[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5kR2yJq.png[/img]
MP: 12 | FP: 8[/center]

The young Fire Spiritus gently drifted along in the air, making its way from one Familial Tree to the other. It took its time investigating the Tree, circling around it until it finally landed on a small branch. It then began to flare up and envelop a part of the branch with its body, burning away as if to cut the branch away from the tree, and the branch began to fall to the ground. The little Fire Spiritus did its best to hold the branch in the air as it began to consume it, slowly absorbing it into its body and burning away at it while the ashes fell the ground. The branch was soon gone, and it did a twirl in the air, content at a good meal. 

The Fire Spiritus shot up into the air, drifting once more through the air. It passed another Fire Spiritus, who had been tending to another tree. They gave each other a passing glance, but otherwise paid no attention to each other. Then, the first Fire Spiritus stopped and turned its head, noticing something grand. Trees much larger than the ones it been previously tending to / snacking on.  It flew towards them, its feeling of curiosity overtake anything else it was feeling. It stared intently on a branch, even as it landed upon it. It knew that it wanted to consume the wood, to take in whatever it had and use it as its fuel source. Just as it was about to begin, though, a pair of clawed hands enveloped it and began to lift it up. It began to panic briefly, desperately searching for a way out, until the hands began to open up from above, and the Fire Spiritus was greeted with the sight of Arae.

“[color=6ecff6]What are you doing here, little one?[/color]” Arae asked it, holding the little Fire Spiritus gently in her cupped hands. “[color=6ecff6]Your job doesn’t extend all the way here. Go back now.[/color]” Arae then gently lifted her arms and thrusted the Spiritus back into the air, but it continued to stare at the tree it wanted to burn. Arae looked at where it was staring, and was hesitant on what she should do. The tree in question was, of course, her own Familial Tree, and definitely was not one to toy with lightly. Still, she didn’t have the will to just outright say no to the young Fire Spiritus. Sighing, Arae said, “[color=6ecff6]Ok, fine, you can have one small piece, but after that, you need to leave, ok?[/color]” The Fire Spiritus didn’t respond; it didn’t possess enough intelligence to really understand exactly what Arae was saying, but it realized that it just needed to wait and it would receive. 

Arae went over to her Familial Tree and cleanly snipped off a small stick with her claws. Giving the piece of wood to the Spiritus, Arae watched as it lifted to stick above itself and burned away. Soon after it was done, it remained still for a second, then flared up with a higher intensity than ever before. Its form rapidly grew from the palm-sized creature it once was to a more humanoid form. Tendrils became arms and legs, flames extended from the head as if to resemble flaming hair. The resulting figure had a rather feminine appearance, complete with a slender body and gentle appearance yet accompanied by an energetic demeanor. 

As soon as the Fire Spiritus’ transformation ended, Arae felt something grow within her as well. Something… [i]warm[/i]. Left uncontrolled, it seemed as if it would burn fiercely, but a small amount of guidance made it feel soft and gentle. Her instincts told her what had happened. She had gained a new field in her power. Its name… Hearth. 

Before Arae could dwell any further on the matter, images and voices began to flash in her mind. The light and warmth of the fire behind her. The blurred smiling faces of people she could not recognize, yet felt so familiar. Their endless chatter and loud laughs. As more and more information filled her head, she began to realize what she was seeing. More accurately, what she was remembering. It was a memory of her former life. It was a happy time, during a meeting/party of the pantheon. There was food and drink aplenty, much of it cooked up by Arae herself, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it. 

Arae involuntarily shed a tear, and then sighed as she shook her head to clear her mind, placing a hand over her eyes. It seemed like even though Arae wanted to leave the past behind, it had decided to catch up with her instead. 

“[color=fdc68a]You… pain… creator?[/color]”

With a wave of her hand, Arae began to say, “[color=6ecff6]No, I’m just- what?[/color]” Surprised, Arae lifted her head up and found the flame creature with a tilted head, seemingly concerned for Arae. “[color=6ecff6]Did you just… [i]speak[/i]?[/color]”

“[color=fdc68a]Speak… yes,[/color]” the flame creature said. “[color=fdc68a]Your wood… the best. I… have more?[/color]”

“[color=6ecff6]Not yet, little one,[/color]” Arae gently refused. She could see the flame creature’s disappointment, and gave an apologetic smile. “[color=6ecff6]You can’t have too much at once. Next time you can have some, I promise.[/color]” This perked her back up, and she gave Arae a hug around her neck. Arae could not help but notice that the flame creature’s body was not hot at all, but just warm enough to be comfortable, as if sitting next to a fireplace or hearth. It felt… surprisingly nice. After the flame creature removed herself from Arae, Arae said, “[color=6ecff6]Little one, you are in need of a name. Maybe… Kris will do.[/color]” 

“[color=fdc68a]Kris…[/color]” Kris repeated, thinking about it. Her final response to Arae was another hug, and that was all Arae needed to know how happy the young Istal felt about her new name.

[hider=Summary (Pre-timeskip)]
A young Fire Spiritus helps maintains Arae’s sphere in Serenis’ absence, until it notices the original Familial Trees, the Pantheon. Curious, it goes over to Arae’s tree and is about to itadakimasu before Arae stops it from eating her tree. Arae, though, is a big softy and lets it have a small piece anyway. Immediately after eating the wood, the Fire Spiritus grows big and thicc (human-like), and turns into an Istal (fancy way of saying Fire Elemental). At the same time, Arae gains a new Portfolio: Hearth, and regains a memory of her past life, as the caretaker of the Hearth. 

Arae brushes it off and returns her attention to the Istal, which is noticeably  more intelligent that Arae had expected, and decides that she deserves a name: Kris.
[/hider]
[hider=Portfolio: Hearth]
Unlike wildfire, which spreads and burns indiscriminately, the fire of the Hearth is that which provides life and security. The Hearth will keep you warm even in the coldest of times, and will welcome anyone regardless of your affiliation. Just keep in mind that while the Hearth may control fire, the Hearth still holds fire within it, and anything trying to come too close may be burned.
This portfolio allows Arae a strong control over fire. It can be used for the simplicity of burning away whatever Arae deems necessary to. After all, it is still fire, though the flames themselves seem rather lax, spreading slowly compared to its “natural” counterpart despite its high temperature. The flames’ primary abilities, however, are its effects on other beings, to provide a sense of security and comfort, as well as its ability to heal minor injuries over time. These flames do not even have to be created by Arae; naturally occurring flames can simply be influenced to share the Hearth’s effects. Finally, these flames will not go out on their own, nor will they use much fuel. However, they can still be extinguished like any other flame.
[/hider]
[hider=Might Usage]
-2 Might spent creating the Legendary Beast Kris, the Istal.
-5 Might spent unlocking the Portfolio: Hearth (6/5 Might).
Might: 5 | FP: 8
[/hider]