The Phoenix's Soldier's War

The Ritual

    I looked at the herbs that Fae, also known as Lady Magic, is preparing for the ritual. "Are you sure this will work. None of us have a strong connection." I pointed out. She gave me a look.

    "You and I both know that when you married Cooper and Hadrian, none of you had a connection. So, don't try using that excuse on me." Damn, of course she would know that. "That is what I thought. This connection is different though. One your grandfather had with his fellow soldiers. Their connection didn't become strong due to some issues."    

    "What makes you think that we will have a good connection?" I asked.

    "You won't. You just need a way to be able to contact each other from a great distance and this is one of those ways. Arguing with me won't do anything for you." She began to draw a circle. "It will be a while longer before I am even ready for them to come so I can perform the ritual, why don't you test how smart they are?"

    "Did you just insult them without really insulting them?" I asked. She gave a small smile. "Wow. Well, I am just going to go and bug my general. Perhaps ask for a fight." I said.

    "Nope, don't do anything that will make your tired." Fae ordered. I groaned. "Oh quit it, Evie. It's not going to kill you to find something else to do. Make some conversation with someone. You haven't been very talkative towards the ones you trust."

    "I have a lot on my mind." I defended. She gave me a look. "I'm not avoiding them!"

    "Yeah, tell that to someone who can't see past your lies." She chuckled. "Don't look at me like that. I gave you your magic because you have great potential. Fate has made you a leader and many other things because she favors you. Death just refuses to let you die until you have lived the life that she deems good enough. You have a long life ahead of you. You'll have your tricks and everything. That is part of the reason as to why you haven't told anyone about the magic your stone carries. You need something up your sleeve for when the final battle comes."

    "Shush, I don't need anyone knowing that." I joked. "I haven't thought that far so let's not think about it." I said.

    "You think about it all the time. You think about how you can get better weapons and everything. Just like you did with those flowers. I am making the flowers hard to find for the enemy. No need to make their lives easy." She said. I rolled my eyes.    

    "Commander, I have a question." General Hera asked. I noticed the others behind her listening. 

    "Ask away." I said.

    "What are you planning?" She asked.    

    "You have to be more specific." I told her.    

    "You and the lady, what are you planning? You've been with her all morning and everyone is curious." She explained.    

    "I was wondering when someone was going to ask. Want to explain or me?" I asked Fae.

    "I'll do it. I'm done setting up anyways. We'll due the ritual at moon high. That is when the magic is most strong." She informed me. I nodded in understanding. She then turned to the others. "Now, I have already run this by Evie, not that I really needed to." I glared at her. "A ritual will be taking place at moon high. It will be like a bonding, but not really. It will be helpful when they are at a distance and they can talk to each other through their minds." They looked at her confused. "The Phoenix Soldiers need to have some sort of connection."

    "Oh, that does make a lot more sense." Erick said. I mentally rolled my eyes and then sighed. They all looked at me.    

    "What?" I asked.

    "You don't want it." Erick pointed out.

    "Who wants to share their thoughts. Besides, it won't last forever, so I'm not worried about it." I said. They looked at me confused. "You really don't expect me to lead an army forever, do you?" They either blushed or looked around. "Wow, I do have a family to raise. I'd take staying with my kids any day than being in battle. After the war is over, I'm done." David, Tarrant, and Alexis nodded in agreement, thinking back to our conversation a couple months ago.

    "There is so many things that can happen when you say that. What do you mean that you'll be done?" Jenna asked.

    "Exactly what I mean. Done. Gone. Away from here. I will be living a life of peace with my husbands, children, and any future children I have. Who's going to stop me?" I said.

    "Just disappear off the edge of the world?" General Hera asked. "I guess you deserve it after everything you have done. Who wants to live in the limelight as a war hero when all that person wants is peace?"

    "Thank you, General Hera. Now, any other questions?" I asked.    

    "Where do you plan on going?" Neil asked.    

    "I don't have to answer that. Well, if that is all, we should get some practice in." I declared.

    "I said nothing that will tire you out!" Fae shouted. I crossed my arms and pouted.

    "I tried." I muttered.

    "You are trying too hard." She said. I rolled my eyes and sat down, planning to wait until moon high for the ritual to begin.

    Moon high came rather quickly. The others are reluctant to do the ritual, something I understand, because they have never been through one of these. "What do you want us to do?" Adrian asked.

    "I need the six of you to stand on this circle. Evie, since you are the leader, you will stand in the center." Fae ordered. I walked over to the center where Fae stood. She gave a firm nod before drawing a smaller circle around me. "I'm going to ask you a few questions before starting the ritual. Do you understand, Evie?"

    "Yes." I answered.

    "Very well." Fae took a step back and then look at me with all the seriousness she could muster. "Commander Evie Moon, do you swear to uphold your oath to protect the ones you fight beside?"

    "I do."

    "Do you swear to uphold the honor of leading them into battle when the time comes?"

    "I do."

    "Finally, do you promise to never take your magic for granted, honoring those who have held this position before you?"

    "I do."

    "Very well. From here I will speak in a different language. I must ask you all to remain still. Do not speak. Do not leave the circle. I want your focus to stay on Evie." Fae explained. Everyone nodded, confirming that they understand.

    Fae began chanting. Everyone kept their focus on me, which is a little uncomfortable. Who wants to be stared at while a ritual is taking place? Orders are orders though. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Fae glowing. Magic from Fae began to touch the soldiers. From there, the magic began to form lines on the ground, making their way towards me. Each line is a different color, representing a different soldier. I find it rather interesting.

    Fae's chanting became louder. The magic became stronger. I had to squint my eyes to see. In a flash of light, the magic died down and so did the chanting. That's when I felt the others in my head. I pulled up the wall to block out their thoughts, having much practice with my husbands, it wasn't hard.

    "Is it done?" Jenna asked.

    "It is done. You will need to work on the bond, but it is done." Fae confirmed. "I wish you luck with it. I will be here to help."