Like a Phoenix Who Rises

A bright white light blinded Ravynne as she opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by nothingness. The space seemed to go on forever, no ending in sight. There was no one else, not even a speck of color, and no scents. An argument between two men echoed throughout the pure white area.

"You need to calm down! Are you willing to destroy your soul and become a demon? If only you could see how you look right now! Open your eyes! You're going to throw away everything you've worked so hard to build and protect! I never took you for a fool, but now I'm rethinking it!"

"You know nothing! This is my punishment! This is what THEY decided for me!"

Whose voices were these? They sounded familiar…the second one though, sounded like a distorted version of someone she once knew. What was their name? Who were they? How did she know them? These were the only sounds that could be heard. Ravynne sat up and slowly their conversation began to fade away. "Hello?! Wait!" She was left in complete silence. Suddenly, a horrifying feeling swept over her. "Wait, wait! Don't leave me!" She called out to the voices in desperation and began to run. The direction in which she ran wasn't clear and to be completely honest, she had no idea if she was actually even moving at all.

"Hello?!" she called out again and was answered only by the echo of her own voice. Longer and longer she ran until she slowed to a stop. Why was she running again? She couldn't remember. She sat down on the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. Had she always been here? What was she doing before she sat down? Who was she again?

For who knows how long, she sat there letting the light take over, allowing it to erase everything about herself. Her identity, her friends, her family, her goals, her love….everything was being taken by the light.

"-nne…..-vynne…..Ravynne!" A woman's voice faded into Ravynne's mind. Unlike the argument earlier, this time there was no echo, it was very crisp and clear. "Ravynne!" The voice was heard again. It was soft, loving and filled with warmth. Ravynne lifted her head and witnessed the white light change into a beautiful golden glow as a woman appeared before her. Her hair was long and full, falling well past her knees, its beautiful platinum blonde color shining in the light. Her eyes were the color of expensive champagne and had a gentle loving expression. They were intoxicating and Ravynne almost felt herself becoming lost in them, she was unable to avert her gaze.

The woman gently placed her hands on Ravynne's cheeks. They were the definition of perfect, and looked to be the template for the creation of the human race. Ravynne smiled at the warmth they provided against her skin. "You have something important to do. Don't forget."

"What? What is it that I have to do?" Ravynne placed her hand on top of the other woman's, not wanting to ever let go of this warm feeling. She hadn't felt such warmth since before her parents died so many years ago. The woman leaned in closer, her gaze seeming to stare deep into Ravynne's soul. "You know what you have to do. Return to him. Remember your task."

The mysterious woman began to fade into the light, the warmth from her hands somehow becoming hotter and hotter. "Wait, what do I have to remember?!" As the woman's silhouette completely disappeared from Ravynne's sight, it felt like someone was beginning to grip her heart and squeeze it tightly. "Ah! Ow! Verlian!" she clutched her heart as she cried out his name instinctually. Then, it hit her. She remembered what she had to do. She gasped, "Verlian! Verlian, they're going to destroy Evania! Verlian!" She stood up and looked around frantically, occasionally bending over in pain.

Her heart was being constricted and an intense stinging heat spread across her torso. She began moving forward, the more she moved, the more the pain increased. Her screams and consciousness eventually faded into darkness.

For a short moment, the pain was relieved, but it began again, this time a little different. Now it was only a heavy heat across her chest. She groaned in pain as her eyes fluttered open to see the familiar ceiling of Verlian's home.

"Ravynne!" Verlian exclaimed as he leaned over and held her tight. His voice was distorted and his face looked different. "Nng!" Ravynne flinched and groaned in pain. Pain shot across her entire upper body as he squeezed his strong arms around her. As soon as he heard her reaction, he gently loosened his grip and laid her back down slowly. "I thought you were gone." Ravynne stared at his face, analyzing it as best she could. What was different? Did he always look that way? Her expression softened when she saw the look in his eyes. It looked like he was about to cry.

