The Phoenix (Undying Series #1)

Prologue

A/N Credits to @TheGirlBeyondTheMask for book cover (https://www.wattpad.com/story/41589820-book-cover-maker-request-here)

The story is a part of a series, but whether I'll continue is still hanging on the balance. I'm kind of just testing my attention span, and experimenting on a certain plot. Regardless, I hope you take your time reading. Cheers!

Prologue

The valley of Vertegrese has long been home to the runaways of the south kingdom of Lunaruz. Three years ago, the beginning of the 16-year long reign of Queen Catharine the Ruby-eyed Queen, Frederick Marx led a large group of her people to leave the kingdom to seek solidarity with neighboring nations. Only, none were brave enough to stand up to Lunaruz's great military power and the queen's infamous combat skills from before her ruling, even with Frederick's constant warning that she has a hunger to satiate, that a person like her can only be satisfied once she has everything.

The queen labeled them traitors and had her champions chase them to the end of the earth. Frederick knew running away was futile and surrendered himself as his people have settled down on the valley. He challenged Catharine to a duel, knowing full-well the queen will not decline and she honors her promises more than anything. If he wins, his life will be spared and if he loses, his people will be spared. It earned him a mocking laugh from the queen. Frederick Marx was a beloved friend to the deceased king of Lunaruz, a paladin with achievements beyond anyone and mentor to princess Catharine herself but that was a long time ago when she was a princess still and wasn't hailed as the brave knight who came to the untouchable island of witches and conquered it. He lost and was sentenced to death by fire.

Three years later, his premonition was proven true and the queen has been so far successful with her take over. Marianne Marx took over her late husband's duty to build a country of their own, named after the green valley. They had gotten used to the beauty of the four seasons from the harsh climate of the South Pole. It was then that the majestic bird of dreams, the Phoenix, flew over the country to heed everyone's prayer, to take down the Demon Child. Its wings were a blazing blue-green in its sides, the body, so alive with the reddish orange fire it emits. Marianne hugged their boy, Vladimir, dearly, tears of joy escaping her eyes freely as she looks at the bird in all its glory almost the size of their small country.

Vladimir does not understand. He heard his mother discuss with her council the details of the summoning of a savior done by the brotherhood of Char-an from the Infinity Desert. They were claiming to have the greatest weapon of all, 'the greedy, foolish bastards', she said in disgust, and they shall rule after taking down the Demon.

And now here it is. They call it the Phoenix. But he does not accept it. He likes the princess before. She is graceful and beautiful and kind, yet brave and strong, full of passion, everything he aspires to be. She ruled after her father, which is perfectly normal, and shows off how great she is. She ruled over everything and everyone except the skies, which is for the Phoenix, and them, keeping her promise to Frederick, his beloved and heroic father. He may be a child of 11 years old but he understands enough to have an opinion of his own, and that is they should be having their vows to the one true queen.

The Phoenix cried, almost in pain, and for some reason, Vladimir couldn't help but fear for their fate. He broke free of his mother's grip and ran away, Marianne barely noticing as she eyes the beauty of the bird of fire. It cried again, its audience cringing in pain from the loud shrill, and with one large and swift sweep of its wings, a ball of flame formed and is making its way to Vertegrese. As Marianne's life flashed before her eyes, she smiled. If they were to be sacrifices for the greater good, let alone to the savior, then let their lives and everything they have fought for be damned.

The young country of Vertegrese was in ashes in a matter of seconds, and the phoenix flew away as if it passed by to sneeze, and it wasn't going south.