Page 57 of Tiger's Destiny
“A thousand years!” it scoffed. “If only that were true, I could accomplish so many, many things in that time.”
“Then . . . how long do you live?”
“My time is not measured by even one of your days.”
“What?”
It pierced me with a glowing eye. “I will live until this day is over. At dawn, a new Phoenix will rise. It was not always so.”
“But then how did you accomplish so many things? How did you learn all those languages? Amass all that wisdom?”
“I didn’t. My ancestors did. In ancient times, a Phoenix lived for eons. That was when humankind believed in us, needed us. We were their inspiration, their hope for a better future, a symbol of renewal, rebirth, truth, loyalty, and fidelity. We were asked to bless new marriages for we brought luck, and we helped young couples find harmony and contentment as they began their lives together.
“Then the world began to change. Humans forgot not only the Phoenix but also the ideas we’d come to symbolize. We were no longer needed, so we disappeared. Now we’re caretakers of the fire forest. We nurture the flames at the center of this world, for in the center is the heart. You asked me before how to get past your fears and make a life for yourself. How you could risk loving someone when death was all that awaited you.
“The end of the day nears, and as I look into the eyes of my own death, I will tell you that love is the only thing in this universe worth risking all for. The purpose of life is to grow in wisdom and to follow the truths found in your own heart. If you do this, you will be happy, but if you waste your life being miserable due to your choices, or lack thereof, the deaths of your parents and of Mr. Kadam will have had no purpose, no meaning. Live each day as if it was the last. Do not forget.”
“I won’t.”
The Phoenix stood up and stretched its wings to their full span. Flapping them lightly, it raised its head and sang softly. A comet streaked slowly through the dark sky, and the voice of the Phoenix vibrated through my body as it called out, “I am called Sunset, the twilight Phoenix. Accept my sacrifice so that the keeper of the Knowledge of the Ages, the Watcher of Mankind, the Fire Found in All Hearts, will live again!”
With that said it folded his wings around its body, tucked its head into its chest, and exploded in a fiery inferno that consumed its body completely in a matter of moments. As I shielded my eyes, I heard the Phoenix’s triumphant song echo through the blaze. The comet streaked toward our mountain, and a white light rose from the still burning creature and shot into the ruby egg at its feet. The egg glowed briefly and then was covered in hot, black ash that rained down from the smoldering Phoenix.
The comet passed over the peak of the mountain and disappeared. With a snap, the fire trees extinguished, and I was plunged into darkness.
firefruit
As blackness surrounded me, I felt myself sinking into it, diminishing, as if I was drowning in a hot ocean. The air was thick and palpable. I blinked often hoping my eyes would adjust, so I’d be able to see something. Even the lava falls had gone dark. After a few minutes, I laid my head against the nest and tried to sleep.
A small knocking noise like that of a tiny woodpecker against a tree woke me. I could feel the vibrations on my palm where it rested on the nest. A warm breeze blew my hair over my shoulder. I sat up and pushed it out of the way. As I did so, I noticed the breeze had also cleared away some of the ashes covering the ruby Phoenix egg.
It glowed from the inside with a red, pulsing light. Careful not to damage any of the other Phoenix eggs, I crawled closer on my hands and knees and heard a soft scraping sound. The ruby egg shook slightly and a burst of white light appeared as the shell began to crack. With fascination, I watched the slow hatching of a new baby Phoenix.
After several minutes, a golden beak knocked a small hole into the shell, then retreated. With another burst of energy, a golden-taloned foot emerged and gripped the shell just as a light penetrated the darkness. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw the dawn comet streaking slowly across the black sky.
Another crack, and the shell broke further apart. I could see the bird’s fiery reddish colors as it struggled, wrenching its body awkwardly back and forth to free itself from the egg. Its feathers were sticky and wet and clung to its crimson body. I could see the rapid beating of the Phoenix’s heart thumping against its thin chest.
The baby Phoenix rested its head on the broken eggshell, lying half in and half out. It cheeped loudly and when it blinked and opened its eyes, they shone like tiny, white penlights. In a flash, I knew it had the intelligence of its sire.
The comet passed over the mountain, lighting up the valley to signal a new day. The Phoenix seemed to gain strength from the fire and began to preen its feathers. Within a matter of minutes, its beautiful feathers and tail were dry, and the bird moved around with strength. It hopped over to me. I reached out a finger to touch its head. The Phoenix raised its crest and closed its eyes, tilting its neck toward me. For the next hour, I watched the bird mature rapidly.
Though similar in form, its coloring was different from Sunset’s. Its entire body was covered in reddish hues except for its golden feet and beak.
“Greetings,” the new Phoenix chirped squeakily for the first time. “I am Sunrise.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sunrise. You must be hungry. Maybe I can find you something.”
“I . . . will not eat.”
“Why not?”
“I only live for a short time. I will not hunt and kill another creature to sate my appetite.”
“What about fruit?” I asked.
“Phoenixes love firefruit,” it answered. “But, alas! None have grown here for many centuries.”
“When the brothers come, I’ll try to create some firefruit for you.”
