The Death Of A Pheonix - Part Four

[Nummy 413]

The Death of a Phoenix

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

-Part Four-

The Birth of a Dragon

The world around her had been set ablaze, the forest turned to a pile of ashes beneath her feet. She awoke suddenly, gasping in the burnt air around her, trying to breathe as she sat up in the ash, brushing it away from with remained of her clothing.

“He-he’s gone” she said to herself, looking at the barren wasteland around her for any trace of Ezekiel. She stumbled backwards, running through the ashes and back towards the garden. The dust around her settled as she walked into the burnt garden, what remained of the rose garden had turned to withered black rose petals, slowly falling with a slight breeze. The Princess knelt by the pond, speckled black by the ash still lingering in the air.

Ryder cupped the water in her hands, splashing it on her bare skin and trying desperately to rid herself of the blackened ash. She closed her eyes, sighing slightly and watching the water become still once more. She tilts her head, looking at her reflection and the woman staring back. Grabbing a lock of her hair, she looked at it again, twisting it in her fingers. The once fiery color of her hair had diminished, in it’s place her hair had turned white, as pure and innocent as the snow.Ryder shook her head in shock, amazed at the beauty reflected at her. The freckles that had once all but covered her face had dimmed, letting her beauty shine through. Her eyes now shone brighter, like bright emeralds being lit by moonlight.

She smiled at her reflection, skimming her hand along the surface of the water, watching the water ripple and distort the reflection. As the water calmed once more, she noticed something dark move beneath the pool, moving slowly in the deep dark water. “What..is that?” she said as she put her hair behind her shoulders, getting closer to the water. Ryder knelt close to the water, her emerald eyes peering into the deep where she sees the shadow once more, gently rippling the water.

In a sudden burst, a set of hands jet out of the water, their leathery and scaly skin grabbing hold of Ryder. Caught unprepared, the princess falls forward, tumbling into the depths of the water, and falling into the abyss.

She was falling, falling through a never ending abyss of darkness, falling until it felt like she was flying, being lifted by the air. She couldn't scream, she couldn't find it within herself to show anymore fear. The nightmare, or what had become her reality had overtaken her and destroyed what she once was. The frailty and guilt was beginning to fade, and her true being was beginning to show through. She took a deep breath, letting it all take over her and giving in to the dream, giving in to what she believed was death.

“I deserve this..” she thought to herself as she fell, her mind wandered back to the rebellion. She stood like a spirit atop the walls of Ildon, watching the men fall below her. She saw Artorus, a good friend to her, be stuck down and slaughtered. Worst of all.. she saw herself, she saw herself run away from the battle, away from the people that had come to their aid.

She felt a pain in her heart, suddenly finding herself in Arethor with her hands around Ezekiel’s neck. “Please don’t go in there..” she whispered to him, begging him to stay away from the keep. “I have to, my fire” He said low, kissing her forehead. She shook her head, screaming at herself to stop him. Don't let him go.. save him you fool..But it was no use, she let go of his hand, a tear falling from her eye as she watched him walk away from her. Go with him..

The screams.. they filled her head once more. She smelled the smoke, as she ran towards the keep. No.. she screamed to herself, Don’t make me see this.. not again. She pushed her way past the guards and into the keep, the smoke billowing out from the throne room. “Ezekiel!” She screamed, reaching the gate that closed off the throne room from the rest of the castle. Her eyes met the horrible sight once more, etched into her memories and nightmares. She saw her Ezekiel standing before the emperor, engulfed in bright flames. He was screaming as the flame burnt and blackened his flesh, turning his remains to ash.

Ryder grasped hold of the gate, shaking it forcefully as she screamed. She screamed through the gate, trying to save him, trying to get to him. Tears streamed down her lightly freckled face, watching as her husband burned alive before her.

