As the months went by, with the help from her brother and Shiva, Phoenix found that even with his passing he would still remain with her. This fact became known to the little one within her growing and even to this day it surprised her such a thing could come about. It has never been heard of a union between Astral and mortal, but the proof was now within her. In that time she took to using her inner wings to wrap around her in a way to hide that belly that was slowly becoming rounder. Now, it was only a matter of time before the child would be born.
Before Cidulfus' passing he took a young girl under his wings per say in a knowing way of preparing her to take over the duties of running the city. This girl was Erna Frye who grew into a young woman. She was a stout woman only reaching five foot in height but could take on the Draconian if it came to it with her bite of words. She had long black hair always in a braid that reached her knees with an assortment of flowers or ribbons woven into it. Olive skin and brown eyes that were as sharp in gaze as her words could be.
Most times, Phoenix took to her company as they would visit the resting place of the man they both loved with Erna's being that of a daughters love. It was because of Erna that a statue now stood over his grave in honor of the two that gave Phoenix the idea to start planting all sort of flowery plants to trees to shrubs. This led to designs of pathways being built for the viewing of the developing gardens. The gardens would also act as a place to gather herbs for healing for any that would be in need of them. Phoenix wanted her people to be able to get items they needed and not have to worry if they could afford it. Currency was one thing she never understood but her people were understanding that what the Gardens provided was for all. The Gardens was a place of beauty and peace but also a place for gathering what was needed.
"Seraphim." Phoenix turned to find Erna making her way towards her making the feathered Astral pause in her walk. "How are you today?" Erna asked coming alongside as the two continued to walk down the hallway.
"I am doing fine. I was making my way to the Gardens to see what may be added and take some time to sit on one of the benches at the center." Erna nodded before taking a glance at Phoenix. "I have a bit of time free right now before needing to leaving. Care for some company?" Phoenix smiled at the offer. "I would gladly take the company."
"The city has grown some. I have had to start another section for housing to be built." Erna stated. "Many are also asking about what I should be called being the leader. I don't think Queen suits this nation being we view ourselves on a more equal way."
Phoenix tilted her head. "I'm sure you will figure out what the figurehead would be called." Erna scoffed but still had a smile on her face. "What help you are, O Great Goddess of Rebirth. I thought coming to you I could get some sort of leader name to bring back with me, but no." Phoenix smiled as the sarcasm dripped from her tone. "Now, now, no need to be hostile. We all know you care little about council meetings, my dear, but someone needs to attend them even if it is for such mundane things." Erna rolled her eyes only to stop dead in her tracts as she looked at a figure before them and giving a low bow.
When something like this happened it could only mean one thing to Phoenix and that was another Astral had appeared. Looking she found it was Bahamut and felt her body tense up and feeling her under wings shift slightly. "Bahamut, what brings you here?" she asked keeping her tone light.
Unlike her brother, his horned head wasn't as long nor branched as they curved closer to his head before jutting outwards at the ends with his black hair short but neat from underneath. Large leathery wings held half open in preparation if a fight were to broke out. Contrasting Phoenix who wore silks and flowing dress, he was never without his armor that she always wondered if he was even comfortable with that armor. Phoenix knew Bahamut cared little about staying in the smaller form and so it made red flags fly high in her head.
His blue eyes pierced her amber ones. "I came to see if it was true. That you laid with a mortal and now carry it's spawn." At this his eyes dripped down, distain clear in his eyes, to the area her belly would be if her feathered wings weren't hiding that fact. Even with her wings hiding the round belly this last month made it stick out that it was useless to hide. "So you did and do." His monotoned voice made Phoenix bristle.
"Erna, leave us." Phoenix ordered evenly never taking her eyes off of Bahamut. "Seraphim, I'm sorry, but I will not leave you alone." Erna stated straightening up but did take a step back and to the side to show she was at her back if need came. Bahamut simply raised a brow at this mortals resolve to remain. "It matters none if the mortal is here or not." He stated as he continued to stare at Phoenix taking a few steps closer till he was inches from her. "To tarnish your soul carrying such a thing. It is disgraceful." He sneered revealing his teeth.
"I did not tarnish anything. I had a pure love, and that love brought this life into existence." Phoenix replied keeping her voice leveled. "I see no difference to the love two Astrals have to the love I held for a mortal."
Bahamut grunted with dismissal at her words. "You are right love is love, if that is only between beings of equal status. Do you know why we only grant these humans part of our powers when we deem it? Why there has never been a child alive born of Astral and Mortal?" Phoenix remained silent already knowing why such union was not done. This led to Bahamut smirking some. "It is because one evolves in power while the other stays fixed in power."
