Phoenix's Discovery and Journey

Returned Memories

    Sapphire ran around me. She hummed to herself happily. I sat on the ground, making a crown out of flowers. I added a blue flower before looking at the completed work. "Oh, it's pretty." Sapphire sat in front of me, resting her hands on my knees. Smiling, I gently rested the flower crown on her head. 

    "Now you look even prettier." I said. She smiled and hugged me.

    "Is there another word for prettier?" Sapphire asked.

    "There is beautiful." I said. She pouted. "Okay, okay, let me think. There is...lovely, fetching, fairly, and many more that I can't think of. I'm going to tell you something though, you are many of those words and so much more." I poked in her the stomach, making her giggle.

    I looked up as the sky went from a bright blue to a grey. I looked at Sapphire in confusion. "It's time for you to find your memories. You'll have to return to the real world soon." Sapphire said sadly. 

    "How long have I been in here?" I asked.

    "A year. Go, you need to go find your memories. The lights will lead you to them." Sapphire said. "We'll see each other again someday." She stood as began to walk away. She turned and then with a final wave, she slowly disappeared.

    I stood up shortly after and began to follow the lights. I walked into the woods, following a path the lights showed. Everything is calm and peaceful as I walked, but it is a little lonely. I have grown on Sapphire and just wish to hear her voice. It sounds like a melody.

    I came upon a pond. The lights stopped at the edge, but in the middle lied a fuzzy white ball of light. I can see pictures playing from where I stand. I can't make them out, but I know they are my memories. Now, my only problem is getting them. I don't know how deep the water is and what will happen when I get them.

    I looked around me and then slowly stepped into the water. I was knee deep when the white ball of light began to float to me. I frowned, but didn't do anything. I waited for it to come to me. "I wonder how this is all going to end. It can't be this easy."

    The light paused when it was armslength away. I hesitated before reaching my right hand out. As I touched the white ball, a blinding light filled the area around me. I burning pain filled me from head to toe. It was like coals and a hot iron ball being pushed into my skin. 

    Everything seemed to freeze for only a moment before the memories began to overwhelm me. Pain like a thousand knives ran through my head. I screamed in pain and sorrow. Pain because how much came at me at once and sorrow because of the losses I have suffered.

    Ringing filled my senses, followed my worried shouting. Everything became muffled as the pain began to fade. I groaned and breathed deeply. I opened my eyes, blinking quickly. Where the hell am I?

    "Evie, can you hear me? Do you remember where you are at?" Oh yeah, that's Healer Ellie. I nodded as I looked around. "How are you feeling? You had us quite worried. It took a year and one month for you to heal. I never knew it could take so long. What all do you remember? Also your appearance has changed. Magic consumed you and you look nothing like you did before."

    "Everything. I remeber everything. I remember my past and who I left behind. I remember the quest I need to finish. On a much brighter note, you aren't glowing as bad. Everything is still bright, but I will be able to handle it." I answered. She nodded, happy that everything worked out like it should have.

    "Cooper and his father are outside. Do you wish to speak to them after you change and eat something?" Healer Ellie asked.

    "That would be great." I said.

    "Your trunk is over there. I had went to put some clothes in a while back, but there are some already in it. I will go and make some soup for you. Take a bath and get dressed. You will feel much better afterwards." I nodded and did as she ordered.

    I walked to my trunk and saw clothes that I don't remeber at all. They are all black with silver trimming on them. All my weapons are here, making me sigh in relief. I then picked up the clothes to go and take a much needed bath.

    The heat of the water relaxed my aching muscles. Who knew it would be hard to move after a year like that in bed. What's my next step from here. I spent a year wondering around. Two years I spent in prison. "They will pay for what they did to me." I growled. Then I woke up from a year of sleeping. I have to collect the stones. I only have the pearl, which is safely tucked away in my trunk with the map. I need to get to the next stone. 

    I spent a good while going over plans and getting myself throughly clean. "Are you almost done. The soup is ready for when you come out." Healer Ellie informed.

    "I'll be out in a few." I replied. I got out of the water and dried off. I wrapped the towel around me and headed to where my clothes rested. I paused in front of the body length mirror though. Healer Ellie was right, I look nothing like I once did. Instead of having bright red hair, my hair is now silver color. My skin is still as pale as one can be and then there are my eyes. They are now like a rainbow color. Almost like my phoenix tattoo. "I need to gain more muscle." I muttered.

    I quickly dressed and then struggled to brush and put up my hair. After failing on the third try, I slammed the brush down and called for Healer Ellie. She came into the bathroom looking confused. "I need something to cut my hair. This is just too much." I whined.

    "Come with me and I will cut. Lord Vixen and Cooper are in the kitchen waiting for you. I can get your hair done quickly before you eat." She informed me. I followed to another room and sat in a chair. She took out a knife and began to cut at my hair. I watched it fall to the ground.

    "There you go." She said after fifteen minutes. I stood and walked over to a small mirror. My hair is styled into a spikey pixie cut. "My cousin had her hair like that once, I thought you might like it."

    "It suits me. Thank you." I said happily. She smiled and ushered me into the kitchen. Both men stood when they saw me, but I made no move to acknowledge them. All I want is too have a good meal.

    We made it through the silence for an hour before I decided to talk. Well, more like state a question than anything else. "So...anyone up for an adventure?"