A/N: HELLO MY DEAR AWESOME FANTASTIC FAITHFUL READERS! I just got done with my first semester of college! I LOVE Augustana! Anyways, Thanks to the two people who reviewed!

To Cryptvo Keeper: I love your enthusiasm! Thanks!

To Linchungishot: Thanks and don't worry I am continuing this story. It's my baby! And good question! You're not too far off the mark lol. (awesome name btw. Cuz it's true! Lol)

So, this chapter wasn't exactly how I imagined it would be, but it is still pretty good… I think…

Anyways! Enjoy guys!

Phoenix Territory

Chapter One

{Part Huit}

"Well, wasn't that some beautiful singing, everyone?" A much younger village headman asked. The crowd that had gathered around the bonfire clapped and cheered their agreements. The young girl that had just been entertaining blushed, bowed, and took her place among the throng of villagers. The band started to play again and all began to dance and sing in merriment.

That is all except for two cloaked figures standing amongst the trees outlining the clearing where the festivities were taking place.

"My beautiful Songbird could sing better than that with her voice lost!" A familiar deep baritone remarked quite heatedly from beneath a blood red hood. The character that stood next to the angered individual, clad in a dark brown robe, merely shook his head at his companion.

The annoyed one started to fidget where he leaned against one of the many fruit trees that inhabited the massive vineyard around his home, and looked around as if he were searching for someone. Soon after he began to mumble things under his breath like: "Where is she?"; "Do you think she is even here?"; "Why hasn't she performed yet?" Each held a hint of desperation that became increasingly more evident with every question that was said.

The brown cloaked man finally spoke, if just to ease the poor guy's fears, "She's probably getting ready; More than likely, since she technically is the main attraction; They're probably saving the best for last…. Brother, please. We will see her soon. So, just calm down and enjoy the revelries…. Before you destroy them when your anger finally boils over as the lava that explodes from your volcano."

"….."

"They are being held in your honor, you know."

He finally stopped his worried motions, and sighed, "Yes, I know that, but…"

"But…?" The other prompted.

"I worry when she's not around. I do not know if something has happened or…" He sighed once more. Then as if some great revelation had come upon him, he quickly jerked his head up and turned toward his "brother".

"Why the HELL am I bearing my heart to the likes of you?!... Wait! Better yet! Why the hell am I doing it at all?!"

At this point, the carmine robed figure had grabbed the front of the other's amber colored cloak, and brought his face close to his own, practically daring his "brother" to anger him further.

However, the affronted one merely took it in stride, "Baring your heart? I was unaware you even had one of those, Jin."

"Shut up before I rip yours out, Ari!" This last statement started a shameless battle of insults between the two. Mostly consisting of horrible language on Jin's part and sharp wit on Ari's part.

This continued for a good five minutes or so, until a new voice was heard, "Shhhhh, guys! Miss Lark is going to perform soon!"

The two previously quarreling Gods snapped their heads towards where the recognizable sound came from.

"Wynnie." They said in unison.

"Guuuuyyyyys! My name is Islwyn! I would think that you guys would know that by now. It's been like a hundred years or something like that!" Said God whined.

A new voice piped up, this time it was a husky alto, "Three things, Wynnie. First, quit acting like a child and we might consider not calling you Wynnie…. Might. Second, we are way older than "like a hundred years." Third, you're an idiot."

"Hmmmph! I said "or something like that," Ulrica!" Islwyn replied indignantly, the other two things that were said not even registering in his mind.

"Oh, this is just great! Is the entire "family" coming?" Jin asked not at all happy about the new visitors. In response to his sarcastic question, a presence appeared to his left and spoke, "Of course! Not a one of us would miss this for the world! Well, except for you-know-who…." The presence trailed off into a sly chuckle.

Jin growled, while Ari greeted the new member of their ever-growing audience, "Hello, Crevan." The other nodded his head in acknowledgement, "Aridai."

"Are Big Sister Hikari and Big Brother Trent coming too?" Islwyn asked Crevan excitedly. In reply, he merely pointed behind the overly high-strung God.

