Ariel Fire Flower

Elara nodded grimly and began the final ascent.

Not the kind that grows on vines in beanstalk kingdoms. This one was a shard of a dying star that had fallen into the sea a thousand years ago. The merfolk called it Solfyre Ignis , the Sun’s Tear. It looked like a ruby rose, perpetually blooming, and it was warm. In the crushing cold of the deep trenches, that warmth was a legend. ariel fire flower

She holstered the shears. "I'm sorry," she whispered. She pulled a thick roll of asbestos cloth from her pack. Instead of cutting, she reached out with her gloved hands. Elara nodded grimly and began the final ascent

"Don't go further, little leaf," a voice rumbled. The merfolk called it Solfyre Ignis , the Sun’s Tear

She swallowed the seed.

Ariel looked down. The flower on her ankle was glowing, yes. But she wasn’t burning. She was warm . For the first time in her life, truly, deeply, dryly warm.

She let go, gasping bubbles.