Lucy's POV
I had a short talk with Erza and she was skeptical at first but she allowed me to stay out here as long as I was with Denzel. She told me that she would stay and keep watch over Gray. She said that if anything happens, she will send Happy to warn me. I touched the mask that was on my face. Why did he put a mask on my face in the first place? I could ask him, but I doubt he will give an answer that won't arouse more questions. As well as the fact that I don't want to know what is in this forest.
"Denzel!"
I had to find him. Why did he run off? Maybe he thought I was going to go with Erza. That could be a logical reason. Or maybe it's the fact that he does things on his own and thinks that I will be in the way. I let out a sigh as that thought crossed my mind. I kept walking on the path that Denzel and I were walking on before we stopped. I was hoping that I would catch up or even run into him. It wasn't long before the forest started to get denser with more trees. The path was slowly becoming smaller. I looked ahead and saw trees. I turned and saw more trees. I really hope I wasn't getting lost.
"Denzel! Where did you go?!"
He wasn't responding and I didn't even think that something could be listening to my calls. I heard a cry that wasn't human. I looked around, panicked. What could make that screech? I have never heard a sound like that before. I started running, scared, and unsure where I was heading. I could barely tell where I was going and I think I wasn't going to find my way back. I really wished that Denzel didn't leave me. The screech became louder. I turn my head to look back and in doing so, I trip on some of the undergrowth. I tried to get up, but was unable to. I closed my eyes, in fear for the worse. Nothing. Nothing happened and I was perplexed. I opened my eyes to see a strange bird sitting right in front of me. The bird was about the same size as Happy, but a little smaller. The bird that stood before me was very colorful. Its feathers reminded me of the rainbow.
"A human? This far in these lands?"
Did I just... hear that right? The bird was talking? Her voice had this warm feeling, like how a mother speaks to her kids to calm them. I know Happy can talk, but that is because of what he is... Can I actually hear the bird or is my mind playing tricks on me?
"Did... Did you just talk?"
"Hmmmm. So you can understand me. You must be a caster of some sort. Or are you a summoner?"
Caster? Summoner? Talking bird? That's it. I lost it.
"Carys!"
"That boy is always asking for trouble... I'm sorry my dear, I have to go assist that troublesome kid."
The bird took off. Wait... That voice... Denzel! I followed after the rainbow bird to a clearing. I looked around... There was a cliff and as I got closer, I found that there was a waterfall. I was taken back by the scenery. This place felt safe. It had a different feel then the forest.
"Mama, who's that?"
I looked over and saw another bird, however, this bird was smaller and had different colors. It was a dark blue, with purple feathers at the end of its wing. All throughout the feathers, was a silver sparkle. The voice I heard was almost a ghostly whisper. Was this one talking too?
"Spera, you mustn't get close."
The rainbow bird said. Spera, flapped her wings and flew close to the rainbow bird. I looked at where the rainbow bird was standing, and right behind her was Denzel. He had another one of these birds on his right shoulder which was red, one on his head that was a blue color and one right behind him that was green. I heard a screech behind me and saw a yellow and orange bird. All of them looked the same, so I assume that they are the same species, but I don't know why they are all different colors.
"What... What are they?"
The rainbow bird walked over to me. She looked straight up and spoke.
"We, my dear child, are phoenixes. I am Carys."
"You are a phoenix? But, aren't phoenixes..."
"Birds of Fire? That can be what we are capable of, but there are many more then just fire. I am an elemental Phoenix, I have more than on element. That is why you can understand me... You should be able to understand one of my children if you are within their element."
"I did hear the blue and silver one speak."
"I see, that is Spera, she is a Celestial Phoenix, you must be a celestial summoner or caster. The yellow one is my son Zapp, he is a Electric Phoenix, my son, Pine is a life Phoenix, My daughter Rayn, she is a water phoenix. And...
"And this is Crimson, the Fire Phoenix."
I looked up at Denzel. He was petting the Phoenix called Crimson. The red bird leaned into Denzel's touch. It was rather cute. Zapp kept screeching at me, I could tell that he was mad or upset, and I had a feeling I didn't want to know what he was saying. Pine was rather shy it seems and didn't try to get close to me. He stayed close to Denzel's leg. I never thought that I would see a Phoenix, let alone a family of them. Crimson and Denzel seem close. I thought that was cute. It reminded me of Natsu and Happy's relationship... Natsu... Where are you?
There are other Phoenixes, but these are the ones I will most likely use. If there is any kind of element for a phoenix that you want to see, please let me know. I can easily add them in.
I love Phoenixes and I have a purpose for them, minor, but still there. Carys is like the mother of the forest. She is the mother of the other Phoenixes, but the whole forest residents respect her and go to her. She is kinda the mother figure that I thought needed to be here. This chapter was short, but I just needed to introduce these wonderful birds to my story. See you in the next chapter.
~Zolf~
Posted: 5/21/2020