Lore of Lazuli

There was a cold winter breeze on a blackened night. A melodic tune drifted from the feathered fellows within the oak forest. A curtain of white stars glossed across the endless black canvas overhead. Each tiny light glowed brightly upon the faces of the two men, while every critter hidden within the ancient oaks peeked out to watch before disappearing back into the darkness. The knights ventured through the shadowed forest. The rhythmic clanking of metal disturbed the creatures of the night, and without a second glance, they vanished into their homes.

“How much longer must we venture,” whined the more diminutive guard, struggling to keep pace with his comrade. The knight was of average height for a man in his twenties and possessed a youthful, clean-shaven face. The crescent moon illuminated a path for the two guards as they crushed brittle sticks beneath their boots and stepped over moss-covered logs.

“Asher, must you nag me,” the other knight replied.

Not a single crinkle disturbed Eren’s face. Instead, his expression remained calm and gentle. He carried himself with far greater composure than his companion. Long locks of golden-honey hair escaped beneath his helmet, though much of his face remained concealed. He was considerably older and far taller than Asher.

“Eren, we have been venturing through this thicket all night. Look at the sky,” Asher said as he pointed toward the gleaming moon.

“Asher, must I remind you why we are here”

“For the sake of the village, I know,” Asher groaned. “I’ve ingrained that phrase into my mind like a rhyme from my youth. I promise you, Eren, wholeheartedly, it will be fine if we skip patrol just this one time.”

“The moment we let our guard down is the moment they will strike,” Eren stated sternly.

“It’s the middle of the night. Not even crime itself would be awake,” Asher snapped, throwing his arms into the air.

“The perfect time for the Ministry to be out,” Eren murmured as he carefully scanned the forest around them, searching for something that wasn’t there.

“They will not hurt or capture you, Eren,” Asher said as he rested a hand on Eren’s shoulder. “This is a deserted town that merchants won’t even touch.”

In an instant, Eren turned to face him.

“I am not afraid of being captured. I fear they will take the ones I hold dear.”

“If somehow the Ministry did find us, we wouldn’t be prepared. I’m exhausted, Eren, and I know you are as well.”

Eren paused abruptly, his posture perfectly upright, though not a single word escaped his lips.

Sensing he was close to persuading him, Asher continued.

“Just this once, Eren. You have my word, everything will be all right.”

“Fine, we can head back—”

Eren’s relaxed expression transformed into one of alarm as a thunderous crack split through the night. A claw of brilliant light ripped across the heavens, tearing through the darkness. Tiger-orange flames streaked across the sky before crashing toward the land of Meluna.

Eren’s chest tightened, but his eyes never left the blazing trail.

Without hesitation, he bolted into the forest.

He hurdled fallen logs and jagged rocks with practiced speed, every step bringing him closer to where the flames had fallen. His focus never wavered. He didn’t need to search the darkness for danger; it already lingered in the back of his mind.

Without exchanging a word, Eren knew Asher was close behind him. His companion’s footsteps barely disturbed the leaves, so quiet that only someone like Eren could recognize them.

“What was that,” Asher huffed as the two of them neared the docks along the sandy shoreline.

“I don’t know, but—”

Eren came to an abrupt stop and drew his sword in one fluid motion. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he raised the blade before his chest.

Asher nearly collided with him. He planted his leading foot firmly into the sand before reaching over his shoulder. His fingers wrapped around his bow while his other hand swiftly pulled an arrow from the quiver. Dropping to one knee, he drew the bowstring tight, waiting only for Eren’s command.

Three more crackles of light tore through the heavens, illuminating the docks below. Upon the sand sat a magnificent creature, its flaming wings wrapped protectively around something hidden beneath them.

“What is that thing,” Asher whispered as he pointed toward the bird of fire.

“A phoenix has risen once again,” Eren said as he slowly stepped toward the creature.

“Eren, don’t get too close,” Asher hissed, never taking his eyes off the beast, prepared for it to attack at any moment. His shoulders tensed as he drew his bowstring back even farther.

Eren did not respond.

Instead, he lowered his sword, allowing it to fall into the sand.

“Eren”

Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand upon the phoenix.

Rather than lashing out, the great bird gently lowered its head and nuzzled against him. The flames that engulfed its feathers did not burn Eren’s skin. He calmly stroked the creature as though they were old companions meeting once more after many years apart.

“Why have you come”

The phoenix lifted its head and stared into Eren’s eyes.

For several long moments, neither of them spoke.

No words were exchanged, yet something seemed to pass silently between them. Eren slowly nodded before bowing his head with quiet reverence.

The phoenix spread its blazing wings.

Nestled beneath the curtain of fire lay a maiden dressed in a flowing white gown.

“Eren, what is that,” Asher asked as he returned the arrow to his quiver.

“A maiden. The phoenix has brought forth a wounded woman.”

“She could be evil, Eren”

Within moments, the phoenix launched itself into the heavens with tremendous force. Its fiery wings beat against the air as it ascended toward the glowing beam above.

The orange blaze dissolved into a breathtaking display of violet, emerald, and sapphire light. The colors burst across the heavens like paint spilled upon the stars before slowly fading into the night.

Then, the phoenix vanished.

Its crimson and amber flames disappeared along with it.

Silence consumed the world.

Not a single bird chirped.

The sea rested without a ripple.

The trees stood perfectly still.

Only the maiden remained, lying peacefully in Eren’s arms.

“She seems to be unconscious and starving. We must bring her back to the village.”

As if answering his words, countless arrows of shimmering light shot across the sky. They curved gracefully through the darkness, glowing with brilliant shades of blue, purple, and green as they danced across the black canvas above. Together they flowed like a pod of dolphins gliding effortlessly across the sea.

Eren turned toward Asher.

“Quickly.”

His voice remained gentle, yet carried an unmistakable authority.

“She is definitely evil. She came from that bird of flame, Eren. You must be a fool if you think for a moment we should bring that witch back with us.”

“She is harmless. Asher, come along.”

His eyes carried the quiet authority of a seasoned knight, daring Asher to challenge him again.

“No, you must have hit your head. That firebird must have burned away your sense of right and wrong. You’re seriously thinking about carrying that witch into town. I thought you wanted to keep evil out, not bring it in.”

“Fine, you’re right, Asher.”

“I am,” Asher replied, hesitating before a smug grin spread across his face. “Of course I am. I’ll even slay her myself—”

“Why should I be the one carrying her. You can.”

Without a trace of hesitation, Eren stepped forward and gently placed the unconscious maiden into Asher’s arms.

Asher stood frozen, his mouth hanging wide open in disbelief.

“This is not what I meant. Why must I carry her. I don’t know what diseases she might be carrying,” he muttered in disgust, leaning his head as far away from her as possible.

“Maybe you should have kept your mouth shut.”