Chapter 158: Imperishable Fire

Having traded for another jar of Ent-draught from Treebeard, Kael didn't drink it immediately. According to Treebeard, Ent-draught was quite potent with strong aftereffects. Even Ents themselves preferred to lie down after drinking it to prevent the effects from rushing to their heads too quickly. Excessive consumption would burden the body, so Treebeard advised against Kael drinking more in the short term. Kael took the advice and divided the jar of Ent-draught into three portions, filling three bottles. He stored one bottle for himself to drink later. The other two he gave to Gandalf and Arwen respectively. But Gandalf shook his head and refused. "I've drunk this many times. It no longer affects me. If I want some, I can ask Treebeard for it, so don't waste it on me." Treebeard also nodded, indicating there was plenty. Seeing this, Kael didn't insist. "In that case, Gandalf, your portion I'll save for Bilbo." Hearing this, Gandalf laughed even more heartily. "Ha ha, then I look forward to Bilbo becoming the tallest hobbit!" Arwen initially wanted to refuse her bottle of Ent-draught, letting Kael use it himself. But Kael didn't give her a chance to refuse, directly stuffing it into her hands. He wasn't lacking Ent-draught. Once back at Weathertop, he could make more growth potions and trade with Treebeard for more Ent-draught. With the Ent-draught matter settled, Gandalf finally inquired about Kael's purpose in seeking him out. Kael didn't answer immediately but took out the unconscious firebird from his space bag. Looking at the red large bird emanating high temperatures before them, Gandalf was surprised and puzzled. "What kind of bird is this? I've never seen it before." As the most ancient of Ents, Treebeard also indicated it was his first time seeing such a creature. "Its body is like a furnace, able to breathe flames at any time, somewhat similar to fire dragons. Could it be a hybrid of dragon and bird?" Regarding this fire-breathing bird, Treebeard was very wary. Though he wasn't afraid of flames, the trees in the forest would be. Arwen was also seeing this creature for the first time and asked curiously, "Kael, what kind of bird is this? Where did you discover it?" Facing the questioning, curious gazes of the three, Kael directly explained his magical experiments. "So this firebird was created by you?" Gandalf was very shocked. Kael shook his head. "I can't claim to have created it. I only attempted to combine the magical circulation systems of great eagles and dragons, performing magical transformation on an original Orc, and this fire-breathing firebird was born by accident." "That's still a very impressive attempt!" Gandalf looked at the firebird with amazement. "Who would think this was transformed from an Orc?" Arwen showed understanding. "No wonder when I was in Rivendell recently, Father received news that the Orc stronghold at Gram Mountain in the north was destroyed. You went there to capture Orcs for experiments?" Kael smiled and nodded. "Magical transformation is very dangerous. To find test subjects, I could only cause trouble for these Orcs." Regarding Kael using Orcs for magical experiments, none of them found it inappropriate. After all, Orcs were naturally cruel and evil dark creatures. Neither Gandalf, Treebeard, nor Arwen would be saintly enough to feel pity. "So, Kael, how do you want me to help you?" Gandalf asked curiously. "I want to use this firebird as a template to create a more powerful, sacred bird that will be reborn through nirvana. When its body begins to fail, it will plunge into fierce fire and be reborn from ashes..." Kael explained everything he knew about phoenixes, using his wand to conjure an image of a phoenix. Looking at the lifelike phoenix image in mid-air and hearing Kael continuously describe the phoenix's abilities, Gandalf's eyes sparkled with countless lights as wisdom and inspiration burst in his mind. After Kael finished describing his phoenix concept, Gandalf exclaimed, "I truly don't know how you conceived such a perfect creature, Kael! If I didn't know such a magical species doesn't exist in this world, I would truly believe it existed!" Treebeard and Arwen nodded in agreement. Especially Arwen, who looked at the phoenix portrait with amazement, her eyes full of love. Looking at Kael, her gaze sparkled even more with starlight. "Kael, what is this beautiful creature called?" "Phoenix, or immortal bird!" "Phoenix, what a wonderful name!" Arwen praised. Kael placed hopeful eyes on Gandalf. "Gandalf, my envisioned phoenix is a spirit born from flames, able to remain immortal through fire. Your understanding of fire is unparalleled, so I seek your help." "Ah, Kael, I dare not accept your praise. My understanding of fire isn't much." Gandalf said modestly. "But since you want to create this phoenix creature, I'll naturally do my best to help." Hearing Gandalf agree to help, Kael was very happy. So the two began studying the firebird in Treebeard's home in Fangorn Forest. Arwen became friends with Treebeard, often sitting on his shoulders to patrol the forest with him, even visiting other Ents and receiving gifts of fruits, flowers, and pretty stones. Gandalf's wisdom and knowledge were