Chapter One: Wish
Notes: Chapters up through five are completed, and so they're all posted at once. Chapter Six is underway, and due to be uploaded on ff.net within the next week. Special guest appearance by my friend Krizzy ^_^
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"So you have made your decision, Suzaku?"
I have. It is imperative that things be altered with my intervention, for if things play out as they are, all of Konan and the other countries will fall under yet another evil.
Taiitskun let out a heavy sigh as she regarded the red-haired phoenix god with great weariness. She shook her head solemnly, looking through her mirror at the girl who would supposedly save them all.
"And you're sure Miaka cannot handle this feat? She has done much more than that, as your Priestess."
She is not prepared for this, and I had promised her and Taka a happy life with no further interruptions by me. They deserve a solid future, after all they have done for Konan, and for me. This girl... I know it is she who will change the course of history. She has great power, even more than Miaka... she shall be my new Priestess.
"What of your brothers, Great Suzaku? Do they know of this plan?"
They know of the danger... but not that I have planned to take hold of the situation. They would not approve of my plan.
The Creator raised an eyebrow, trying to keep the smirk from her aged features. "I see. Would I be right in guessing that there's something further that you haven't told me?"
The god smiled, his symbol flaring brightly upon his forehead. There is another matter... but I wish to see how things will fall into place... it regards my warriors...
Taiitskun raised a hand to silence him, faint realization dawning. "Don't tell me, I like surprises once in a while."
Then I have your approval, Creator?
"Yes. You are dismissed, Suzaku. Bring the girl here."
As you wish.
Blank blue eyes stared at her computer screen with mild interest, the words she read committing themselves to memory. It was nearing six in the morning, but her insomnia disallowed her from sleep. Her chin was pressed against her hand, elbow balanced on the keyboard tray. The other hand, while not clicking the mouse avidly, brushed through long and unruly brown hair that constantly fell into her face.
She sat cross-legged in her comfortable computer chair, a pillow against her back; a loose t-shirt and snug sweatpants wrinkled from hours of sitting. No light could be seen aside from the glowing monitor, where she read on and on in the library of fanfiction she'd recently found.
This author... she's really good, she thought to herself with a sigh. Can't seem to get enough of her stories... I wonder where she gets her inspiration.
A writer herself, the girl had posted several stories online, but not many had taken the time to read and comment, for she wasn't well known in the fanfiction world. A crash of thunder jarred her from all other thoughts, and she cursed lightly under her breath as the sounds of pouring rain hit the roof above her head.
Great. I'd better sign off... don't want this thing to fry again.
Making sure she book marked the story, Yuusei Yume switched off one computer, then turned to her smaller console to say goodbye to anyone still online. She scanned her buddy list, and noted that only Kira was still on... as usual. The girl was as much a night owl as Yume was, never going to bed until dawn and not getting up until high noon, if not later.
BaKaGuRlKiRa: what's up?
Starlit_Memory_Yume: logging off... storm hit
BaKaGuRlKiRa: aww, okies. talk to you tomorrow, then?
Starlit_Memory_Yume: yeah, sure. Maybe we can go DDRing, ne?
BaKaGuRlKiRa: heh :D sure. later then.
Starlit_Memory_Yume: later
She closed the window, and was about to sign off when a random person decided to message her.
Fushichou_Akai_no_Kami: Are you Yuusei Yume?
Starlit_Memory_Yume: um, who are you?
Fushichou_Akai_no_Kami: Don't worry about me. But you must listen. I need your help.
Starlit_Memory_Yume: huh? but I don't even know you
Fushichou_Akai_no_Kami: All will become clear to you. Now go to sleep.
Starlit_Memory_Yume: er... sure... i was gonna do that anyway
Fushichou_Akai_no_Kami: Good.
~Fushichou_Akai_no_Kami has just logged off.~
How weird... Yume thought with a frown. Must be some weird guy trying to hit on me. Though, it could be Toya trying to play a joke on me. Who knows. She flipped a switch, and the computer went dead, just as lightning filled the room with eerie white light. The girl had to cover her ears as the thunder cracked like a whip overhead, and she thought that she heard a bird's cry amidst the deafening assault on her eardrums.
