The sun beams down upon a dirt road within a grassy area, long overgrown and filled with colorful wildflowers. A woman steps along the dirt road, crushing the small grass that's already spread to it. She steps up to some ruins of what could have been a circus tent long ago. She places her hand upon some burnt wood, finding that, somehow, it is still warm.
She remembers the day it happened like it was yesterday. She was within the tent, staring at the crowds gathered in the seats. There weren't as many people there as there usually were that day, and she considers that fact a blessing now.
The routine was simple, something she'd rehearsed so many times before. She took in one deep breath, the more vibrant red and yellow curls in her hair almost glowing like the fires she breathed out afterwards, a pillar of beautiful flame that twisted and curled, forming into a brand new shape right before everyone's eyes. It spread out a pair of fiery wings, the shape finally forming into that of a phoenix, with bright, white eyes and an elegant orange to red ombre on its tail.
The phoenix soared in a circle across the tent, the woman being ever so careful to control her creation of fire. She could hear the gasps and sounds of amazement from the people within the crowd, alongside some cheering, but that didn't break her concentration just yet.
Things started going wrong when the tight rope was caught. It wasn't tied as high as it should have been, and the tip of the Phoenix's wing caught the rope, burning it and causing it to spread to the pillars. All it took was a single scream before the performer took notice. All at once, the phoenix faded away into a cloud of dark smoke as she stared at the flames that would collapse the tent at any moment.
They began ushering the crowd out the openings of the tents, alongside the other performers. They knew this would happen eventually. After all, it is hard to safely wield Destruction's power. They were the last to make it out, just before the tent finally collapsed. With the help of their friends and some kind people who came to see the show, they were able to douse the flames before they could spread too far and cause major damage, even though the ruins still sit there, somehow still warm after months of being untouched.
That day hasn't stopped her from performing, but it certainly has changed how often she does, and just how careful she is with her magic. But she knows just as well as the gods do, it is only a matter of time before Destruction decides it's time to turn something else to ashes.
