The Phoenix King

Fire Spirit Festival

Many days had passed since Axel made his choice to go back to Earth after the war. Lady Serenity continued her preparations for the fire spirit festival. She said it was a way to keep the hope for people of Callisto and let them have some part of what we lost all those years ago back. All the high council members agreed to attend. They have been staying secure on their planets in their palaces for years. They hardly ever came out in the open. Lady Serenity had brought me the dress I was to wear today. It was an open back strapless pale green dress with flowers and beads embroidered on the waist and a bit on the top and the skirt. The sleeves had an open slit and fell as long as the dress did. She had Venus put my hair up and add a matching crown of flowers. We walked out to the grand hall and all of the high council members were already there. Raven, Sol, Gabriel, Len, and Red, they were all chosen by the phoenix king some years ago to become the high council members. If they ever gave up their spirit abilities they would have to step down as a high council member. They each rule their planet as the highest authority after the king. Paul is the high council member of Callisto. Since Alexander lived here, Paul had no real authority or duty just a figurehead. That was until Alexander disappeared and then Paul had to uphold his role.

 The moment I saw Axel I was taken back. I knew Lady Serenity sent him his clothes. He was wearing all black. Black pants, black shirt, and black gloves. He had his royal coat with the phoenix symbol embroidered on the front. The coat had a long cap the went up to his ankle. I know Axel must have been nervous to wear so much clothing but Alexander was very showy and over the top. The moment Axel's eye met mine my heart began to beat faster.

"Hello there Selene," Gabriel said coming up to me. He handed me a drink and I took it just to be polite.

"So the king is back."

"You see him don't you," I said.

"Well, something has changed, he would have come charging over here by now," Gabriel said. I knew the first person to realize Axel wasn't acting like Alexander was going to be Gabriel. Axel just looked at us very intensely but never stormed his way over here. I did almost feel hurt but I knew I shouldn't. I tried to stay so strong all these years but I think I was losing all my will to hold on.

"He has a concubine," Gabriel said as I turned around and noticed Samantha taking her place by his side. She was wearing a dark green gown with beads all around the top and a slit on the skirt. She was very beautiful. Suddenly, Gabriel put his arm on my bare back and I heard glass shatter. I didn't need to look to see who broke it. I could feel Axel's anxiousness and his heart beating faster.

"I will go say hi to the king," Gabriel said. I smiled and walked away. Lady Serenity had decorated the grand hall so lavishly. There were fire spirits performing some simple fire abilities all around the room.

"He is at it again," Raven said while giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek. "He never quits one day the king will actually kill him, he must know that." I just laughed at her remark but it wasn't so true anymore as it once was. It was time for the first grand dance. Lady Serenity took Maze and began the dance. Gabriel got to me before Axel could. He knew he had an opening as Axel was acting differently then what Gabriel used to. Samantha asked Axel to dance but the two had difficulty keeping up and were never in sync.

"You look very lovely," Gabriel said while moving his hand lower then I like. I suddenly felt a hand push his away and take mine. It was no surprise to see Cloud come to my rescue but I did hope for it to be someone else. Dancing with Cloud brought me so much joy. I was the one who taught him how to dance. Our first real big celebration was my birthday which Lady Serenity and Alexander made the most lavish event of my life. After the first dance, we then sat down for dinner. It was awkward, to say the least. No one knew what to say. I don't know if we should have just told the high council members that the king had lost his memory.

"So are you not getting married and taking Selene as your queen?"Gabriel asked Axel. Axel was shocked at Gabriel's bluntness and didn't know what to say.

'That is not any of your business," Lady Serenity said. "She still belongs to the king."

"Unless Gabriel became a trinity spirit," Noctis said.

"What!" Axel shouted.

"Oh, it's the law sire. If there were to be two trinity spirits at any point in time they would have to marry and have a child," Noctis explained.

"WHY?" he asked again not holding back his annoyance.

"My king, it is your father's law and it is to perhaps awaken the trinity spirit in more generations than just one every thousand years or so," Paul explained.

"Maze" Axel called.

"Sire, it is the law but Gabriel is only a dual spirit holder," Maze said. "So there is no reason to panic."

"Yes, you are acting like a child," Gabriel said snarkily.

"Respect your king, Gabriel," I snapped. I could see the relief in Axel's eyes but he was still hurt.

"Let's go out to the festival," Lady Serenity said. We all got up and walked out to the festival being held in the village nearby. The people were happy to see their king. Many of the people who showed up came to give us offerings and shake our hands. The lights and the night sky were very beautiful tonight.

"May I have a word with you," Gabriel said. Everyone was watching the fire lights dancing in the sky so I decided to step away to talk to Gabriel.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Is the king okay?" he asked me.

"Of course," I replied.

"He seemed different and not as attentive to you as he once was," he said.

"That is none of your concern," I said.

"We both know how I feel about you," he said softly as he came closer to me. "If he no longer feels the same." I stopped him before he could finish his sentence.

"I do not feel the same and would never want anyone else but him," I stated.

"But you and I both know I could take you from him," he said slyly.

"You tell a soul and you will be burnt alive," I said harshly. "Remember."

"I am a trinity spirit. WE BELONG TOGETHER!"