The New Phoenix
Rocky Oberlin
Chapter 2
Sorry it took so long to get out, but I (stupidly) volunteered to work third shift at the hospital I work at. I don't write this on paper first so I couldn't work on during the quiet times. Besides I have some others that people want (maybe).
Tell the Nurse Supervisor the status is the same; I don't own the Ronin Warriors.
"So you got the Seasonals to the new Phoenix's house, Grandma?"
"Yes, now hush, I need to remember what happened next."
"Yes, Mom is getting old, you must have patience with the elderly, their minds come and go."
"My son, you may be the Unicorn King, but I helped bring you into this world and took you under my wing when your mother died. So help me I can take you out as well. And as my parents tell me, 'you aren't too old or too big to take over my knee."
"Yes, my Lady Windwalker."
"I thought that my brother was suppose to get the disrespectful children, not me. What happened to that curse Mom and Dad put on me?"
"Mom?"
"Hmmm?"
"Could you continue with the story?"
"Yes, now..."
Mia sighed as she came down the stairs. That dream had come again and this time she saw the person telling her that she had to take up her destiny. It was the same woman in the fire. Mia was beginning to wonder if she should go see a doctor about the lack of sleep she was getting because of these dreams.
"Good morning, Lady Mia."
Mia looked up to see three men, not boys that lived with her, sitting at her table and Cye and Lady Kayura cooking in the kitchen. Cye was at the stove cooking pancakes and Lady Kayura was beating the batter to make more. They both looked up the greeting and smiled at Mia.
"Good morning," said Cye. "This time I beat you to the kitchen."
Mia was speechless as she sat down at the table, staring at the three Seasonals sitting with her.
"We had some warning that we would be needed in the Mortal Realm," said Lady Kayura.
"Who told you?" asked Mia, baffled.
"Would you believe Anubis?" asked Seckmet.
Even Cye paused at the answer. "How?" asked Mia.
"I think that everyone should be here when we explain," said Lady Kayura.
"I think that would be a good idea," said Dais. "Considering that the tale is strange enough without going over it twice with all the questions."
"Whoa, when did you come back?" asked a newly risen Kento.
"Last night, Hardrock," said Cale.
"So, to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Sage.
"Let's discuss that when everyone is down," said Lady Kayura.
They had to wait for Rowen and Ryo to come down. Surprisingly Rowen had beat Ryo by a minute. And when he came down he just looked at the visiting Seasonal and just sat down. He looked as if he hadn't been sleeping well and was trying to convince himself that yes he was suppose to be up.
"I take it there's trouble in the Nether Realm," he said briefly.
"Yes. How did you know?" asked Lady Kayura.
"Dreams."
Mia looked up sharply from her cup of coffee and stared at Ryo. He looked as bad as she felt. What was going on with them?
"What were the dreams about, Ryo?" asked Sage.
"A large bird of fire was looking at me and then I heard this voice say to protect the new phoenix. Then I saw this house burning and two figures far away watching. The bigger one was holding a smaller one and she seemed to be crying."
"She?" asked Rowen.
"Yeah, I could hear a girl crying and it was like I knew that it was coming from the small figure in the distance. Weird, huh?"
"Yeah," said Sage. The Seasonals looked thoughtful and Lady Kayura stole a quick glance at Mia. Poor Mia was pale and had a haunted look on her face. Lady Kayura wondered why Ryo had dreamt of the Phoenix. She would have to talk with Anubis and Lady Windy when they returned.
"So, you were going to tell us why you're here," prompted Cye.
Lady Kayura started. "Oh, yes," she stumbled. "Well, it seems that Tulpa is back. We were warned to leave just in time I think. The ones who saved us said that an imbalance in the Realms of Magic allowed him to make a rift to escape from whatever Hell he was in."
"So, we beat him before, we can do it again," said Kento, confidently.
"I don't think so this time, Bearer of Hardrock," said a whispery voice.
Everyone looked around and then the Seasonals stood up and bowed. In the back doorway stood Anubis and a strange lady. Anubis wore his traditional monks robes, but the lady wore complete white. It almost seemed scandalous to the older warriors that a woman would wear tight breeches and a leather vest over a linen shirt. What really seemed to go down hard were the daggers hung on her leather belt and poking out of the calf high boots she was wearing. Her short copper red hair had a braided cord of blue and purple that did little to hold her hair out of her face, but seemed important as she wore it and the green from earlier.
"Hello, Ronins," said Anubis. "I would like to introduce to you the Lady Windy-"
"The Horse Lady," interrupted Mia.
Windy nodded. "Just as you say, Phoenix, I am the Horse Lady."
