Day of the Fates

"Sir Redtail, you have just witnessed the end of your Master's tyrannical reign. You shall now fall into a slumber undisturbed by dreams, and will awaken to the new world. You shall lead the Manetails out of their plight and restore the purity of the olden days to the Church and Throne. For the deeds of compassion and bravery which you are destined to perform, your soul shall attain an honored rank in the army of the Good."

With that, the great bird closed her eyes and began to make sounds-the sweetest and most lulling sounds imaginable-and slowly the image of her and the Mage at her side blurred into the deep black of the world of slumber. My whole body felt at peace as I fell asleep, and I was content to float in the blackness for all eternity. I felt riveted inside this tranquil void not by exhaustion or fatigue, but rather by a force that calmed my mind, and took the tension and weariness from my body. So I slept in this world for an eternity, with eyes fast shut and mind in bliss.

After this seemingly endless slumber, my eyes once again opened to the world of the living. The first sound to meet my ears was the melodious chirping of a jay, which was perched atop a small myrtle tree in front of my bedside window. I yawned as the sun bathed my room in soft, golden light, and slowly lifted myself from my bed. The memories of yesterday's happenings trickled into my mind, and I asked myself: Did this really happen? Indeed, it all seemed as if in a dream.

As I walked to my window and peered through the glass, a pleasant smile spread across my face at the sight I saw and I was immediately convinced that what happened yesterday was real. No more than fifty feet away hobbled a cloaked figure along the road, departing the village. The bright morning sun caused the tiny phoenixes on its crimson cloak to gleam in brilliance. Behind the departing Mage, I caught a movement in the sky, whose source brought forth an even wider grin upon my face. Far, far away, I could see the small figure of a golden phoenix wheeling among the slender morning clouds.