Chapter 15

Ambrose walked through the forest... deeper than any SeaWing or FireWing clan member should ought to go. She didn't care and all that she wanted was to get rid of the pain she felt in her heart.

"You know, you could have accepted that boy's offer!". Spoke a voice from behind her. Ambrose stopped walking and wiped the tears on her cheeks using her fingers.

"So that I'll live the whole of my life not being loved?". She questioned without turning back the other person. She knew whom it was, knew him too well. His name was Carl and he was the next Chief of the NightWing clan.

"What's the difference?". Carl asked as he took a step in front, crashing the twigs and dry leaves under his feet. "Your father wants us to get married so as to strengthen our clans. We don't love each other, so what's the difference if you happen to marry Rufus?".

"You SeaWings have a treaty with the FireWings.. We the NightWings don't have a treaty with them but you. If you marry one of them it will be easy for us to destroy them. We share a connection and agreement with you and not them!". Carl said as he took another step towards Ambrose.

"Why do you want to destroy them? Didn't they offer you guys a treaty? But you turned them down!". She exclaimed.

Carl snorted, "Why have a treaty with a clan that thinks highly of themselves?. They think that they're so powerful, they can as well be by themselves and survive!".

"Well, haven't they survived all these years?".

"And that's why we need to make them fall. Look, how many are they? Just six! and yet they're doing so well than all of us. What makes them better?".

"Because they're more united!". Ambrose deadpanned.

Carl snorted again, "Aren't we united as well?".

"Not as they are. You're just jealous of them Carl. You're filled with pride!".

"It doesn't matter. Soon those brats will think so overly high of themselves and they'll come here to attack us!". Carl argued.

"They haven't done so over the thousands of years our ancestors lived! and they won't do it now!". Ambrose exclaimed.

Carl huffed in annoyance as he looked aside then back at her, running a desperate hand through his spiky blonde hair.

"They'll attack us so that they'll become above us!. Do you want that?. You're supposed to be the next chief of the SeaWing clan. You'll loose your leadership even before you enjoy it!". Carl practically yelled.

"So? What do you want me to do?". Ambrose asked using the same yelling tone Carl was using. "My clan has a treaty with them, I know them better than you do!".

"Ambrose, I want you to accept their offer and be bonded with Rufus. Having you there will be easier to attack them and we will be the most powerful remaining Phoenix clans. We can take charge and rule over the wolves and the humans.. just us!". Carl exclaimed as he cupped her face with one hand.

"Why do I have a feeling that you're responsible for Rufus' current condition?". Ambrose asked as she took a step back away from Carl.

Carl smirked, "Because I am!. It's simply called 'Planning ahead of time'."

"How dare you? And you expect me to help you out in this plan of yours?". Ambrose yelled.

"You don't have to. I can as well do it on my own. I just wanted to inform you of what I was going to do." Carl explained as he covered the distance between them and leaned forward a little, his smirk widening, his hands in his trouser's front pocket. "I'm sure Hamlin and Amina or is it Aisha? They'll die of heartbreak.. Plutonic the big bad Phoenix will follow suit since his pack members will all be dead. I can finish the little girl on my own, as for the nerd?.. he's not trouble at all, he can't even summon his phoenix, I'll let him be! to set him as an example to what happens when clans or whatever they call it think highly of themselves". Carl said in a low mocking tone.

"You can't do that!".

"Oh.. why? You'll stop me?". Carl asked as he straightened up and looked down. at her.

"No I won't but the nerd you're talking about? He will definitely get rid of you". Ambrose muttered through gritted teeth.

Carl's smirk widened even more, "I'll be waiting for that".

He left.

Hot beads of tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt like a traitor. She didn't want to betray the FireWings, they had always been there for her clan no matter what. Somehow, she had to warn them but how? Won't they be angry at her?. However, she could protect them the best she could, right?.

"I swear, I'll do my level best to keep them safe". She swore as she roughly wiped off the tears on her face and started to walk towards the Forewings' territory.

••••••

"It's been so long!". The elder woman exclaimed. Wrinkles covered almost every inch of her skin and had white hair on her head.

"Hmpph just twelve years". Another elderly woman almost identical to the first one said in a huff.

"Isn't that long?. The Phoenix.. the legendary phoenix has made itself known but it has no guide". The first woman explained.

"Roma, are you talking about the Golden Red one? It has been dormant for these twelve years!". The second one argued.

Roma, the first woman hummed in agreement, "Yes Midira!. It became dormant due to the loss of it's guide. It's high time to bring the guide back though, she won't be the same again. She will be covered by darkness and the only light in her will be for her son".

"Are you suggesting we bring back the druid? But she will become a blood thirsty witch if we do so". Midira answered as they walked up into the clearing where the grass and flower beds had over grown and looked unkempt. At a distance, there was a huge boulder and an almost burnt out house behind it. "Shouldn't we just make his first mate known?"

"I know the consequences of. bringing the druid back. But we are in much need of the Phoenix at the moment. Meeting his mate will take a lot of time and that is what we don't have!". Roma explained as they walked closer to where the boulder was.

"But isn't that illegal?". Midira asked.

"The council knows what we're doing. We need the Golden Phoenix to destroy the chaos that is coming. This is the only way to awaken the dormant power in that boy". Roma explained. She touched the cold boulder that was growing mould on top.

"I hope the council won't regret this". Mirida mumbled as she stretched out her hand to touch the boulder as well.

The boulder started to shake beneath their hands, it rolled away a little then the ground that had been covered up by the boulder before, sank in and dry human bones rose.

"Awake dear one, for the time has come!.

We give you a new identity and a new body.

The one you brought forth in this world is in need of your guidance". Roma chanted.

Mirida looked at her then turned face the dry human bones that shook a little. White smoke appeared on top of the bones, revealing a feminine face, dark skinned and beautiful.

"Why disturb my sleep?". She questioned.

"As I said before, the one you brought forth is in need of your guidance". Roma responded.

"My husband, the chief of the clan is a perfect guide for him. I'm not needed. Let me be". The image protested.

"The one you brought forth, Gregory, has not been able to summon the Phoenix power buried inside of him. There's chaos coming and only he can fight against it. The whole world relies on your help to assist the lad in reviving the power he holds". Mirida explained.

"Oh". The image muttered.

"If you are afraid of your clan. You're free to roam in the shadows, we shall give you a new body and identity". Roma added.

"But Gregory will know who you are". Mirida interjected.

The image turned to face her, worry, concern and fondness showed on her face. "Lucky? How's my Lucky doing?".

"He's fine. Grew up to be just like his father. He's very observant, smarter than the way he should be, quiet.. he plans his deeper plans in silence that his enemies underestimate him, thinking he's just a nerd. He's fast and strong but all these will enhance once his Phoenix becomes active again". Midira explained.

"You miss him, don't you?". Roma asked. The image turned to look at her. "This is a golden chance we're giving you. You shall see him, be close to him.. a chance Ninah, like no other".

"Think about it. Even if you'll be different, you'll be able to be close to your Lucky". Mirida added. "There's nothing to loose."

"I agree". The image said in a small voice but audible to the two elderly women in front of her. Roma and Mirinda looked at each other and smiled before turning to look back at her, their smiles not fading.