The Phoenix in The Marsh

When I was a young boy, My Father would tell me fabricated tales. That someday A phoenix would light up the sky and make the darkness we lived in permanently disappear. And the Day-star would shine upon us once again and bring forth a new age one not stricken with famine or hopelessness.

He was around when the wickedness first befell. He told this story frequently, even when times naught asked. I can see the agony in his eyes when he speaks about that day. The loss of my mother did not facilitate the remembrance of it either. He would explain how the Day-star would Arise every day and remain in the sky for hours. And that a moon would irradiate the night sky, of course Hearing this sounded thick-witted, the darkness is all I recognized. Souls born after the Light had a more natural time adjusting their sights. As for my Father and others, the Dark made it difficult for them to comprehend.

But it wasn’t just The pitch-black void that was brought upon our homeland all those ages before. With it came horrifying creatures that lived in the west in the woods of Lusenear. Father alone had the opportunity to see them once And even said that was enough for him. We were also fortunate to live behind the walls of Yorthendon. When the creatures eventually made their attack, I luckily never had the pleasure to set my sights upon them. Father and I just had the pleasure of hearing the king’s guard screaming in anguish as they lost companions, relatives, and offspring to those apostates.

“A world full of Light?”

Alastair gives out a melodious chuckle and stands up, gathering the leftover food on the table.

" Father, how could you have faith in such nonsense?” Alastair gives out a teasingly reply

Alastair’s daydreaming Father gazes out into the void, A soft breeze accumulating and passing through his rich braided silvery hair. After staring into the darkness for what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

“Alastair,” he said with a faint voice, “it’s not how I have so much faith but rather why I do.”

Setting down the remains on a table in the other room, Alastair rejoins his father to continue listening.

“We all must grasp onto something to get us through Dark times. It’s what makes us human and separates us from the creatures that wander beyond these walls.”

still trying to piece the words together, Alastair gives his reply

“But how do you know the Light Will come back? how can hope give anyone such certainty? ”

“because I’ve seen it.” Alastair’s father gave a sharp response.

“The day you were born, The Day- Star Glowed the brightest.

I felt the Warmth of it fill my pores and saw the flowers bloom in the spring.” He hesitates for a slight moment, and with it came a well-deserved sigh. “I was overwhelmed by the beauty... I have those memories to comfort me and keep pushing me forward.”

“But what of those born after the light?” Alastair spoke eating, his own words.

“We have no such memories to look back on. “what do we hold onto?”

Alastair’s father stands up for the first time and wanders over to his son’s bed-chamber.

“come on Alastair.,” enough questions, let us get ready.

Today will be Alastair’s first day joining the king’s guard. Each boy must do this on their 18th birth year to help defend the city. Although this was tradition, Alastair did not appear so enthusiastic about going.

“I don’t think I should go,” Alastair said with haste.

“who would help you with the chores around the house? you already have trouble seeing in the Dark.”

“Alastair, you know this is what everyone must do, this is not a choice.”

His father replied setting his hand on his son’s shoulder to help ease his worries.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea,” Alastair said anxiously.”

" everything will be fine Alastair, think of it as going on an adventure like the stories I used to tell you.”

Alastair takes a few strides back and studies his father.

" I’m not an adventurer father, nor do I want to be one.”

Alastair’s father looks at his son as he attempts to find the appropriate words to say. He walks over to him and meets his gaze.

“I want to give you something,” he said as he walks out of the room and to his own

Alastair shuffles back to his bed and remains to wait for his father to return. And for what felt like infinity, he finally did with a small box in hand. Alastair’s father walks over to the bed and sits next to his son.

" do you know what this is?” he asked.

" This was your mother’s” Alastair’s father opens the box and, in it, was an elegant emblem. one that Alastair has never seen.

" Your mother wanted you to have it for your 18th birth year.”

Alastair eagerly places the emblem around his neck.

“it looks good on you.” Alastair’s father said with tears filling up his eyes.

" she also left you this note before she... before the darkness fell. it is for your eyes only.” Alastair’s father steps out of his son’s room, leaving him alone with his philosophies

Alastair looks down at the note and unfolds it cautiously reading, it in a soft-spoken voice to himself.

“My Dearest Alastair, I’m sorry you were born into a world of pain. I know you will overcome it. I understand it feels like things will never be the same, but I promise that’s just the darkness trying to take control. This emblem was my mother’s. To her, it is a symbol of hope. It will guide you in the right direction. All you have to do is listen to it. I love you with all my essence Alastair, ill always be with you.”

Alastair seals the note within his hand’s tears catching the ground. He grabs the emblem and holds it tightly. Closing his eyes, he exhales and hears a voice he has never heard before

" Go forth.”

Alastair’s eyes reopen in confusion as he peers around the room.

" Go forth.” The voice articulates again.

The voice did not sound like it was a danger to Alastair, so he continued to search for answers cautiously.

Alastair’s head begins to fill with questions, could the word his mother wrote be True?

Alastair takes a deep breath as he walks to the front door where his father was already standing. he looks at his father

“Alright, Father, I’m ready.”