1 BOOK ONE: THE PAST

THE BIRTH OF AN EMBER

Everything was soaked in the rain, falling from the sky for the past few hours. Leo was pacing through his small room where his wife had been lying down. Sarah was about to enter the labor. He was anxious and excited at the same time.The tense environment beaded his wrinkled forehead with sweat. They had been praying to the gods for blessing them with a child ever since they were married. Finally, the time came when the gods listened to their prayers and his wife, Sarah, became pregnant. It was the 16th century and things were hard for an ordinary farmer like him but he was content. His sister who was also the midwife stood beside Sarah, trying to calm her down. The rain was getting heavier and heavier. The rumbling thunder made his heart jump. He turned to look at his wife who was in agony and pain. She was breathing heavily. The time was getting nearer and his heart was racing. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, his wife gave birth and his daughter came into this world. He held her in his arms, eyeing her with all the love he could gather in his eyes. Her little hands grabbed his finger and his heart melted. He was about to kiss her when he noticed something unusual. She had peculiar marks on her small arms and they seemed like birthmarks. He was a bit confused since normally birthmarks aren't that prominent but the marks on her arms represented burn marks. It seemed like she had been burnt with a stake or a sharp object. He looked at them with horror. "Darling, what happened?" His wife placed her hand on his arm and he flinched. "Her arms- those marks- what are they?" He was stammering. Fear reminiscent in his eyes. "What do you mean?" She leaned forward to look at her daughter's arms and her eyes widened in horror. "It can't be. How can this be possible?" She seemed lost. "What do you mean? What do these marks represent?" Leo asked anxiously. "Our daughter, she has been born with a special power." She managed to say as her throat was becoming dry. "What powers?" He was baffled by his wife's declaration. "She has been born with the spirit of the Phoenix." She uttered and he gasped. "What?! How can it be?" His eyes were widened in shock. He never knew that the gods might choose his child to carry on the legacy for protecting the kingdom they all cherish and love. He felt proud but afraid at the same time. He knew it meant risking his daughter's life for the sake of his land and he didn't want anyone to know anything about it. So he decided to ask his sister to take away his daughter with her. She lived in the neighboring kingdom where no one knew about this legend. He knew he was giving away his only child and his only hope and his only possession but he knew that the king might take her anyway. So at least he'd be able to meet her at his sister's house. His sister had come back from the market and was now planning to return to her homeland. "Nina, will you do me a favor?" He asked her, his heart pounding in his chest. She turned towards him and nodded her head and slowly paced towards the cot where her niece was peacefully sleeping. "Take my daughter with you." Nina looked at him in shock. Who would send away his only child like this? "Are you crazy, brother? She's your only daughter. You might not have a child after her since your wife is not healthy enough and if you are sending her away because you can't take care of her due to financial inability, then I'll help you, don't worry." She was a blunt woman and even though she loved her brother dearly she can sometimes be a bit bitter. But he didn't blame her. Her husband died protecting him and she lost him because of him. They both were soldiers in the army but he remained alive and retired. "It's not like that. You're mistaken. I want you to take her away because she isn't a normal child." His heart was sinking. "What do you mean?" His sister stared at him in horror. "Look at her arms, those marks, they are burn marks indicating that she possesses the power of the Phoenix." She was baffled at his confession. She slowly turned her head towards her sleeping niece and noticed that her arms had small burn marks. Her heart stopped for a moment. She felt like she was dreaming. The gods have chosen a warrior and it was her. "We've been blessed! Brother, why are you throwing away such a blessing?" She was now cross at her brother's decision. "Because if you didn't take her away, the king might claim her and she might never come back to us. At least you'll be able to keep her safe." His eyes were tearing up and seeing her brother crying like this made her heart sank. She quickly hugged him and assured him that she'll keep her safe. Alas, Nina took little Athena in her arms and set out for her homeland in a carriage. "Farewell, my beautiful daughter. May we meet soon." Leo murmured and his wife was already sobbing. She didn't even hold her in her arms properly and fate stripped her away from her. They both cried and prayed for their daughter's safety.

10 years later~

Prince Alexander picked up his favorite toy and started playing with it. His mother had told him to study but he didn't listen to her. Queen Victoria entered his room and saw him playing with his toy which was a simple bird that resembled the Phoenix. She knew he was fascinated by its glory and it was a gift from one of her brothers to their nephew. Everyone adored him and even the commoners would praise him for his beauty. He was breathtakingly beautiful. His dark eyes and jet black hair made him look very charming. Although he was exceptionally good at everything he tended to lack in certain subjects. The royal teacher used to tell her about his mischievous behavior and she used to scold him. He was stubborn but an obedient boy. Even though he wasn't good at studies, he'd often read books about archery and war strategies. He indeed was the son of a brave king. His father, King Osburn, was a just and wise king. His people adored him and even the neighboring kingdoms praised his loyalty to his land.

"Young lad, I told you to-" as she was about to say anything suddenly a shriek escaped her mouth and she fell on the floor. Little Alexander ran up to his mother and saw that she had fainted. He screamed for help and soon many servants flooded his room. They gently lifted the queen and took her to her room. The king ordered the royal doctor to tend to his wife and what he told him after he had a proper diagnosis on her, made his throat dry. She had been diagnosed with an unknown disease that didn't have a cure yet.