The Phoenix's Soldier's War

Bridge of Lies and Truth

    "This doesn't look safe." Tarrant said after a moment of silence. I bit my lip, silently agreeing with him. In front of us is a dark lonesome island. "Do we have too?" Tarrant asked.

    "It looks fun." Alexis pipped in. Tarrant and I looked at her like she lost her mind. "What? It's true. We've been on this ship for two months and the only interesting thing that had happened is those creatures during the storm."  

    "Can't argue with that." I said. Tarrant, although hesitantly, nodded in agreement. I snickered, because the only reason he is agreeing is because he is wanting to impress Alexis. "Well, I guess that means we are exploring. Gather the trainees." 

    "Yes, ma'am!" Alexis walked off with a skip in her step.    

    "She scares me sometimes." Tarrant complained.

    "Yet, you are courting her." I pointed out in amusement. He glowered at me but said nothing. "See, you can't even argue with me." I laughed as Tarrant swatted at me. "Face it, you know that you will always give into her. I can see the kids now, You'll be protective of your daughters and your sons will follow suit."    

    "EVIE!" He shouted. Tarrant jumped at me. I ducked and he ended up going over board. I looked over to see that he landed in one of the small boats. I smirked when he flashed me a glared before laughing. I joined in on the laughing.

    "Where is Tarrant? He was just here. What did you do?" Alexis turned to me. I laughed and pointed to where Tarrant is. Alexis's eyes widen and she rushed over to the railing. She began laughing when Tarrant shouted something to her. "Really? That's interesting." Alexis turned back to me.

    "I think we should join him, don't you?" I asked innocently.

    "I swear, when it comes to you and Tarrant, you two act childish." Alexis said in amusement. I grinned. "Then you take that as a compliment. You are a little messed up there, aren't you?"

    "You know it!" I said. Alexis laughed. "To the boats."

    "Whoa, it is so much cooler up close!" Alexis exclaimed. She jumped out of the boat and ran onto the sand. I followed behind at a much slower pace. "What do you think we'll encounter here?" 

    "Dark and dangerous stuff?" Tarrant suggested. Alexis rolled his eyes at his negative suggestion.

    "Are you a soldier or not?" Alexis asked.

    "I am, but it doesn't mean that I want to head into dark and dangerous." Tarrant grumbled. I chuckled. I do love watching them when they are like this. "Besides, how does that look like fun."

    "Hey look, a cave. Let's go in." I said. Tarrant squawked in annoyance and surprise as I headed to the cave. He grabbed my shoulders, stopping me in my tracks. I crossed my arms and pouted.

    "What is it with you girl and going into the dark and dangerous? There could be a murderous beast in there! Can you please use your head?" Tarrant begged. I smirked. He narrowed his eyes. "I hate you."

    "And I love you." I patted his cheek. Using my magic, I searched for any signs of danger. "Okay, it's all clear. Nothing is going to kill us." I assured everyone. Tarrant side in relief. "Although, I do sense some sort of magic within the cave. It has a gentle light to it, so it isn't harmful magic."

    "It's just a dark cave. There is no light." Adrian stated in annoyance. I rolled my eyes.

    "Did I mention that I had temporarily lost my sight and then when I got it back, I could see magic?" I asked. They looked at me in surprise. "Huh, my bad." I said, not feeling guilty at all. "Well, shall we head in then."

    I led the way into the cave. A gentle ball of fire floated in front of me, giving us light. "Anyone else feel like we are going to be challenged?" Jonah asked.

    "Shut it, Jonah." Jenna hissed. I shook my head. 

    "What the hell is that?" Joseph asked.    

    "Are you that stupid?" I snapped. "It's a bloody bridge." Joseph flushed in anger and embarrassment. I rolled my eyes and stepped closer to the bridge. I eyed the magic that covered the bridge. Jenna went to step onto the bridge. I stepped in front of her with a glare. "Step back." I growled.

