Watch Her Rise: May She Not Fall too Soon
Disclaimer: I own neither K Project nor its characters.
Characters: Kushina Anna, HOMRA (mentioned/too lazy to list them all)
Summary: The Phoenix is a bird of fire, a symbol of rebirth from total destruction. This Phoenix will remake the castle from the remnants of the old, unless she crumbles too soon. May she not fall from that pedestal in the turn of a year.
In the old legends, the Phoenix is a bird of fire, reborn from the ashes of the old. When she first glimpses the crimson aura, she spies a bird borne from gentle flames, life flickering like candlelight. Years later, her King, that wounded Lion, meets his demise on the battlefield, far away from that warm vassal who proved to be the anchor.
That day, she witnessed his demise on a grassy shore, far away from her King. She is the first of them to know, and the only of the clansmen to watch, to be the spectator as he breathes his last in Winter's domain. Later, her same Clan, no, family forged from flame, scatters like leaves in the wing, blown to the furthest reaches of the earth.
When she ascends the throne, some time later, she does so in a crimson tide. She feels the warmth overflowing into the wide world she can so rarely touch with pallid fingertips, signaling the beginning of another. When she ascends, Homura is no more than a tale whispered to keep children behaving, a name dreaded in the dregs of Shizume. When she takes the mantle, she almost thinks it ironic when the fiery wings reminiscent of a phoenix's wraps around her sword. She does not laugh at the thought, does not smile, but forces what she perceives as a challenge away.
When she sees her Clansmen waiting to see their new ruler, when she goes to them, she makes a vow. This time, the Clan will not fracture into microscopic fragments, will not tear as gossamer fabric does when stress is exerted upon it.
She vows to protect them all, her tiny family, but it will not be the same. How can it? The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth, of renewing, and she is that Phoenix.
When Mikoto died, Homura lagged on, and then toppled next to the fallen monarch. Now, she envisions it as stronger than before, taking the steps to a new future. No, this Clan will not be the same; they are hers now.
She is the Phoenix, the rebirth of the Red King. May she live to see her vision fulfilled, provided that sword does not fall. No, she will not allow its descent upon the innocent, will not allow herself to be defeated. No, cannot, she cannot allow for that.
May she not crumble from her new pedestal, may she live to see her Kingdom return in a fury of vermilion.
She is the Phoenix, the new Keeper of the Kingdom.