profound, his understanding of fire reaching extremely deep levels. Under Gandalf's guidance, Kael gradually improved the firebird's magical circulation system. With the power of the Ring of Fire, the firebird evolved again, truly becoming a "firebird" burning with flames, not just a large bird that breathed fire. But the two were ultimately stuck on the nirvana step. Watching the firebird turn to ashes before their eyes, both felt regretful. However, they found the key to phoenix nirvana. It required two conditions: nirvana fire and magical power. Nirvana fire, as the phoenix's life flame, could enable the phoenix to be reborn through fire. Vast magical power ensured the phoenix could successfully achieve nirvana. Both were indispensable. Condensing the phoenix's life flame naturally couldn't use ordinary fire but flames with imperishable properties. In this world, flames with imperishable properties included: First was the Fire of Anor, the Sun's fire. However, the sun hung high in the heavens, blazingly hot and untouchable. Ordinary people could neither approach it nor obtain its flames. The Fire of Anor that Gandalf could summon was essentially only sunlight, not true solar fire. Second was the dark fire of the Balrogs. Being fallen Maiar, their flames directly opposed the Fire of Anor, representing immense destructive power. This dark fire was imperishable, inseparable from the Balrogs' existence. Third was the flame of Narya, the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire contained magical power related to fire, a magical fire invisible to the naked eye, the source of the Ring's power. Beyond these existed an even more mysterious flame, the Secret Fire. The Secret Fire existed in the Void, a power that could grant life and substance to things. Eru used it to give his creations free will and real life, infusing them with souls. The Secret Fire belonged only to Eru. Only He could control it. Melkor envied the Secret Fire and tried to find it in the Void but never succeeded. Even Melkor couldn't find this flame, let alone Kael, so it wasn't worth considering. Besides these, there was a flame similar to imperishable fire, Gubraithian fire, which Kael possessed. But this flame was essentially condensed from Kael's magic. Though it could burn forever, it wasn't truly imperishable. Gandalf told Kael about all imperishable fires existing in Arda without reservation. He didn't even hide the secret of Narya, the Ring of Fire, in his possession. After hearing this, Kael felt overwhelmed. First, excluding the unreachable Secret Fire and Fire of Anor, only Balrog fire and Narya's fire remained. Narya, the Ring of Fire, was on Gandalf's hand, right before him. But Kael couldn't possibly scheme for Narya's flame to condense nirvana fire. The only choice was Balrog fire! Moreover, he happened to know a Balrog's location. But Kael wasn't happy at all. After all, that was a Balrog! An existence that forced Gandalf into mutual destruction. Kael almost wanted to give up. Perhaps he could temporarily not consider Phoenix matters. When his strength is greater in the future, he could consider dealing with Balrogs. Seeing Kael's hesitation, Gandalf smiled. "Perhaps I can tell you good news that might resolve your concerns." "What news?" Kael asked confusedly. "I recently received news that the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain plan to reclaim Moria. Perhaps you could cooperate with them again." "What? They want to reclaim Moria?" Kael was very shocked. "Did they forget there's a Balrog in Moria?" After all, dwarves had once awakened the Balrog sleeping in Moria's depths while mining mithril, causing Moria's fall. Since then, Moria was occupied by Orcs while the Balrog lurked in the mine's depths. This was an open secret in Middle-earth. Were the Lonely Mountain dwarves confident enough to deal with a Balrog and reclaim Moria? Gandalf sighed helplessly. "Don't you understand dwarvish character? Moria is the birthplace of Durin's Folk, and it contains rich treasures and mithril mines. They could never abandon it." "Once Thorin and others dared risk dragon Smaug's danger to quest for the Lonely Mountain. Wanting to reclaim Moria now isn't strange." "When do they plan to go to Moria?" Kael asked. "They know about the Balrog situation, so they're still deliberating without deciding," Gandalf said. "But if you joined, I think they'd quickly decide. After all, the Dragon Master's reputation would greatly boost their confidence!" Hearing this, Kael smiled self-deprecatingly. "Gandalf, you think too highly of me. Honestly, I have no confidence against a Balrog. Even cooperating with dwarves, there probably isn't much chance of victory!" Balrogs were Maia-level beings with immortal souls and powerful magical forces. It had occupied Moria for thousands of years. Its mere existence made the entire region forbidden. Even if Kael and the dragon Smaug joined forces, they wouldn't match their opponent. Hearing this, Gandalf chuckled. "Don't be so unconfident, Kael. I'll join the expedition when the time comes. We'll definitely handle the Balrog!" Kael's eyes immediately brightened. "Gandalf, you're going too?" Gandalf smiled and nodded. "Of course. How could I miss such excitement?"