Puzzled looks were exchanged, but not as puzzled as the one on Mia's face. "How did I know that?"
"Every Guardian knows the Horse Lady or Lord. That person is the 'bailiff' of the Court of Magic if it is convened," said Anubis.
"But how would _I_ know the Horse Lady? I'm not a Guardian."
"Yes you are, Mia. You are the Guardian Phoenix," said Windy quietly. "Just as your mother was, so are you."
"How do you know my mother?"
"Sit, eat. I will tell my story and then we must call on the Realms of Magic to bring you into your birthright."
Everyone settled down and Kento grabbed the last stack of pancakes. A disapproving look from Cye forced him to give some to Anubis, but he shook his head. Dais was quick on the draw and grabbed them before the bearer of Hardrock could swallow them whole.
"Once, I was Queen of the Unicorns. I had to take that position due to the death of the previous King during a troubling time. I met with the other three Guardians to make plans of when and to whom I will give the regency of the Unicorns and the Guardianship of the Unicorn Magic. I met your mother at that meeting, Mia. She hadn't gone out into the world yet, but was getting curious. When I turned up with my strange words and accents she decided to explore as soon as she could. It was, may be, five years before she had you that she finally came into the world. Plainly she loved it. The Ancient helped her along in the beginning, but when she went out on her own, it was then that she met your father. It was 'Love at first sight'. The Ancient Dragon and the Griffon warned her of what could happen, but when it came to my turn I just told her to follow her heart. That lead to them being married and having you later. Tulpa had sensed the Phoenix Guardian walking in the Mortal World and thought that he could use her as a weapon against the Ancient. He lost her when she hid herself the few times she almost reveled herself, but she always hid again. When you were born, he sensed the new Phoenix Magic in you. You were four when he tried to get you again. The Ancient had gotten a message to your mother in time for her to send you off with her father-in-law and to lay a trap for the soldiers. Your father wouldn't think of leaving her behind, so when the trap was sprung they both died in a fire."
"But I thought that a new phoenix was suppose to rise from the ashes of the old phoenix," interrupted Rowen.
"Why? There was a new Phoenix. She just has to come into her power and the balance will be regained. But the damage is already done; Tulpa is out and seeking revenge."
"So Mia is the new Phoenix?" asked Cye.
"You got it Torrent," said Seckmet.
"You said that we couldn't beat Tulpa on our own, why?" asked Sage.
"Even with the help of the four Seasonals, you wouldn't have the power to send him back to the Pit he came from. The imbalance allowed hem to regain the lost power he had from before. With the time he had to build up his power, you have lost the advantage over him. He will choose the playing field, but you have the choice of weapons."
"How will we defeat him?" asked Lady Kayura.
"You will have help when the time comes," said Anubis.
Mia looked at Windy and Anubis. "When will you hold the ceremony to bring me into my Power?"
"Mia, don't-" started Ryo.
"She has to, Bearer of Wildfire," said Windy. "You are Fire. We will start after the time your mother died, tomorrow at midnight. Just follow your instincts."
Mia nodded her head. "I'll be there."
"Why did the Protector protest, Grandma?"
"He didn't want to see her hurt. He loved her too much."
"I still can't believe he had the brass-
"BILL! Watch your mouth, there are children present."
"Yes, Mom. He had the _guts_ to follow her like that. I still can't believe you let him stay."
"It was necessary. This was the first time that one of the Guardians had an equal. He would have been brought even if he hadn't followed her."
"So Griffon, Anubis, and I have an equal among that lot?"
"Yes, but only Anubis and I know who they are. You have to figure it out on your own."
"I want to be there when you tell Griffon he has to figure out his new partner."
"I'm glad you want to because I'm not telling him, you are."
"Mommmmmm."
"Don't 'Mommmmmm' me. I have other Charges to take care of and you aren't doing anything earth shattering. It will do you good to work with him more. May be you can get him out a little more. I haven't seen him since the Middle Ages."
"That's because he didn't like the Middle Ages."
"What was that? I didn't hear you.
"Nothing, Mom, just talking to myself."
"Is Uncle Bill in trouble, Grandma?"
"We'll see, child, we'll see."
Sorry if it's too short or not to your liking, but I have to get some sleep. As for the cord in Windy's hair it corresponds with the Church Seasons according to what I learned at my church. Windy functions on a different time line then the ones she's with. Right now she is in Advent (like I am right now) and the green was for Pentecost when the story was started. I probably will let you know when the cord changes.
Until next time, comments and flames are accepted. Comments are saved. Flames are used to keep me warm during the Michigan winter.
