The Prophecy of the Fire Phoenix: #1 The Gift of Phoenix Fire

Chapter 15: New Secrets Revealed

    Canyon regained consciousness. She was placed near the hearth of a colossal fire, and heard some music going on somewhere. How long had she been out cold?

    She must've been unconscious for at least several hours, as the first morning rays were peaking in through smooth, orange windows. Canyon blinked at the bright fire, mesmerized for a second. She gazed at the fire for long, and looked out the window. She blinked the sun's glare out of her eyes, and tried getting up.

    Pain shot up through her right talons, and her back. Canyon gasped quietly, then set herself down again in a more comfortable position. Since she had nothing to do, and she was so tired, she passed out just as her vision was edged in black.

    The next time she woke up, Talios was over her, gently applying his supply of warm water from his wings. "Shhh, shhhh, Canyon. You best not move in case I extinguish you. Sleep..." Talios said in a soothing voice that sounded like the slow rush of a river. "Rest. Be grateful that my brethren did not wipe your fire off."

    So Canyon just went unconscious again, confused about what's happening. When she had awaken her final time, she tried to piece together what had happened the night before. Strikimir with a deadly ice sword coming at her...and his alliances had attacked them. Was that why Alabastorm darkened at the name? Was he a murderer? Was that why he held an ice sword so valiantly in front of him, as if ready to kill someone? This must be a message to her that Strikimir could no longer be trusted. A nagging though sprang up at her, but she pushed it away. Trust no one from Ice Talon's league. Defend yourself from everyone who wants to hurt you. Attack offending murderers.

    Trust no one.

    Defend against the offenders.

    Attack evil alliances.

    And save the world...

    "Ah, Canyon. Your wounds have been healing quite fast," A voice like a slow, smooth river said.  "Quite fast. Faster than a normal phoenix would heal." He paused to tend a slight wound. "And I'm surprised that you didn't die from that blast of water the way the other phoenixes did. Or at least, almost."

    It was Talios. No wonder that voice reminded her of the River Tithor! Talios spoke again, in that same, soothing voice that reminded her of home. He sounded like he was trying to tell her that everything was okay - except for the little fact that everything was not okay. Strikimir, the absolute traitor. After all of her thoughts, she still wanted to believe that he was on her side. But sadly, no.The next time she saw him, she would attempt to kill him. That's what the other phoenixes wanted to do. So why shouldn't she? But what would her family think of her, killing another member of the family - even if it was a traitor? And what would become of Talios? Why else would he be here? He's like a message sent by her parents!  Oh, now thinking of her family wanted Canyon to just...die now. She just couldn't bare to live with the guilt of leaving them behind to danger.

    "Shhh, Canyon. Shhh. You must not think too much right now. I can see your flame gears swirling in your mind right now. But yet, those gears are rusted with sadness," Talios whispered gently, leaning above her. "Rest. We can all see by now that a war is coming so forth. Your family is near, so close to you. Rest. They are desperate, and do not at all feel angry at you. Rest. Do not fear me, or my past. And most important of all, do not fear Ice Talons." Talios leaned back to pick up a jar filled with fire engine red flames flickering in there with his beak. The flames flickered violently, and at the hearth of it, the flames appeared to be waterfall blue.

    Canyon tucked her head under her wings, and closed her eyes. Why did the world target legendary good creatures to death? There was always someone standing in their way! And it irritated her.