[P] The Calling

It was nearing midnight in the city of Gotham and streets were already beginning to show the crowds beginning to thin. Not many people had opted to cruise the city by night and the freedom fighter did not blame them. Crime was definitely at an all-time high yet, for some reason, she had never felt safer. Perhaps it was flow of her newfound power stirring through her yet the Phoenix though differently. ”You are growing weaker, girl.” The Phoenix hummed from the depths of her consciousness, ”It is about time you took your responsibilities seriously.” The woman simply closed her eyes and shrugged for she had decided to spend the night enjoying the city while also ignoring the Phoenix all night long. Having sensed her rebellious nature, the Phoenix huffed  before disappearing once more.

This allowed the fighter a few more moments of peace before resuming her duties come dawn. Deciding to take advantage of the moment, she opted to patrol around the city in order to gather intel before heading over to her happy place. If anything, gathering intel was simply an excuse to keep the Phoenix happy. She, on the other hand, hoped for small moments in which she could experience the freedom to do what she wanted,.Even if it were under the pretense of her “Master’s” duties. …Master.. The idea of it caused a look of disgust to sweep across her face. She hated the idea yet, there she was, following orders like a dog. Having no freedom to pursue her own desires nor being able to keep her thoughts to herself was something the fighter loathed. Yet, what could she do now that the contract was set.  

She had already accepted it as the path Fate had bestowed upon her and, to that, she could do nothing more. She had not asked for it but the path the freedom fighter had chosen was by her own accord. It had been an answer to her prayers even if it wasn’t the ideal choice. Still, she could not bring herself to regret it. After all, her decision had saved the world she loved and, by becoming the Phoenix’s host, she was able to save countless more. She never felt any glory by it but she did feel comfort and peace knowing that she was able to stop the Phoenix from running rampant. If anything, the fact that she had chosen this path gave her the strength to keep on going despite the weight she felt at every waking moment.

Perhaps her life truly was meant to be chained and dragged down despite her entire being screaming at her to break free. Yet, unlike the namesake she had donned, she herself could never be free. Not as long as the being that she housed continued to crave power, chaos, and so much more. All in all, perhaps this was why she had chosen to be consumed by the being and serve as its host. Still, some could say it was inevitable but she had hope. Even if she could never be free to pursue and act upon the desire to escape. Yet, for some reason, she truly believed that there was an important piece of information calling out to her.

Although the feeling was not always there, she could feel the tiniest of tugs in her memories whenever she walked through a place that felt eerily familiar or heard a phrase that would trigger a reaction. It called out to her to remember. Yet, no matter how tempted she was to explore this fleeting sensation, the Phoenix would always pay her a call. Today, would be no different. ”Pay it no mind…” A voice lulled almost as if it were the tiniest of whispers washing slowly into her mind. It was a sensations that could be describes almost as if it were a call to the edges of her consciousness. More of a feathery kiss so to speak. ”What you have lost is no longer of importance.”

The Freedom Fighter closed her eyes in order to appreciate the warm sensation the more than familiar voice brought her. Tingles ran up her spine as the voice slowly succumbed into the edges of her mind, coupling soon after with the numbing sensation of the incoming wind of Gotham City. “Is it because I died?” A soft chucking ticked the edges of her consciousness. ”No, child. It is because you were reborn to be something greater.” With that, the voice seemed to slither away almost as if had never existed in the first place. It signaled that the Phoenix was done talking causing slight irritation to creep in. Still, all the woman could do was sigh and let it go. After all, it was always the same thing and she had grown tired.