Glancing down at her belly he held up a hand seeing her wings tighten around her. Like with her gauntlets, he had talon like claws only his were short and thicker while Phoenix's were longer and thinner. Both claws curved but each did damage differently by slicing better into the skin while the other did more blunt force digs. Lightly he ran a talon over the feathers making a straight line across her extended belly before she slapped his arm away in a snarl.
"Leave Bahamut." She grounded out earning his gaze back up to her eyes making him blink at her tone. He backed away but kept his eyes to hers. "Know that I will kill that thing." The feathers on her head flared up as her gaze sharpened at the threat and her outer wings flinging out. "You will not get near me or this child." Her gauntlets appearing on her hands and forearms in a burst of flames. "I will fight you if I must."
Bahamut only smirked at the show of fierceness giving a slight bow. "We will see in due time. You don't have much longer to go before the thing is born." In a flash of light he was gone leaving Phoenix with trepidation and a need to safe keep her child. Turning on the spot, accidently smacking Erna with a wing, she stormed down the path they had just taken calling for Lakshmi and Seraph. In seconds glimmers of colored flames appeared bringing the bird forms of the two messengers as Erna kept pace with the Astral.
"We must plan. Bahamut has made his move." Phoenix stated thinking. "It was a matter of time before one of the other Astrals came to find out."
"It will not matter if we can hide the child. We know things." Seraph said watching as Phoenix closed her eyes in understanding as a sigh left her lips. "It is hard to hide things from beings that have an awareness and a knowledge."
"Then I am to lose my child?" Phoenix asked coming to a stop wrapping her belly in her arms. "I cannot win a fight with Bahamut. He is far superior in battle."
"Then speak with the Crystal." Lakshmi said. "If the Crystal gives approval for this child to live even Bahamut could not dispute that claim."
"Doesn't the Crystal reside in Solheim?" Erna asked.
"It has been since moved out of Solheim, but it still resides on that continent." Seraph answered her before turning back to Phoenix. "I will go with. Bahamut is dangerous at any given time."
"Should we have Ifrit come with?" Lakshmi asked knowing she was more for helping give support than fighting like Seraph was.
Phoenix shook her head even with the slight probe of concern from said Astral. "No, he is busy with Solheim as they are preparing for a celebration. If need I will make a visit to him after the Crystal as it would do me good to see my brother before this little one is born." Turning to Erna to take the woman's hands in hers. "I will not be gone long, and you will have Lakshmi here."
"Good, because I was planning on making some fried vegetables in the coming days." Erna stated with a knowing smirk to Phoenix loving cooked vegetables. A talon pointed at Erna. "You better save enough for me when you do make it. Now, off with you back to the council. I know you were only procrastinating by using me as a means." Backing up with held up arms Erna gave a guilty look. "You caught me, O Great Goddess." Lakshmi gave a nod before following after Erna the click-clack of her talons echoing on the stone floor.
Taking a deep breath Phoenix disappeared with her companion following. When they appeared it was at the entrance of a large cave that would lead them to the chamber that held the Crystal. Even from where they stood they could feel the pure energy seeping into them. A flutter from within told her that even her child could feel the energy. Without further delay Phoenix sped into the cave with Seraph close behind. It was quiet but the energy grew the closer they got. Halfway into the chamber that held the Crystal shouts rang all around surprising the two Astrals.
Seraph cried out in rage when a net was thrown over and brought her bird form down to the floor. She thrashed around but their assailants quickly hammered the net down to secure it their shouts of orders echoing. Phoenix was quickly subdued by ropes being flung at her as she fought off several that had come near her curling in some to protect her belly. Some ropes took hold of her arms, some of her outer wings, one taking her neck with enough pressure that caused her to stop her struggles even though she tried to curl around her belly. Her arms were held out in a slight T-pose while the wing they had were being tugged harshly back causing her to whimper in pain.
Her eyes darted about finding who they were, and shock ran through her body. Before them were many Solheim people holding them like prisoners. Abruptly a hard grip ripped her inner wings from behind, so they were no longer hugging her front. She cried out feeling several muscles tear at the treatment. "Your punishment will be the loss of your wings." The voice of Bahamut stated from behind her close to her right ear. "I knew to make sure to prepare for your visit to the Crystal before you could get the approval for that things life."