"Well? Are they?" Islwyn asked getting impatient, the others rolling their eyes at his obliviousness.

"Boo."

"AHHHHHH-!" Wynnie's scream was cut short when Jin clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Wynnie!" Jin snarled in a harsh whisper, "Do not call attention to us! I want to surprise her!" Islwyn nodded his head furiously to show he got it.

However, one person was still making unwanted noise, the person who did the scaring, "Trenten!" This was punctuated with a sharp jab into said God's abdominal region.

Ulrica stood above the now bent over blue cloaked deity, who was trying to catch his breath, "Nice…*wheeze* to see….you too …Ulrica." The Goddess smirked, "You know that's just how I show my love, Trent." The aforementioned God just bobbed his head and continued to try getting air back into his lungs.

"I am so glad that my sweet and loving family members can get along so well." A quiet soprano tone remarked.

All five immortals looked over at a black cloaked figure sitting on a tree stump, "Hikari! Hi!" Islwyn whispered enthusiastically whilst waving his hand in a rapid manner.

"Hello, Wynnie. Hello, all." Her eyes gazed over them all, before her stare rested among the gathering of humans, "I suggest we all settle down now. Little Lark is getting ready to perform now."

Before anyone could say anything, another voice spoke up, one they seemingly forgotten was there, "All right everyone! Time for the main event! Get the fire ephemerals ready!" The village headman shouted to the congregation.

The villagers created two half circles around the massive bonfire with various flowers gathered in their arms. Each person waiting anxiously, wanting to make their sacrifices, and to dance around the soon-to-be sweet smelling flames. But more than anything to hear and see their most talented member of their small settlement: Lark.

Finally, their restlessness ended when the person everyone was waiting for came forward to start the concluding tradition of the night.

She walked toward the group holding a bundle of Fire Lilies, almost reverently, in her arms, and stopped just a few inches short of the blazes. Lark's stare roamed over the group that had gathered there, and when her gaze finally made its way around, she began the speech that would soon end the festivities, "Friends! We gather here on the shortest night of the year in celebration of our central God, to honor, and to worship Him in all that He is, in all that He has given us."

In the shadow of the tall, recently harvested, trees, a small snort was issued, as well as a small grunt immediately afterward.

"So, with that being said let us begin the last of the festivities with the Ceremonial Burning of the Ephemerals!" The small faction jumped, laughed, and cheered as they danced around the flames throwing the beautiful fauna into the fire as they went.

Lark smiled gently at the actions of the others and began to giggle tenderly, "Hope you are enjoying the show, Jin." She crooned quietly. Lark let a small smirk grace her face as she tossed the armful of Fire Lilies into the air. Her stare followed the blossoms as they made an arc in the sky to when they finally perished in the flames. Although, something caught her eye or rather someone did. She noticed a dark cloaked entity standing just outside of the darkness created by the trees of the vineyard.

It nodded its head.

At this, Lark outright laughed. A few members of the revelry looked over in slight alarm before laughing as well when Lark joined in on the dance.

The dancing went on for a few minutes longer, and then both the music and the cavorting slowly came to a stop. The villagers returned to the positions they chose at Lark's arrival whilst said entertainer took her previous place as well.

"Here we go!" Wynnie whispered, jumping up and down slightly. Jin didn't even grunt in response. The Fire God just stood there, watching. He never once took his eyes off Lark.

With everyone now in their places, Lark closed her eyes and tilted her head to the midnight sky. She began to sing.

She sang of the Sun in all its glory.

She sang of the fires inside the Earth.

She sang of the harvests, the people, and the animals.

But most of all, she sang of the Gods and what They had given them. Especially, one in particular.

As Lark sang, the villagers started to sway and eventually dance to Lark and her mesmerizing tune. Even the Gods, who had been listening with such rapt attention, started to waver in their statue-like positions (Except in Wynnie's case because he had been dancing the entire time).

