To Ash

The Phoenix

Atop the tower it sat: for how long no one knew. Little enough knew even of its existence. The speckled orb waited in its rickety straw nest. This was no ordinary nest though. None else in the entire world had such a size as this. Resting on top of the tower, nothing disturbed the egg. Not the elements, the humans, or any other creatures. The tower itself stood alone, towering over the land and penetrating into the sky. Overlooking a land that no one dared venture into, the gargantuan monolith watched all where there were none. How long it had stood there watching was unknown. The rising bricks that were its foundation looked to be centuries old. Over the unknown course of centuries that the tower was thought to have stood for, it had accumulated countless layers of musty dirt which coated its bricks. Shrouded in mystery, the tower was a legend that was older than time itself. The land in the surrounding area had been scorched to the point where any trees that had once stood tall and green were now thin, black, charcoal twigs barely able to hold their own weight. Various areas on the ground had been permanently charred black, and what were once mountains had been carved into winding chasms across the land. Any who journey even close to the borders of this dead land claim to smell the faint, yet distinct scent of scorched earth and burnt flesh. Whatever hadn't been tinged black has now been claimed by an adopted fire red colour.

The land hasn't always been this way however, it had once been a vibrant and unclaimed province with rolling hills. These were the days when the area had still been known as Heraun. No one claimed this to be their own kingdom, but had instead shared the land and its beauty with one another. Eventually people began to realize the value that came with this beauty. When one kingdom claimed it for themselves, a war broke out among all who wanted the land. What had once been a peaceful gathering point for weary travelers to relax and rest, had now turned into a battleground. Those who had devoted their lives to living in and protecting Heraun had either perished or fled for fear of their lives. There were still a small few who remained as the original dwellers of Heraun. These people were appalled by the destruction that had been brought to their tranquil lands. As swords clashed and blood spilled on the fields of flowers and emerald grass. The Herauns sought a solution of their own. They would appeal to a god to bring the destruction that they had received down upon those who had dealt it to them. The Phoenix's tower was erected in a matter of months. As more and more bodies piled on the fields the Herauns became desperate. The tower had been completed and they began a ritual to summon and command the Phoenix's wrath. The cost of the price was cumbersome, but it had been deemed necessary if they wished to save Heraun before it became too late. At the price of one human life spilled at their hands, the peaceful Herauns tainted their reputation to someone the Phoenix. They had wanted to avoid this result at all costs, but could not resist the temptation of having a surefire way of saving their home.

In a flash of whirling flame and burning rage, the Phoenix arrived. The Herauns stared up at awe at the monstrosity of a bird that sat perched atop the tower. The eyes of creatures were the most fearsome thing that any of them had ever seen. Below the tower in the battlefields, the fighting ceased. Swords dropped from clenched hands and all eyes turned to the swirling inferno that watched them from above. Many soldiers dropped to their knees in pure awe of the malefic beast. The leader of the Herauns began to speak to the Phoenix, "Phoenix! I have summoned you, and am begging: please, return the pain to these warriors that they have brought upon us!" his withered voice hoarsely called out. The bird turned its head to the old leader and cocked its head. After a short second of hesitation it returned its burning gaze to the paused battle that waited down below. The Phoenix's wings began to spread slowly, but powerfully. The outstretched wings shot fear into all who looked upon them. Even the Herauns began to tremble in fear on what they had brought upon their enemy. The eyes of a soldier could be seen widening. His gaping eyes were quivering in their sockets. Just as he was about to let out a shrill scream, the great phoenix flapped its horrendous wings. The almighty flap sent out a wave of immense hatred that was constructed of fire and the desire to destroy and kill. The wave of flame that was sent down unto the soldiers instantaneously burned them to dust. All that remained of the soldiers that were unfortunate enough to be hit by this devastating attack was a small pile of soot. With another flap of its wings the phoenix swooped down and flew at blazing speeds across the battlefield to finish off the already small amount of warriors that still stood. Many tried to flee. Their futile attempts were matched with the razor beak of the bird of destruction. He easily caught them in his talons and mouth. Among the scattered ashes sat corpses torn apart by the fury of his sharp claws. The Herauns looked down in horror. Entrails, blood, and darkness scoured the lands that were once full of life and love. The Herauns stood in shock as the bird began to fly off into the distance in search of more to kill and ravage. The leader of the Herauns wept. He didn't want to believe that they had brought upon an even greater force of destruction than what had scourged their lands. He looked up towards the sky. Surely there was some form of penance he could give to forgive his sins. He prayed for forgiveness from his people, from the people which he had brought death upon, and from whatever gods mocked him up above. As if to answer his prayers, he caught glimpse of a flash of light in the sky. A divine intervention?  An angel? No. This was no angel. This was the reaper. In the distance he could see raging fires that escalated as tall as the tower that he stood upon. And the reaper that sped towards him was the phoenix. His phoenix. The beast sped towards, screeching from its beak for the first time since it had been summoned. Escalating in anger and hated. The man closed his eyes. He knew what was coming. The burning ball of torture and flame hovered above the tower. It opened its beak and a consistent shrill escaped. Building in sound a ball of light formed in his open beak. The Herauns covered their eyes whilst trying to plug their ears from the combination of piercing light and sound. The bird exploded in a storm of wild fire and lightning. The explosion tore across the land and ripped it apart. Like lightning strikes, bursts of flame shot across the province and jumped from place to place ensuring all was damaged and that no area of life remained. All was burned in the might of the explosion and the land was devastated. A thick cloud of smoke and death raised above the land into the skies. When it finally cleared, all that could be seen was a land that was devoid of life and covered completely in soot and charcoal. Yet the tower still remained. Undamaged other than its blackened, dusty bricks. At the top of the tower, the smoke faded out and an egg could be seen sitting atop the tower. Resting. Waiting. Watching.

That's how the egg came to be where it is now. But that was all so longer ago, surely something has to happen now. If the phoenix once desired such an immense amount of destruction, it cannot remain quelled for this long. It's hunger and rage are insatiable. Is the creature that resides within this egg a new one? Or is it destined to follow the path of its predecessor? It craves such destruction yet its presence is so peaceful. A lone egg sitting atop a lone tower. Undisturbed and unknown, just continuing its existence. Incapable of hatching, it waits dormant. History often repeats itself and someone will call upon the power of the phoenix once again, in an attempt at utilizing it for their own maliciousness. It won't be long until the world sees the birth of another phoenix. Yet this time, the land where it would come to life is already destroyed. Will it seek destruction further out and ravage the world? Only time can tell.

The land of Heraun has long since been renamed Charia, but of course, it's all just legend anyway.