One last foe awaits before Phoenix reaches the center circle. Who will be waiting in the circle of greed?

Quick author's note: This also turned out to be one of my favorite circles.


Circle VI - Greed

Teacher and student left the snow behind
And the sky grew black with ominous clouds,
Dimming the path until it faded away.

With darkness wrapped around him like a blanket,
Phoenix turned to his mentor but could not see;
He called out in fear for his guide, voice trembling.

He heard her answer: "I'm with you, my student,
Here in the heart of this maze." He felt her hand
Grasp his own. "Look behind you, dear Phoenix."

A flicker of movement caught his attention
And he turned around, and his blood ran cold;
His heart nearly stopped at the sight before him.

Smiling sweetly, a picture of innocence,
Stood the woman who nearly took his life:
Beautiful, poisonous, evil Dahlia.

"Dear Feenie," spoke she, words dripping like honey,
"How sweet of you to pay me a visit,
Here in this labyrinthine circle of mine."

And she laughed, and another image appeared.
Like unto Dahlia, Phoenix first thought
This figure was her docile twin sister;

But then the image multiplied tenfold,
A dozen Dahlias staring out at him
From the silvery sheen of a dozen mirrors.

The reflections were lit with an eerie cast,
And Phoenix saw more mirrors stretching out
Into the black, each emblaz'd with her image.

And to his great surprise, each image turned
To her neighbor with a knife clutched in hand,
And fought and stabbed at her double, drawing blood.

Phoenix felt ill as he walked 'mongst the mirrors,
Like he was trapped in a horror-show funhouse,
With Dahlia's images fighting themselves.

He felt dear Mia's hand grip his own tighter
As they meandered through the twisted maze,
Though in the dark he could not see her face.

"This is the circle of greed," said his mentor,
"The place for those consumed by their selfishness,
Who thought only of themselves at all times.

Whether for money, or power, or status,
Or any earthly thing, they thought only
Of their desire, caring not for others.

They hurt, betrayed, manipulate, killed
For their own gain, their own wants. But in this place,
The only thing they possess is themselves."

Phoenix considered all the evils done
By the girl who hissed at him in the mirrors,
Everything she had done for her sake only:

Theft, lies, poisoning, murder after murder
Even from beyond the grave. Her selfishness,
Her ultimate greed, had brought much woe to others.

"Perhaps it is fitting," he spoke, musing,
"That the only punishment for Dahlia
Would be to suffer and endure herself."

Abruptly the images stilled their knives
And looked out at the law man, eyes glowing bright,
"Feenie, dear Feenie," their mouths moved in chorus.

To Phoenix's terror, each image stepped out
From the silver mirrors, encircling him,
Knives poised above to strike in bloody arcs.

"Wait!" cried he, arms thrust out and placating.
"Have you not had enough? Can you not see
That your greed has brought about your demise?

All your selfish plans to further your own wants,
In the bitter end brought you to your grave.
Your reach had too far exceeded your grasp.

You wanted all for yourself, loved only you.
In your selfishness you had only yourself;
You turned away from others, gave them no love."

And in his fright Phoenix felt a sharp stab –
Not from a knife, for the images held still,
Attention rapt – but from a spring of pity.

"You loved not me," said he, "nor the man before,
Nor the man before him, nor either sister.
You cared naught for us; we were tools for your gain.

You had the whole world at your disposal,
And yet the greatest possession of all,
The love of others, slipped through your fingers."

The myriad faces of Dahlia
Snarled and hissed, and moved to strike with their knives,
And surely the law man would have bled to death;

But he felt the arms of Mia wrap 'round him,
Protecting, and each slash recoiled 'ere it struck –
Even many Dahlias could not beat her.

Shielded by his guide, by his dear mentor,
Phoenix spoke: "Love is the greatest treasure,
That for which we're all guilty of desiring.

But it's a tricky thing: to obtain it,
It must first be given away to others.
You must share yourself and be unselfish.

This I say to you, Dahlia: learn to love.
Give your love, your charity, away freely.
Forsake your greed and you will gain a heart."

One by one the images disappeared,
Snuffed out like candles, till only one remained.
She glared balefully at the pair, eyes white.

"Love is a foolish thing; only I matter."
Words echoing, she faded into the black
With a haughty swirl, having gained nothing.

Law man and guide were silent as they walked,
Hands held tight, and soon emerged from the darkness
Onto a grassy plain filled with flowers.

Mia turned to her protégé, eyes shining.
"Dearest Phoenix," said she, "you've passed again,
For the love of others can overcome greed.

Though I doubt Dahlia will heed your words,
Will never gain the gift of charity,
Even in your fright you tried to help her.

You have such a brave heart, my dear student.
You have come to the end, to the last circle.
Rest now in this glade, and heed well my words:

Reflect on all you have learned, and steel yourself.
Your love awaits in the final circle
Of the greatest sin, which begets all others.

I have shown you all I can. You are ready."
She placed her soft lips upon his forehead
In a tender kiss, and her student's eyes closed.

Phoenix slowly sank into the flowers,
Weary, and laid his head onto the grass;
His mentor's voice grew quiet, and his mind stilled.