*The Imperial empire was founded over a thousand years ago by a large group of nobility settlers. Building their grand empire off the backs of those who were lower class nobles, slaves and commoners.

  From here the empire soon grew corrupt. The slaves and commoners lashed out and appealed to the emperor’s that came and went. But all pleas fell on deaf ears. The lower class nobles were the first to rebel and the rest followed. With almost nothing to lose and out numbered they firmly pushed the high nobles and emperor’s armies inward before being forced into a full retreat into the canyon mountains to the north.

  Those that remained were heavily persecuted and forced into the most extreme circumstances with no promise to live. Those that rebelled only grew in numbers as time went on, becoming more organized with a number of officers fleeing for their conscience and into the mountains. Their plan was simple, crush the empire and establish new order with democracy. But even with growing numbers they couldn’t throw everything they had into simple and strategic military campaigns. It would just be a strategy to lose slower and deplete their forces sooner.

  What they needed a group who could move in the shadows and take out their biggest targets or the supply chains who had the most influence. Without them the empire would decend into chaos making it much easier for the rebels to gather people and their strength as well as take down the empire. Scouring the empire they found such a team with the skills to accomplish such a task. Their names would never be made public as part of rebellion or put down in history as the saviors if they did succeed.

  —————————————

  As his eyes opened slowly, Cole could only see blue, a vast blue sky that went on forever. He was lying in a field of golden wheat that stretched on in all directions and never seemed to end. He could still remember everything from before, before he…

  ‘Cole.. over here!’ A familiar voice called out, his head snapping in the direction of the voice.

  He could see the faint silhouette of two individuals. He couldn’t quite make them out but something in his heart told him he knew exactly who they were. Stumbling as he tried to hurry to them in a panicked and shallow breathing.

  “Juni! Saeko!” He called out, as he could see them more clearly getting closer.

  Both sat side by side, smiling as they looked at him. Collapsing to the ground he threw his arms around them both, both momentarily confused but embracing his hug nonetheless.

  “You have much work left to do.” Saeko encouraged.

  “Don’t go, either of you. Please, I have so much to tell you.” Cole begged

  “You know we’re always one letter away.” Juni smiled “Don’t worry, we’re fine. But it’s time for you go my dear.” She added

  Before he could call out their names again, everything began to fade away…*

  Awakening he inhaled sharply, immediately coughing tasting cold thin air. The gravel beneath his back dug in as he rapidly turned over and rose onto to his knees and hands still coughing. Slowly he was able to catch his breath at last.

  It was never a pleasant experience. Dying. Everything fading out of existence, it was like going to sleep, but something pulled him out each time. First his vision, then his hearing, then he could feel his blood pumping and lungs desperate to take oxygen, he wanted to puke even if nothing was in his stomach. It was always terrifying to experience, even if this was only the second time this had happened.

  “It doesn’t exactly get any easier to get used to.” A soft feminine voice, making Cole snap his head in the direction of the woman’s voice.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He spotted a familiar looking woman by a bonfire, she sat on a boulder as she tended to the fire with a stick or occasionally tossing in a small log to keep it going. She had short scarlet hair and large hazel eyes. She wore intricate robes of crimson and orange and yellow, yet she was unfazed by his presence.

  “You… Akina..” Cole sputtered, still trying to remember how to speak.

  “Is a descendant of mine. But it matters little for what reasons I am here or who my ancestors are. If you complete your journey, we will all have all the time in the world to talk.” She said simply, not taking her eyes away from the fire. “If you must know, I am Akira. But you are here for your journey, and I am a guide onward.” She explained, as she met his eyes now.

  “To where, exactly?” Cole asked, finally able to breathe normally and talk a little more as he sat back.

  “Onward.” Akira replied again, her tone more upbeat though Cole remained confused. “These mountains you have awoken in, it is the Land of Ravenia. These canyons go on for the whole stretch of the continent, the patch of land even the almighty Empire has not been able to conquer, gods know they have tried.” She explained, poking and tending to the fire some more.

  “And where exactly does onward lead?” Cole asked, making her smile at his cleverness.

