5028: Phoenix Rising Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Where it all Begins

Luke:

       The Western paths of Draenica’s kingdom are a grand sight to behold. I stood there, looking out over the great plains in their endless expanses. Somewhere out there I knew were mountains that would tower over you, exotic animals that ran as fast as the wind itself. It was something to be admired definitely. One didn’t just stare into it without appreciating its majesty.
       “Luke!” a familiar voice echoed behind me. Lane, my partner. She was a caravan driver and was the only company I had while I was out working. Her voice had pulled me from my thoughts, bringing me back to reality once more. I turned slowly, my hands drifting thoughtlessly to the strap that ran diagonally across my body, connecting to a bag at my side. I took one last look at the open landscape, pulling my ax from my bag, unconsciously. These areas are overflowing with dangerous beasts. I headed back to the wagon, hoppin in under the cover of a plain canvas tarp. Lane looked back at me. She was a gorgeous young woman. She was thin, but she was strong, and could definitely hold her own. Her amber eyes gleamed in the light of the sun making them stand out against the light tanness of her skin. She had her brunette hair styled into a ponytail, with a red hair band keeping it pulled back. A sword strapped to her back swung in unison to her, but as being in its sheath, did not have the chance to unleash its power.
       “I find it amazing how you can just stand out there. What do you think about when you’re out there anyway?” She asked. I had to think about it for a little bit. I never was able to recall what I thought of when I stood out there.
       “I’m not really sure myself, to tell you the truth.” I responded. She shrugged and turned to face forward again, grabbing the reigns.
       “Well, it doesn’t matter much I guess. As long as I can get you back to the wagon in time before nightfall. We don’t want to be out after the gate closes.” She was right. Nightfall out on the fields was never a good idea. That’s why a wall was build around any village in Draenica. The forests and plains were home to vicious animals. I felt the wagon lurch forward as we began to move. We were carried forward by an animal indigenous to the region. We called them Sel’pa, a portmanteau of two old Furellian words, Sel for pillow, and Pa for horse. They had the power of two horses, but their body was covered in a thick long layer of fur that hung down to the ground. The fur ranged in color from black, to white or grey, but ours had a tan color to its coat. Her name was Pera, and had always been loyal to us.
       “So, you have any plans for when we get back to town?” Lane asked. I walked over to her, trying to keep my balance in the moving caravan, before flopping down onto my back beside her, looking up at her with one open eye.
       “I’m planning to turn in the lumber we got to Braer, get paid, get some food and head home and sleep.” I responded simply, and I heard her snicker,         “What’s wrong with that?” I questioned.
       “Going to sleep the second you get the chance. Just like you Luke, you lazy bum.” She remarked.
       “Oh yeah, and what do you plan on doing when we get back?” I asked in response.
       “I actually have plans, unlike you. After I drop off the wagon I’m bringing Pera back to the stables to give her a wash and a comb, feed her, then I’m getting ready for the festival in the center of town tonight.” My eyes widened as I jolted up.
       “The festival is tonight!?” I exclaimed, “I thought it wasn’t till next week!” She had a sly smile on her face as I said this, as if she knew that I had forgotten. Perhaps she did know, and she was taunting me. That smile told me that he definitely knew.
       “Oh, it’s unfortunate that you have such a busy schedule of sleeping, that you’ll have to miss the festival. Shame.” She said in mock sadness.
       “Jeez, fine I’ll go. That was my plan anyway.” her smile stayed glued to her face as if she had just won an award. It didn’t bother me really, I let her have her moments of victory. The caravan rolled down the dusty path towards the village, trees rising up like giants around us. They had a sort of mystical appeal to them. A glow from the darkness behind their thick frames, a sign of life that bloomed in the shadows, of plants that towered over you, emanating with their bioluminescent petals and veins. The sun was beginning to set, casting orange shadows over the sky, in tune with the clouds turned pink. Just ahead was Grandfather town, surrounded by the thick layers of the forest. In its center stood tall and proud, the clock tower, a bell hanging over its head. The wooden gateways were open as if welcoming us home yet again.
