The Legend of the Last Phoenix
(The Saga of Terra Örlagadóttir)
A Vikings and Norse Mythology Crossover Fanfic Novel
She was the last of her kind; a Phoenix born in human form, raised by a Seer and trained by Valkyries. She will spread her fiery wings in flight as she changes destiny and becomes legend!
Genre(s): Historical Fantasy, Historical Romance and Fanfiction
Rated: Explicit
WARNING(s): Graphic Depiction of Violence, Major Character Death and Rape/Non-Con
Fandom(s): Vikings (TV) and Norse Religion & Lore
Additional Tag(s): Alternate Universe-Canon Divergence, Out of Character, Adventure, War, Sacrifice, Hope and True Love
Disclaimer: PLEASE READ FIRST
Welcome Esteemed Reader(s);
This is my second attempt at writing a Historical Fantasy and Historical Romance, I am doing my own version of The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle with a twist and throwing in a bit of Norse Mythology. I do not own the characters of Vikings (2013 TV series); they belong to Michael Hirst, the characters will be out of character and I hope to do them justice.
TRIGGER WARNING!
There will be scenes, mention and attempts at rape; I would like to apologize beforehand for any mental/emotional triggers!
Flight of the Last Phoenix
An ethereal silver-white Phoenix with gold accent feathers flew silent as a ghost through a forest at night beneath a Blood Moon. Her eyes were solid amethyst with silver star iris, her legs were smooth and white as moonlight, and her talons were silver but also sharp.
She was the last Phoenix and she was fleeing for her life as a hunting horn sounded soon from a distance far behind her. The Phoenix knew she must hide but where as she stood out; she needed to find a safe place to rest and regain her strength.
The last Phoenix was regretting leaving the safety of Asgard; the Æsir had given her a home and she had wanted for nothing. But a longing to find other Phoenixes was too great to ignore and she followed the Bifröst down into Midgard, and took her first flight over the Mortal World.
The Phoenix found humans to be curious creatures and she would watch from afar as well as hidden from sight. Yet no matter how careful she was; few mortals manage to catch a glimpse of her, but they don't see a Phoenix, in fact…to the humans she was a rare exotic bird.
Many had openly wept when they heard her sing and yet they didn't know why; food offerings were left out and the Phoenix sampled the food before moving on. Many hunters had chased after the last Phoenix hoping to capture her alive and show her off as a living trophy.
She found it amusing and even indulged in being chased only to disappear into the sky. The Phoenix continued her search; animals of land, sky and sea shared what stories they knew of the Phoenixes but none truly knew what had happened to them.
Yet it was the snakes who told the last Phoenix of three wicked Witch Queens who has hunted and sacrificed the Phoenixes over time; consumed the hearts and drank the blood for immortality, eternal youth and Power. The souls of the Phoenixes were entrapped within glass forever tormented to amuse the witches.
The last Phoenix now knew why the Æsir were so protective of her and didn't want her to leave Asgard. But she was desperate to learn about her kind that she snuck away and simply left.
Now she was fleeing for her life as the Witch Queens had come upon the last Phoenix and sent their servants after her. It was the night of the Blood Moon, night of sacrifice and changing destiny; the last Phoenix was tired but she dared not stop out of fear.
"Lady;" she heard a familiar voice call, "this way!"
"Come to the lake;" echoed a second voice and a third added urgently: "Hurry!"
She wove through the trees until she spotted the lake and three female figures who brought joy to her heart. It was the Norns, the Fates of the North who rule the destiny of Gods and men; Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld.
The last Phoenix nearly wept as she landed and welcomed the warm loving embraces of the three maiden Jotuns. They were her mothers who had raised her after her birth from an egg before she was taken to Asgard by Odin.
The Norns call her, Lady, a simple name spoken favorably by the Æsir.
"You will not be able to return to Asgard or Yggdrasil, our dearest Lady, but we will see you safe;" said Verðandi as she gave the last Phoenix a drink of water.
At the taste of the water; she knew it came from Urðarbrunnr, the Well of Urðr, and felt her strength being restored.
"The three Witch Queens will not rest until they consume your heart and blood, and the world will suffer greatly;" explained Skuld solemnly. "You are their salvation but you are also their downfall, Lady, and your destiny is different!"
"We do not know when that will be;" said Verðandi as she noticed the questioning look in the Phoenix's eyes.
Then the Norns turned to the lake, held their hands out with palms facing out and they began chanting. The water began rippling, swirling and glowing; the lake was being turned into a time portal.
The last Phoenix heard the hunting horn behind and how close her pursuers were coming.
"Hurry, Lady, flee into the time portal as there is still time;" exclaimed Skuld, "We will keep watch over you, Daughter, until it's time!"
With renewed strength; the Phoenix took flight into the sky and hung there as her body rippled with flames. She was like a secondary Moon with a fiery halo; until an arrow struck deep into her right side.
The last Phoenix plummeted from the sky like a falling star and fell into the time portal. A shadowy being soon followed and dove into the time portal as it closed, and the Blood Moon faded.