Tales of Wind and Fire: Giver

Chapter: 1

Cinders flew like fireflies that night...
Bennu sat hunched over, peering into the looming blackness of the forest. He couldn't see anything. Couldn't hear anything. Had it come back? Was it watching him from the skies above with its soulless gaze? Everything around him was cindered. He knew that he badly needed food, and that his leg was hurt, and that his eyes were scratchy with tiredness, but he couldn't FEEL it. All night he was guarding the wreckage of their house wagon, and watching his mother bleed. How could this be happening? He was simply telling his mom a joke when the skies erupted. Flames surrounded their wagon and the smell of ash and death loomed through the air. Out of the night sky came a devilish creature, taking the form of a massive Phoenix. Death was upon them. A frenzy of talos. A cry that would make the ears bleed. Within a heart beat their Oxen laid dead, burnt to the bone. The creature lunged at him, but his mother intervened by placing herself between them. Bennu didn't see the wound form, he only heard the tearing of flesh. He listened. He heard the flames crackling around them, the silent, continuous "Whoos" of the river nearby and the deafening silence of everything else. No chirp. No crick or buzz. Nothing.

Bennuś thoughts raced ahead of him. What kind of creature stalks men- then vanishes without making the kill? What kind of creature plays with its prey? Where was it now?
With only the faint light given by the dangling cinders of dying flames,it could be anywhere... Beside him, his mother moaned. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at her son without recognition. Bennuś heart clenched, "It-Itś me..." He stammered, "How do you feel?"

Pain surged through his mothers pale face. Her usual blue eyes were gloomy. Sweat mattered her long blond hair. Bennu tried to bandage the wound before, but it was so deep, that he could see her guts inside. He really hoped his mother didn't realize- but of course she did. She always noticed everything. "Bennu . . ." She breathed. She forced her shaking hand into his. He swallowed deeply. Children clutch their parents hands; not the other way around. He tried to be practical. He tried to be a man. "I still have some soothing balm. Maybe that'll help with the-"
"Keep it. You're bleeding too."
"It doesn't hurt." Lied Bennu. When the Phoenix destroyed their wagon, Bennu's leg got cut open by the debris.

"Bennu leave- before it comes back."
"No. No. I can't."
"Bennu— I'm dying. I'll be dead by sunrise."
Bennu grabbed his medicine pouch. There was a roaring of blood in his ears. "Ma—"
"Give me—What I need for the Death Journey. Then get your things."
The Death journey. No. No.
His mothers face was stern. "Leave me three shuriken and my katana. You keep the rest. Where I'm going hunting is easy."
Bennu did so, then he placed his mother's knife onto his left hand. With a forceful pull he sliced a wound into his flesh. With the blood from his wound, he drew three spirals onto his mothers forehead resembling air, one flame on her right cheek resembling fire and a wave on her left cheek resembling water. The three elements are believed to look after soul in death. Fire protects it against darkness, Air guides it to the gates of heaven and waterś purpose depends—If the creature was good throughout its life the water will be sweet and the gates of heaven will open— if the creature was bad, the water will be bitter and the gates will stay shut. It is also believed that if the mark of earth is drawn on a dying man, he will wander Eliach for the rest of his being— becoming a ghost. The mark of earth is given to evil people, people who know the gates won't open for them.