--Rocky Oberlin
Rocky Oberlin
Chapter 2
Sorry it took so long to get out, but I (stupidly) volunteered to work third shift at the hospital I work at. I don't write this on paper first so I couldn't work on during the quiet times. Besides I have some others that people want (maybe).
Tell the Nurse Supervisor the status is the same; I don't own the Ronin Warriors.
"So you got the Seasonals to the new Phoenix's house, Grandma?"
"Yes, now hush, I need to remember what happened next."
"Yes, Mom is getting old, you must have patience with the elderly, their minds come and go."
"My son, you may be the Unicorn King, but I helped bring you into this world and took you under my wing when your mother died. So help me I can take you out as well. And as my parents tell me, 'you aren't too old or too big to take over my knee."
"Yes, my Lady Windwalker."
"I thought that my brother was suppose to get the disrespectful children, not me. What happened to that curse Mom and Dad put on me?"
"Mom?"
"Hmmm?"
"Could you continue with the story?"
"Yes, now..."
Mia sighed as she came down the stairs. That dream had come again and this time she saw the person telling her that she had to take up her destiny. It was the same woman in the fire. Mia was beginning to wonder if she should go see a doctor about the lack of sleep she was getting because of these dreams.
"Good morning, Lady Mia."
Mia looked up to see three men, not boys that lived with her, sitting at her table and Cye and Lady Kayura cooking in the kitchen. Cye was at the stove cooking pancakes and Lady Kayura was beating the batter to make more. They both looked up the greeting and smiled at Mia.
"Good morning," said Cye. "This time I beat you to the kitchen."
Mia was speechless as she sat down at the table, staring at the three Seasonals sitting with her.
"We had some warning that we would be needed in the Mortal Realm," said Lady Kayura.
"Who told you?" asked Mia, baffled.
"Would you believe Anubis?" asked Seckmet.
Even Cye paused at the answer. "How?" asked Mia.
"I think that everyone should be here when we explain," said Lady Kayura.
"I think that would be a good idea," said Dais. "Considering that the tale is strange enough without going over it twice with all the questions."
"Whoa, when did you come back?" asked a newly risen Kento.
"Last night, Hardrock," said Cale.
"So, to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Sage.
"Let's discuss that when everyone is down," said Lady Kayura.
They had to wait for Rowen and Ryo to come down. Surprisingly Rowen had beat Ryo by a minute. And when he came down he just looked at the visiting Seasonal and just sat down. He looked as if he hadn't been sleeping well and was trying to convince himself that yes he was suppose to be up.
"I take it there's trouble in the Nether Realm," he said briefly.
"Yes. How did you know?" asked Lady Kayura.
"Dreams."
Mia looked up sharply from her cup of coffee and stared at Ryo. He looked as bad as she felt. What was going on with them?
"What were the dreams about, Ryo?" asked Sage.
"A large bird of fire was looking at me and then I heard this voice say to protect the new phoenix. Then I saw this house burning and two figures far away watching. The bigger one was holding a smaller one and she seemed to be crying."
"She?" asked Rowen.
"Yeah, I could hear a girl crying and it was like I knew that it was coming from the small figure in the distance. Weird, huh?"
"Yeah," said Sage. The Seasonals looked thoughtful and Lady Kayura stole a quick glance at Mia. Poor Mia was pale and had a haunted look on her face. Lady Kayura wondered why Ryo had dreamt of the Phoenix. She would have to talk with Anubis and Lady Windy when they returned.
"So, you were going to tell us why you're here," prompted Cye.
Lady Kayura started. "Oh, yes," she stumbled. "Well, it seems that Tulpa is back. We were warned to leave just in time I think. The ones who saved us said that an imbalance in the Realms of Magic allowed him to make a rift to escape from whatever Hell he was in."
"So, we beat him before, we can do it again," said Kento, confidently.
"I don't think so this time, Bearer of Hardrock," said a whispery voice.
Everyone looked around and then the Seasonals stood up and bowed. In the back doorway stood Anubis and a strange lady. Anubis wore his traditional monks robes, but the lady wore complete white. It almost seemed scandalous to the older warriors that a woman would wear tight breeches and a leather vest over a linen shirt. What really seemed to go down hard were the daggers hung on her leather belt and poking out of the calf high boots she was wearing. Her short copper red hair had a braided cord of blue and purple that did little to hold her hair out of her face, but seemed important as she wore it and the green from earlier.
"Hello, Ronins," said Anubis. "I would like to introduce to you the Lady Windy-"
"The Horse Lady," interrupted Mia.
Windy nodded. "Just as you say, Phoenix, I am the Horse Lady."