How the hell am I gonna all asleep in this storm? she thought sullenly, but shrugged as she grabbed her notebook, pencil, and pillow. Climbing under her warm sheets and blankets, Yume opened the notebook to scan over the contents with a sad smile on her face.
Poems, stories and pictures filled the book; her fascination with magic and mystical creatures was clearly evident to anyone who had ever seen these 'scribbles', as she lovingly called them. However, only a trusted few ever even caught a glimpse of these, for they were her only means of escape from the harshness of reality. Yume longed for a way out of her world; for a long time, she'd felt as if she didn't belong where she was. She enjoyed watching anime shows and reading novels filled with romance and magic; anything supernatural in it the girl would devour.
Her longing for such things induced wonderful -- yet often painful -- dreams that involved images of anything she had read, written or drew. Then, in the mornings, she would awaken with a soft smile, but it would fade into a mask of sadness; for it was then the realization returned that such things were never possible. It hurt her every day to know that she was just a normal girl with average looks, average grades, and an average life. No unnatural occurrences graced her existence, aside from those she thought up in constant daydreams.
The notebook was small and modest, though thick; half of the pages were blank for drawing, the rest lined for writing. The cover was sky blue, with silver etchings of a unicorn, a dragon and brilliant stars beneath a crescent moon. The pages within were simple, but had a border textured to look like silver-lined marble. It was this book she treasured above all else, given to Yume by her late grandmother.
Lately, she'd taken an interest in phoenixes, bright scarlet in color with an outline in shimmering gold and striking teal eyes. With precision and loving care she would sketch out each curve and contour of the slender form, down to the last feather. She never knew where her ideas came from, but it was her hobby to record whatever plagued her thoughts within this notebook, whether it be in writing or colorful sketch.
Yume finished the drawing with a final few scratches of a red pencil on the tailfeathers. She then tucked away the book within her favorite blue bag, which also held her drawing utensils and late-night snacks. She heard the rain die down as she did so, and, stretching at last, lay down and turned out her lamp. Her last thoughts before losing consciousness were of the strange person she had spoken to, and how it had triggered her urge to draw the phoenix.
I wish, just once... that something extraordinary could happen to me, if only for a moment in this world... it would give me something to remember... and something to live for.
Yuusei Yume...
'Huh? Where... where am I?'
Red light surrounded her in a fine mist, dappled and brilliant. The voice called once more, and she turned around to see a tall form taking shape before her. At first, all Yume could see was the vague outline of a large bird; but when she stepped closer, the bird screamed and changed into the body of a beautiful man with flowing crimson hair and dazzling green eyes that seemed to pierce her soul. Radiant wings the matching color of his hair spread wide from between his shoulder blades, and his body was clad in light battle armor tinged the hue of newly-spilt blood.
Yuusei Yume...
'Who are you?'
I am called Suzaku, the Phoenix God.
Yume thought for a moment, then something stuck out in the back of her mind. Fushichou... Akai... no Kami... God of Red Phoenix... 'Wait a second... that guy that talked to me online... that was you?!'
Indeed. It was the only way to get your attention, aside from here in the dreamscape. As I said before... I need your help.
'But... Suzaku, you're a... a god! What could I possibly do to help you?' And how do I know I'm not hallucinating? she added silently.
The deity smiled upon the girl, having read her thoughts and doubts clearly. Fear not, little one, this is real. And do not believe yourself to be powerless... for you are the only one who can save my world.
'Your world?'
Yes... will you come?
She was hesitant to respond, and something in her gut told her that it was all a bad idea. However, always the adventurous and daring type, she accepted his plea with a nod. 'What must I do?'
Close your eyes, Yume, and do not be afraid, for I will protect you always. All will become clear to you soon enough, but you must have faith, in both me and yourself. Do you understand?
'Yes.' Yume did as she was told, shutting her eyes slowly. She felt the god approach her, and encircle her with a strong, yet gentle embrace. Immediately she relaxed, somehow feeling safe and secure within those arms. I can't believe this is happening... gods, if this is a dream, don't ever let me wake up...
Suzaku, again reading Yume's mind, smiled again as he spread his powerful red wings and took flight. Gaining speed, he broke the dimensional barriers with the cry of his animal form, emerald eyes focused ahead on their destination...
