Phoenix Reborn: A World Reborn

[Valhalla Erikson]

Summary: This is the first ongoing series thatchronicles two elves, an Adventurer named Robin Winterbird & a Queen named Celestia. They saved the world from a world-ending being named Oblivion but their victory was bittersweet as most of the world was destroyed but the World Saints rewarded them by resetting the world. While the world is reset it is far different from the one they once knew. Now the two must start their lives over as heroes, saving people while learning as much of the new world as possible.


This story came to me as an inspiration for the movie Neverending Story. I personally consider it one of my favorite fantasy films of all time but the ending never sit well with me. Atreyu went through a grueling adventure and lost everything but only Bastian and his Deus Ex powers got rewarded in the end. Atreyu got the short end of the stick imo. So this is my way to acknowledge his achievements through Robin.

[superkamiguy1]

Sept 29, 2024 0:24:27 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Summary: This is the first ongoing series that chronicles two elves, an Adventurer named Robin Winterbird & a Queen named Celestia. They saved the world from a world-ending being named Oblivion but their victory was bittersweet as most of the world was destroyed but the World Saints rewarded them by resetting the world. While the world is reset it is far different from the one they once knew. Now the two must start their lives over as heroes, saving people while learning as much of the new world as possible.

This story came to me as an inspiration for the movie Neverending Story. I personally consider it one of my favorite fantasy films of all time but the ending never sit well with me. Atreyu went through a grueling adventure and lost everything but only Bastian and his Deus Ex powers got rewarded in the end. Atreyu got the short end of the stick imo. So this is my way to acknowledge his achievements through Robin.

To say nothing about all of the chaos in the book version!

Looking forward to the storyline with the Elves exploring the newly reborn world and finding their new lives and roles in their new lives. This promises to be an amazing and awesome story!

[superkamiguy1]

[Valhalla Erikson]

Prologue
"Where do we go from here?"

Robin

If this were a fairy tale this is the kind of ending you'd expect. And the dashing hero would embrace the beautiful lady who'd grant him a kiss for saving the day. Unfortunately this isn't a fairy tale world.

In the pitch-black sky, firework trails of magic swirled and twisted, some of them sparking and fizzling like tales searching for a fitting conclusion. They materialized as a tree, a dragon, or something with wings, then vanished as though ashamed of the attention. Celest, who was formerly known as Celestia, Queen of Everything Important, but is now just Celest, and I sat on the inn's roof and saw the sky's artistic endeavors together.

I felt like blood as I saw the red fireworks. Even the holidays served as a reminder of our losses. Celest's blond hair was showered in crimson with each explosion; the light was too intense and dazzling for such a joyful event. Yes, we had indeed rebuilt the earth. However, what is the cost? Yes, the cost was high. And the bitter aftertaste of our so-called victory hung between us like an unspoken secret.

Celest turned to face me, trying to smile but her eyes betrayed the sadness we both shared. "What are you thinking about, Robin?" She spoke softly, as if she were hesitant to disrupt the stillness.

I twisted the pendant of a phoenix between my fingers and looked down at it. "I’m not sure what to do now... without the guild." The Adventure's Guild had vanished, destroyed along with countless other things and individuals. the same folks I'd battled so valiantly to keep safe.

I could just hear Kraven's voice in my mind, the way he teased me about pouting, his rough accent concealing a tenderness he would never acknowledge. He handed me this pendant and explained that it represented rebirth and rising from the ashes. I squeezed it until the metal bit into my palm, as if pain could somehow anchor me to this new, broken world. The metaphor felt a little too on the nose now.

"We’re like the wings of a phoenix, right?" Shrugging, I said to myself. " Rise from the ashes."

But when everything was already burnt to cinders—everyone—what did that even mean?

Celest put her head on my shoulder and relaxed. Her scent was slightly reminiscent of the lavender my mother used to cultivate in our backyard. Her touch was unexpectedly warm—comforting even. Other than titles and roles, we didn't know much about one another, but we were the only ones that remained. And occasionally, that was sufficient.

She muttered, her breath warm against my collarbone, "I'm no longer a queen." Her hair shimmered in the light from the fireworks as it was draped over me like a velvet blanket. “Who am I without that responsibility?”


