The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade
Chapter 29: Phoenix Rising

Kate could feel nothing, smell nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, and taste nothing. There was an endless nothingness that she felt all around. Who was she? Where was she? She didn’t want to know; she didn’t know to care. Kate had been subdued by flames, but then what? Nothing. Nothing came after.

Something was returning to her, rather quickly actually. Weakness? Yes, that’s what she felt, the feeling of not accepting the end without bothering to fix it. Being in the endless abyss of nothingness worked much better for her.

Kate…

Kate didn’t care for who this was. She wanted to block out her thoughts. She was so tired…

Kate!

That voice again! It was like it was in her head, but not her own conscious. The voice was soft and sweet too.

Kate…you are the chosen Seal of the Creator, you cannot give in…

The voice began to fade away again. She didn’t want to bother with it. Wasn’t this the end? Was this not where the world had been destroyed? She had no reason to have urgency, she had no reason to have reason. She could feel herself slipping away into the nothingness, deeper and deeper into its slumber…

Do not forget who you are. You are the phoenix, you surpass death! Now rise! Awaken, Phoenix!

The voice had returned! But how? It was so powerful… Phoenix…

Yes, I do remember! Kate thought. That was who she was! That was her destiny.

Kate could feel her strength returning. It was all coming back to her! Scent, touch, sight, taste, and hearing. It was sudden, but she took it all in.

Her eyes were shut, but everything was returning. The heat around her was unbearable, but somehow it was rejuvenating. Kate lay flat under a pile of burning rubble, the flames licking her body. She thought this would’ve been killing her but she felt no pain. What..what is this? She wouldn’t succumb to this destruction…she was one of the six Seals.

Kate opened her eyes, feeling anew. She pushed herself up, letting the piece of the burning ceiling slide off and crumble. Standing up on her own two feet, Kate looked down at her hands. The flames had done absolutely no damage upon her skin, not even her clothing had been affected. She could sense the power of the Creator and the Seal flowing and working through her body, combining as one.

Kate looked up and closed her eyes, embracing the flames. She didn’t know how any of this happened, but she simply accepted it.

“I—AM—THE PHOENIX!!!” Kate cried, her voice morphing with that of a phoenixes shriek. Inferno-like wings sprouted from her back as she bent her knees and launched herself up in an explosion of light, becoming one with this fiery bird. She flew through the burning building and into the night sky. Above the city the Phoenix flew, burning a red mark across the sky. The phoenix had risen.

Daechir stood at a sanctioned Felorian post near the Western gate inside the city. Everything was going quite well in terms of the battle. The city was withering under the destruction of the dragons. The reign of the North was coming upon Atara ever so slowly.

As Felorian soldiers rushed to and fro, attending to their given commands and providing aid to the wounded, a soldier rushed in Daechir’s direction; his lieutenant. “Commander Daechir, sir!” his lieutenant said, stopping before him and bowing.

“What is it?”

The lieutenant stood straight again. “We’ve managed to push back the forces to the opposite side and take control of the East gate. What other orders do you have?”

Daechir nodded in pleasure. He was about to open his mouth when a shrill screech rang from above.

Daechir’s brow knitted as he looked up towards the sky. “Where is that—”

“Up there!” one of the soldiers yelled, pointing towards the sky in the West.

Daechir looked in the exact direction and his eyes widened. Up in the sky was a fiery bird, circling the city. A phoenix! It let out another shriek as it descended down towards the rooftops.

It couldn’t be any ordinary phoenix, creatures like those didn’t simply appear from thin air. He had read about the Seals somewhere, one of them being a phoenix. And since the Seals were free…

Daechir grinned at his idea. He turned to his lieutenant and his team of elves. “I have a new plan,” Daechir stated, pushing his hair back. “And I’ll show you all how to kill a Seal properly.”

A flash of light emanated from Laela’s staff as the others shielded their eyes for their own protection. The dragon reared back, groaning in the unbearable light. Taking his chance, Travis charged forward just as the light dimmed and cut deep into the tendon of the dragon’s wing. The creature hissed as blood spewed from the wound. It crawled back and spit out a large ball of fire in Travis’ direction.

Travis rolled to the side, grimacing as his own wounds opened up a little more. He stood back up and held his axe ready, waiting for the right opportunity.

From above, a loud cawing like screech resonated above the rooftops. Every one of them stopped in their tracks hearing the bird-like screech. Travis looked behind him and up to the sky.

High above, a bird of fire flew, cutting through the night sky and the moons. It let out another caw, letting everyone know of its presence. Not even the dragons dared drawing near to it.

Travis’ jaw hung ajar as he stared up at it in awe. A phoenix? But why here? he thought. Wait— it wasn’t just a phoenix. Travis looked around at his comrades and he saw the same understanding in their eyes.