Puzzled looks were exchanged, but not as puzzled as the one on Mia's face. "How did I know that?"
"Every Guardian knows the Horse Lady or Lord. That person is the 'bailiff' of the Court of Magic if it is convened," said Anubis.
"But how would _I_ know the Horse Lady? I'm not a Guardian."
"Yes you are, Mia. You are the Guardian Phoenix," said Windy quietly. "Just as your mother was, so are you."
"How do you know my mother?"
"Sit, eat. I will tell my story and then we must call on the Realms of Magic to bring you into your birthright."
Everyone settled down and Kento grabbed the last stack of pancakes. A disapproving look from Cye forced him to give some to Anubis, but he shook his head. Dais was quick on the draw and grabbed them before the bearer of Hardrock could swallow them whole.
"Once, I was Queen of the Unicorns. I had to take that position due to the death of the previous King during a troubling time. I met with the other three Guardians to make plans of when and to whom I will give the regency of the Unicorns and the Guardianship of the Unicorn Magic. I met your mother at that meeting, Mia. She hadn't gone out into the world yet, but was getting curious. When I turned up with my strange words and accents she decided to explore as soon as she could. It was, may be, five years before she had you that she finally came into the world. Plainly she loved it. The Ancient helped her along in the beginning, but when she went out on her own, it was then that she met your father. It was 'Love at first sight'. The Ancient Dragon and the Griffon warned her of what could happen, but when it came to my turn I just told her to follow her heart. That lead to them being married and having you later. Tulpa had sensed the Phoenix Guardian walking in the Mortal World and thought that he could use her as a weapon against the Ancient. He lost her when she hid herself the few times she almost reveled herself, but she always hid again. When you were born, he sensed the new Phoenix Magic in you. You were four when he tried to get you again. The Ancient had gotten a message to your mother in time for her to send you off with her father-in-law and to lay a trap for the soldiers. Your father wouldn't think of leaving her behind, so when the trap was sprung they both died in a fire."
"But I thought that a new phoenix was suppose to rise from the ashes of the old phoenix," interrupted Rowen.
"Why? There was a new Phoenix. She just has to come into her power and the balance will be regained. But the damage is already done; Tulpa is out and seeking revenge."
"So Mia is the new Phoenix?" asked Cye.
"You got it Torrent," said Seckmet.
"You said that we couldn't beat Tulpa on our own, why?" asked Sage.
"Even with the help of the four Seasonals, you wouldn't have the power to send him back to the Pit he came from. The imbalance allowed hem to regain the lost power he had from before. With the time he had to build up his power, you have lost the advantage over him. He will choose the playing field, but you have the choice of weapons."
"How will we defeat him?" asked Lady Kayura.
"You will have help when the time comes," said Anubis.
Mia looked at Windy and Anubis. "When will you hold the ceremony to bring me into my Power?"
"Mia, don't-" started Ryo.
"She has to, Bearer of Wildfire," said Windy. "You are Fire. We will start after the time your mother died, tomorrow at midnight. Just follow your instincts."
Mia nodded her head. "I'll be there."
"Why did the Protector protest, Grandma?"
"He didn't want to see her hurt. He loved her too much."
"I still can't believe he had the brass-
"BILL! Watch your mouth, there are children present."
"Yes, Mom. He had the _guts_ to follow her like that. I still can't believe you let him stay."
"It was necessary. This was the first time that one of the Guardians had an equal. He would have been brought even if he hadn't followed her."
"So Griffon, Anubis, and I have an equal among that lot?"
"Yes, but only Anubis and I know who they are. You have to figure it out on your own."
"I want to be there when you tell Griffon he has to figure out his new partner."
"I'm glad you want to because I'm not telling him, you are."
"Mommmmmm."
"Don't 'Mommmmmm' me. I have other Charges to take care of and you aren't doing anything earth shattering. It will do you good to work with him more. May be you can get him out a little more. I haven't seen him since the Middle Ages."
"That's because he didn't like the Middle Ages."
"What was that? I didn't hear you.
"Nothing, Mom, just talking to myself."
"Is Uncle Bill in trouble, Grandma?"
"We'll see, child, we'll see."
Sorry if it's too short or not to your liking, but I have to get some sleep. As for the cord in Windy's hair it corresponds with the Church Seasons according to what I learned at my church. Windy functions on a different time line then the ones she's with. Right now she is in Advent (like I am right now) and the green was for Pentecost when the story was started. I probably will let you know when the cord changes.
Until next time, comments and flames are accepted. Comments are saved. Flames are used to keep me warm during the Michigan winter.
--Rocky Oberlin