Phoenix: The Rebirth

New Age

The atmosphere was tense, the breeze blew hotter, everyone at the academy had heard the sounds of the gunshots. Even the animals grazing nearby had disappeared quickly. Xander hastily joined his son and Davina who was lying flat on the floor. He looked in shock at Davina who seemed lifeless as she lied on the floor, he looked at Nathan with a questioning look.

“I didn’t do it” Nathan confessed quickly. “I do not have a g*n” He added in fear. Xander hurriedly grabbed Davina, he carefully examined her body, there was no injury nor was there any sort of signs of gunshots.

He sighed in relief as he placed his head on her chest, she was still breathing. He ordered for some water to be brought as he sprinkled it on her face. She must have collapsed from the fear of the gunshot. Nathan stood still in fear as he had no idea of what was responsible for it. His face revealed relief as he saw her move her head slowly. Nathan further became better when he saw her open her eyes. She opened her eyes slowly, looking all tired and stressed.

“You need to go home to rest now. You can come tomorrow” Xander informed as he carried her home.

Clanking of swords, heaving breathing, footsteps making art in the sand of nature, continuous swirling and turning of figures cladded in clothes, it all enticed and excited him. Xander was excited as he watched Davina and Nathan fight. Time has passed, many years have gone down and had become history. Davina was already becoming an expert in the field. He watched with mixed reactions as he was proud and happy that Davina was getting better, no, radiating perfection and expertise in sword fighting. However, he could not deny the little feeling of sadness and jealousy that settled at a part of his heart.

Xander was happy Davina was getting better at sword fighting but he could not deny the fact that she was going to defeat his son and he did NOT want it. He crossed his legs and watched them from a short distance. Other students watched in awe at the skills and expertise she displayed. Nathan too was not going too easy on her.

“Do you think you can defeat me?” Nathan asked. Six years had passed yet the unexplainable resentment, bitterness, and anger he had against Davina did not reduce a bit. Nathan did not change much but he had grown taller with more defined masculine features. His handsomeness only increased by the day. Making a lot of females; both older and younger than him fantasize about being in their reach. All but Davina.

“Well, I know I can” She breathed heavily as she held her sword against his in defense. He smirked at her and released his sword from hers. He was not going to give up anyway. The duo fought and fought and at lesser time than he expected, she overcame him and threw him to the floor.

“Yes!” She smiled and raised her hands happily up in the air to signify victory.

“Davina!” Nathan called angrily as he stood up from the floor.

“I defeated you. Hold your peace” She smiled at him in mockery.

“Let’s go on another round. Let’s fight again” He ordered. Rudely.

“Of course not, I am very tired” She bent and placed her arms on her knees.

“I don’t care, you must fight me” He picked his sword and threw it up skillfully before catching it.

“No, I am not. I am tired” She walked backward as he proceeded towards her.

“Fight or I'll kill you” Nathan threatened. For a reason she could not tell, he looked serious and scary to her.

“Stop” She walked back gently. She looked by the side towards her right but Xander was no longer there. He had stood up with disappointment boldly written on his face the very moment his son disappointed him.

“Ugh!!!!!” He placed the sword on her angrily as she blocked it with her sword. Davina knew for sure he was damn serious. She stood up quickly and tried to fight him but she was too tired to be able to fight him.

“Please, can we do this tomorrow?” She asked as she was extremely tired.

“No” He kept hitting so hard. Save for her sword, Davina would have been killed. He continued hitting aggressively until her sword fell and she fell to the floor. Davina shrieked in fear. She crawled backward but then he crossed the distance between them, holding his sword. Nathan raised the sword targeting her chest.

He paused and continued: “You are not worth it” He smirked at her.

“What!” She asked him.

“You don’t worth my time, teenager” He smirked again before dropping the sword. Afterward, he turned his back to her and walked away.

“Of course” She frowned. She had no reason to argue with him anyway as she had some much to do. Davina stood up quickly and ran home. Her legs were still aching and shaking from the encounter she had with Nathan. What if she had not grabbed the sword? Would he….?” She thought hard. She however sighed as she opened the door. She walked in to realize her mother was not back from the market neither was her father back from his art shop. She sat for a while before proceeding to join her mother in the market.

As expected, people were accessing different goods to buy. She forced herself into the midst of the people who walked in twos, threes, even a single one.

“Mother!” She called out as she sighted her mother. Her mother turned to her and gave a smile before concentrating on what she was doing. Sara was attending to someone who wanted to get but from her. Davina dropped her shoulders as she walked towards her mother.

“Ouch!” She cried out as she felt someone had just hit her. She turned to look behind but he was no longer there. He had gone. She stood in shock as she could not understand how he was able to leave. She turned and there she saw a woman, clothed in black. The woman peeked at her occasionally. Davina couldn't decipher why the woman kept looking at her then it dawned on her. She remembered now! It was the woman from her dreams six years ago.

