Sometimes people make a difference. Sometimes people work to get themselves into seats of power. Sometimes people are given those seats. Honestly, it doesn't matter whether you are smart, or generous. It all depends on how well you can chaos and get away with it.
He didn't need to be first to do something different, because if he was going to be the first his name wouldn't matter so much in the grand scheme of things. He needed to be the first who could create chaos without attracting the attention of the ierarchia than anyone else, his father would scold him later but that was future Pheonix's problem. He just needed to go unnoticed, easy right? He ran down a narrow alleyway as he tried to remember his plan; One. Escape from the palace without his father's knowledge. Two. Meet Sam at Otterbam lane. Three. Get the hell out of this realm. Yeah, easy.
The only issue was getting past security on the streets. His father would kill him if the Emperor knew that someone had broken out without permission. His father, was the one person who seemed to understand his abilities but refused to help him master them, the one person who seemed to never care about his opinion. Well, it wasn't like his dad cared enough about anything except for the Empire. He was getting off track. The alleyways were swirling around him as he sprinted down the different streets, the destination was so painted inside his mind.
"Not much further now." He panted as his charcoal-coloured locks seemed to effortlessly bounce in his sprint.
"Just a little longer…" The streets grew more crowded and it felt like the ground was moving beneath his feet, he wasn't sure if it was just in his head or if he was moving forward. Was it always this packed?
He looked up to see a sign hanging above him, 'Otterbam Lane.'
"Here we are!" he grinned as he jumped onto a wooden fence, it was almost time, he had made it. He took a deep breath and looked back to check that no one had seen him. As he slowly strolled into the street a cold but friendly voice came from in the shadows.
"Your late Pheonix, again." Sam. He sighed loudly as he turned around to look over his shoulder at the man standing behind him; A tall figure in the darkness. His hair was slicked back from his face revealing the sharp features of his angular jawline, the rest of his facial features concealed under a dark hood. "I thought I told you to be here before our friend arrives or were you too busy reading those books again?" Pheonix rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in irritation.
"What can I say? They're pretty good." Sam snorted as he started walking towards the gate in front of the house and pushed open the heavy metal door.
"I think you meant that they're really bad." Sam quipped as he lead Pheonix into a large dining room, it wasn't anywhere near the size of the ones in the palace but Pheonix had to give the architect credit, the walls were laced with intricate structures, each composing a different myth or story. The floors were marble slates which glistened from the light of the chandelier swinging overhead. The colours were overwhelming Phoenix's eyes; Red, Black, Green, Blue, Yellow and even Purple. Everything looked expensive and pristine, the chandeliers gleamed brightly in the light of the candles. At the far end of the table sat a blonde woman with violet curls that flowed down her shoulders, she glanced up when they entered and gave a slight smile. Aubrey.
"Was he late?" She chuckled softly as Phoenix went to protest. Sam removed his hood slowly as he strolled into the room after Phoenix.
"I'm afraid so mistress, he was buried in a book." Aubrey smiled again.
"How sweet." Phoenix rolled his eyes once more. He loved Aubrey but it was times like these when he wished that he was better friends with somebody who would let him live.
Aubrey stood as Sam closed the door behind him.
"It takes my mind off things you know?" Phoenix loved to read not only because his library was extremely vast and had thousands of stories for him to get lost in but also because it was a good way for him to distract himself from the outside world and all the nasty things that go on out there. It kept him sane, kept him calm. He took a deep breath as Aubrey gave him a small smile.
"I must give you my gratitude Phoenix. You could have turned down this offer but… you didn't, Why?" Aubrey raised an eyebrow and her hands folded neatly behind her back as she stood facing Pheonix.
"Why did you invite me?" Pheonix asked,
looking at the ground. "I don't doubt your judgment Mam but…"
"Because I trust you." Phoenix looked up at Aubrey with wide eyes. "And I understand that you're a royal Phoenix, but you are good friends with Sam already which makes me think you're trustworthy." Phoenix nodded but Aubrey continued.
"As long as you stay true to your word, we may be able to achieve great things together." There is a pause before Pheonix spoke.
