Phoenix Rising

Chapter Five

On the evening that they brought all the recruits together, the sun was low over Cianna, casting the city in a fiery glow. Alessia stood on the rooftop of their safe house, her eyes scanning the horizon. The city was a maze of concrete and steel, with towering skyscrapers that blocked out the sky. But down below, in the shadows, there was a growing restlessness. People were angry, desperate, and tired of being ignored. She knew this was the perfect time to make the rebellion known.

Beside her, Nico adjusted the hood of his jacket, his eyes narrowing as he followed her gaze. Priya placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice strong but determined "The city's ready, Alessia. We just need to light the spark."

Alessia nodded, her mind already racing through the possibilities. "Guys, we're not just gathering fighters; we need people who believe in what we're doing. People who are willing to risk everything for our cause."

"That's the hard part," Nico replied, his voice laced with weariness. "But there are plenty of people out there who are tired of living in the margins. They just need a reason to fight."

***

The days and weeks that followed blurred together in a whirlwind of action and planning. Alessia got lost in the tireless work, every day was full of excitement and a sense of urgency that she hadn't felt in years.

What started as their small group of rebels quickly transformed into a network, all united against the Alynthi. Word spread quickly through the underground channels, channels which Alessia had years of experience dealing with in her youth. Every conversation was hushed, every meeting carefully planned to avoid the watchful eyes of the Alynthi. But despite the threat, people were drawn to the rebellion. Each recruit was carefully screened, their loyalty tested, and skills assessed.

Alessia was starting to realize how far they'd come. What started with Lori's extremely unconvincing plan and Zane's desperate hope now felt like the beginning of something powerful. The safe houses were multiplying, and the quiet hum of planning meetings grew into a roar. The rebellion was no longer just an idea, it was an army in the making, spreading like wildfire through the city.

Security tightened, each new member an asset and a risk. But there was momentum, the tide was turning, and Alessia could feel it. She was surrounded by faces she hadn't known a week ago, who now felt like comrades in arms. She was back in her element. Four years ago she was a high general in the army; now she was the leader of a rebellion. She was where she belonged- in the midst of battle plans, reports, weaponry, and fighters that she trusted, each of whom she now considered a friend.

She'd just ticked another item off her to-do list- assembling the rebellion's main committee by election. She, Lori, Nico, and Priya were on it, along with a man named Jamal who had gained recognition through his work on weaponry.

Her next plan was assembling a team of her own for her personal missions, one that she could call on when she needed.

Lori had been extremely hesitant to approve her plan. "Essentially everyone who is part of the rebellion is part of our army. And more than that, me, Nico, Priya, and Jamal are your team. Why do you need this other team?" Lori had crossed her arms and stared at her.

Alessia had argued back. "Lori, respectfully, none of you are fighters. You're the greatest minds in the rebellion, but you don't have the experience in combat that I do. During more dangerous missions, I want a high profile team to take care of things that others in the rebellion can't."

Lori had eventually given in, and now Alessia was standing in front of Tavi, Priya, and a woman named Celeste that Lori had personally recommended.

"Hey, so I'm forming another squad, one separate from the rest of the rebellion army. Lori and I are calling it the Phoenix Elite Armada. This team will take on the highest risk missions, and I'll be leading it personally." She looked to her right. "Tavi, Priya, obviously, I want you both in it. You've definitely proven yourselves."

Priya grinned, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "You're asking me to be part of an elite armada? That sounds awesome. I'm one hundred percent in."

Tavi matched Priya's mischievous smile. "Are you kidding? You're finally letting me in on the action. I'm down."

Alessia looked at Celeste, who was watching them with her head tilted. "Celeste, right? Lori said you were one of the best during the training. She told me I should talk to you."

"I'd hope I'm considered one of the best." Celeste replied with a laugh, shrugging. "I was a commander in the army years ago."

Alessia's eyes widened slightly, surprised. She rarely met people who had been generals or commanders in the war. The Alynthi had done their best to eliminate them as threats. "Did we ever meet? I thought I knew all the commanders."

"No, I doubt it. I was stationed all the way in the corner of Abingora, I didn't get a crazy amount of action. But I did get trained the same way you did. I heard a lot about you during the war." She paused, and Alessia smiled softly. "And your squad, of course."

Alessia had gotten used to hearing this from people recently, and it didn't send a pang through her heart the way it used to. Her squadron during the war was the best of the best, the most high profile one. They had fought on the front lines for years.

She'd recently learned to take pride in it rather than letting it hurt her. She smiled at Celeste. "I'm guessing you're back for the same reasons I am, then? To do what we failed to do the first time around." Alessia laughed and Celeste joined her, nodding. "I want you on the team, if you're willing."

"I'd love to. I think we'll get along great." Celeste glanced at Priya and Tavi. "It's nice to meet both of you. Tavi, I think I've heard of you. You were the one causing chaos in Cianna?"

Tavi blushed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, that was me. Don't worry, Alessia already chewed me out for that."

Alessia rolled her eyes and smiled. "It's okay. It helped me find my right hand woman." She glanced at all of them one by one. "Anyway, I want to grow this team a little more, but I want you to know that it's a high stakes team. We need to trust each other, and I know you're new, Celeste, but I want you to trust us."

Alessia sighed, taking a deep breath as she looked out the window. The city was bathed in the same fiery glow, but now it felt different- like the calm before the storm. She looked back at them, a determined glint in her eye. "We're about to have a lot to do. Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, we start our first mission."