I was at a loss for words. Hell, I was wondering the same thing. I'd been a lone wolf before Oblivion. Yes, my family was the guild, but adventuring? It was a private matter. alone. And now that everyone had left, I was alone myself. aside from Celest. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was sufficient.

My arm ached from the tattoo, a constant reminder of Greywolf. She gazed back at me, her eyes immobile as ink. Just before she was swallowed by the Swamp of Agony, her genuine eyes had been full of life and mischief. I was not even able to save her from that. Not even from myself. But Celest... she was still here. And that felt like a lifeline in a world full of ghosts and memories.

I took a quick look at her, noticing the subtle vulnerability on her face. Perhaps it was time for me to give up acting like I could handle this by myself.

"I used to be good at being alone," I remarked as I watched the pyrotechnics change to yellow, a color that at last didn't appear to be the last gasp of life. The yellow was cheerful and vibrant, like her hair. My red hair took on an orange hue as if we were both composed of fire, eradicating the darkness in unison. "But perhaps we are no longer required to be,"

Her eyebrows wrinkled in perplexity. "Explain what you mean."


"How do you feel about an adventure?" I enquired, taking me by surprise with the offer. The words came out of nowhere, as if they had been waiting for the appropriate opportunity to express themselves.

"A journey?" Her eyes brightened, reflecting the fireworks' brightness like little stars. I hadn't witnessed such joy in her for a very long time. Perhaps that was also what I required.

With a nod, I leaned back on my hands and observed the sky relighten. "We changed this planet. We ought to investigate it now. Discover what's available.

Celest bit her lip with hesitation. "You know, I've never really been much of an adventurer." Though it was mild, there was something else in her voice, perhaps hope. “Are you sure? I know you prefer... being on your own.”

Once, that was indeed true. Prior to the Agony. Prior to everything coming apart. Right now? I had changed my mind.

“I’m not much of a leader,” I said. But many say I'm an excellent wanderer. And I believe we both need to go exploring. One journey at a time, I understand.

That smile of hers back then had the power to ignite more firecrackers than any other. The fact that she was no longer a queen was irrelevant. The fact that the Earth we had rescued was still scarred made no difference. It was important to remember that there was a future ahead of us, one free of tragedy and bloodshed.

Furthermore, it's possible that we weren't required to work alone.

"Okay, Robin," she murmured, her voice full of promise and now stronger. "An adventure it is."

Together, we observed the sky as the final fireworks faded into a silent, dark night. It didn't feel as empty as it had in a long time.

[Valhalla Erikson]

"Here you are, Celest!" I gestured for her to come closer.

Beside me were a pair of exquisite thoroughbred horses, one with a mottled gray coat and the other with a deep bay coat that gleamed in the early morning light. The gray one nuzzled at my shoulder, having determined that my hair was either hay or a novel kind of feast. I gently moved its muzzle away before it could eat more than it had intended.

Before we had even begun the trek, Celest's smile made the trip worthwhile. "Are you attempting to outpace me in our adventure?" The bay horse virtually melted beneath her gentle touch as she gave it a nice scratch behind its ears.

"Exploration," I uttered, preparing to climb into the gray horse's saddle. The horse continued to examine my hair, seemingly considering a retry. "We have a great deal of ground to cover."

With a one elegant movement, she mounted the bay as if she had always been in the saddle. Really, not shocking at all—she was a queen once. Handling a horse was probably on par with maintaining a crown on your head while being referred to be a goddess.

"Is it possible for me to name him?" she inquired, rubbing the horse’s neck as if they’d known each other for years.

"Please stay with me."

She gave it some thought while focusing on the bay's gentle, deep eyes. "Silas."

I gave a blink. Silas? I wouldn't have exactly chosen that name for a horse. Better suited for an accountant, or maybe a monocle-wearing sorcerer. Who was I to argue, though? "Yes, Silas."

She gave me a smile, then cocked her head to observe my mount. "And you, too? Have you thought of a name yet?

I looked down at the gray horse, its coat resembling the foggy peaks we had ridden through years ago, when things were easier and I didn't have to walk around feeling like I had lost someone. "Greywolf," I murmured.