"Thank you, Madame. If I may ask, what is your goal for this meeting? His head tilts slightly as his gaze wanders to Sam. He was already staring at Phoenix with a smirk as he scoffs slightly.
"Aubrey is an exceptionally mysterious person my friend, she will not answer your questions so easily, anyway Pheonix, can you give us your findings over the last month?" Pheonix nods hesitantly as he looks down at his boots again. He didn't like being their spy, but he wasn't useful for anything else.
"Father has been complaining a lot about your rebellion, calling it futile and stupid. He's been very busy lately with meetings and new souls arriving every day. He hasn't taken notice of me lately either," Aubrey nods as she listens intently, "But recently he seems a bit distracted and I suspect he's been having problems with someone." Pheonix paused again but Aubrey continued.
"Who is it, exactly?" Her voice was clear and demanding, Phoenix had difficulty swallowing as he knew she wasn't going to like his answer.
"I don't know." He muttered as his gaze went back to the floor. His arms crossed together in his dark velvet cloak. Aubrey let out a loud sigh.
"What about your brothers? What have they been doing?" She sounded almost bored as her hand worked furiously on a piece of paper.
"Well, I haven't gotten involved with them for a while…" Pheonix began but was cut off by Aubrey.
"That's not helpful my dear. You are supposed to know, and you should be telling us." Pheonix sighed.
"I know… but I'm trying but being the least important member of the family you tend to be left out of things and information." His family was always leaving him out even if he was supposed to be the centre of attention like his birthday. Sometimes he wondered why people like Sam and Aubrey liked him so much, sometimes he just wanted to hide away, and sometimes he wished he was invisible. He would rather spend most of his time in his room reading than going out and mingling with others. His thoughts were cut off by Aubrey's voice.
"Well, Phoenix I have an idea on how to grow the rebellion if you were interested." She rested her head on her hands as she leaned on the table. Her smooth maroon hair cascaded over her shoulders and across the table.
"Oh? How so?" Pheonix perked up as he listened carefully, his attention never strayed from the lady sitting in front of him.
"Your mission, if you chose to accept, is to find anything you can about the border between our realm and the other one. I must get in contact with someone from that side who would most certainly help our situation." Pheonix looked up to meet her green irises, his eyes narrowing in anticipation.
"Alright, what do you need me to do?" Aubrey smiled gently.
"Find something. Anything, just anything you can find to help the revolution." Pheonix let out a slow breath. He understood that that meant he would have to talk to his brothers and try to pry any sort of information out of them. He wasn't looking forward to it. But what choice did he have honestly? Phoenix turned his head to gaze at Sam, trying to find any hidden message in his calm face. A smile crept onto his handsome features. Aubrey rose quietly from the table.
"One more thing." Aubrey slowly strolled to his side and knelt to him so her eyes became level with his, she was so much taller than him. It made him feel insecure. "Phoenix I need you to collect a soul for me." Her words catch him off guard, a soul.
"You know what you are asking is impossible right?" He muttered softly.
"Oh, but it isn't Phoenix. I still believe that you have every capability to steal something as small as one soul." Her voice sent shivers down his spine, was he scared of Aubrey? of course he was, this woman was one of the most experienced and skilled warriors of this kingdom, if someone wasn't afraid of her then they were greatly underestimating her. But, Phoenix wouldn't show anyone the fear he felt. Not Sam, not anybody. He couldn't afford to lose what little control he had over himself in front of them, not now.
"Fine." He didn't know whether this was the right choice but it was either this or continuing being a nobody for the great of eternity. Sam clapped his back with his hand in appreciation before turning to Aubrey.
"I just wanted to add Mistress." He began, giving a small pause to see if he was allowed to continue. Aubrey gave him a small nod and he resumed. "I understand Phoenix that you don't understand how the whole soul thing works, am I right to think this?" Of course, Sam had to point out this. Phoenix nodded, Sam, smirked at his nervous expression and turned to Aubrey. "Maybe we explain it so he might form a better plan to get the soul?" Aubrey sighed but let a small smile form on her face in laughter.
"Very well," Aubrey muttered