"Bennu move!" His mother shouted. "You need to get out of here!" Furiously Bennu picked up his katana and attached ten bo-shuriken to his belt. "Take the food and switch scarfs with me."
Bennu looked aghast. "No! Father gave you that scarf! Mine is covered in holes, it won't keep you warm through the death journey!" His mother looked tired. "Please just do it. I need something to remember you by." Bennu shook his head, "Ma, please don't-"
In the Forest, a twig snapped.
Bennu spun around quickly.
The darkness was absolute. Everywhere he looked the shadows were Phoenix shaped.
No wind.
No bird songs.
Just the crackle of embers and the beat of his heart.
His mother licked the sweat from her lips, "It's not here yet." She said. "It will come back for me soon... Quickly, the scarfs." Bennu didn't want to, he knew switching the scarfs would make it final. Clenching his teeth as hard as he could he pulled off his mothers scarf and wrapped his own around her neck. As he looked down at her red and orange scarf in his hands the truth hit him. He was getting ready for a life without Ma.
"I'm not leaving you!" He cried. "I'll fight it I-"
"No! None can fight a Phoenix! Especially not this one!"
A cry echoed through the forest.
"Listen to me," hissed his mother. "This Phoenix goes beyond anything that ever landed a foot on the surface of Magmar. It's power is limitless- don't approach it!" Bennu felt the hairs on his arms rise. Looking down at his mother he saw her face become paler. "What do you mean?" He whispered.
"It is—Possessed." Her face turned grim, she didn't look like Ma anymore. "A being of another world has entered it. Something evil. A half demon." She closed her eyes for awhile, then finally spoke, "Half demons live only to kill. They grow stronger with each soul they absorb." Bennuś face went cold. He couldn't speak. Ma forced a smile, "Don't worry, the death mark of fire will protect me remember? My soul will be safe." She spasmed through a wave of pain before going on, "Please. Swear an oath to me."
"Anything."
"Stop the Phoenix. Head north towards the Hidden Mountains of the spirits. Find the Guardian Spirit there..."
"But-no-one's ever found it. No-one can."
"You can."
"How? I don't—"
"Your guide—will find you."
Bennu was bewildered. Never before had his mother talked like this. She was a practical woman, a swordsman. "I don't understand any of this!" He cried. "What guide? Why must I find the mountains? Will I be safe there? Is that it? Safe from the Phoenix?"
Slowly, Ma's gaze left the sky and came to rest on her son's face. She looked as if she was wondering how much more Bennu could take. "Ah, you're too young, only twelve," She said. "I thought we would finish your training. I thought I had more time. So much I haven't told you. Don't- don't hate me for that later."
Bennu looked at her in horror. Then he leapt to his feet. "I can't do this on my own. Shouldn't I try to find-"
"No!" Said his mother with a startling force. "All your life I've kept you apart! Stay away from men! If they find out—what you can do . . ."
"What do you mean? I don't—"
"No time," his mother cut in. "Now swear on your sword! Swear that you will find the mountains, or die trying." Bennu bit his lip hard. East through the trees, a purple light was growing. Not yet, he thought in panic. Please not yet. "Swear!" Hissed his mother.
Bennu knelt and drew his katana from its scabbard. Awkwardly he touched the wound on his leg with it. Then he put it to his shoulder, where it rested on his mothers scarf. In an unsteady voice he took his oath. "I swear by the blood on my blade, and by my own soul- that I will find the Spirit Mountains of the Guardian. Or die trying."
His mother breathed out. "Good. Good. Fetch me some water from the river then leave. The Phoenix is drawing closer."

I will not cry, Bennu told himself as he rolled up his sleeping-sack and tied it across his back; jammed his sheathed katana to his belt and stuffed his medicine pouch into his bag.
He got to his feet and casted about for his waterskin. "Bennu..." He spun around. "Yes?"
His mother smiled, "Remember to look behind you— You always seem to forget when we are training. The world is a dangerous place." Bennu nodded. He tried to smile back. Then he blundered through the forest towards the river stream. The light was growing-and the air was polluted with smoke. Bennu reached the stream, where mist floated above the bracken, and willows trailed their fingers into the water. His boots sunk into the mud as he filled up his water skin.
Then he froze.
Beside his right leg was the footprint of a gigantic bird. The Phoenix. The print was twice the size of his own head, and so fresh that he could see the points where the long, vicious talons scarred the earth.
Look behind you, Bennu.
He spun around.
Willows. Alder. Fir.
No Phoenix.
An owl flew down onto a nearby bough, making him jump. The owl folded its stiff brown wings and fixed him with a steady eye. Then it rotated its head, hooted and flew off. Bennu looked at where the owl was gazing and saw branches move. Something was in there. Something huge. He tried not to panic, but his mind had gone white.
Bennu forced himself to stay still. Don't run. Don't run. Maybe it doesn't know you're here.
A low hiss. Again the branches stirred. He heard the beat of wings leaving towards their waggon. "No!" He dropped the water-skin and started running towards the wreckage. "Bennu!" Came his mother's wild cry. "Run!"
That's why she sent him to fetch water. She knew it was coming for her! "Ma!" He screamed.
"Run!"
The forest shook. Again came his mother's cry. Then it broke off. Bennu jammed his fist into his mouth.
Through the trees, he glimpsed a great dark shadow in the wreck of the waggon.

He turned and ran.