Celest's gaze was palpable on me. "Robin, are you certain?"
My arm ached from the sight of my old friend's inked eyes staring back at me—a reminder of the true Greywolf. A dire wolf who was once more than just a pet—he was family. My chest began to hurt more, although it wasn't unpleasant. "I'm positive."

She understood without my having to explain; she just nodded. Celest had always had a sixth sense for calm periods.

“Oh,” I murmured, shrugging off the gloom. "I have a present for you."

My shoulder bag was deep, but I managed to fish out a necklace. Shining in the sunlight, it was a thin chain featuring a ruby stone encased in a twisted metal frame. Celest glanced from the necklace to me with a little frown and a confused expression in her eyes.

"Robin, I—this seems to be yours," she remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the pendant of a phoenix leaning on my chest.

I removed mine from my shirt and extended it so she could see the differences. There was something raw, as if it had been broken in two, about the red stone in my pendant, which was also smaller than the one I was wearing.

I handed her the necklace and added, "That's because it is." "I brought it to the jeweler after the fireworks." Had they divided the jewel. They claimed that it would weaken the structure and was therefore a terrible idea. didn't prevent me. I reasoned that since this universe rises from the ashes like a phoenix, then so do we. We all carry a bit of it in this way.


Celest gazed at the necklace she was holding, her fingertips running along the rough surface of the stone. For a brief while, I believed I had gone overboard and that perhaps I had violated some unwritten guideline regarding the appropriate meaning of gifts.

However, when she raised her head, I could feel the warmth in her gaze directly through me. "Robin Winterbird, you just cannot be done." For once, she laughed a little and not in a queenly way. However, I'm grateful. I will always cherish it.

Soon afterward, we started out as two travelers without a plan or map, just each other and an uncharted world waiting to be explored, along with two horses whose names meant more than they probably should have. Whatever came our way, whether it a particularly uncooperative mountain or a gang of robbers on the rampage, we would deal with it. With everything we had overcome, what remained to be afraid of?

We were the only two there. And that was more than sufficient, I realized.

[Valhalla Erikson]

Theme for the story:

[superkamiguy1]

Oct 2, 2024 15:22:04 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Prologue
"Where do we go from here?"

Robin

In the pitch-black sky, firework trails of magic swirled and twisted, some of them sparking and fizzling like tales searching for a fitting conclusion. They materialized as a tree, a dragon, or something with wings, then vanished as though ashamed of the attention. Celest, who was formerly known as Celestia, Queen of Everything Important, but is now just Celest, and I sat on the inn's roof and saw the sky's artistic endeavors together.

I felt like blood as I saw the red fireworks. Even the holidays served as a reminder of our losses. Celest's blond hair was showered in crimson with each explosion; the light was too intense and dazzling for such a joyful event. Yes, we had indeed rebuilt the earth. However, what is the cost? Yes, the cost was high. And the bitter aftertaste of our so-called victory hung between us like an unspoken secret.

Celest turned to face me, trying to smile but her eyes betrayed the sadness we both shared. "What are you thinking about, Robin?" She spoke softly, as if she were hesitant to disrupt the stillness.

I twisted the pendant of a phoenix between my fingers and looked down at it. "I’m not sure what to do now... without the guild." The Adventure's Guild had vanished, destroyed along with countless other things and individuals. the same folks I'd battled so valiantly to keep safe.

I could just hear Kraven's voice in my mind, the way he teased me about pouting, his rough accent concealing a tenderness he would never acknowledge. He handed me this pendant and explained that it represented rebirth and rising from the ashes. I squeezed it until the metal bit into my palm, as if pain could somehow anchor me to this new, broken world. The metaphor felt a little too on the nose now.

"We’re like the wings of a phoenix, right?" Shrugging, I said to myself. " Rise from the ashes."

But when everything was already burnt to cinders—everyone—what did that even mean?

Celest put her head on my shoulder and relaxed. Her scent was slightly reminiscent of the lavender my mother used to cultivate in our backyard. Her touch was unexpectedly warm—comforting even. Other than titles and roles, we didn't know much about one another, but we were the only ones that remained. And occasionally, that was sufficient.