Stretching her arms high up into the air, she worked her muscles before flying into the night sky of the bustling streets of Gotham. Her feet barely made a sound as she sped through the rooftops of the unsuspecting inhabitants as her hair flowed with the wind. This had become a custom for her and, by now, her feet knew the way. It was not long thereafter that the freedom fighter stopped right in front of a cathedral. It was where she went to every night without fail. She never went inside yet seeing it brought her a sense of calm and peace. Gingerly taking a seat atop of the roof’s ledge, she let out a heavy sigh as she watched the church’s member come and go. Her guard down and body at rest, she felt as if she could be there forever. Little did she know, though, that a visitor would soon make an appearance.[/i]

As the freedom fighter descended from the rooftops, Bea couldn’t help but second guess her decision to ignore the Phoenix’s order. It wasn’t due to fear of what the being could do to her that caused her to double-guess herself but, rather, it was the fact that the Phoenix had never caused her direct harm that felt so off-putting about her decision. In other words, the Phoenix had never told her to do something that would cause her ill will. So, if it was telling her to leave, then, perhaps, wouldn't it be the right thing to do? After all, the Phoenix almost always knew best. Almost. At this realization, the fighter paused for a few moments before taking a deep breath. There was no denying that uncertainty was beginning to creep in but, if there was one thing she knew about herself, it was that she wasn’t a coward. For, regardless of whatever it was that was waiting for her, she would overcome it. She always did. ...Right?

Her feet now planted on the ground, the woman decided to lurk within the shadows. Her mind whirled with countless possibilities but none seemed to be the ‘right’ one. Was it something that the Phoenix had deemed dangerous? Or, perhaps, this was something that the Phoenix had a fear towards. If the latter, what could it possibly be? Bea pursed her lips anxiously. She still had time to turn around and leave but would she regret it? After all, she knew that her curious nature would never let her leave these thoughts alone. So, should she just take a step and get it over with? She did have the power to protect herself so what had she to loose? With that thought, she decided to emerge from the shadows and take a step towards the cathedral. Whatever it was that the Phoenix had been uneasy about, all probabilities laid between it being on the inside or out. Chances were that it had been a person.

With a newfound determination, Bea walked across the street towards the looming building. Her steps were taken slowly with as much confidence that she could muster along with shrouded uncertainty. She walked focused yet unsure of what to look for as her eyes scanned the crowds both exiting and entering the building. Who was it? Or, perhaps, what was it? After all, the land she now found herself was so full of mystery that she wouldn’t be surprised if someone was carrying a doomsday device as if it were nothing more than a purse. With a sigh, she proceeded further until, finally, she felt a heavy cloud engulfing her. A cold shiver ran down her spine yet, despite the heaviness she felt, she felt a sort of calm as well. Almost as there was something familiar about what she felt. With her eyes now desperately looking for its source, they soon landed on a cloaked figure who she had managed to walk past just moments prior.

Once she had turned around and trained her eyes at the cloaked figure, her eyes immediately flashed crimson as the the Phoenix tried to take control once more. ”LEAVE!” It cried out before Bea thrust it away. The reaction that the Phoenix gave was all she needed to know before finally approaching the figure gingerly from behind. She had no idea who he or she was nor was she eager to find out. Yet, the freedom fighter could not shake the feeling that the familiarity she felt from the cloaked being was there. Sure, she could not see the person's face but she felt a as if they had met before. It was impossible that they had but, for some reason, just thinking about it made her head hurt. Therefore, taking in a big sigh, she paused before speaking out loud to the figure. ”Hello?” she would say cautiously as she slowly approached him. ”Do I… Do I know you? She asked as her head tilted to the side in curiosity.

It seemed that her inability to stay composed did not affect the man in the least. In fact, he simply reassured her that he was not lying. "But you do," Aknaid or, as per his namesake, Orion seemed to insist. "Anyone that knows you, knows." Bea frowned. But, then, how could that be? Sure, Bea understood the complications of reincarnation. The Phoenix had explained it to her and would constantly remind her of what it meant. Yet, as far as she knew, there was no way the Phoenix would bring her back to a place she had living family in. Let alone a husband. Complications would arise and, perhaps, when all was said and done, that would have been the Phoenix’s fear. The fear that she would have been blinded by her previous life and eventually would disregard the contract she had formed. Regardless, though, Bea could not believe it.

