The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 21 Eternal Cycle

In a realm where the horizon stretched endlessly white, a lone flicker of orange captured Thorven's attention. Before her stood a chick, its feathers a vibrant contrast against the white void, pulsing with life. Its downy feathers shimmered like liquid fire, casting an incandescent glow that infused the milky void with warmth. In this realm devoid of physical attributes, the chick's vivid hues stood out like a beacon of vitality, a singular point of focus against the backdrop of formless infinity.

The chick radiated innocence, untouched by the complexities of speech or memory. Its beady eyes sparkled with curious wonder—a reflection of a soul unburdened by the narratives of time. Here, in this undefined realm, the chick's very existence resonated with primal purity, a stark contrast to the layers of experiences and histories that Thorven carried. Thorven, whose form glowed with the bright electric hues, felt an immediate kinship with the small creature.

Her expansive wings, aglow with hints of gold and topaz, spread wide, embracing the space that connected her to this new life. Her gaze, both tender and knowing, met the chick's gaze with a silent acknowledgement of the profound connection that had brought them together in this milky void.

As she regarded the young life before her, Thorven's consciousness extended, reaching out to merge with the chick's nascent awareness. She recognized the presence of a new life, the continuation of the lineage she had nurtured over many lifetimes. As the orange chick looked up at her with eyes filled with wonder and recognition, Thorven felt a surge of emotion. "Welcome to life, little one," Thorven's thoughts echoed in the wordless realm. Her ancient voice carried a soft and comforting tone, reflecting the wisdom collected over centuries. "You are now part of a legacy that stretches far beyond this moment."

The chick tilted its head, its deep black eyes fixated on Thorven as if trying to decipher the significance of her words.

Thorven chuckled to herself, "Now, I know you cannot understand any of this yet," Thorven bent her long neck down to the chick, her movements deliberate and reassuring. The chick's downy feathers rustled slightly as it adjusted to her proximity. "But you must protect Űnin, he will be bound to you."

The small chick seemed almost startled by Thorven's sudden approach, its tiny form giving a few loud peeps in protest. However, the soothing energy that emanated from Thorven seemed to gradually ease its unease. Its peeps softened into curious trills, a sign of tentative acceptance.

"In my life," Thorven continued, her voice carrying a reflective tone, "I was bound to a man who's goal was to slay every dragon, though I knew this was a futile goal, I still aided him the best I could." Memories of a time long past flickered through her thoughts, a distant era when she had flown the skies alongside Taren.

As Thorven spoke, her thoughts intertwined with the chick's burgeoning awareness, creating a shared understanding that transcended the limitations of language. The chick's orange plumage seemed to take on a faint glow, as if absorbing the wisdom she was imparting.

"You see," Thorven's essence shimmered, a visual representation of the energy that surrounded her, "our connections to others can be complex. Űnin, the one you are bound to, will need your protection, just as I protected my companion. Your destinies are intertwined, a dance of two souls."

Her presence pulsed with a calming rhythm as she continued, "For now, you shall be his to protect," her words resonated with an air of pride that seemed to shimmer like a gentle breeze, "Űnin will be a shield against the shadows that may seek to harm you."

"But as your wings unfurl and your understanding deepens," Thorven's essence conveyed a soothing warmth that radiated through their connection, "your roles will gracefully reverse. Űnin will become your charge, and you, in turn, will stand as his guardian."