The Phoenix's Prophecy

*Chapter One*

*Chapter One*

~Seven years later. The Human World~

“...energy can neither be created nor be destroyed...”

Ring.

The sound of the bell snapped me out of my reverie. Finally, I thought relieved. I stood up and stretched. I took one last glance at the gray sky. It was already May yet the weather was uncannily cold. Turning my head back to my books, I quickly gathered them and took my bag.

As soon as I was out of the door, I heard my name. I whirled around to see Zach walking towards me. Being only four years older than me, Zach was the youngest teacher in the whole school.

“Sorry, Amy, can you walk home today? I have a meeting today, but you can wait-”

I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I mentally scowled myself. I couldn't blame this on him.

“It's fine,” I cut him off, smiling. I didn't want to be a liability for him. “The way home only takes a few minutes. Marilyn will be home today, right?”

Marilyn is my mom's sister. The only relative that I have, besides Zach. I personally had no memory, but Marilyn said that our parents died when we were still young.

“Yeah, she said she'll be early today.”

“Don't worry, Zach,” I assured him. “I'll be fine.”

He still looked unsure. Of course, I guess he had every right to be. The last time I walked home, I had ended up being face to face with a wolf. At least I think it was a wolf. Being near a wood that stretched miles in each direction, it wasn't uncommon to find animals roaming close to my house. It could be just me, but I swear I felt that I'm being watched by something. Anyways, Zach did not need to know this.

“Okay, I'll be home in an hour. Bye, Amy.”

“Bye.”

As soon as I stepped out of the building, a wave of cold air blasted me head on. Pulling my jacket tighter around myself, I turned around and headed for the gates. I put my headphones on and let myself drown in the music. I hummed quietly and willed the sky not to rain. I really didn't want to get wet. Suddenly, I saw a dark shadow from the corner of my eye. I whipped around. My eyes scanned the area around me. There was nothing except for a few torn newspapers flying around in the wind. I relaxed a little. It must have been a cat or something.

I stopped in front of my house. Our house wasn't that big, but it wasn't small either. The reddish brown color of the wall blended us with the woods. From the outside, it looked like it was the typical house from fairy tales which located near the woods. We lived like anyone else though, and we didn’t exactly cook over an open fire. We were unmistakably 21st century people.

I reached inside my bag for the key. I was about to unlock the door when the door creaked open by a crack. Confused, I pushed the door open. Marilyn usually locks the door, and that was the reason why both me and Zach always make sure we have a spare key with us.

“Marilyn?” I called. There was no reply. She's probably in the kitchen.

“Aunt?!” I called again. “I'm home!”

“I'm upstairs!” I heard Marilyn call back from upstairs. I dropped my bag on the floor and walked up the stairs.

“Ma-”

I stopped dead in my track. There was a tall man standing in the middle of the room. He had burning crimson eyes and his fair skin was in a shocking contrast with his raven black hair. Behind him was a guy with messy dark brown hair and a pair of black eyes stood. My breathing stopped at the sight of the brown-haired man having his hand around Marilyn’s neck.