With a new hope in mind, Travis turned his attention back to the dragon, which was, oddly enough, beginning to retreat. The fearsome beast had a disturbed and shocked look. It looked to the others threateningly as it flapped its wings weakly and took off, scraping the roofs of the buildings.

Travis’ eyes widened. What was that all about? He shook his head and waved with his hand towards the others. “Come on! We still have some left to fight off!” he said, dashing for the hatch.

Rahz caught up with Travis easily. “Whoa— wait, was that phoenix—”

“Yes, that was Kate.”

Reverting back to her human form, Kate touched down on one of the streets. The flames along her body died down, dwindling ever so slowly, but still resonated the warm glow. She stood straight, felling reborn and much stronger than she had imagined.

What a gift she had been given! It was so great, did she even deserve it? At a time she needed it most, it came to her. She was meant to live another day.

As the reality of the situation returned to her, Kate remembered the great amount of peril that was spreading. The others! she thought. I have to replace them… I hope I’m not too late. This street before her was completely alien to her and deserted, she would have to look for the correct road and hope the Seals were there.

“Hold there, Phoenix Seal!” came a voice from behind.

Kate froze, just as she was about to make a run for it. She slowly looked around to see a tall elf standing several yards away with a team of Felorians with him. Daechir. How could she forget…? Kate became tense as she turned to face him. What did he want now?

Some of the soldiers kept their distance as they made a circle around her, holding their swords ready. Daechir grinned and twirled his blade, seemingly showing it off as to threaten her. He took several steps closer to her as his cape flowed back in the wind. Training his eyes on her, Daechir reached toward his belt where a small pocket was. He pulled out a long necklace with a glowing blue stone dangling from it. An Althrist. Daechir held it out, studying at Kate as if he were a huntsman.

“Watch closely, comrades, and keep your swords ready.” He began to whisper several words under his breath. The stone began to grow much stronger.

Kate could feel her own essence being pulled towards it and it was rather aggravating. He was attempting to take away her Seal, and she couldn’t let him have it.

“Do you plan to take my Seal?!” Kate stammered threateningly, though really she was shaking.

Daechir let out a soft laugh. “What else would I be here for, Phoenix?” he said. “Prince Orindir has given me the privilege of slaying the Seals!”

Kate grimaced at hearing Orin’s name. “Well I hope you know he’s not like the rest of you!” she said. “He knows my friends and I serve with the Creator, he’s conflicted of his own feelings—”

“Seal, do you really think that just because he had a little chat with you that he’ll lay down his arms?” Daechir spat. “You meddled with his young mind, I know you tricked him into seeing fallacies. Well, that won’t be the case anymore now will it?” Daechir had been slowly moving towards her.

Kate had nothing, nothing at all to defend herself. I’m completely surrounded with no weapon, how am I supposed to fight back? she thought. But something inside Kate clicked and she instinctively felt her arm extend out before her. With her palm open, light began to gather into it and form into a long pole. At each end was a blade-like shape, sharpening and solidifying. The particles of light suddenly dispersed, reveal an elegant double-bladed naginata lance in her hand.

Kate nearly stumbled back at its sudden appearance. Wh-what?! Where did this come from?! It was like the weapon had just appeared from nowhere. Was it her Seal’s instrument? Truly the Creator was at her side in this fight.

Kate bent her knees into a stance and twirled her lance as flames erupted from it. “You can’t have my Seal!” she barked.

Daechir was only slightly surprised when he saw the lance. “I think this stone would say otherwise,” he cooed. Daechir advanced towards her, the grin returning. With his longsword, he swung down at her.

Kate could feel the strength of the Althrist stone growing and straining her muscles. She backed away, spinning her lance and smacking Daechir’s sword away. He came at her again, this time with force. With one swift move, Daechir managed to pierce his sword at her side.

Kate barely dodged it as the blade sliced through fabric and left a deep, thin gash. She jumped back, retreating from Daechir’s wrath. From behind, she felt another strike to her lower back. “Agh!” Kate cried. She looked around to see one of the Felorian soldiers baiting her back into the ring.

Keeping a distance away, Kate panted as she watched Daechir approach her slowly like a lion. He held up the Althrist again, seemingly amused at her weakening state.

How was she supposed to fight him? This was the first time she had ever been encountered with an opponent and she barely knew anything. Daechir had many years of military training and wouldn’t be stooped by a teenage girl.

“Hmph.” Daechir charged at her yet again and brought his blade down on her. Kate held up her lance as both of their weapons clashed, wincing under the weight. The stone was so close; it was pulling at her very soul!

Daechir towered over her menacingly, leaning in closer as if her force was nothing. “I would be a fool to say you are a Seal,” he mocked. “You make killing a Seal look too easy, child. I was expecting a real fight!” Daechir shoved her back and lunged forward just as she was beginning to loose her balance. He cut her down with a diagonal slash.