With his hold on her wings, Bahamut forced Phoenix to her knees. Seraph thrashing madly in the net that the Solheim people had to work to keep the bird under control. "YOU DO NOT TOUCH HER!" she screamed in fury. Several swords appeared floating around Bahamut and with a swiftness separated Phoenix from her wings. Anguished screams left her as blood streamed down her back. Taking the wings Bahamut moved to stand in front of her flinging the lumps of flesh down before her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched him lean over her form, making sure to ground her wings into the floor in the process, as he gave a wave to the Solheim people. The ropes moved forcing her arms to rotate to be held behind her and making her front open to the Draconian.
He moved a clawed hand to lay at the side of her belly. Fear shot through her as she shook her head hopelessly. "No, please…please don't do this." She begged a sob leaving her. "Please don't, I plead you." His blue eyes gave some sympathy. "If you really wanted a child, Phoenix, all you had to do was ask and I would have helped." He looked down at the hand that lay at her round stomach. "To bad what I am about to do will leave you without that chance again."
Phoenix shrieked as Bahamut clawed into the soft skin. She struggled against the humans that would let this happen to one of their protectors but having already bleed heavily from where her wings once were she found her strength leaving her. Skin in tatters, slick in her blood, and free from its warm prison was her child being held in Bahamut's stained hands. A screech reverberated as Seraph finally threw off the net that had been holding her down and launched herself at Bahamut. Her talons dragging along his armored chest and his face making his grip loosen on the child. She quickly encircled the baby within her own wings as the momentum made her land hard on the ground rolling a few times.
Instantly Seraph looked within to the child held safely only to hear cries of life ring out. The force of the hit helped to bring up some of the liquid for the baby to take their first breath. Pride for her Mistress and the wonder that was made flooded Seraph but was tampered as she glared at Bahamut as he prowled to her limp form. Wings tightening back around the bloody baby as her warmth calmed the child some. "Stay away from us." Seraph hissed purple feathers flaring at her rage.
"Seraph…get my child out of here.." Phoenix's tired voice ordered as she struggled to rid the hold the Solheim people had. Never taking her eyes off of Bahamut, Seraph morphed her form into her more humanoid one to grip the child in her arms as she scrambled to stand.
"You will not make it out of this cave. Hand the thing over." He ordered as his heavy footsteps brought him closer. Seraph glanced to Phoenix her mind coming to a decision. Once she was on her feet she leapt into the air with several powerful beats of her wings she zeroed in on the Crystal. Bahamut roared in fury as she escaped from him and launched a sword at her. Seraph let out a gasp feeling her body arch from the impact into her lower back. Even knowing she was wounded her thoughts were on keeping the baby in her arms safe feeling the sword disappear from within her. Once she looked to see the sword had not hit the child she immediately curled once again around the child. She landed hard at the foot of the Crystal feeling her blood pour out as she groaned.
"SERAPH!" Phoenix shouted in horror. Seraph could only give her Mistress a sad smile before turning as best as she could with the pain towards the Crystal. "Please give this child your blessing to live." Seraph whispered pleading that it would grant that as she held the child above her prone figure. The feelers that came off of the Crystal grew longer and brighter as they reached the child.
Bahamut's thundering shout sounded as a flash of bright light filled the room. The ones holding Phoenix back went slack in awe and she took that to scramble heavily, stumbling over her wings, towards Seraph and the child Seraph held, her breathing difficult and vision spotted from blood loss. In his vehemence, Bahamut marched up towards Seraph with a sword being summoned to his hand. Within a second his blade found itself embedded in the flesh of Seraph's chest this time. The light surrounding the child formed a shell of protective layer as the messenger slowly lost her strength and lowered them to the floor.
"NOOO!" Phoenix stumbled to her feet hand trying to hold what remained of her stomach together as she fought to get to her companion. Flames covering her frame as they worked to heal the damage, but she knew it was extensive. Kneeling at Seraph's side she pulled her up as her flames tried to heal but Seraph was already gone having been stabbed in her heart. She sobbed as her hand wiped over her dark hair leaving bloody stains. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!"
"She should not have interfered. Now that, that thing, has the blessing of the Crystal I cannot touch it." Bahamut stated neutrally before disappearing. Phoenix cried looking to Seraph as she held her tightly.
"WHAT HAPPENED HERE?!" Ifrit's voice rang out as he stormed past the clambering Solheim people as they moved out of his way. Looking around he found pools of blood and a lines of blood leading to the Crystal where he found his sister on the ground. Glancing to the humans he found several with ropes in hand and fear in their eyes as Ifrit glanced back at his sister finding ropes around her limbs. The heat began to boil from within. "What did you do to her?!"
