"That could be a few days." Or weeks. It could be a handful of days before the fire even begins. Even more after for the reborn phoenix to emerge from the ashes. And more still for him to regain strength and sense enough to leave. This is truly the most vulnerable time for a phoenix.

Perhaps if Gaja were a little better at gauging the time, he could prepare better. He could find a stone cave deep in the earth. Alas, though he is a cyclical creature, there is no definite time frame for each life. Approximately a hundred years by the human reckoning. By the revolution of this world around its star. It always strikes him so suddenly. One moment he's fine, the next he's falling from the sky.