       The caravan rolled into the town and the wooden trees were replaced by stone walls of houses that were now all around us. I stood up inside of the wagon, holding onto one of the supports that ran along the sides. People walked happily alongside. All of them had something to do, some place to be. We all worked hard in this town, every last one of us. Women, men, children all had jobs to carry out. This was evident simply from the main street, with its numerous shops and stands, dedicated to food and materials. You had blacksmiths, bakers, florists. The crops were all traded and bought from farms just south of the forest of which we lived. We were happy here, secluded, unnoticed by the outside world.
       The air was filled with an assortment of smells, all pleasant. You could pass by restaurants that smelled of assortments of different foods, or by a flower shop with exotic aromas that leaked out into the streets. This place was a haven for those who didn’t want to be a part of the rebellions and wars that happened in the rest of the kingdom. I watched the people passing by us, looking down at their arms. A wave of green swaying lights, bars as we called them. They were what kept us all alive. For most of us, these bars were full, and shone with a small, white 100% in the center. I looked down at my own bar, 98%. I must have scraped myself somewhere out in the woods. It was no big deal. With every time we got hurt, we would heal instantly, but our bar’s power would drop. Of course, with a bit of rest, it would fill back up again.
       “Alright, here’s my turn. I’ll go drop off Pera at the stables, you go drop off the supplies we managed to get.” I nodded, hopping down from beside her, looking into my bag. This was one of the few pieces of technology we had, a bag that could hold a virtually infinite number of items, yet never got any heavier. In here, I kept everything we had managed to forage.
       As Lane turned the corner, I began to walk ahead slowly. The falling sun had begun to cast an orange tinge over the sunset sky. The clouds were given a pink hue. The pallet of world shifted ever so subtly as the sun set. Something felt different about this sunset. I couldn’t put my finger on it though. What could be so different about a sunset after all? I let the feeling go, continuing on my way.
       Past all of the other shops stood a lone wooden shack. reaching over the edge of its roof was a sign reading “lumber.” I walked to the small shack, pushing the door open. The scents of different types of woods suddenly flooded out, hitting me like a wall, almost knocking me back. Even after a couple years of this, I couldn’t get used to that. I pushed my way into the shack, looking around. It was fairly dim spare that of a few lights that came in from outside. A large figure was working towards the back of the shop.
       “Braer?” I called into the darkness. The figure stood, towering over me. Like me, he wore the signature blue shirt, a large belt around his waist. A thick, bushy beard covered his face, and long, dirty blonde hair came down to his back. He turned to greet me with a rough, booming voice.
       “Boy! It’s good to see ya!” He said, making his way over to me, arms spread wide in welcome. I let a smile crack onto my lips as this man greeted me.
       “It’s nice to see you too Braer. I got the lumber you ordered. All right in the bag as usual.” I told him, of course though, he would have already known that.
       “That’s nice boy, just set it all down in the back would ya? I’ll get to work on splitting it tomorrow.” He said, absentmindedly fixing something on the wall. It looked like it might have been a picture, but I couldn’t tell in the darkness. Instead, I went to the back of the shop, pulling out all the wood, placing it on the floor in stacks. “So, tell me what you did today.” Brear told me, attempting to start a conversation. I began to recall all of what had happened, and realized that it was actually kind of boring. It was just the same thing every day. “What is it boy?” Braer asked into my silence.
       “Nothing,” I lied, “just a long day is all.” He gave me a nod, going back to fixing some things up. “I’m going to head out, I need to get ready for the festival.” I told him.