  “To the north, you will find peace, a temple to rest your tired soul and body. The temple of Phoenix Priestess, there the people live and do not bother with the ways of the world or the troubles of the empire, they only desire to farm and be at peace.” Akira explained, pointing her stick to the right from where the path led onward. “To the south, you find nothing. Nothing beyond the canyon dwelling beasts and impossible winds, but hidden away somewhere within the heart, are those that still possess some fire of fight in their hearts, they desire change and a new leadership. To see the old empire crumble and something new be established. With the right leadership they could achieve this.” She explained as well, now point to the left of the path.

  Cole merely scoffed at this second option.

  “I’m no leader. I’ve proven twice over now. I can’t bring about change, Ive only denied him victory. Life goes on, and what have I changed?” He countered, not exactly still believing in himself, feeling an immense sense of pain still in the scar in the center his chest.

  “In Eden, you fulfilled a prophecy of change with your village’s tree did you not?” Akira asked, her eyes and smile mischievous. Cole looking at her with a look of bewilderment. “You brought the dwarves and the humans together again, and helped the elves see past their own internal differences. Leaving the door open for a rekindling of relations to the humans.” She added, listing more of his accomplishments. “You’ve stopped him twice now from completing his greatest act of destruction.” She said as well, matter of factly.

  “I was foolish and brash when I burnt down that tree.” He replied softly, looking away. “And I hardly had a hand in bringing those changes, had Iris not told me to fire or Juni been there to pull me out or stood her ground against him, I would’ve been lost to my own dreamworld.” He added dismissively.

  “Is that what you truly think? Take pride in what you have brought change to, do not get overzealous either, balance in humility and pride. The constant shifting of scales, these are what must tended to in the soul and only by you. Yet you allow your grief to overtake and overwhelm you, see only things in a vain light.” Akira explained, as she put in another log to burn and poke the fire some causing it to momentarily flare up.

  “I knew what would happen if I stayed longer than I should have. Now he’s had a six year head start, again.” He said this time, reflecting on his decision to build a life with Juni and now having left their daughter behind. “I got someone I loved killed! And now our child is without parents.” He added more frustrated.

  “What you choose to do for yourself when something has presented itself to you is only a decision you can make and not look back on. We Phoenix’s care the deepest and our burden is heavy, the desire for companionship is not a sin but you both must understand what it comes with. Love blossoms in all forms; romantic, familial, friendship, don’t shut these out but welcome them. They are but a small part of what makes a Phoenix’s flame, but it matters just as equally.” She explained lastly, before once more tending and poking the fire to keep it burning.

  Cole merely sat there, his eyes finding his sword laying not too far from him. Picking up the sheathed weapon, he took note of it’s changed formed again. Now taking the shape of a long sword, it’s hilt much longer and it’s pommel taking the form of a mace almost, it’s guard a simple curve. The long narrow black blade still had a familiar sense and hum to it only he could seem to feel and hear. Yet it felt more, heavy somehow.

  “Careful with that. It’s exchanged many hands of those before you. It will respond and resonate to your soul, as well as reflect what you think isnt true. Though it can overwhelm and overtake you, thus balance.” Akira cautioned, as her eyes fell on the sword momentarily.

  Cole sighed softly as he sheathed it again and set it to the side of him. He still had so many questions but knew he would get nowhere else.

  “So where should I go then, north or south?” Cole asked this time.

  “That depends… are you looking for those who follow prophecy and fortunes and seek a hero to lead them to glory? Or do you desire to find peace within your soul?” Akira offered inturn, her expression and smile soft as she met his way again. Cole merely massaged the bridge of his nose as he exhaled slowly and deeply.

  “No easy choice there.” Cole said, more so to himself this time.

  “Whatever you decide. Each has its own consequences, good or bad.” Akira reminded him lastly.

  With this he took his sword in hand and slowly rose to his feet, taking a deep breath and letting it out after affixing his sword to his hip.

  “May destiny guide you on your journey or grant you a swift death.” She added lastly, as she put down another log on the fire.

  Now standing at the path that was ahead and diverged in two directions, he began moving towards the left path and disappearing from view.

  “The long and winding journey is not over, not just yet. But it continues on and on, it never ends, only told by someone else. Where one chapter is closed another is being inked.” Akira said, more so speaking to herself as she continued to stoke the flames of her bonfire.

  As Cole continued on the path he had chosen. He couldn’t help but think of the friends he’d left behind yet again. Iris, Faye, Tigress, Taiga and Aaron. He at least knew they would not dare drag Sakura into this, she would be safe with Rin and Xylia. That gave him just a quantum of solace, but he had to keep moving forward…