We leave the gaping cave of maze tunnels thanks to Phoenix's observation skills and memory. When we stand on the ledge and stare down into the valley, a stone forged slant shows itself from nights thick veil, it reaches sternly and with a soft slope down into the valley. One of the only drawbacks being the fact of switchbacks. The path is more than wide enough to ensure a proper safety too.
"Looks like we just found ourselves a way to the valley," Phoenix puts a hand on my shoulder and when I glance over, he's smiling.
"Let's get back to the others now and let them know, perhaps we will travel down there right away." I state and pivot to bound back to the ridges peak.
"I don't know, but always is a possibility I guess, but, I've got an even better idea," he grins wider and silver sparkles in his usually bright blue eyes, and his deep earthy hair floats with the still air somehow. His face is highlighted by the moon and stars to my right and his left with soft yet noticeable effects.
"Do you now?" I become curious and his presence grips me in a way that I cannot lose or throw from my mind.
"Do you trust me?" He asks with the kindest face which almost seems to melt into nature and become one with the Earth itself. At first I pause to think it over, but decide to allow this, I need some excitement and I am more than confident in his will to keep me safe, more than a butterfly is in its wings.
"That's a stupid question," I respond and he takes my hand, leading me right the the clefts edge, where far below the lush valley lays, he lets his toes hang over and I mimic.
"Genesis, stay here," he quickly adds and she tilts her head.
Then I see him slowly start to lend himself over to tremendous gravity, without hesitation, and despite the tingles of warning from my feet and fingers and the banging of my heart, I let him lead on. My ears refuse to pound as endorphin's arrive.
That is when we fall. Hand in hand, together. Air against my sprawled out body and whisking my hair back, Phoenix has the widest grin ever and I begin to laugh with the excitement of simply falling in a darkness so clean and beautiful where I cannot be hurt. Phoenix takes on the formation of a diving bird, one hand at his side, the other clinging to me, I follow again. Faster we fall and triumph fills me thoroughly and the speed steadily increases.
When he flaps open again so do I and we lose the speed of freedom.
"Do you trust me?" He yells over the thrumming air again.
"I don't have much of choice now do I," We both laugh.
Phoenix pulls me in close to him and puts his hand on my opposite side to pull me tight to him, then the air grows soft as with Spring and a silk blanket, my hair falls as though there is no wind from the fall and still we slow as the trees approach. Now Phoenix has control over our fall.
Suddenly he turns us so our feet point to the ground and flexes them, the air supporting us and holds us firmly like this, then it also keep me packed tight to his side. His feet contact the first branch of the tallest Spruce in sight and it slows us tremendously, more than I could've guessed it would.
It takes little time for the air to return to normal and for us to be standing holding onto one another upon and branch far still from the ground.
"Could you not have lowered us gently the whole way?" I question, though already know and agree with the answer.
"Well Claire! That's simply no fun at all!" He announces and I giggle.
"I'll beat you to the bottom!" I challenge him and leap off the branch to another below it, the wood bends under my feet but I can tell it is strong and will certainly hold up well.
It takes few more leaps for me to find myself with a quiet landing laden with needles and pure grasses. But as I feel my victory, I spot the silver shine of Phoenix's blue eyes and realize my utter defeat. I was careless and stopped watching his movements clearly.
"What's my prize?" He asks as I stand and dust the cloak which has changed its hue.
"Bragging rights I guess," I respond and shrug, slightly irritated with myself.
"How about you owe me something?" Phoenix decides and begins to walk towards the sound of water towards the second ridge; only visible between trees and branches.
"Alright fine, as long as it's reasonable," I follow and agree.
"What's considered reasonable?" He asks me once more.
"Well, I'm not going to kill for you, you are more than capable yourself, and I'm not doing anything involving feet either!"
"I found your weakness! Feet!" Phoenix cries out in a voice of achievement and I stare at him disapprovingly and sigh.
"Just keep walking," scratching the back of my head, Phoenix swivels and marches on with such confidence, as though he belongs here and each foot lands perfectly.
Everything is dim but the rays of clean and sharp moonlight tangle about the air and pool in places upon grass and leaf, likely due to the shelter, there are no winds, and still my mind expects to see the bright reflective snow with each glance. Then I remember Genesis who's waiting patiently and loyally up on the ledge still.
Tumbling water chatters noisily to break and split the black curtain of silence, the waters run smooth and deep in a wide channel of rock and pebble, all obsidian and with orange, green, or other colored streaks in their flesh.
"Quiet," Phoenix shushes me even though I was silent already, he grips my shoulder and forces me to crouch before pointing.
A deer so gentle and calm is grazing in a meadow across from us in the forbidden light of night.
YOU ARE READING
Tyranny: Onwards
FantasyThis is Part 2 of the book Tyranny (The Key). They have yet to find Blaze and Dagwood, to reach the other Wizards, and get to the Sword of Siron. But this is just the beginning of what they must do and what they will end up attempting. Cover Picture...
