Mira’s words fell like a stone into still water, sending ripples across every face present. And with that single declaration, Aurora’s careful plan unraveled without warning.
She had intended to reveal fire gradually. She wanted to introduce it first as a tool before letting the myth wrap around it later if needed. But now, the moment had been forced upon her, thrust into the open with all the weight of belief and superstition attached to it.
Still... she did not panic.
If anything, her mind adjusted instantly, recalculating the situation with cold efficiency.
Being misunderstood as someone who would harm Mira, especially in front of her powerful mates and so many tribe members, would have created unnecessary enemies far too early. Compared to that, being labeled as someone "blessed by the Beast God" was definitely much better.
At least for now.
If this world needed a story to accept change, then she would give it one.
However, what she hadn’t expected was the shift in the crowd. They didn’t seem to believe it, and even carried looks of resentment and something dangerously close to offense.
The murmurs began almost immediately, spreading like wildfire as every gaze turned toward the flickering flames. Some stepped back instinctively, their eyes wide as they stared at the fire with awe and fear, while others leaned slightly forward as curiosity overtaking instinct.
"...Is that really the sacred fire?"
"So this is what it looks like."
"It’s alive... and moving."
"But... why her?"
The last question echoed louder than the rest.
Why her?
Aurora caught it clearly. And she wasn’t surprised.
Calix and Soren remained silent, but their reactions were no less intense. Their gazes shifted between the fire, Aurora, and Mira, as if trying to piece together something that refused to make sense.
Soren’s earlier aggression had momentarily vanished, replaced with sharp focus, while Calix’s brows furrowed slightly, his expression caught somewhere between suspicion and reluctant acknowledgment.
But then-
"That’s not fire!"
The voice cut through the murmurs sharply.
Aurora didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
The same woman stepped forward again. Her expression was still laced with that carefully crafted concern, though now it carried a sharper edge. She pointed at the flames as if exposing a lie, while her voice rose just enough to gather attention.
"She’s lying. How do we even know that thing is the sacred fire?"
Aurora’s eyes shifted to her slowly. But before she could respond, Soren spoke.
"It is."
His voice was low, certain, and immediately silenced the rising whispers.
All eyes turned to him as he stepped closer to the fire. His gaze was steady as he observed the flames, then spoke again, this time louder.
"My father saw it in the Eagle Tribe last winter," he said. "And he told us what it looked like. What it felt like."
He paused for a brief moment before adding, "This is exactly what he described."
That was enough.
The murmurs changed instantly. The doubt faded and got replaced by uneasy acceptance.
If Soren himself was identifying it... then there was no room for argument.
But not for everyone.
The woman’s expression tightened. She pressed her lips together as her plan clearly failed to gain traction the way she wanted. Yet instead of retreating, she pushed forward again, pointing her finger directly at Aurora.
"Even if that is fire," she said sharply, "how could someone like her be blessed by the Beast God?"
The words dripped with disdain.
"She’s not worthy," the woman continued, raising her tone further. "This has to be another one of her tricks. You all know what she’s like - she must be planning something!"
Aurora didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she studied her properly for the first time.
And it didn’t take long.
The way she spoke, the carefully timed interruptions, the false concern masking sharp intent.
Aurora had seen this type before. Many times. In a different world, different faces, but same nature.
"...A white lotus," she thought.
Her gaze sharpened slightly as fragments of memory surfaced - belonging not to her, but to the original owner of this body.
This woman was named Lyria, and she had disliked the original Aurora since childhood. Their conflict was buried under years of petty rivalry and growing hostility. But it wasn’t just that.
Aurora’s gaze flickered briefly toward Calix and Soren. Then back to Lyria, and everything immediately made sense - the lingering glances, the subtle positioning, the carefully placed words.
This wasn’t just about dislike. This was about desire... and competition.
Aurora exhaled slowly before she stepped forward, and though it was just one step, it was still enough to draw everyone’s attention back to her.
Her gaze locked onto Lyria, calm and cutting at the same time. "You talk a lot," she said quietly.
The simplicity of her words caught Lyria off guard.
"What-?"
Aurora didn’t let her finish. "Since fire can only be bestowed by the Beast God, where else do you think I could have gained it from?" She continued in a steady voice, "And since the Beast God has chosen me, your opinion doesn’t matter."
The words landed cleanly, sharp and precise. It was a direct strike... to everyone present there.
Lyria’s face flushed instantly as anger flashed across her features.
"You-!"
Aurora tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanged. "Or are you saying you know better than the Beast God?" she added calmly.
That shut her up completely.
The accusation was subtle, but devastating. Because no one in this world, no matter how arrogant, would dare claim superiority over their god.
Lyria’s mouth opened. Then closed. Her expression twisted as she was unable to respond without trapping herself further.
Aurora didn’t give her another chance. Her gaze swept across the rest of the group, her voice rising just enough to carry clearly.
"I can create fire," she stated simply. There was no hesitation, no embellishment... just fact.
"And the only reason I’m here with Mira," she continued, gesturing briefly toward the woman beside her, "is to show her how to use fire to cook."