She muttered, her breath warm against my collarbone, "I'm no longer a queen." Her hair shimmered in the light from the fireworks as it was draped over me like a velvet blanket. “Who am I without that responsibility?”


I was at a loss for words. Hell, I was wondering the same thing. I'd been a lone wolf before Oblivion. Yes, my family was the guild, but adventuring? It was a private matter. alone. And now that everyone had left, I was alone myself. aside from Celest. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was sufficient.

My arm ached from the tattoo, a constant reminder of Greywolf. She gazed back at me, her eyes immobile as ink. Just before she was swallowed by the Swamp of Agony, her genuine eyes had been full of life and mischief. I was not even able to save her from that. Not even from myself. But Celest... she was still here. And that felt like a lifeline in a world full of ghosts and memories.

I took a quick look at her, noticing the subtle vulnerability on her face. Perhaps it was time for me to give up acting like I could handle this by myself.

"I used to be good at being alone," I remarked as I watched the pyrotechnics change to yellow, a color that at last didn't appear to be the last gasp of life. The yellow was cheerful and vibrant, like her hair. My red hair took on an orange hue as if we were both composed of fire, eradicating the darkness in unison. "But perhaps we are no longer required to be,"

Her eyebrows wrinkled in perplexity. "Explain what you mean."


"How do you feel about an adventure?" I enquired, taking me by surprise with the offer. The words came out of nowhere, as if they had been waiting for the appropriate opportunity to express themselves.

"A journey?" Her eyes brightened, reflecting the fireworks' brightness like little stars. I hadn't witnessed such joy in her for a very long time. Perhaps that was also what I required.

With a nod, I leaned back on my hands and observed the sky relighten. "We changed this planet. We ought to investigate it now. Discover what's available.

Celest bit her lip with hesitation. "You know, I've never really been much of an adventurer." Though it was mild, there was something else in her voice, perhaps hope. “Are you sure? I know you prefer... being on your own.”

Once, that was indeed true. Prior to the Agony. Prior to everything coming apart. Right now? I had changed my mind.

“I’m not much of a leader,” I said. But many say I'm an excellent wanderer. And I believe we both need to go exploring. One journey at a time, I understand.

That smile of hers back then had the power to ignite more firecrackers than any other. The fact that she was no longer a queen was irrelevant. The fact that the Earth we had rescued was still scarred made no difference. It was important to remember that there was a future ahead of us, one free of tragedy and bloodshed.

Furthermore, it's possible that we weren't required to work alone.

"Okay, Robin," she murmured, her voice full of promise and now stronger. "An adventure it is."

Together, we observed the sky as the final fireworks faded into a silent, dark night. It didn't feel as empty as it had in a long time.

Solid proof that you can make a fantasy epic without needing any of that Isekai Crap!

Seriously though man, this is awesome! I'm so glad to see this story finally getting started!

Honestly, it's a really fun companion piece to Ragna! While their worlds might be completely different, that isn't to say we couldn't one day make a stand-alone crossover world story! I think they would relate a lot to Ragna's story and she'd be happy to find more friends and allies!

Looking forward to your fantasy epics man!

[Valhalla Erikson]

Oct 2, 2024 18:23:02 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

"Here you are, Celest!" I gestured for her to come closer.

Beside me were a pair of exquisite thoroughbred horses, one with a mottled gray coat and the other with a deep bay coat that gleamed in the early morning light. The gray one nuzzled at my shoulder, having determined that my hair was either hay or a novel kind of feast. I gently moved its muzzle away before it could eat more than it had intended.

Before we had even begun the trek, Celest's smile made the trip worthwhile. "Are you attempting to outpace me in our adventure?" The bay horse virtually melted beneath her gentle touch as she gave it a nice scratch behind its ears.

"Exploration," I uttered, preparing to climb into the gray horse's saddle. The horse continued to examine my hair, seemingly considering a retry. "We have a great deal of ground to cover."

With a one elegant movement, she mounted the bay as if she had always been in the saddle. Really, not shocking at all—she was a queen once. Handling a horse was probably on par with maintaining a crown on your head while being referred to be a goddess.

"Is it possible for me to name him?" she inquired, rubbing the horse’s neck as if they’d known each other for years.

"Please stay with me."

