Over the next few days, Arthur found himself stuck in a loop of events, with painfully slow progress. It was now that he was gruesomely reminded of the difference in talent between a phoenix and a human.
Flame Core Concealment proved to be the biggest thorn in his side and perhaps the most frustrating endeavour Arthur had ever undertaken… in his entire life, which for a phoenix like him, was a very long time.
Fortunately, for the first time in his 'long' life, he felt as though he'd taken the first baby steps—which were leaps in contrast to his former progress—in what should have been an impossible feat.
Arthur had now come to realise that his flame essence was rather peculiar. He could easily describe it as 'ductile', 'flexible' and in some cases, 'intelligent'… which were odd descriptions for a non-living part of him such as this.