Out Of The Ashes
A Phoenix Tale
By: Alchemystik
Cassandra looked small, fragile and utterly adorable in Chris's old sweat shorts and shirt. As the men settled around her, waiting for her to begin, she felt herself color slightly. Never had she felt so vulnerable or out of place among humans.
And here she was half-human herself, although that was never discussed in her community. It was a good thing that powers and position were handed down through the female line; one could doubt the paternal line, but never the maternal. All knew who gave birth to whom in her world. Her Mother had been in line to rule, but her sudden death left a young Cassandra both grieving and attempting to adjust to her new status.
Cassandra thought about the few facts she had gleaned about her Father. Her mother had said he was a kind man, powerful in his own way, but they could not stay together. It was HIS destiny to move on to a different place and time.
Time? Was he a time traveller?
Cassandra tried to ask questions, but all discussions were ended by her grandmother, who had snapped that they were better off without his " interference "
" Did he die? " A young Cassandra had asked the old woman, her large eyes round with hope and wonder.
There was a moment of silence, as her grandmother gazed off into the distance, a strange and stern expression on her aging face. Her own mother was silent, her face lowered, eyes wet with tears.
" Yes. " She finally answered, rising from her Matriarch Chair. " He died. "
Cassandra never dared ask about him again.
While Cassandra was temporarily lost in her own thoughts, the men in the room examined her closely.
" Poor little thing. " Darryl thought to himself, trying to shift to a more comfortable position in his wheelchair. The loss of his own family made him much more compassionate towards the young orphan in their midsts.
Cole studied her in a deceptively lazy way, as was his wont. It was his job to be wary, on edge. The good of all those who relied on his protection depended on his keen sense of danger.
Danger certainly didn't eminate from the girl on the couch. She looked small and vulnerable, with a peculiar resemblence to someone...
Phoebe? Piper?
Not in coloring, but the carriage of the head, the movement of the hands, some fleeting aspect of appearance drew the demon's attention. Phoebe and Piper's characteristics were duplicated in this young creature. It stimulated his mind...
And tugged at his heartstrings...
Leo was studying the young Phoenix closely, too. As an Elder, he had come into occasional contact with her race, but for the most part, there was little interaction. Humans and the Phoenix were silent allies, but didn't mix.
He, too, like Cole, saw a resemblance in Cassandra to the Halliwell women he had known and loved. An ever shifting canvas of elusive qualities brought all four sisters to mind, and the high cheekbones and defined brows even evoked Patty and Grams.
Who was these magical creature? Leo mused, silently. What was it about her that stirred so many memories?
Chris studied her in curiosity and then in a subtle intensity, applying the skills he had learned from Cole. She was nervous, scared really. Well, who could blame her? If she hadn't been who and what she was, her life would have ended in the last " Cleansing. " A daunting thought for any mind to grasp, and she was still very young. That she was attractive was undeniable, but Chris felt more of a protective tenderness towards the girl than any other emotion.
Except, perhaps, impatience. Would she never speak?!
Cassandra sensed the scrutiny and took a deep breath, looking around at her expectant audience.
The older man in the wheelchair smiled at her in a kindly way, while the Elder waited with the extreme patience of his kind. The Phoenix community's only real contact with the upper realm was through the Elders that travelled amongts all magical creatures. The all seemed the same to Cassandra; quiet, serene and rather dull.
The tall, handsome man was unsmiling and alert; Cassandra felt something different about this man. His magic aura was strong but of a darker hue than those around him. She felt a bit uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny, but although he radiated a sense of danger, she felt no fear, nor did those grouped around him.
She had been taught to accept all unless they proved unworthy, and to that she would hold.
Chris's sigh of impatience brought him to her attention. He was older than her by perhaps six human yesrs. It was really difficult to tell, as a phoenix aged at a different rate, and counted time in a different way than the human world.
He was handsome in an almost delicate way, yet he radiated a blinding white aura. That, to Cassandra, indicated that he was a powerful practitioner of good magic. He also possessed a wiry strength that complimented the beauty of his glossy golden brown hair and green eyes.
" I'm..I'm not used to speaking amongst so many diverse beings. " Cassandra began in a shy yet steady tone.
" Forgive me, Highness, " Leo said, standing up, " I've been rude and have not introduced my companions.
He gestured to Darryl, explaining his importance to the Halliwell family and to those around him. Leo skirted around the loss of Darryl's family, but Cassandra understood that the man in the wheelchair had lost people he loved and had suffered life-changing injuries due to the Overlord's " Cleansings "...just as she had.
