The palace had finally gone quiet.
Not completely—
There were still distant footsteps, faint music from the preparation halls, and the occasional echo of voices drifting through the marble corridors.
But compared to the chaos of the past few days…
It felt calm.
Peaceful.
Almost still.
Aerion sat in the inner garden, leaning back against the stone bench, his gaze fixed on the sky slowly turning gold as evening approached.
Beside him—
Lyria sat with one leg folded slightly, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the surface of the bench with her finger.
Between them—
The small phoenix rested, glowing softly, its tiny wings tucked in as it looked up at both of them with curious eyes.
For a while—
No one spoke.
And strangely—
It wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
Then—
Lyria broke the silence.
"…We can't keep calling it 'phoenix.'"
Aerion glanced at her.
"…Why not?"
She looked at him like the answer was obvious.
"Because it's not just a phoenix."
A pause.
"…And also, that's not a name."
He considered that.
"…Fair."
The phoenix tilted its head.
"…What is a name?"
Lyria smiled slightly.
"It's something special."
"…Like Papa and Mummy?"
Aerion sighed.
"…We are not using that as a reference."
Lyria tried not to laugh.
Failed slightly.
"…Ignore him."
The phoenix blinked.
"…So I need something special?"
Aerion nodded.
"…Yeah."
"A name that belongs only to you."
The phoenix's eyes lit up.
"…Then give me one."
And just like that—
The problem began.
Lyria leaned back slightly.
"…Alright."
She crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"…Something unique."
Aerion nodded.
"…Something that fits."
The phoenix looked between them excitedly.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
Lyria spoke first.
"…Flare?"
Aerion shook his head instantly.
"…No."
"Why?"
"It sounds like a spell."
"…That's not a bad thing."
"It is for a name."
The phoenix tilted its head.
"…Flare sounds fast."
"…We're not naming you Flare."
"…Okay."
Aerion thought for a moment.
"…What about… Solis?"
Lyria frowned slightly.
"…Too formal."
"…It means sun."
"I know."
"…Then what's the problem?"
"It sounds like you're naming a kingdom, not… this."
She gently tapped the phoenix's head.
The phoenix blinked.
"…I am not a kingdom."
"…Exactly."
Aerion exhaled softly.
"…Fine."
They fell into silence again.
Thinking.
Searching.
A few moments later—
Lyria suddenly spoke.
"…What about 'Ignis'?"
Aerion paused.
"…That's not bad."
The phoenix perked up.
"…Ignis."
A pause.
"…It sounds strong."
Lyria nodded slightly.
"…It does."
Aerion looked at it.
"…But?"
She sighed.
"…But it doesn't feel right."
The phoenix looked confused.
"…Why not?"
Lyria smiled gently.
"…Because your name shouldn't just sound strong."
"…It should feel like you."
The phoenix looked down slightly.
"…Then I will wait."
Aerion's expression softened.
"…Yeah."
"…We'll find the right one."
Time passed slowly.
The sky darkened slightly.
The air cooled.
And still—
They searched.
At one point—
The phoenix wandered off slightly, exploring the garden, occasionally coming back to check on them.
"…Any name?"
Lyria shook her head.
"…Not yet."
"…Okay."
And it would walk away again.
Patient.
Trusting.
Aerion leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
"…It's harder than I thought."
Lyria nodded.
"…Because it matters."
A pause.
"…This isn't just naming something."
"…It's giving it identity."
Aerion looked at her.
"…Yeah."
The phoenix suddenly returned again, hopping closer.
"…What about 'Sunny'?"
Silence.
Then—
Lyria burst into laughter.
"AHAHA— NO—"
Aerion closed his eyes briefly.
"…Absolutely not."
The phoenix blinked.
"…Why?"
"That is not a name."
"…It is."
"…It is not."
"…It is."
Lyria wiped a tear from her eye.
"…Okay… that was cute."
Aerion shook his head.
"…We are not naming a primordial being 'Sunny.'"
The phoenix looked slightly disappointed.
"…Okay."
A gentle breeze passed through the garden.
The leaves rustled softly.
The sky shifted into deeper shades of orange and gold.
Lyria leaned her head back slightly, staring upward.
"…It should be something… soft."
Aerion looked at her.
"…And strong."
She nodded.
"…Both."
"…Like it."
The phoenix looked proud.
"…Yes."
Another silence.
But this time—
Something was different.
Aerion's gaze shifted slowly toward the phoenix.
Not just looking at it—
But feeling it.
Its warmth.
Its presence.
Its connection.
"…Neo," he said quietly.
Lyria looked at him.
"…Neo?"
He nodded slightly.
"…It means new."
The phoenix blinked.
"…New?"
Aerion's voice remained calm.
"…A new beginning."
Lyria considered it.
"…That's… not bad."
The phoenix tilted its head.
"…Neo…"
A pause.
"…But it feels incomplete."
Lyria nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
"…It needs something more."
The breeze picked up slightly.
The phoenix's flames flickered gently.
Golden light danced around it.
Lyria suddenly spoke again.
"…What about adding something to it?"
Aerion looked at her.
"…Like what?"
She thought for a moment.
"…Something that reflects what it is."
"…Light… flame… life…"
The phoenix stepped closer.
"…I am all of that."
Lyria smiled.
"…Exactly."
Aerion's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…Neo… xi…"
Lyria looked at him.
"…Neoxi?"
Silence.
The word lingered.
Soft.
Yet powerful.
Simple.
Yet unique.
The phoenix blinked.
"…Neoxi…"
A pause.
Then—
Its flames flared slightly.
Brighter.
Warmer.
Happier.
"…I like it."
Lyria's eyes softened.
"…You do?"
The phoenix nodded.
"…It feels like me."
Aerion exhaled slowly.
"…Then that's it."
Lyria smiled gently.
"…Neoxi."
She reached out and gently touched its head.
"…Welcome."
Neoxi chirped softly.
Its glow steady.
Its presence calm.
For the first time—
It had a name.
Not just a title.
Not just a form.
But an identity.
Neoxi looked at both of them.
"…Papa."
"…Mummy."
Aerion sighed.
"…We'll work on that next."
Lyria laughed softly.
"…One step at a time."
The sky turned deep gold.
Then slowly into night.
Stars beginning to appear.
And in that quiet garden—
With laughter, warmth, and a name finally found—
Everything felt… complete.
To be continued...