Kate screamed in pain as she fell back into the cobblestone. She moaned as blood began to seep from her wounds. Everything hurt so much! Was it really worth fighting anymore? She would just loose anyways.

Kate was just beginning to sit up when Daechir strode over and stomped his heel into her neck. She gasped as her head smacked back into the cobblestone, her eyes bulging from loss of air. Writhing in pain, Kate tried desperately to pry off his foot but to no avail.

Daechir leaned down, making the pain even worse for her. He held the stone above her face with ridicule. Daechir chuckled lightly as he spoke, “You do not deserve such power. Nor do your other kin…” His expression deepened into a scowl. “Now give me your Seal.”

Kate could barely disorient what was going on. There was no air in her lungs, and her neck would soon be flat as paper under this elf’s foot. Her vision began to blacken as her mind spun out of control. This felt so familiar to her. Surrounded by enemies, having her Seal being taken away from her, coming near to death; it was just like her first encounter with the Obligators. She wouldn’t have survived had it not been for…

Her Seal! Though it was the Custos that had saved her, it was the fire within that set her free. Kate clenched her teeth and gripped Daechir’s ankle and squeezed hard. Before he could retort, a blazing fire erupted from her hand and attached to his leg. The Felorian stumbled back batting the flames away in shock.

Kate gasped for breath as she felt the pressure on her neck leave. She stood back up, picking up her lance defensively as the flames returned, only this time they held much more ferocity.

Daechir glared at her as he managed to snuff out the fire, only leaving his whole leg black. “KILL HER!!!” he barked.

The Felorian soldiers didn’t hesitate. They charged at her, sword and shield ready. Kate swallowed her pain and twirled her lance as waves of flames were kindled with its every movement. She sliced through the armor of one of them, burning deep to his innards. Another charged at her, throwing swings her way. Kate backed away as she deflected the attacks. Seeing her chance, she spun her lance and pierced the ground, causing a wave of flames to shoot from it and directly into the Felorian soldier, causing him to engulf in fire.

More of the soldiers surrounded her, eight in total and not ready to give up. Kate looked around at them, keeping her guard up. Sweat beaded down her forehead as she tried to catch her breath. This wasn’t good. How was she supposed to fight them all off at once?

One came charging at her, then another! Kate acted on instinct and swung at them, letting the fire fly. But some had dodged her attacks and were advancing towards her. They were so close!

Without much thought, Kate slammed one end of the spear in the ground. All around her, a wall of flames formed and shot forth and smote the remaining soldiers, causing them to fly back.

Kate panted and bent forward slightly. She took a moment before straightening and meeting Daechir’s awe-struck gaze.

Daechir was enraged, not to mention very much shocked that his whole team had been taken down. His eyes flashed with anger as he bared his teeth. “YOU WITCH!” Daechir charged at her, pulling his longsword back and crosscutting her.

Kate deflected the attacks with her lance, but struggled as she tried to keep up with his pace. Their weapons met once again and Daechir’s strength once again was the leading force. “You will pay for the bloodshed of my kin!” he growled.

“And you’ll pay thrice for killing the innocent!” Kate hissed. She made a dangerous move and swung her lance down directly towards Daechir’s feet.

Daechir dodged the attack before swinging his sword to her neck. Kate bent back, watching as the blade swung by before standing straight again. She slashed her lance down, sending out a zigzagging wave of fire in Daechir’s direction.

Holding up his sword to block it, Daechir groaned as he was shoved back by the immense force. His defense broke, and the flame slammed into his chest, causing his breastplate to brittle and shatter. Daechir regained his balance and met Kate’s gaze, as his face became a deep maroon in anger. With a battle cry, he rushed towards her and slashed his sword down. A streak of hazardous ice shot from the slash and zipped towards Kate.

Kate dodged the ice and darted towards Daechir, readying her lance as it charged with fire. She jumped forward, and, upon impact, slammed her weapon down into the ground. The force of her attack was so great it sent both fire and pieces of earth flying in all other directions. Daechir was sent flying back into a burning building, crashing through the wall. Several seconds passed before the entire building collapsed in on itself.

Kate breathed heavily as she stared at the disarray she had caused. How did she…do all of it? Was it just her instinctive ability to survive that drove her to such damage? Not only that, but she had taken the life of someone. Or did she? Were Daechir and his soldiers dead? Some of them were writhing from what she could tell, but no one would survive a cave-in like Daechir had.

Kate felt her stomach flip as bile rose up to her throat. She tried to push those thoughts away as her powers died down, but the nauseating feeling within ceased to overcome her. There were still more important things to attend to. She couldn’t stand around and shame herself. This was war. Travis, Laela, Rossiel, Rahz… I have to replace them! she thought. Kate rushed down the street as best as she could, clutching her midsection to try to stop the blood.