Darryl looked at the young girl in wonder. The balm of her compassion for him was almost a physical thing. It was if she had placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and said, " I understand. "
" The man in the corner is a unique friend and confidant of mine and my wife's family; a teacher of my sons. Once known as the most feared of demons, he has done nothing but good in the years he has resurfaced. I've entrusted my sons education to him, a move I did not take lightly. Cole Turner will be the best ally a Phoenix has even met. "
Cassandra looked askewed at the handsome man with the dark hair and sea-like eyes. A mixture of blue and green, they were indeed beautiful to behold. But...
A DEMON?! Her grandmother would be appalled that she had even shared a room with such a creature, yet this demon risked exposure and death to rescue her. She would honor him for that alone.
" I thank you for your bravery and gallantry. " Cassandra said gravely to Cole, who smiled at her with a warmth that belied all she had learned about the demonic world.
" You are most welcome. " Cole answered, inclining his sleek head, amused to see her cheeks flush a delicate rose.
So very young, Cole thought, pensively. Young, beautiful, royal...and in danger. He, too, felt protective about this lovely young lady. She would not be hurt again; not on HIS watch.
" And, last...my son Chris Perry Halliwell; a witch/Elder-whitelighter of the highest calibre. One of the last of a long line of the most powerful white witches in the world. Son of a Charmed One. "
Cassandra's lush mouth made a silent " O ". Everyone with a drop of magical blood in them knew of the Charmed Ones; and their mysterious disappearance almost fourteen years ago.
" Hey. " Chris said, giving her a grin which deepened the flush on her cheeks, " You gonna keep us in suspense? "
Cassandra looked confused, " I beg your pardon? "
Leo gave a rare smile, " None of those here, save myself, has had the pleasure of a Phoenix's company. Especially one of royal blood. "
" Oh, of course. " Cassandra said, slightly flustered, " Well, we're not all that different from humans, especially those of us who have human blood in us. "
" Like you? " Chris asked, eagerly, " Do you live in nests, lay eggs, fly? "
Leo made a movement with his hand, warning Chris to cease his questioning. Cassandra, for her part, looked down her slender nose at the young man opposite her; lay eggs, indeed!
" Our communities are built in trees for safety, but we mate and give birth just as your race does. As for flying, do you see feathers on me? " She said with a haughty mix of ire and candor.
Chris had the grace to blush and hold his tongue for the time being.
" My grandmother is The Matriarch, or what you would call a Queen, I suppose. My mother was the sub-matriarch, but upon her death I assumed that role. Humans would refer to me as the heir-apparent or the Princess, as many of my people call me. "
" I know virtually nothing about my father except that he arrived in our place and time from some other dimension. He was human, but also a powerful witch, one who was referred to as " Chosen. "
The men in the room froze, exchanging incredulous glances. Cassandra, hyper-sensitive to all emotions, looked around, puzzled.
" Have I said something wrong or perhaps shocking? "
Leo cleared his throat, " It's just that...my eldest son, Wyatt Matthew Halliwell, is considered the strongest good magical being ever born. He is referred to as " The Chosen One. "
It was Cassandra's turn to look stunned...
" What is it? " Cole asked her gently, as not to frighten her.
" My father...my father's name was Wyatt. My mother told me that much. I don't know his middle name or last name, but I'm sure about his first name. It was Wyatt. "
" How old was he when he met your mother? " Leo queried, as Cole and Darryl mumured softly and Chris sat transfixed in wonder.
" I'm sixteen human years, eighteen by Phoenix calculations. My mother was twenty two at my birth and thirty at her death. She said my father was approximately her age when they...ah...mated. "
" Dad? " Chris said, looking at his father, " You know as well as I do that Wyatt's future changed twice. Once after Gideon's death and once more after The Charmed One's final battle. You, yourself said that Wyatt & I still existed in the future time, remember?! And Wyatt has the power to travel outside of space and time! "
Leo nodded, slowly, " It's possible..."
" It's more than possible, " Cole said to Leo in a quiet tone. " Look at her. "
" Yeah, " Darryl chimed in, " She looks like all the Halliwell women blended together. "
" What are you talking about?! " Cassandra asked, frightened and confused, and Leo crossed to her side and placed a warm hand on her shaking shoulder.
" I feel I must re-welcome you..."
" As my grand-daughter. "