“Heyy!” She called as her necklace had been kidn*pped. She had no idea what was going on. She walked up to her mother whose undivided attention was on the customer whom she was dealing with. Davina waited to watch the time go by. The day had not been favorable to her. She just could not wait for the day to be over.

“Davina, you are aging, you need to learn how to cook” Sara advised. “You will be getting married soon. There are some things you need to do” Her mother added. They were having dinner. “You could come to join me to make breakfast tomorrow” Her mother suggested, trying not to annoy her as her hot temperedness had increased. Davina had changed a lot. She had become a little more fierce than her mother had expected. Jeremy on the other hand concentrated on their meals.

“Thanks but no thanks” She smiled at her mother and returned her usual facial expression. A frown.

“This isn’t an option Davina, you seriously need to learn how to make certain things and do certain things” Her mother advised softly.

“I said thanks but I am not interested” She looked at her mother with a stern look.

“Davina….”

“What's the need for it? I am not going to get married” She announced causing Jeremy to be choked by the glass of water he had placed in his mouth few seconds ago.

“Father, are you okay?” She stood up and walked to him. The stubborn and arrogant look on her face transitioned into that of pity and concern.

“Of course, I am fine” He coughed.

“Jeremy…” Sara called, trailing off.

“I will be fine” He coughed again.

“What did you say you were not going to do?” Jeremy questioned.

“Well, I don’t want to get married” She crossed her arms.

“Davina…” Her father called but she knew the perfect timing. She had always calculated the right timing for her actions.

“Goodnight father” She bowed humbly. “Goodnight mother” She bowed again slowly progressing towards her room. Waiting for no response, she walked up to her room.

Sunshine slowly found its way into Davina's room. She stretched lazily in the bed as she stood up. Still, she felt so tired but relieved. It’s been two years since she last had the nightmare. She still was not sure if it had gone forever or just for a while. She stood up lazily and walked to the mirror.

Staring at the reflection of hers in the mirror, she smiled at herself. She was already becoming a woman and was already exhibiting feminine features. Making her way to the bathroom, she stopped in her track. Slowly looking back, Davina wanted to be sure she had seen what she initially saw. With shock and confusion dominating her heart, she walked back to the mirror. She touched the necklace on her neck. Wait, what! The necklace was stolen and she did not find it. Slowly sliding into confusion, Davina tried to draw herself back by reminding herself that she knew what had happened.

Of course, the necklace was stolen, she solved that puzzle but a more severe one was the aspect of it coming back. She racked her brain so hard. She searched every bit of information in her head, perhaps, it had been hidden somewhere but there was nothing. Shock surged through her. It was unexplainable and not understandable.

She rushed to the bathroom to take her bath so she could down for breakfast. Voices to dispose the necklace battled in her head with the voices in her heart that advised her not to. There was no escape route as she wished she could escape from her body. Pushing all the thoughts to a corner of her heart, Davina walked up to the bathroom.

In a few minutes, she was out and dressed up. She rushed downstairs but all she could perceive this time was a faint aroma of the food. She was late as her mother had finished cooking. Memories from the previous night refreshed themselves in her memory. She hissed in anger as she thought of it.

“My thoughts in the most genuine form were you won’t be having breakfast” Sara cleaned the napkins as Davina walked into the kitchen, quietly tiptoeing.

“Morning mother” She greeted forcefully. Having no idea of her mother’s presence in the kitchen, she had wanted to have her breakfast without her mother knowing.

“You are late.” Her mother added, still not looking at her.

“Uhm, they would still be warm” Davina answered, sighting the pancakes her mother had made.

“You are late” Her mother repeated. “Late for the Academy. For your tutelage” Sara added, cleaning the kitchen with all her strength.

Well, I decided not to go today” She answered. Her mother only nodded in response. Not uttering a word nor sparing a glance at Davina, Davina figured out her mother was still upset with her.

“Mother” Davina called out softly.

“I can hear you” Her mother answered, still not sparing a glance.

“You are not even looking at me? Are you angry with me?” She questioned with a sober reflection. Her mother remained mute as she paid maximum attention to what she was doing.

“Mother” Davina called again.

“I was upset with you till the last minute but I am no longer upset with you” Sara smiled.

“I am sorry mother” Davina pleaded.

“It’s fine” Sara smiled. “Come” Her mother instructed. Davina ran to her mother's warm embrace.

“You can't possess what is mine” The voice informed.

Davina and Sara separated themselves from the tight hug they were engrossed in quickly. Shock overwhelmed them as they opened their mouths wide in shock.