, wings sprawled dramatically.
"You know, for a duck, I think I've had a productive day," he muttered. "Fought assassins, unlocked fire powers, and didn't die. That's, like, a personal record."
Eldric didn't respond immediately. He was staring at Ghost not with annoyance, but something closer to concern.
"What?" Ghost asked, blinking.
"That fire inside you," Eldric said softly. "It's not just magic. It's reacting to your emotions. Rage, fear, even pride. If you lose control…"
"Boom?" Ghost offered.
"Worse," Eldric said. "It could consume your soul. Turn you into a vessel of fire — nothing more than instinct and flame."
Ghost's wings drooped a little. "...So basically, emotional support equals spontaneous combustion."
Lira looked up from her spot near the tree. "We'll make sure that doesn't happen."
Ghost turned toward her. "You sound pretty sure."
"I've seen people lose control before. You're not like them."
He chuckled softly. "You don't know me that well."
"I know enough," she said quietly, eyes meeting his. "You joke because you're scared. But you still fight. That's rare."
Her voice was calm, almost tender. For a moment, Ghost forgot the world around them forgot he was a duck, a joke, a mistake of fate. He just… existed.
Then his stomach growled loudly.
The moment shattered.
"Right," Ghost said quickly. "Emotional growth can wait. Do we have snacks?"
Lira sighed. "Unbelievable."
"Hey, even heroes need dinner!"
Later that night, when the camp had gone quiet, Ghost sat alone beside the dying fire. His reflection shimmered faintly on the water's surface.
For the first time since waking in this world, he allowed himself to think — really think.
He'd been running since the moment he opened his eyes.
Running from monsters, from assassins, from fear.
Even his jokes were armor flimsy shields against the reality that he didn't belong anywhere.
He looked down at his reflection again. The faint orange glow pulsed under his feathers, like a heartbeat made of flame.
"Why me?" he whispered. "Why a duck? Why this power?"
No answer came only the soft hiss of the fire.
Then the system chimed softly.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
New Trait Unlocked: Flameheart (Passive)
Your bond with Spiritfire deepens. Your emotions now influence its strength.
Ghost stared at the glowing text, his beak slightly open.
"Influence its strength? You mean I'm literally powered by mood swings? Oh great. I'm an anime protagonist."
But beneath the sarcasm, something settled inside him a quiet, fragile resolve.
He didn't know what this world wanted from him, or what this fire truly meant.
But he knew one thing for certain.
He wasn't going to waste this second life hiding or running anymore.
He clenched his wings, staring into the embers. "Alright, Ghost. You burned stuff. You made friends. You didn't explode. Step three: figure out how to use this power before it uses you."
The fire flickered, glowing brighter for a moment, as if answering him.
The dawn came slow and silver. Mist clung to the ground as Lira and Eldric packed their things. Ghost perched on a rock, watching the sunrise through the trees.
"You ready?" Lira asked.
"Born ready," Ghost said, puffing up his chest. "Well, reborn ready."
She smirked. "Then let's move. Emberlight Forest isn't forgiving."
Ghost spread his wings. "Neither am I."
And as they walked deeper into the unknown, the flames inside him burned a little brighter not from rage or fear this time, but from purpose.
For the first time, Ghost wasn't just surviving this world.
He was starting to belong in it.