Soon, Lark's singing came to an end and before anyone could even think to applaud, the bonfire exploded into an eight foot tall twisting fire torrent.

The congregation screamed and backed up, ready to run if need be, but before anyone could panic too much Lark cried out.

"STOP!"

Everyone turned to look at the seemingly fearless young woman, but their attention was soon attracted to the fire, for the blazing tornado had ceased and its place stood something just as dangerous.

"Lord Huojin." Lark bowed to the theatrical God unaffected by what just happened. The crowd just stared wide-eyed. That is before they all got on their hands and knees and started to bow with fervor whispering their praises.

The God, no longer wearing his cloak, stared down at Lark, "Is all that really necessary? I thought were past all the titles and kowtowing, my little Songbird?" He walked towards her and twirled a long piece of her now unbraided hair in his fingers.

She just rolled her eyes.

"M-my Lor-Lord?"

Both their gazes snapped to the one who interrupted. One stare angrier than the other. (Well, to be honest the other pair of eyes wasn't even angry to begin with so yeah….)

The Village Headman flinched under the Dark God's stare, but still spoke up regardless, "Wha-what do we-we owe the…the plea-pleasure, M'Lord?" He tried his best to hide the tremor from his voice, but to no avail.

Jin looked at the town's leader and then back to Lark with a smirk. She raised an eyebrow while he took a few steps back. Jin's eyes traveled over the crowd and was pleased when not a one looked back, he began to speak, "I simply have an announcement to make."

"Oh? And what would that be, M'Lord?" Lark asked shifting her weight to one side and crossing her arms.

"Tsk. Tsk. Lark! Patience is a virtue!" Jin said mockingly.

"Are you sure? Because I didn't know you knew what those were." Lark retaliated.

Jin growled angrily and the crowd gasped at both her words and what the Fire God might do to her, but before anything else could be said, everyone turned to look behind the Wrathful Deity near the edge of the clearing.

Everyone could hear laughter.

"She got you, Jin!" The group gasped again when they saw a tall blue robed figure tumble from the shadows, bent over, cackling.

"Jin?"

Jin, practically seething at this point, turned back to Lark, "Yes?"

Her head was bent down with her hair covering her face, "Why is the rest of your family here?"

Jin's ire drained away and looked taken aback for a moment. He then sighed, "It has to do with the announcement…." He then turned and started to address everyone, "My Loyal Subjects!" All heads whipped towards him with their complete undivided attention.

"My…family," He shuddered. "and I have talked and finally come to an agreement." Jin paused and turned toward Lark.

"If you are willing to accept, we will give you the Gift of Immortality. So, that you can sing, dance, entertain…So, you can do what you love for eternity." Jin walked closer to her and took her hand.

Lark finally looked up at him, searching his eyes, before narrowing hers, "What is the catch?"

"The catch…" Everyone looked at the black cloaked figure as she lowered her hood. "The catch, Little Lark, is that you must come when you are called. We could not just give out the Gift. You had to be chained to us in some way. If you accept this Gift, you shall be called the Entertainer of the Gods and will be able to continue what you do best, just expect to travel. That's all." Hikari finished with a small smile.

"…."

"Well, Miss Lark? What do you say? This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" The Village Headman said from behind her. The faction started whisper and giggle with smiles on their faces. They agreed with the Elder.

Jin nodded his head, "Yes! Indeed! Just imagine performing for all the generations to come! …And this way we will be able to be together…forever." He smiled at her affectionately. Of course, that smile turned into a look of pain when Ulrica hit him upside the head.

"You idiot! You know you're not supposed to influence her decision in any way!"

Jin reached up and started to rub his throbbing head, "Shut up! I wasn't!" The two of them started to squabble again and so while they were otherwise occupied, Lark walked up to Hikari.

"Is it alright for me to have some time to think it over?" She asked tentatively.

The Quiet Goddess nodded her head, "Of course. It is a life-changing decision. You have until our next meeting. The Autumnal Equinox."

Lark bowed, "Thank you."

