Rebirth
 

Pythagoras’ metempsychosis

The fires alit within the wide, bowl-shaped altar, the smoke rising high through the open roof, swirling ever upward within a mist of black and gray. The skies themselves were black, rain beginning to fall through the opening in the mighty building, though the fire did not cease. It just burned on brightly, growing stronger and more wild with each passing second.

Yuu lowered her arms, feeling the rain against her skin of her raised head, which had looked ever skyward for the past hour or more. She licked a single raindrop from her thin lip and then stepped down from the place where she was stood, ducking under the cover of the closet pillar, straightening her white robe and leaning her staff against the mighty stone structure. She brushed her long, straight red hair back and looked about the room for the others. She had been chanting for a long time, hoping the phoenix would rise and take the soul of the departed one, but nothing came of it. The body turned to dust within the fire and then it just raged on. Either she hadn't performed as well as she could, or the phoenix just wasn't ready to show itself.

It had been too long since the last journey of the souls of Juunah. Many suffered the same fate, their dead bodies offered to the phoenix in return for some kind of salvation, though nothing came. Yuu clutched her staff and walked toward the seating chamber, where there were pillows scattered about the cold marble floor and another burning altar in the middle. She sighed a little, her green eyes settling on the flame as she sat down, just leaning forward a little to feel the warmth against her cold cheeks.

Touching his forehead in a symbol of humility, Saylen knelt before Yuu. Reduced to three feet from his former height of well over six, he lowered his eyes to the stone steps before him. The light from the fire reflected off his shaven head, making his tan skin seem more of an orange hue.

His voice, quiet but steady, came forth. "My Lady. Have faith. Trust in your abilities..the phoenix will rise."

He had seen it before, with summoners less skilled than She. He knew that Yuu had the power, but dreaded each attempt for the fear of Her resulting despondency were the summoning to fail. In his experience, She lacked the belief and trust necessary to bring forth the mythical being.

Yet She would, someday. He believed it. She had to. Everyone depended on her, loathe though he was to burden her with such a responsibility.

"You will succeed.." he said, trying to encourage her, spark her faith.

Atcanus
 

Atcanus stepped from his shadowed corner, his cold cinnamon colored eyes set on the summoner and her failed attempt.
A shining attempt young Summoner. his voice crept to her like smoke from a candle.
Oddly warm, fingertips brushed the skin of Yuu's cheek as he passed the pile of ashes.
Perhaps your mind is filled with other matters? hissed the man in black, his gaze moving to Saylen.

*Grunting quietly Ashenmer gets up from the dirt. The storm was more intense than he ever imagined over here, but he had to continue on. Something was telling him to make his way to those strange ruins with the mysterious red glow.*

*sighing* She cant be up to any good. The Pheonix isnt ready yet, why would she try it now? It is not time!

*He gets up and begins to trot towards the ruins at soemthing slightly less than a sprint*

From somewhere beyond the treeline surrounding the temple, a pidgeon fluttered into the canopy. It glided around the trees and foliage until it came to rest on a black, slightly bent branch. The branch moved, and removed the message from the legs of the startled bird.

The shady man removed his mask and read the message. It read, 'Storms nigh. Find shelter. Reconnaisance?' He struggled for a pencil in his jet black suit. On the back he managed to write, 'No sign Pheonix. All clear.'. He reattached the message to the bird and let it fly.

2 months he had been in this forest, quietly observing the temple for any sign worthy of reporting. ANY sign. Still nothing. The young man took shelter under a large fallen tree, and sat quietly, trying to rest over the customary cracking and rumbling of the storm raging overhead. He was confident that no one knew he was here, so he allowed himself some brief periods of sprawled rest.

"I hate rain." He mumbled before nodding off.

Yuu stared vacantly into the flames, red and green merging as she just watch the fires merge and split. Another sigh escaped her lips as she looked down to the monk kneeling before her. She touched her forefinger and middlefinger against the mark on his forehead and brought her other hand up to touch her own. The symbol was little more than a lined curved like an arch lengthways with a dot just above it, represented by a colored gemstone. Her own gemstone was neatly cut in a diamond, colored red. She just smiled a little and then lowered her hands to her lap, nodding her head as if asking him to be seated.

"Many have perished." she began, her eyes glancing back to the flame, which seemed to slant slightly to one side, as if some sudden gust of air had disturbed its upward dance. "Juunah will soon have none left but us, Saylen. We cannot withstand this cold much longer. Our bodies will become frail and worn, leaving us to die freezing in this wasteland that was once our beautiful city. Why has the phoenix deserted us? Were the pupils not fit to be his followers? Am I...am I not worthy to be the summoner of the flame? To send the souls to their rest...that is my only purpose now...and to pray...pray for the lives of those still alive..."

Yuu crossed her legs and leant forward a little more, her long white dress draping a little and exposing one knee. It was uncommon for anyone of higher rankings within the city to show flesh other than their hands, heads and possibly the top of their chest. She covered it up quickly, bowing her head with a blush and then looking up again, having made her brief apology with the simple movement of her head.