She exhaled and began to speak, barely above a whisper, "They're going to…..attack Evania…" He locked eyes with her and saw the desperation filling her expression. He shook his head and gently patted the top of hers, "That's what you're worried about right now? Don't worry about it my little shadow. We've taken care of it already." Ravynne slowly nodded resulting in a chuckle from Verlian. She didn't stop staring at him, trying to figure out what was happening. One thing she did notice, was how genuinely happy he looked, it was the first time she'd seen this expression from him. Why was that?

"Verlian you-" He cut her off by placing his hand on her cheek, "Ravynne don't talk any more right now. Those men are gone, Evania is safe, just rest. You need to rest." He pulled up the pelt and tucked her in. Even though she felt like she had no energy left, she wanted answers. "But you-" He cut her off again and smiled gently, "Do you want me to kick you out of here again? We'll talk once you recover." He ruffled her hair and she slowly closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift off into sleep.

He stayed for a while, making sure she was still breathing. Once he had made sure she was in a deep sleep, he exited the building. Ashke was standing right outside with his arms crossed. Verlian's face had reverted back to normal already and a smile was plastered across his cheeks. "Verlian, your face!" he exclaimed, pointing at Verlian. "Ravynne-Ravynne's alive." He threw his arms around Ashke, who stumbled backwards in surprise.

"She's alive? How could that be? There's no way she could survive something like that. Are you sure? Serin confirmed her death, Verlian. You don't just come back from injuries like that." Verlian let go and stared at him intently. "If you don't believe me, see for yourself." Verlian moved to the side and held his arm out towards the house. Ashke nodded and went inside. 'It's impossible.' He thought to himself.

Ashke hesitated for a moment before continuing inward toward the bed. There lay Ravynne, asleep. His eyes widened. She was hardly breathing, but she was breathing nonetheless. He rushed to her bedside and grabbed her wrist, checking her pulse just to be sure. A pulse was definitely there. "How is this possible?" he said aloud. Verlian, who was leaning against the doorway, began "You know Ravynne. She doesn't give up so easily."

"It's not about giving up. She SHOULD be dead. This doesn't make sense." Ashke began to pull the pelt down to check her bandages but Verlian stopped him. "Let her rest Ashke. Let's take this outside." Ashke looked up to see Verlian's eyes beginning to glow again. He exited the building with Verlian following behind him.

"Why are you so eager to prove what is right in front of you, wrong?" Verlian stood in front of the doorway, seemingly defending it. "It's not right! That's why! You can't seriously think this isn't weird at the very least. Don't get me wrong Verlian, I'm ecstatic that Ravynne has not left us yet but the circumstances should be investigated. Especially when you consider the impact it's taken on you. You've been fine all these years and now you're losing control? It doesn't make sense."

"Are you challenging me right now Ashke? Ravynne's recovery should be the first thing we focus on right now. You want to investigate? Investigate what, a weak and unconscious woman? Let her recover and then interrogate her. I will not let you treat her like a case that is awaiting a verdict right now. If you would like to try, be my guest, but then you will have to go against me."

Ashke's hair became a deeper red color and he clenched his jaw and fists in anger, "How dare you. I have been nothing but loyal to you. Do not forget Verlian, who defeated you in the war." Verlian scoffed, "You would not have defeated me if you weren't able to rise from the ashes."

"Please….stop….." Ravynne was standing in the doorway, holding on tightly to the frame and slightly hunched over.

"Ravynne! Get inside!" Verlian quickly ran to her side and helped hold her up. "Wait. Ashke…..I don't…..have answers for you.....but I am on…..your side…." Ashke stared at her with a look of guilt. "That's not what I-" Verlian cut him off, "Of course you're on our side Ravynne. The first thing you thought of was Evania, and not your own injuries. Let's get you back in bed." He picked Ravynne up and carried her inside, leaving Ashke to wallow in his own anger and guilt.