Most of the other champions are airborne.
I close my eyes and reach out with the storm, becoming quiet enough to sense my own heartbeat, to calm the sharp lightning and try to subdue it. I need to quell the storm or nothing will come near me.
The edges of my senses prickle. The hot lightning rears up again. I try to push it down but at the same time, I sense the wind at my back and the sudden deep thud of outspread wings. I open my eyes but only enough to run, pacing beside whatever creature is brave enough to align itself with me.
The rush of wind close by tells me I have one chance to leap onto its back. I glance left, judging the distance and the shape of its body.
I almost stumble.
A vast, red-feathered bird flies beside me, larger than any of the eagles. It’s so bright it looks like flames lick off the surface of its feathers. My lightning leaps out to greet it and I inhale air faster than ever before, my heart pounding. Somehow I’ve called a creature to me that by rights can never be called. But it’s the only creature that would never be afraid of me.
The Elven Command are stony-faced, staring at what I’ve done. The champions who are already in the sky circle back on their flying creatures, leaning over their animals to see the blazing creature. Their disbelief is palpable from here.
I pick up my pace. I don’t hesitate. I leap onto the back of the Phoenix, landing safely, and together we soar into the sky.
* * *
I lean forwardover the firebird’s neck. Its feathers are like silk and sunlight both at once. It covers the distance faster than the other flying creatures and soon we’re ahead of everyone else.
I pull out the map Elise gave me, holding on tight as the wind buffets at me. There are two spots marked on the western side of the mountain, many miles apart. One has an “M” marked next to it so I know that’s the one I’m supposed to go to.
I stroke the Phoenix’s neck. “The question is… where are you going to drop me?”
The bird tilts its head, eyeing me with an amused expression. Its voice sounds like wind chimes inside my mind.I can fly you to the top of Scepter Peak, if you like?
I try not to fall off its back. I shouldn’t be surprised that it can communicate with me, but still… “I’m supposed to start my journey at the same distance from the peak as everyone else.”
Who says?
I laugh. “I should have guessed that the Elven Command can’t spellcast you to follow their rules.”
I answer only to the deep magic.
I scoff. “Then how did you come to me?”
The bird coasts for a moment.You are the Storm.
We’re passing over Bounty land now. Scepter peak is the highest peak in the Revenant mountains, which rest on the border between Rath land and Bounty land. The landscape beneath us is green and lush with fruit trees and orchards, but it will soon change as the countryside turns into mountains.
“I saw you before, didn’t I? You were flying over the city one morning last week. That’s how you arrived so fast.”
I’ve been waiting for you to summon me.
“So I have the power to summon a Phoenix because I control the Storm.”
The bird tilts its head toward me again.There’s only one of me. And you can summon me because you are the storm.
“Isn’t that what I said?”
The Phoenix chuckles.Not quite.
I consider it for a moment. “Did Mai ever summon you?”
She wasn’t the storm.
I frown. “She was a Storm Princess. The same as me.”
The Phoenix glides.No, there has never been one like you.
