1 The Calm Before the Storm - Melissa

"Majestic wings of fire soaring through the sky of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows flowing together as if one. With every rebirth she became more beautiful and powerful.

Always in the skies, roaming as freely as she pleased. The colors even caught the eyes of the God of the sun as he came to enjoy watching her. She was meant for beauty, a symbol of peace and tranquility on the land.

Humans caught sight of her and they became obsessed but obsession became fear and fear became hate. Not understanding why a being so powerful was also so peaceful. Fear started to creep with ideas of a beast destroying all the land and so the humans devised a plan to entrap her forever.

She was a creature full of innocence her free spirit kept her from the corruptions of what was around. The human lures her with kindness and friendliness.

As the beautiful being went down to greet the humans they used magic chains to bind her down and lock her in a cage. Traveling far away and into the underground where there was only darkness.

Scared and alone the phoenix grew to learn anger and hate. She felt these new emotions boil inside so strong over many years. That come her last breath she roared out a curse for all humans..."

"'I will rise again and destroy you all!'" A little girl chimed in last minute shouting and almost jumping out of the bed. Melissa gave a soft chuckle and shook her head as her daughter got over excited over a story she heard a thousand times.

"Yes that is exactly the words she used for the curse. " Melissa playfully rolled her eyes as she spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Now, it is time for bed little bird. It is another day tomorrow and who knows what could happen. Maybe the phoenix will rise tomorrow." And with that she tucked Raven into bed and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

A wolf cub jumped on the bed and curled at the little girls feet.

"I love you mama," Two eyes gleamed up at her.

"I love you, too, little bird." Melissa looked at her with soft eyes and walked out of the room.

As she walked out of the room she saw her son had fallen asleep on the couch. She walked over and gently picked him up.

"Mommy?" He woke up with a cough his pale little face leaning on her shoulder as he gripped at her collar behind her neck. Melissa held him tighter and stroke his back.

The two were twins but Hawk had bad health since a baby; It was unknown if he could even live a long life. his energy levels were always low and he rarely can do and activity other kids his age could.

"Shh, My little hunter, mommy's just taking you to bed so you don't get cold." She opened the door to a room decorated like a forest with faux trees and wallpaper as if they were in a real forest. The ceiling was glass so the sky above could be seen easily.

A baby snow leopard chirped when she saw them walk in, pawing at Melissa legs until she put Hawk down.

"Story?" Hawk blinked sleepily as the little leopard curled right beside his head.

She told him the story of the dragon that past on trying to save a phoenix. How he expended all his efforts to save her. Thousands of years passed and he went crazy, no longer did he understand right from wrong.

He attacked many humans trying to find ways. Blood spilling the lands tainting it in a dark red. Chaos the humans had never seen before never being able to relax.

Eventually, he became sick and weak forgetting to even eat. Knowing he was nearing the end of his life he laid upon the grass directly above where the phoenix lay entrapped and slept.

Upon his last breath the earth shook with a curse from the phoenix. That being the final time he could hear her voice before passing on. Though it was full of anger and could not hear what was said, he felt he could rest easy know she was alive. Know that she may still have a chance to escape and fly free in the sky once more.

"The sleeping dragon had become home to many a creatures from Trees growing on his own body. A whole forest was made with lush greens and colorful wild flowers.

The tears the dragon had shed became a small waterfall that soon made a whole river reaching the center of the forest and ended in a watering pool for all who lived there."

Soft sleeping sounds could be heard as her sons chest rose a fell slowly. Stroking his hair she bent over and gave him a kiss trying not to wake up. "Goodnight my little hunter. Until tomorrow."