       “That’s alright, here, take some money.” He held out a large hand, offering me a few gold coins. I thanked him, accepting the coins before heading out. Braer had acted as a father to me for years. My parents had disappeared years before, heading off to help in a rebellion against the king, and had put me in his care. The night they had left, I had met a few new people, though one of those people only came out at night. After these years, I had coped with the loss of my parents well, but I couldn’t help but wonder what happened out there, or where they had gone. Questions I would never learn the answer to. Still though, Braer had practically raised me, and for that, I had to be thankful to have him.
       Heading back through the square I got to see the number of town workers all stringing up lights around the rooftops on different buildings. People talked. The square was nearly empty at this time.
       “Hey, Luke!” I heard the voice of overconfidence incarnate and sighed, turned, finding another familiar face, or in this case, chest. This man in the green garb of royal servants was Kalsooni. He brushed his bright blonde hair aside, a smug grin on his face. “I see you’re heading home. Probably getting ready for the festival I assume. Thinking about taking center stage at the dance? Of course you are, well, that spot is going to be for me, flocking with numerous loyal fans!” I rolled my eyes, but he was too busy talking to notice, “Though, you, being my dear friend, I’d allow for you to share in the spotlight.” I faked a smile.
       “Yeah, I think I’ll pass Kal, thanks for the offer though…” I said, and he gave a little frown.
       “Are you sure? Don’t you want to bask in glory along with me?” He asked despairingly. I attempted to pat him on the back, but had to strain my arm to reach.
       “Maybe next time alright? I’m spend some time with Lane this year.” I told him, hoping that might discourage him, but my attempts were in vain.
       “Oh, Lane! Yes, I haven’t seen her in a great while, I think I’ll drop by you to to check in and say hello, then I can spend this festival with my two best friends!” I forced a smile.
       “Yeah, you do that. I’ll look forward to it.” I told him, all the while trying to think of some way of talking him out of it but it was already too late.
       “Good! I look forward to it, and farewell my working class friend!” He said, walking off. I let out a small groan before turning and continuing to head home. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and though most of the sky had become black, light exploded in reds and yellows in a small area around where the sun had collided with the edge of Draenica. Finally home, I opened up the small wooden door that led inside. The living area was dark, and with the flip of a switch it had become illuminated. Walking in, I tossed my bag on one of the chairs, looking at the small, quaint home. A kitchen and dining area occupied the right hand side of the house, where seating area for guests resided in the left hand side, as well as the demonic figure on the couch.
       “Hey Tarah.” I said, paying little notice the feathery, black and green Draen who occupied my couch. She had her wings expanded out over the armrests and laying on the floor, and she looked as if she had just woken up. That wasn’t too surprising though. Demons on Draenica were mainly nocturnal after all.
       Tarah and I had met the day my parents left. I was only eight at the time, and she was seven. Her mother was a slave under other Draens and she had managed to escape, finding her way to Grandfather Town. Thinking the house was empty, she had snuck inside. I caught her trying to steal some food from the fridge, and I allowed her to stay with me. I’d become very accustomed to living with her after seven years. Right then, her eyes were droopy and tired.
       “Rough sleep??” I asked with a grin. She looked up at me, raising an eyebrow, shifting her body around a little bit. She was wearing a loose fitting brown dress that was torn at the bottom. She refused to wear anything else. Believe me, I have tried on numerous occasions to get her to wear something else. Her tactics of avoiding me are locking herself in the bathroom, or hiding on the ceiling.
       “I could seriously use a cup of coffee at least, it’s still so early..” She groaned, blowing hair from her eye.
       “The sun already set, it’s night.” I told her, and she shrugged.
       “Yeah, like I said, it’s still early.” She sprawled out on the chair, stretching. “Well,” she managed to stand up, “if you’re not going to make any coffee, I guess I will.” She drowsily walked past me into the kitchen. “So how was your night in the forest?” She asked, gathering the ground up coffee beans into a filter, placing it into a coffee machine.
       “Same old. Gathering wood for Braer and also getting some ingredients for the herbalist.” I told her. Her piercing, green eyes watched me intently.         “What is it?” I asked.
