A sudden Thump smashed into Septima's lungs from the sudden air pressure drop. The flames imploded, leaving only streaks of ash spread radially. A cold rigid pegasus sank softly into the snow.
Septima hissed at the magical burns, relaxing her limbs gingerly, one at a time. When they felt comfortably numb, she reached underneath her cloak and withdrew a tiny potted plant. It had no leaves covering its gnarled branches besides dangling crystalline chimes.
“Well, Tree, job’s done,” she said to the plant, grabbing the pony’s body by the neck and squinting at it. She sliced at it until she could see a golden shine, and yanked it off. It was a pendant, a dull red lightning bolt made of crystal sitting in its center. No snow clung on despite the renewed snowfall.
Septima turned and hung it from one of the Tree’s branches. It seemed to hunch slightly under Septima’s gaze.
“Enough?” the griffon asked.
The Tree twisted slightly, a sad tinkling whispering through the air.
“Aw, why so surprised?” the griffon said, glaring. “I know you went out of your way to convince me every single time. Despite knowing what I do, you chose me. I wanted to try something else, but this was the path you chose. A path you will walk for many more cycles.” Septima leaned heavily against the charred cart, but her purple eyes gleamed with rage. “Stand tall, and walk without fear! Do not let your duty slow you down, or all those lives sacrificed will be for naught. You have the strength to lead this world to salvation, do not disappoint me.”
Ice cracked.
“Oh, and you owe me one,” Septima added. Spiderwebs of blue crept over her cloak. “I have someone I want to deliver some angry words. Try not to forget. See you ... on the .... other ......... side...”
The Tree looked up into Septima’s glassy eyes. She had worn little in order to not cook besides the fire’s raging heat, but now there was no fire. It stared at the pendant hanging from its branches, then back at the griffon’s stare. She stared blankly off into the distance, yet with a fierce grin across her beak.
After a moment, the Tree gathered its resolve and ...
Pop
A fresh storm flew over the mountain tops and raged. Bursts of snowfall swept through.
After a few short hours, there was nothing.