High Alpha's Risen Mate

Chapter 6: Taking the Oath

"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already."

-J.K. Rowling

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Chapter 6: Taking the Oath

POV: Sierra

The ice is gone. Standing on the grassy ground in the form of Raya is a wall of mountains. "And beyond the mountains is the hidden world. There only lies mystical beauty, " Raya says with purpose. Those words sound familiar, as if they were once my own.

A memory flashes in my head of Seddrick the phoenix before me. He foretold a prophecy of this day. I am to do what he could not. The full planet alignment is coming in due time. The closer the alignment gets, the more dark forces will come for the stones. It is my job to keep them out of the darkness' hands.

A river lines the mountains, allowing me to see my reflection. Raya is beautiful. My beak is black as night from the tip fading out to deep red. Feathers flair out at the top of my head in a mix of orange and red.

Deep within my pitch black eyes, a constant flame flickers. Her wings are the most beautiful. The feathers on her body are shades of orange and red. They blend out through the wings. The tips of her wings blend out to purple and blue. Each feather flares out with flames.

We stand tall, almost the size of an ostrich, only we don't have the super-long neck. We look similar to an eagle.

Torches line the mountains, ignited in full flame. A circular stone ground stands out against the luscious grass. On the stone is a language I have never seen before, yet I find myself able to read it. It translates to, "In this sacred place, Helios has blessed. Honor the sun and he will honor you."

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the flames extinguish around me. Once again, I am in my original form.

I turn and am faced with Devon and Archer. "Where are the others?" I ask. Did they not make it? "I'm sorry, Sierra, they didn't cross over," Archer says. No!

"Why did you leave them?" I ask Raya. She took over my body before I had a chance to do anything. "I did what we had to do. If they're alive, they will find their way back." Raya says without any remorse.

I need to find them. They're the only family I have ever known, and I won't give up hope. They have to be alive, right?

Devon moves towards the stone circle on the ground and removes one of the stones. I curiously wonder what he is doing. He pulls out a metal box hidden under the stone. Inside is a dagger. Devon presents me with the dagger. I take it from his hand.

The dagger has a turquoise stone handle with intricate gold designs. On the silver blade is an engraving written in the same language as the stone. "May the fire burn in thy veins."

Holding the dagger in my hand, an overwhelming instinct overcomes me. Before I know it I'm standing in the middle of the stone circle speaking in the same foreign language. "The flame is my life and the center of life. I honor thy flame and the balance it brings." I cut the palm of my hand with the blade, allowing blood to seep onto the stone. I have taken my sworn oath as the next phoenix.

Suddenly, as I step off the stone, three strange men approach us. They wear what looks to be some kind of uniform. Their eyes land on me. Shock and hope fill their eyes as they look at me.

"This is the phoenix, Sierra." Devon and Archer stand on either side of me as if to protect me. "We have waited so long, sacred one." The three men kneel on the ground before me. This feels a little weird. Are they supposed to do that?

"Um, hi," I say nervously. I'm feeling a little awkward. They're acting as if I'm royalty or something. "Because we're revered equally to the royals. We're like the sphinx. We're honored because we're blessed by the gods." Raya explains.

"Please allow us to provide you with shelter and food." One of the three men says. "That would be greatly appreciated. We are in need of rest." Devon says with his voice filled with diplomacy.

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The three men took us to a cabin not far from the barrier. It turns out they're guards for the barrier. They're tasked with making sure no one comes in or out of the barrier.

They left us with food and water, allowing us to rest.

Now I sit on the bed, taking everything in that has happened so far. It's hard to believe. If someone told me a week ago I was going to turn into this giant bird and fly away to this secret world, I would have laughed in their face. The real question is, am I ready?

In a day, I'll be on the move again. It feels like it's all happening so quickly, and I'm finally able to take a breath. It's all so mercurial, but that's my life. I just never expected this kind of change. Everything in the world I once knew has now changed.

Soon, I will be in Caer anffernol, which is where the Order of the Flame resides. Archer says there is something there that I will need. I'm not sure what it is, but I will soon find out. For now, it is time to rest and regain my strength for the battles ahead.