Stop It, she screamed, I’ve seen enough! Suddenly the world around her went dark, she was no longer falling, but lying upon a pile of grey corpses, their skin dark and decayed. She remained calm, no longer affected by the sight of death.She let out a breath, coming to terms with her death, accepting her faith. “I’m no Phoenix..” she whispered to herself. “I was never strong enough..”

She heard a grueling cry from beneath her, the corpses beneath her moving. They started to grab hold of her, pulling her close to them, to join them and never leave. Their cold and rotten fingers brushed against her skin. These were the ones she betrayed.. the ones she left behind. I am one of them.. She thought. I am nothing..

They began to take the life from her, as her hair and skin grew paler, a shadow of her former beauty. Her heart slowed as they fed off her life, her happiness, and most importantly, the love she held to those close to her. The Phoenix Princess was dying, lying with those she had left behind.

A loud cry pierced through the night, a siren in the dark. There was a slight gust of wind brushing against her pale skin, too weak to awaken. The dead were relentless, unphased by the screech, never giving up on having Ryder finally join them.

(I’d like to make this clear that this is happening simultaneously, as in what happens to Ryder is happening at the exact time that Lancel and Bella are working to save her)

The screeching got louder, piercing her ears as she laid there in the clutches of the dead. Suddenly, she felt the warm trickle of fire beside her, the dead began to let go of her, engulfed in the growing flames. They growled, still trying to keep hold of her, yet the fire was too powerful, it burned them to ashes.

Ryder opened her eyes wearily, looking behind her she saw a large winged creature with glowing green eyes. “My Dragon..” she said weakly, a smile forming on her face. The dragon spread its wings, letting out a cry before leaning down, outstretching his neck towards Ryder. A calm smile came across her face, reaching out and running her hand along it’s nose. “Hello my love..” she said, as something inside her awakened.

Suddenly, something awoke in Ryder; a will to survive and to awaken. Her heart went back to the stories she was told when she was little, about the dragon who loved her mother. How her one true love would be her dragon.

She got to her feet, using the last of her strength. to stumble closer towards the dragon, wrapping her weak arms around his neck and holding him close. She smiled, the golden creature sharing his warmth with her.

The Dragon’s light pulsed through her, reviving her from the brink of death. Her wrapped his wings around her, enveloping her in his warmth and light. She let out a sigh, feeling safe and secure in his embrace.

The Dragon let out a low growl, resonating from it’s chest. The Princess looked up, shining through the darkness was a glimpse of fire, getting closer and closer to herself and the dragon. “What is it?” she asked, still holding onto the dragon. The Dragon let out a deafening roar, a bright stream of flame directed at the fire in the sky, causing it to let out a piercing shriek. Ryder covered her ears, ducking low as the dragon began to flap it’s large outspread wings, lifting itself into the air.

The fire flew closer, spewing fire towards Ryder. The bright Phoenix screaming at her in defiance as it flew by. The Dragon quickly flew in front of Ryder, the Phoenix’s fire hitting against it’s golden scales instead. The Princess let out a cry as the two creatures took plight, their cries and attacks clashing in the air above her. Embers and sparks lit the darkness, as the silver haired Princess looked on, her Emerald eyes wide in awe. The Dragon snapped at the phoenix, baring it’s long teeth at the fiery bird, causing feathers to fall into the abyss.

The Dragon wrapped its arms around the phoenix, holding it tight in his claws. He let out a cry in pain as the Phoenix's intense burned him, yet the dragon looked to Ryder with his Green eyes, almost smiling, and plunged himself into the fire, holding the phoenix along side him.

The Princess let out a scream, running towards the abyss of Fire, and closing her eyes she leapt off the edge of the world, following the dragon into the flames.

(One more part after this, almost done <3)

[Shadeleaf 1022]

((Again, Arzota approves very much, the music and everything is to perfection'!)

[Althos Silverblade 42]

[[ We humans would be lost without Game of Thrones :P ]]

[Redbaron™ 690]

[[ We humans would be lost without Game of Thrones :P ]]

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[SkyyoBee 249]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.