The Fire Phoenix’s Eternal Flame

Burned

The banquet doors swung open, and a small brigade of king’s men entered with King Benjamin, Queen Arya and the Prince behind them. Alex’s father was expressionless, and her mother’s arm was wrapped in his. She was standing tall and proud by her husband. Alex and her brothers were standing with them, expressionless as well. They had lost a lot, but they were still standing. They hadn’t been defeated, in fact they were winning. It’s one of the reasons the King agreed to the armistice, and eventually this very meeting. Over the years, many of the other world territories had joined forces with the Isle. Mostly because Alex was promised to their sons. The others had succumbed to the King’s chokehold on trade. Her father had to do whatever means necessary to continue funding the war. Lying to them about Alex’s betrothal was an idea she was not fond of, but her father had assured her they would cross that bridge when it was time. The Isle had long forgotten the practice of arranged marriages, but before the war, having a daughter made you a powerful leader.

The King was much older than Alex’s father, at least in his 60’s. He was tall, with dark features, and handsome for an old guy. The Queen was younger, but looked to be just around the same age as Alex’s mother, although there wasn’t a single gray hair to be found. Then, there was Caleb. He was wearing an all white tuxedo. His eyes were so focused, and they were a shade of dark blue not even the deepest depths of the ocean could compare. His brown hair was neatly trimmed and cut low. His brown beard also neatly kept, with hints of red tones. He was so attractive in person. More attractive than Alex had cared to admit.

“Ah, Eric! It is so good to see you in person again! It has been too long, my friend.” King Benjamin said, extending his arm for a handshake. Alex thought it was odd to use the term friend. Eric obliged, and the two world leaders embraced. The room at that moment let out a sigh of relief. You could physically feel the exhale from everyone holding their breath. This was going to be the meeting that ended the war. Nadine bowed to Queen Arya, and they all walked over to the long table. Byran and Bruce extended their hands to Caleb, and after their handshakes and small talk, went back to their respective seats to finish eating.

Caleb turned to Alex. Their eyes locked, and for a second Alex had forgotten where she was. She bowed, and turned away. Not saying a word. “Is that how the President’s daughter is to treat a King’s son?” Caleb stated.

“I did my duty, I bowed before you.” Alex shot back. “So she does speak?” Caleb said, with a c****d eyebrow. It wasn’t a question, more of a statement. Alex wished he wouldn’t do that. He was charming. His smile was warm, and friendly. It made her feel calm.

“So, the Prince would like to speak to me? The little commoner on the Isle?” Alex said sarcastically. Caleb rolled his eyes. He was not particularly fond of the Isle. Their refusal to accept his dad as the sole world leader had cost him his childhood. He spent many nights alone while his parents attended to battle strategies and the wounded. He had no friends, and up until he was old enough to start learning the ways of a King, his father had hardly paid any attention to him.

“I don’t consider you a commoner, Princess.” Caleb said. But Alex was not a princess. The Isle voted for her father to be President. Their system was quite different then the hierarchy of a king and queen. Perhaps, that is why the war began in the first place Alex had thought to herself..

“And yet I am not a princess. I am just the President’s daughter.” Alex bowed and walked away. For some reason, it pained her to walk away from him. The sound of his voice was enticing. She wanted to sit and talk with him for hours. She wanted to pick his brain apart about his childhood, his life, his plans as King. It would have to wait, Alex found Layla again and the two attempted to enjoy the rest of the night. Laughs were had by all. It was the first time Alex felt like things were going to be okay. There was hope, and it clearly filled the room. Alex caught herself searching for Caleb though. She tried not to, but she couldn’t help wonder where he was or who he was talking to. She kept small tabs on him all night. Alex’s father and the King seemed to have wondered off, probably to talk about the new world. The world after the war ends.

Suddenly, the fire alarm in the hotel went off, causing mass panic in the banquet room. Alex could hear her family shouting for her. Layla was quickly escorted away by the vice president’s protection unit. Alex saw the king’s men and the president’s protection unit (“PPU”) take off running down the corridor to where Alex’s father and the King were. She decided to go after them. She had to make sure they were ok. She reached another banquet style room and stood near the doors, hidden from view. She wanted to eavesdrop but there was too much commotion in the room. When she opened the door, the king’s men and the PPU were in an all out battle. All Alex could hear were the sounds of men’s fists crushing bones, and the last breaths of those who had lost their fight. Alex tried to look over the men, but she couldn’t see her father. She started to yell out for him, but no one could hear her. She decided to go in, crawling around the fighting and trying to stay unseen. She saw two doors with the exit sign above, and made her way to them. She tripped over a body, and when she looked down she was mortified to see it was the lifeless body of King Benjamin. All of her worst fears came creeping in. She began to panic.

When Alex finally made it to the doors, there was a black suv outside and masked men trying to shove her father into the trunk. Her emotions were all over the place and she could feel her anger starting to burn through her fingers. The King is dead she thought to herself. The war will never be over now. She yelled for her father and he attempted to fight off the abductors, but they turned to her with guns and opened fire. She could hear her dad painfully scream out for her. She didn’t have time to run, there was nothing to hide behind. The bullets began to pierce through her body. Alex thought that was the end of her life, she closed her eyes.

Instead of unimaginable pain, she felt nothing. Opening her eyes again, she looked down to see there was no blood from the bullet holes, and she was okay. Her body had seemed to heal just as quickly as the bullets had entered. Her dress had began to catch fire, and she felt as if she was not in control of her own body anymore. Alex levitated in the air, flames engulfing her entirely. Screeching sounds came from her mouth. Her body combusted, shooting out giant flames all around her before she collapsed into the darkness. The black SUV managed to escape, with her father in the trunk, but the men still outside of the suv were all burned alive.