       “You’re going to the festival with Lane tonight, aren’t you?” She asked suspiciously.
       “Um, yeah, how did you know?” I asked cautiously making my way towards the hallway leading to my room.
       “Oh I don’t know, possibly because you go with her every year you nimwit.” She remarked. I shrugged. She wasn’t wrong after all. I’d gone with Lane to the festival every year since we’d met. In fact, the two of us were childhood friends, and at the time when my parents left for the rebellion, so had hers. We stuck together for the most part, though she had her own house. The festival was our time to just relax and forget about work.
       “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I responded to Tarah, and she nodded triumphantly, pouring herself a steaming mug of coffee. “Well, I’m going to go get myself ready.” I told her. She simply responded with a nod, taking a sip from the mug. I headed down the hall, and began to wash off, switching into more fresh clothes, before making my way back out into the living area. Tarah’s ears perked up as I stepped out.
“Hmm… Spiffy.” She commented, taking another slow, long, sip of the coffee. She looked back up to me again. “Nervous?” I scoffed.
       “What? Me? No, I’m not nervous.” She raised an eyebrow, “Okay, maybe I’m a little nervous.” She stood up and walked around the counter in the kitchen.
       “What are you even nervous about? It’s not like you’re going on a date with her. You two are just friends after all. Work partners. Plus come on, you’re handsome, smart… a little short, but-”
       “Hey!”
       “Oh get over it. At least you’re not like Mr. Calzone out there.”
       “Oh come on, Kalsooni isn’t that bad. He’s just a bit full of himself. He’s actually a big sweetheart. You just haven’t gotten to know him.” I told her while I sit down on the couch.
       “Well, I kinda don’t know anyone except you, Kaldroopy and Lane.” She complained.
       “Okay, but you know exactly why you don’t know anyone else. People aren’t nocturnal first off, you are. Also, you know how some people are towards Draens.” She set down the mug on the counter, looking at me more seriously now. “You know I’m right.” I tell her bluntly. She let out a breath and smiled to me.
“Oh who am I kidding? I’m not going to let some stupid radicals get me down.” She was showing off her sharpened teeth sinisterly.
       “You aren’t allowed to kill them either.” I said, and she drooped her shoulders.
       “Really dude?” She asked in a criticizing tone, before adding, “Are you sure?” I didn’t even humor her with a response. She laughed. “Oh lighten up. Isn’t it about time you got going anyway?” she asked. I looked up to the clock and realized she was right.
       “Yeah, I’ll be back in a couple hours. Stay out of trouble, don’t destroy the house. There’s some food in the fridge in case you get hungry.” I said, getting up and heading for the door.
       “Alright Mom.” she remarked. I stopped, about to say something, but let it go. Leaving the house to Tarah, I shut the door behind me. The sky was alight with tiny pinpricks of stars and two great moons, one a pale blue, its brother a magnificent green. The air was brisk, cool. The smell of rich, fresh foods wafted down from the town square, drawing me in closer to it. Soon, I found myself lost in the mass of bodies, all dancing about, each with a partner in hand. There in the middle, just as he had said, was Kal. The big doofus was flirting with one of the locals, undoubtedly destined to be turned down. I tried to avoid his gaze, but alas, the stars were not aligned in my favor this night.
       “Luke!” He excused himself from the lady he was talking, who sighed in relief, and he began to walk toward me, his hand on the hilt of his sword, typical of a man of his social stature. “I see you’ve finally made it! Well don’t fear, your good friend, Kalsooni, will make sure that you don’t spend this night alone!” I smiled. Kal was tall. First imagine me, I’m short, now imagine your best friend is a giant but shorter than that, about ½ giant. So your friend is ½ giant. Now imagine you, at whatever height you are at, have to constantly look up because your eyes are at the level of his chest. This is how I feel around him constantly. He did have his uses though, such as reaching the top shelf of the cupboard.
