By luck or fate, the newly appointed King Xiao sets in motion events that lead to the discovery of the Torch. The fire amulet has come to be. Ming, his bearer, is still a young child, but he is not to be taken lightly. With the ability to bend fire to his will, he could be a mighty opponent or a powerful ally. Scared, the boy takes phoenix form and fleets to Alcón Island, where Simurgh, the last phoenix, resides.

A quest is organized to find the child before the followers of the Snake do, and the travelers discover a new enemy: the black dragon who, along with Sir Ruffus, Duke of Lauderia, will aim to destroy anything they can´t control.

When Balian receives an urgent call from the Earth Land, the depth of the infestation becomes apparent, and it is up to our heroes to break the network of abuse. Their journey forces them to outgrow their limitations or perish.

In a world where free will must be respected, to have the favor of the gods is not enough. Anything can happen.

Almost a Goddess is Book 2 of Elearah Chronicles. It does stand alone, but it is better if you read The Pearl first.