Hikari giggled, "No problem, Little Lark." She turned to her "siblings", "Let us take our leave. Lark shall give us her answer when we next convene!" And with that she was gone. All left except one.

"….I await to hear your answer, my precious Songbird." Jin said before he burst into flames, disappearing until the Equinox.

"So, what did she say?! What did she say?!" The Zebra Siblings cried out wanting to hear more. Highroller rolled his eyes.

"Well, obviously she said yes, you nitwits!"

"Yep!" Jin then sighed, "It was the best day of my life…"

...

All of the audience looked at each other as something dawned on them, "Didn't you say that this story had betrayal and killing in it?" Highroller asked confused.

Jin, who was poking the embers of the fire with his finger, looked up, "Yeah. I did."

Highroller looked around at his allies and they looked back with same expression of befuddlement that he had, "So…..where is it?"

"Where's what?"

Highroller's face turned red and he said through gritted teeth, "The betrayal and the killing."

"Ohhhhhh! Well, I don't feel like storytelling anymore, so I just gave you the shortened version of the tale. Now I can see why Lark tells the stories all the time! I got bored like half-way through!" Jin laughed and clapped Highroller on the back (which again sent him sprawling).

Highroller got up, spat out some dirt, and dusted himself off, before he realized something.

"Shortened version?! That story took forever!" Highroller yelled disbelievingly.

Jin snorted, "I know right? It's already dawn."

Highroller and the rest of camp looked at him and then at each other when it finally hit them, 'It's Dawn!'

A gigantic smile came to Highroller's face, "Lord Huojin! It is Dawn!"

Jin looked at him as if he was stupid, "Well, yeah. I just said that, didn't I?"

Highroller face palmed, "No, m'Lord. What I meant was that it is the time to attack Big Green! To get back your mate!" That last part did it.

Jin stood up straight, fists clenched, and when the Sun appeared over the horizon bathing Jin in Its light, he became the Fire God that all fear. So, with his hair and arms aflame, he turned to Highroller, "Alright, Tiny Human. Let's do this."

A/N: You know…. I better get some reviews for this because I'm going to write some more. At this point, this chapter is nearly at 3,000 words….Yeah that's right. You better love me.

"Needless to say, Young Ones, I said "yes."' Lark finished. The crowd erupted in cheers and clapping.

After the noise had died down a little, Rattle Diva spoke up, "Well, I guess we do have more in common than you said."

Lark smiled at her, "Oh?"

"I entertain here in Big Green." She looked smug when she said this.

Lark decided to indulge her a bit, "Well then." She got off the Panda King chair and bowed her head a little in respect, "It is always nice to meet a fellow performer." The audience was wowing at this and Rattle Diva herself seemed a little shocked as well, that is until her personality came back. She gave another smug look and bowed her head a little towards Lark in return.

After the exchange, Mystique Sonia spoke, "Miss Lark? Why didn't you tell us the entire story?"

Lark turned back toward Sonia, "Oh! That's right! You see I only gave you the shortened version because I knew we were not going to have enough time."

"Enough time?" Peacock Queen asked.

"Yes, because it is only a few minutes before Dawn."

That statement unleashed a whole new state of chaos. Everyone was now getting into battle-mode.

However, even with all the frenzy going on, two people stood calm.

"Are you ready, Lark?" Lin Chung asked while balancing on his staff.

Lark sighed, "As ready as I'll ever be…"

But she couldn't help thinking to herself, 'Jin…..You're such an idiot…"

A/N: Ok. Now I'm done. Also, there are probably going to be two more chapters in the Phoenix Territory Arc. (Just so it makes an even ten…) Another note, anybody else confused with the all the new names?! Huh?! Bet you can't guess what territories each of the others are from! Lol Nah…..You probably can. I didn't make it too hard. So, here you guys go. The story (minus the author notes) was over 3,000 words! Hopefully, this will tide you over until the middle of December…-ish…..

Anyways! Leave Reviews my totally awesome fantastic super-duper remarkable amazing supercalifragilisticexpialid ocious readers!

-AutumnChill