The Phoenix's Soldier's War

Two Stones and A New Ally

    "I just don't understand why we can't go with you to meet the ally?" Jenna huffed.

    "One, because of that attitude. Two, you have training you must do. Three, because I don't need to lose a potential ally." I stated calmly. "Tarrant will be in charge today. Listen to him. I don't have the time to look after children, unless they are mine, which I will make time for them." Jenna glared at me, but I chose to ignore it.

    "Be careful love. Are one of the generals going to be there?" Cooper asked.

    "No, Villy has kindly agreed to come with me. She is waiting for me by the gates. I will be back within an hour or so. If it takes longer, do not worry. You know how somethings tend to go when I am involved." Cooper chuckled. He gave me a kiss before leaving the room once more. "Listen to Tarrant or I will give you a punishment worse than running."

    I met Villy at the gates. "You ready?" I asked her.    

    "I do believe I was born ready." Villy declared.

    "I'm sure you were." I stepped through the portal after Villy. We stepped into a dense jungle where I was met by a group of people. 

    "We have been expecting you. I am Chief Florian, what can my people do for you?" She asked. 

    "I am looking for two stones. I am told that you have them. I understand that you will have a test for me." I explained. "I also want to talk about a potential alliance with you and your people."

    "I like you. You get to the point and do not play around with what you want. I will tell you about the stones first. I do not know what stones they are, because they were given to me in a box. They are in a cave across that river. You will be tested like you said. The magic will choose the test. I am afraid I will not be much help past that."    

    "The information you have given me is enough. Villy, I must request that you stay out here. Don't look at me like that. The magic protecting the stones may not allow you to come into the cave with me. I will be fine, I assure you."

    "Oh, very well. I will stay here until you come out. Please be careful." Villy said.

    I entered the cave. I looked around in surprised about how lit it is. "What is a child like you doing in my cave?" A gruff voice hissed.

    "I'm here for the stone or stones." I answered firmly. The creature let out a low hiss. 

    "I have protected these stones for the last thousand years. You think I will just hand them over?" The creature angerly hissed. The creature shifted to the point where I can only make out its eyes. "These stones hold more power than you will ever know!"

    "Possibly. I already have three stones though." I stated. It hissed angerly again. "I will take whatever test you ask of me. I only ask that it doesn't cost me my life. I don't only have a duty to the people I must save, but I have a duty as a wife and mother. Test me as you will."

    "It matters not. My test is that you must survive my venom." Before I could make a move or say anything, the creature lashed out at me. I grunted in pain. I dropped to my knees as looked to the gushing wound on my arm. Blood dripped to the ground and my arm burned.  I focused on my breathing, hoping to survive through this. What can I do to survive such poison? 

    I looked up to the creature, hoping that I am able to make out what it is. I felt my eyes widen as they laid upon the giant snake. "f**k my life." I grumbled. I closed my eyes and began to focus on my phoenix healing. It isn't hard to feel the anger of my phoenix, as it now sees the snake as an enemy. I forced my phoenix to focus on healing my arm and save vengeance for later. She isn't pleased, but know we must survive.

    The snake moved around me. I could feel and see the anger radiating off it's body. The snake is ready to strike and I have no doubt that it is hoping I will die. I just know that the snake won't let me get the stones. The snake will see me dead before then. I don't want to kill this creature though. I will prove that it can trust me.

    "You tried to get the stones before me?" I asked suddenly, keeping my mind off the pain. "They ruined your trust in humans. My ancestor would be angry for such a disgrace. He brought you the stones so that you may protect them. He gifted you with strength."     

    "You know a lot." The snake hissed. "Your ancestor gifted me with the stones. Only his descendant would know this. You are strong, youngling. You are still alive, which means you have good heart. You are defeating my venom. How is this possible?"

    "I have been gifted with the phoenix and the dragon. I able to see aura and know what I must do. I do not use my full powers. I only use what I must. I should have been dead a hundred times over, yet I am not. I am different from many others. I hope do be the best I can. I will give up my magic if it meant that this war would be over. I will not, because it would do nothing. I didn't want this, and if I am honest, I still don't. I never wanted to be a hero. I always wanted a life of peace. Someplace where I belong. That place is not here. A world of magic is not for me."

    "I sense that you speak the truth. You have my respect. What is your name?" The snake asked.

    "I am Evie Moon. My husbands took my last name, thinking it would be better than their names. I think part of it is because they didn't want anymore connection to their people, but mostly their father's. I have two sons and two daughters, except I am the only one that is able to see my oldest daughter. She died when she was just a babe, you see. I only wish for a wonderful future with my family. This can only be done if I have the stones. May I require your name?"

    "They call Aarya." She replied.    

    "After the goddess." I chuckled. I looked down as the last of the poison came out of my arm. Ever so slowly, the wound closed. "Aarya, have I met your approval?" 

    "You have. Crawl onto my back so I may take you to the stones." I did as she ordered.

    I walked out of the cave and approached Villy, who is having a rather fierce conversation with the tribes leader. She paused when she saw me. "Oh thank goodness. I thought something bad happened! Did you get the stone? It's been four hour already!"

    "Four! Wow, it didn't feel like it took that long. I apologize for the worry I caused you. On a brighter note, the Queen of Snakes is now on on side." No response. The tribe looked at me like I had lost my mind. "Did I mention that I got two stones. A jade and marble. The jade controls wind, which was rather aggressive, but I managed to get the wind under control, after creating a tornado, which scared the s**t out of the Snake Queen.  The marble controls earth. I grew a rather tall oak tree."

    "Well, if the Queen of Snakes approves of you as an ally, then we shall unite with you when war comes. I will give you a tattoo made by magic. It will connect to mine. All you have to do is think of me during the time of battle and we shall come and help." She put her hand over my left hand and a symbol appeared on my hand.

    "Thank you for your trust in me. I will call for you when the times comes." I bowed to her and then opened the portal. "Another success and one step closer to ending this cursed war."