Chapter 1:
The beginning…of the end
With the sun setting, crimson and orange, reflecting the ominous glow of battle, the shadow of a warrior overlooks the field. His long, orange and gold hair tied back into a double horsetail fluttering elegantly in the mild wind, sabers laid across his back, one hilt over his right shoulder, one under his left flank. The great warrior, Rei Kalaus Hunter, stands witness to what may be the end of a long, undying war between two ancient races: Phoenixes and Elves...
"Could this really be the end?" Thought Rei, as he watches his fellow phoenixes slain, one by one.
"Powerful the metals of elves: cold as the arctic wind, the only metal capable of hindering the phoenixes abilities." Spoke Methilais, Rei's closest friend. "I do not believe we will last much longer."
Rei takes one more look over the battlefield as he spoke: "We will last as long as we must; the drakes will be with us shortly. Tell the ranks to pull back; we need to gather our tired and wounded, I can hold them off for now."
Slowly, Rei spreads his wings, wreathed in red and gold feathers, some with the tips striped in black. As his wings spread, they explode in flame. The archaelion takes one swift jump, flying to the frontline and landing with a tremendous force, knocking anything around him back. Unsheathing one of his blades, Rei begins defending, keeping the ranks pressed back.
The amazing display of power this mystical creature is displaying catches the eye of the elves most prized warrior: Lilitha Natsumik.
“That must be him” Thought Lil, gazing across the field as her long, brown hair, braided back to allow clear sight between her and her target, slowly sways in the wind. “The warrior I was ordered to kill.” Her vivid green eyes scan over him, searching for a weak spot; his Achilles heel.
Finding a possible weakness, she draws an arrow from her quiver, attached at her side, at which she can select the arrow she wishes. A warrior of her standing crafts their own arrows. Hers, cobalt shaft, phoenix tail-feather fletching, and tips made of inferium; an ancient, indestructible metal which contains very magical properties. Inferium is resistant to extreme heat, and cannot be frozen. Also, it has a dynamic molecular structure, allowing the weight of any object made from the metal to shift its weight to allow for perfect balance, no matter how it is wielded.
Calmly, she rests the arrow against the bow, however, this arrow is special, it contains a phoenix feather unlike her others, the feather looks in every way like a phoenix feather, yet, it contains black stripes, almost as if it is tainted. Drawing the arrow back, she takes one final breath. Quickly she releases to avoid twanging the string and throwing the trajectory off.
Sailing through the air, the arrow flies straight and true, phoenix arrows produce the straightest flight.
Rei continues to hold off the battalion of elves, one by one slaying any armed combatant in his path. Suddenly a sharp pain is felt in his left shoulder. Rei looks back and sees an arrow protruding from his shoulder blade. In a fit of anger, Rei grabs the shaft, snapping it in half and leaving the arrowhead in, he looks over the fletching. One of the feathers catches his eye. A phoenix feather to anyone else, Rei recognizes this feather.
“This is not a phoenix feather…” Rei spoke, “…This is one of mine, but how?”
Rei pulls the feather free from the arrow and puts it in his pocket, continuing to battle.
“What? How did he break that shaft? Cobalt is said to be indestructible!” Shouted Lil “And the metal, he was unaffected by it. What powers can this creature possibly possess?”
Lil’s gaze shifts from Rei to a small object catching her long elf sight. A little girl; apparently caught in the midst of battle, screaming out for her father. This is unacceptable, phoenix or not, a girl that small should not be in this.
Lil dashes toward the girl, grabbing her arm and pulling her from the battlefield. The girl pulls back, wanting her father more than anything.
Sensing distress, Rei looks towards the screaming girl, seeing her dragged along, apparently to become a prisoner.
“NO!” Suddenly, Rei becomes enraged beyond control as his body erupts into flame, he spreads his wings, launching from the ground and landing in front of Lil, both his sabers poised. “You will NOT take that girl captive, I knew you elves were low, but I had no idea!”
“Wait! I am leading this girl out of battle; she does not need to be here. I only wish for her safety!” Spoke Lil as she stands in front of the girl.
“Why would an elf wish to lead a phoenix to safety? You elves care not of anything but yourselves. YOU WOULD LIE!”
Suddenly, Rei makes a dash at Lil, bringing his sabers down with enough force to crush a human. Lil brings her own saber up, blocking his attack. Rei makes a spin-attack, cutting a piece of Lil’s dress, then he jumps and kicks her in the face, knocking her off balance as he prepares for his final thrust.
Sensing she cannot block this attack, Lil attempts to dodge it, however, she fails to realize the girl still has her hand as she brings the girl right into the path of Rei’s saber. As the saber pierces the girl through the heart, she makes one last scream for her father before dropping, lifeless, to the cold, sodden earth.
The girls scream, echoing throughout the battlefield and piercing every soldier’s body, causes a grave silence. All heads look towards the origin of the scream, surprised by this grand warrior’s unforgivable mistake.
Rei looks down, suddenly realizing what he has done; he slowly pulls the sabers from the girl’s body, as if being gentle will save her life.
“I…I couldn’t have…” Spoke Rei quietly. “I have never made such a foolish mistake…”
“Well you have now” Lil replied. “I was trying to lead her to safety, and instead you interfere and bring about her untimely death. She was a mere girl! She had no business here to begin with!”
Recovering from the shock, the elves begin to converge on Rei, sensing the phoenixes will no longer protect him. Rei, unable to cope with the shame of defeat, drops to his knees, bowing his head.
Slowly and calmly, Rei spoke. “Kill me now; I cannot stand to live any longer.”
“It would be my pleasure, but a warrior’s death is not enough to suffice for your crime.” Replied one of the elves, as he steps forward and pulls Rei’s sabers from his hands. Taking one of Rei’s sabers, he grabs Rei’s horsetails and forcefully tugs back, slowly sawing them off with Rei’s own blade. Feeling more shame, Rei begins to scream in agony. Finally the elf cuts through the last few strands of Rei’s hair, throwing the horsetail into the crowd of elves and tossing Rei’s sabers aside.
“Lilitha, Dispose of this criminal! Send an arrow through his heart, so he can feel as the poor girl did!” Spoke the elf.
“No.” Lilitha replied. “He is unarmed, and I believe he has stood enough shame.”
“He is a criminal! What difference does it make?” The elf retorted.
“I apologize, sir, but I do not attack unarmed enemies,” Responded Lil.
“Fine,” Sighs the elf as he thrusts one of the sabers back into Rei’s hand. “Now he is armed! Kill him!”
“No.” Spoke Lilitha again. “Let him suffer the shame of what he has done, it will be far worse than death.”
Enraged, the elf rips the saber from Rei’s hand again. “******** this! We kill him, let the gods sort it out!” He shouted, as he steps closer to Rei.
As the elf steps forward, Rei jumps up, grabbing the elf’s arm, saber and all, and bringing it across his neck. Dramatically, the elf collapses to the ground as Rei disappears in the shock of what has happened.
“…Cowardly fool,” Piped Lil, “He does not even have the guts to end his own life!”