They whimpered falling to hands and knees as they bowed. With a snarl he moved towards Phoenix only to stop short at the sight of her wingless his fire growing hotter that it was making the surrounding area heat up. Swiftly he came to her side being surprised by her hold on Seraph as she cried out her pain that was slowly getting weaker. Kneeling he took ahold of her only getting a small bit of resistance.
"No…take the child…take the…child home." She said weakly as her tears stopped falling taking in the face of Ifrit. Slowly a single tear fell down her cheek as she gave Ifrit a small smile as the tear dripped from her jaw and crystalized before it hit the floor. "My tear..keep it for…Erna. She will…watch…over." Flames burst out from Phoenix as they consumed her fully in a blaze that even had Ifrit close his eyes at the brightness. From his hold of Phoenix he felt her form shift into a smooth and hard surface of a very large egg. Searching he only felt a dimness from her side of the bond like she had fallen into a slumber.
He glanced to Seraph then to the dimming light that surrounded the child she stated. Having known of his sister was to have a child he understood the child was his priority now. Shifting the egg that was Phoenix he gently scooped the child, who was still covered in blood and bits of gore, tampering his heat lower even if he wanted to rage for all to see. Looking down he found the child was a boy, she had a son. Small fuzz of hair the color of dark violet covered his head, and he gave small whimpers.
"Mistress!?" Ifrit turned to Lakshmi running towards them her eyes wide. She covered her mouth with her hands as the sight of Seraph's body. "What happened?"
Ifrit sent the cowering Solheim people a sneer. "They killed them. They took Phoenix's child from her belly and ripped her wings from her." He looked to Lakshmi shifting the baby in his arms to show her the child. She kneeled close tears gathering in her eyes as she held out her arms to take the child. Her eyes shifting to the smooth amber colored egg in his other hand. "Phoenix will recover but it will take a long time. I will place her so she may rest. This was made for Erna." He said picking up the tear shaped crystal for Lakshmi to take. "She wanted her to care for the child."
Taking the tear Lakshmi nodded even though she was losing the fight to keep her tears at bay. "Why would they do this? And right after Bahamut threatened Mistress to kill her child." Ifrit raised a brow at this. "He did?" She nodded. "Well, it may be they didn't act alone." He said looking to the humans that tried to leave only for flames to burst up blocking the exit. Their cries of surprise and fear filled the area. "Go, make sure the little one gets cared for." Lakshmi was hesitant but held the baby closer, who had fallen asleep. "I will be along." With a nod the blue feathered messenger walked to the exit of the cave his flames parting for her.
Once she was gone he turned to Seraph. "You did as much as you could, Seraph, and I thank you. You should rest now." Flames covered and ate at Seraph's body as Ifrit stood up gently cradling the large egg looking out to those trapped within. "For your crimes, you will all die." His flames surged every inch of the floor overtaking every human. Their squeals of pain resonated while Ifrit slowly made his way out. Killing them didn't help to dim an ounce of the rage that boiled inside.
Appearing at the mountain cave that Phoenix had chosen he set her egg down inside and kneeled. A hand staying on the top part as he sneered in anger. "I will make them pay for what they did to you. Those arrogant, deceitful humans will die. And if I find out Bahamut was behind this, I will kill him." Slowly he lost the cruel look dominating his face. "Know that your humans will be spared. They did not and would have done that to you. I will see you again, sister."
He left the cave and searched for the human Erna. Finding the human with Lakshmi nearby he watched her take the child in her arms with a nod. Even from where he stood far from the three Ifrit could tell Erna was crying at hearing about what happened to Phoenix. Closing the distance she turned to look at him with a bow. "I am sorry for what happened to her, Infernien."
He gave a nod. "She is resting now. Take care of the child for her." His amber eyes bore into her own not in a wrathful way but more of an intenseness that was more on the side of kindness. "Know that the Stelluxian people will not feel my wrath. I knew they loved my sister and would have never tried to kill her. In her stead, I will be the Stelluxian protector once I take care of some things" Erna could only bow at his words.
"I will prepare a ceremony so the people can mourn for the Seraphim and pray she can return to us." Ifrit nodded in thanks to Erna as he turned to Lakshmi. "Watch over him till I can return." Lakshmi nodded as Erna stepped closer to the Infernien. "We named him Fenix as a way to honor his mother." Ifrit gave a small smile at the name as he ran the back of his fingers over the fuzz of hair lightly. "It is a good name." he stated taking a few moments to gaze at the baby before turning and disappearing.