Yuu had so many thoughts inside of her head, just spinning and turning. The suffering of the people was not something she enjoyed wittnessing, having to pass on the spirits of the dead before they would decay onto the world and become yet another sin on Juunah's already desperate history.

"I wish upon my aide...where is she?" Yuu enquired, raising her head to look about the empty room. It looked as if the room had not been touched for a while. Each of the cushions neatly plumped and set about the room, as if ready for a ritual or meeting, but without the people. Yuu brushed her long, waist length red hair behind her ears.

When the voice spoke from the shadows, a violent shiver was sent wavering down her spine. Perhaps your mind is filled with other matters? She didn't understand. In her heart, she felt like she was concentrating on the matters at hand. She had no personal life. The temple had been her home since her birth, never having ventured outside of the temple walls. What 'other matters' could there be? When his fingers touched her hand, she bowed her head.

"I shall...I shall try again within the hour..."

The flames reflected the hue of sorrow in Yuu's eyes, a passion for the ability to protect those around her. A Flaw and a weakness that could be exploited. Atcanus' eyes narrowed at the touch of affection shared between the summoner and the Monk, though a lifetime of steel forged will kept his emotions in check.

His hair was long and jet, pulled back from his face to show the ambitious cinnamon gaze, high cheek bones and line of a mouth that held a slight smirk from time to time. His attire was a set of robes, long and black, etched with runes and scripture of silver stitchwork. His left arm was kept tucked in his robes before him, hidden in a fold of velvet fabric. Few had seen the horror that was this arm, turned to stone from the elbow down. It was not this arm, but the right one that touched the curve of Yuu's neck in a carress of feigned sympathy and secret lust.

My dear sweet Yuu, I have counciled you for sometime now and still you do not see the wisdom I present. he leaned forward, his words a smooth baritone. The scent of her hair was an intoxicating arrangment of Jasmine and lilac, components to the rise of the Phoenix. He whispered close to her ear.
Perhaps it is time to seek other means to protect the masses.

The temple loomed just upahead and Ashenmer slowed his pace to a trot. The once proud temple walls had been sorely affected by the plight of the weather and signs of the temples age had began to show. As he neared the entrance he looked at the symbol above the door and stood there puzzled.

'Ive never seen this symbol. What diety is this?' he thought. 'She will be trying again soon to resurrect the Pheonix and I think I should be there on this next try. He isnt ready to come back, I need to convince her to wait just a few more days.' With that he quickly enters the temple.

The rain fell lightly, and already the ground was beginning to turn mushy. A cloaked rider approached the lip of a stone outcropping some distance fromt he temple. Gauntleted hands protruded from below the rough canvas robe he wore, and their grip tightened on the leather reins.

Lans pulled shortly, careful not to injure Ilda by exerting excessive force. The black stallion obediently stopped and turned, affording Lans a good view of the landscape.

He did not like what he saw.

The sky was a dark gray ocean, its roiling waves spilling water upon the land. All was gloomy as far as he could see, a far cry from the land he had once called his home. Once it had been a thriving, vibrant place, but now it seemed almost... diminished, the life all but crushed from it by the oppressive rainclouds.

How he hated the rain. It had turned firm ground into mud, burying good men under sudden mudslides and flash floods. More than once he had awoken in a miniature lake after it had rained at night. And it didn't matter what you wore, the rain would always find a way to sap your strength. If you were in armor, it would seep between the joints and soak the padding, and the resulting sensation was both demoralizing and uncomfortable. In a cloak, the wind would chill the face and hands, leaving both numb.

Part of him wanted to just find a warm in with hot food, cold beer and young lasses and spend the coins they had found on all three. It wasn't as though he hadn't deserved it - he'd certainly done his fair share of the work in the sack of the castle.

But then his hands closed around the memorial tablet, and he remembered again. That rainy night, when the catapults had broken the walls down, and the hordes of armored men had charged the walls like a howling metal tide. That night, when all that stood between the inner courtyard and the invading legions had been a few good men defending the one way in.

Lans clenched his teeth and spurred Ilda on with a grim expression in his face.

Duty, honour and country, my brothers.

The rain continued falling, but it didn't matter to Lans any more.

Perhaps it is time to seek other means to protect the masses.

Yuu stood. Without word and without warning, she got to her feet and glared the man in the eyes. Her own eyes full of passion, almost of frenzy as she clenched her small fists, fingers curling slowly and determined.

"How dare you tell me what I am to do!" she said, failing to keep her calm this time. She turned her head quickly, biting hard on her bottom lip and turning her attention to Saylen.

"Fetch my aide." she said simply, before staring into the eyes of Arcanus, her gaze firm and unmoving. Not willing to back down on this occasion. If the elders had survived the winter past, they would have locked him up for his bitter and snaked tongue, but it was her alone now. Watched over by a mere three people. Saylen, Arcanus and her aide, Adelle.

"Suggest then what you wish to do. If your pleas fall upon deaf ears, then I'd suggest you kept your lips sealed and your thoughts to yourself." With a graceful movement, she placed both hands on her hips and raised her head almost majestically, pacing around the fire in wait for his response.