The Mythical Phoenix is often described as a beautiful bird, a sight to behold. It is an immortal, undying creature, able to heal from any wounds and rise from ashes after death. Blue and golden flames danced with every flap of its large wings. It shone with an ethereal glow as sun rays bounced off its colourful and vibrant feathers. Its legs were covered in gold scales, its talons rose-coloured. And the captivating eyes of the Phoenix were as blue as the sea and sky which constantly surrounds it.
The Immortal Phoenix was a sight to behold, indeed. However, if one were to take a closer look at this magnificent bird, they would be taken aback to find that the Phoenix's electric blue eyes held no happiness. Instead, the Phoenix's eyes were filled with grief and loneliness, the origins of which stretched all the way from hundreds of years in the past.
The Lonely Phoenix once had a family, who it loved dearly, and who loved it in return. They were a group of outcasts, hated by the world for various reasons. But that did not matter to the man who led them. As long as one needed a family, he would take them in. And once taken into the family, all became his sons, regardless of species or their past. In this family, the misfits found a place where they belong, a place to call home. But alas, all good things must come to an end.
To the Grief-stricken Phoenix, Immortality is nothing more than a curse it did not wish for. For while the Phoenix cannot die, the same could not be said for its precious family. The Phoenix could only watch as Death snatched every last one of the family it so deeply treasured. One by one, until only the undying Phoenix was left.
Such is the tragic tale of the Wandering Phoenix, who soars up high and flies freely, unbound by the chains of Time. The endless blue of the sky and sea is its constant companion, as it roams the world for all eternity, searching relentlessly for its missing family.
"Marco, son." Marco looked up at Whitebeard curiously, as did Ace and Thatch who had been chilling on the deck with them.
"What is it, Oyaji?"
"Over the years, have you ever read this book called 'The Wandering Phoenix'?"
"No, I haven't, yoi." Marco admitted. "I did come across it a few times," He recalls the time when Shanks was reading it to the ASL Trio. "but I've never really bothered to read it, yoi. Why do you ask, Oyaji?"
"Because," Thatch walked up to him, shaking his head exasperatedly despite the fond smile on his face. "we wrote that book based on you." Ace matched his expression as he walked over as well, smirking at Marco's look of surprise.
"You did, yoi?" They nodded in confirmation.
"And if you had read it, birdbrain, you would've realised we were looking for you too." Ace said, holding up said book, and flipped to the last page, pointing at the final paragraph.
The Children of the Sea live their Lives freely on the sea, greet their Deaths with acceptance, and after their Rebirth, return to the Sea once again. The Phoenix's family may not be immortal like it is, but their love for it is, and they would never stop waiting for the day when the Wandering Phoenix flies home to them.
So...I was reading some of my old drafts and decided to touch up this half-done chapter and add it to this story because I actually kinda like it, and I hope you guys will too! v