       “That’s great Kal, but have you seen Lane around?” I asked, looking around absentmindedly.
       “No, I have not. I believe she has yet to arrive.” I sighed. “Though she did give me a message. She informed me that she had some extra work over in the farms to attend to first, and to tell you that she may not make it.” Really? She was missing the festival because of some work on the farm? Well, I’d be damned if I didn’t spend at least a little bit of time with her.
       “I’m going to head to the farm.” I told him, he cocked his head for a second, before straightening up.
       “Well then I’ll head there with you.” I looked back up to him.
       “Really? I thought you were going to spend the night with your loyal fans.” I said with a raised brow.
       “I was, but I grew bored of the festival, and anyways, I’d much rather spend my time with my friends.” I shrugged, heading off towards the Northern section of town. The number of people grew less the farther we were from the festival, and the warm air became cold again. Kal and I didn’t talk much as we made our way toward the farm areas. Two light posts marked the end of living areas and the start of the more agricultural land. Sel’pa stood about, eating grass while others slept. Surely enough, we found Lane hard at work scrubbing one of the stables, muttering something to herself.
“You’re talking to yourself again.” I said, leaning against one of the wooden poles in the stable. She jumped in surprise, nearly knocking over her bucket of water.
       “Luke! I wasn’t expecting you to come. What are you doing here?” She asked, picking up the scrubbing brush she had dropped.
       “Well, as you know, it’s kind of the night we usually just spend relaxing. I figured if you couldn’t make it to the festival, I’d just have to come to you.”
       “And I came too!” Kal pitched in. Lane laughed a little.
       “You two really are a couple of dorks, you know that?” She set down the brush and hugged us both. “I guess I can probably put this off till tomorrow. Come on, let’s head back to the festival.” She said with a smile. I agreed wholeheartedly. The three of us, all in good spirits, made our way back outside. I smelled something smokey, maybe like barbecue? I couldn’t tell at first, until we saw the plumes of smoke rising up from the town. Suddenly, I was on my back, Tarah on top of me, eyes wide, full of fear.
       “Tarah? What are you doing here? What’s going on in the village?” She was stunned, silent for a moment, before she was able to form words.
       “Fire, creatures, attacking. It’s a slaughterhouse in there Luke.” Upon hearing this, Kal drew his sword.
       “It’s my duty to protect the citizens. I must go and fight!” Before we could protest, he was running head on into the village. I got to my feet, going to reach for my bag to grab my axe, only to remember that I left it at home. I cursed at myself. Lane had her sword on her still from being out in the forests, and she had it drawn, looking to me.
       “We need to head in there and try to help Kalsooni. Tarah, fly back and grab this knucklehead’s gear. Luke, you follow me, stay close. Got it?” We both nodded. I followed Lane. She had amazing leadership, and she always knew what to do. I admired her.
       Now heading back into the village, the heat began to rise again, but at a far quicker pace. The flames had engulfed buildings very rapidly, and cast an orange glow upon us. I was sweating heavily by the time we reached the town square. It was complete chaos. People were running about frantically. Figures lingered in the flames, dancing about gracefully. People were dropping like flies, left and right. Kal stood in the middle, unsure of where to look first. I felt the same. Whoever, whatever this mysterious force was, it was fast, and seemed to strike from everywhere at once. Not to mention that we were greatly outnumbered. Tarah landed next to me with my bag. I thanked her, grabbing it, and pulling out my axe. We looked around, trying to keep an eye on the figures moving in the flames, but they were so fast. Kal was the first of us to rush out. I saw one stop, glancing over. It was deathly skinny, a diamond shaped head, with two sword-like arms. As I stood off against this creature, I couldn’t help but notice its jagged, almost robotic movements.
       I took a deep breath, and ran forward. The creature dashed at me, and I blinked, I swore it was just a blink, but in that moment, it was gone, and then I noticed, so was everything else. I was drifting in a sea of black…