    "Commander?" Neil questioned. "Why do you not want her to step onto the bridge?"

    "There is magic covering the bridge. I know not what it will do." I answered calmly, still standing in front of Jenna, who seems to think she is above orders. Jenna narrowed her eyes and took a step closer to me. Silently challenging me. We stood nose to nose. I then smirked. "You will go first since you are so persistent." 

    "Challenge accepted." Jenna snarled.

    "That wasn't a challenge, Trainee Ross, it was an order." I walked over to Tarrant and calmly stood there. Jenna looked like she didn't want to go on the bridge now. I raised a brow. "Not so brave now, are you?" She growled at me before looking back at the bridge.

    "I said one of us was going to be challenged. Why does no one ever listen to me?" Jonah complained.

    "You get used to it." I answered him. Jenna took a step onto the bridge. When nothing happened, she continued. The others looked convinced that nothing would happen, but I know the tricks when its comes to magic. I swung my sword out, stopping them from moving forward. "Don't." They stepped back.

    The magic on the bridge lit up. I flinched slightly. Jenna let out a scream of surprise and fear. The others turned to me, all asking the same silent question. Is Jenna okay? I said nothing though. I really couldn't. I'm more focused on the woman who has appeared to Jenna. The lady looked up to me in annoyance. I cringed. "Yeah, this is going to be something." I muttered. Jenna flew backwards, knocking Joseph and Jonah to the ground. The three of them groaned in pain. I sighed. "This is what happens when no one listens to me." The lady stood there, looking at me expectantly. By now the others have seen her and show signs of feeling threatened.

    I walked onto the bridge without a second thought. I felt a burning through my body as I got closer to the woman. She now looks surprised and amused. "You are the leader?" She asked.

    "More or less." I replied. Her eyes narrowed.

    "The burning does not bother you?" She inquired curiously.

    "Not really." I answered.

    "You would let your soldiers get hurt." It was a statement, not a question. "She isn't worthy of magic yet. She is weak."

    "Yes, she is." I agreed.

    "Do you always tell the truth?" She asked.

    "Nope." I replied without a care. I seriously want to know where she is going with this. "Am I supposed too?" She chuckled.

    "You are keeping secrets right now." She stated.

    "Secrets? I like to just think of it as information that they don't need to know as of yet." I said.

    "Will you tell them before the war?" She asked.

    "Yes." I answered. The burning became stronger.     

    "You lie!" She hissed.    

    "Okay, okay, I am not going to tell them!" I grunted in pain. The burning slowly died down. "They do not need to know. Some must keep their secrets. I will inform them of some, but not all of them. They mostly involve around my powers." I explained. 

    "Why did you lie to them about your first born?" I froze at her question. "Why did you never tell the ones that you once called family about your daughter? Why did you never trust them with how it happened?"

    "That isn't important." I hissed. The burning is worse than the first time. I can see the magic glowing red around me like it was fire. "Why should I answer that? How do you even know about that?"

    "I know everything the moment you step onto this bridge. I know your lies and I know your truth. I am the one that deems you worthy." She explained calmly. "Now tell me the truth."

    "Because they would have judged me like we did all those other girls who got pregnant!" I nearly shouted. "I was ashamed. Not because of my daughter, but because of how everything happened. I allowed myself to get used. I allowed myself to lose what should have been kept for my husbands. I allowed myself to get abused by a monster because I thought he loved me." The burning died ever so slowly. "I let myself fear what they would have thought of me."

    "Magic has chosen you wisely. Do not take it for granted child. Take yourself and your soldiers and cross this bridge. On the other side you will find supplies and weapons that will be of use for you. You are blessed and I see that you will have a wonderful future. A wonderous gift will be given to you when this war it over. I wish you luck." With that, she disappeared. The burning went away along with the glow of the magic.

    "Commander?" Neil shouted.    

    "It's safe. Come along!" I hollered. I shook my head. "Let's hope I never go through that again."