The conversation would take a stranger turn as the man continued. "You didn't just marry a man. You married the grandson of this realm's ruler.” The freedom fighter raised an eyebrow. Now, she knew that it was a lie as it would have been impossible for her to have married into a royal family. After all, Bea loathed structured establishments that oppressed its people and, if there was a ‘ruler’, that meant that a monarchy was in place. ”In short, you married into a family of gods." At this, the freedom fighter let out an incredulous scoff. Was this man serious? ”Told you,” the Phoenix muttered. ”That man is a lunatic.” Bea couldn’t help but agree. Yet, Orion seemed to brush her off as he continued with a laugh. "As I said, whatever life you want to live, you must first make peace with your past, wither you remember or not. Because it will follow you. In Pandora, it always does."

The freedom fighter narrowed her eyes. He certainly believed what he was saying. She unexplainably understood it as well and, yet, she could not bring herself to believe him. She could not deny, though, that he was right about making peace. But, if worse came to worst, what would she do then? If she had given up that life then it could have been for a reason, right? She needed answers. ”Then,” Bea would ask. ”Who are you?” If he was so knowledgeable about her then he would need to confirm how he knew. Otherwise, this had been a grand waste of time. ”What was your relation to me?” Had he been a friend? A comrade or, perhaps, a confidant? One thing was for certain, though, was that she needed to justify the familiarity.

The more she asked, the more she felt as if the answers she was being given were structured in a way to force her to question everything. Not that she minded one way or another but it was slowly beginning to irritate her. Especially as she fully didn’t trust the man and it did seem that it was all deliberate. Still, she could not deny that her questions were being answered but all would be taken with a grain of salt. With the most important question now asked, she waited for his answer. "You were once my student of sorts,” Orion would say. ”Perhaps pupil is a more accurate word." Bea would cross her arms as she shifted her weight. Perhaps her demeanor would seemed standoffish but she didn’t mind. In fact, she would have preferred it to come off as such. With her eyes slowly narrowing, she would take her time to study his demeanor and actions.

The next part of his answer was brief but straight to the point. Had he believed her in that she was the person she claimed to be? It wasn’t a lie by any means but he had certainly been quick to dish out his answers. "I am Aknaid, Leader of the Legion of Neutrals.” Bea rose an eyebrow. ”It was our duty to keep the peace of this world, for good or bad.” Peace-making? Bea fought back a scoff. What good was the organization if the world was forever wrapped in chaos and destruction. Certainly the organization was no longer around, or was it? ”You were once one of my greatest allies, until one day, you were around no longer." Bea shrugged. That apparently was the way her life was, she supposed. To appear, disappear, and reappear. It was the will of the Phoenix, after all.

". . . Though, I can't imagine you remember taking down The Agency, much less setting it to flames." At this, Bea’s expression soon became unreadable. The gears in her mind turned as she focused on those words. It most definitely seemed like something she would have been a part of but there seemed to be no recollection of it in her databanks nor did it hold any familiarity. Aknaid continued, "You don't have to believe me, there are dozens of others that knew you better than I did. But they will tell you the same tale, but in greater detail." Bea sighed. ”I supposed,” she would say. ”But it seems that it will be something for some other day.” Her eyes shifted towards the nighttime sky.before looking back at Aknaid. ”Well, it’s been a pleasure,” she would conclude before bowing formally.

She would soon move as if she were leaving but, before she fully turned her back towards the figure, she looked at him earnestly. ”Should you ever find yourself around these parts again or in Era, let me know.” As to why she had extended the invitation, she had no clue. Perhaps, in some part, she believed him. But, it was too soon to tell. Right now, even if just maybe, she would find an ally in him just as she had been his in another life. ”It’s sort of like my homebase.” she would shrug. Having said that, she walked away as she lifted a hand in adieu. She was grateful for the time but, as of now, she needed to sort her head together. After all, she had a purpose and a goal to complete. After that, the world would be hers to do as she wished.

//exit