She gave it some thought while focusing on the bay's gentle, deep eyes. "Silas."

I gave a blink. Silas? I wouldn't have exactly chosen that name for a horse. Better suited for an accountant, or maybe a monocle-wearing sorcerer. Who was I to argue, though? "Yes, Silas."

She gave me a smile, then cocked her head to observe my mount. "And you, too? Have you thought of a name yet?

I looked down at the gray horse, its coat resembling the foggy peaks we had ridden through years ago, when things were easier and I didn't have to walk around feeling like I had lost someone. "Greywolf," I murmured.

Celest's gaze was palpable on me. "Robin, are you certain?"
My arm ached from the sight of my old friend's inked eyes staring back at me—a reminder of the true Greywolf. A dire wolf who was once more than just a pet—he was family. My chest began to hurt more, although it wasn't unpleasant. "I'm positive."

She understood without my having to explain; she just nodded. Celest had always had a sixth sense for calm periods.

“Oh,” I murmured, shrugging off the gloom. "I have a present for you."

My shoulder bag was deep, but I managed to fish out a necklace. Shining in the sunlight, it was a thin chain featuring a ruby stone encased in a twisted metal frame. Celest glanced from the necklace to me with a little frown and a confused expression in her eyes.

"Robin, I—this seems to be yours," she remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the pendant of a phoenix leaning on my chest.

I removed mine from my shirt and extended it so she could see the differences. There was something raw, as if it had been broken in two, about the red stone in my pendant, which was also smaller than the one I was wearing.

I handed her the necklace and added, "That's because it is." "I brought it to the jeweler after the fireworks." Had they divided the jewel. They claimed that it would weaken the structure and was therefore a terrible idea. didn't prevent me. I reasoned that since this universe rises from the ashes like a phoenix, then so do we. We all carry a bit of it in this way.


Celest gazed at the necklace she was holding, her fingertips running along the rough surface of the stone. For a brief while, I believed I had gone overboard and that perhaps I had violated some unwritten guideline regarding the appropriate meaning of gifts.

However, when she raised her head, I could feel the warmth in her gaze directly through me. "Robin Winterbird, you just cannot be done." For once, she laughed a little and not in a queenly way. However, I'm grateful. I will always cherish it.

Soon afterward, we started out as two travelers without a plan or map, just each other and an uncharted world waiting to be explored, along with two horses whose names meant more than they probably should have. Whatever came our way, whether it a particularly uncooperative mountain or a gang of robbers on the rampage, we would deal with it. With everything we had overcome, what remained to be afraid of?

We were the only two there. And that was more than sufficient, I realized.

😎

[Valhalla Erikson]

Oct 3, 2024 1:09:50 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Oct 2, 2024 15:22:04 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Prologue
"Where do we go from here?"

Robin

In the pitch-black sky, firework trails of magic swirled and twisted, some of them sparking and fizzling like tales searching for a fitting conclusion. They materialized as a tree, a dragon, or something with wings, then vanished as though ashamed of the attention. Celest, who was formerly known as Celestia, Queen of Everything Important, but is now just Celest, and I sat on the inn's roof and saw the sky's artistic endeavors together.

I felt like blood as I saw the red fireworks. Even the holidays served as a reminder of our losses. Celest's blond hair was showered in crimson with each explosion; the light was too intense and dazzling for such a joyful event. Yes, we had indeed rebuilt the earth. However, what is the cost? Yes, the cost was high. And the bitter aftertaste of our so-called victory hung between us like an unspoken secret.

Celest turned to face me, trying to smile but her eyes betrayed the sadness we both shared. "What are you thinking about, Robin?" She spoke softly, as if she were hesitant to disrupt the stillness.

I twisted the pendant of a phoenix between my fingers and looked down at it. "I’m not sure what to do now... without the guild." The Adventure's Guild had vanished, destroyed along with countless other things and individuals. the same folks I'd battled so valiantly to keep safe.

I could just hear Kraven's voice in my mind, the way he teased me about pouting, his rough accent concealing a tenderness he would never acknowledge. He handed me this pendant and explained that it represented rebirth and rising from the ashes. I squeezed it until the metal bit into my palm, as if pain could somehow anchor me to this new, broken world. The metaphor felt a little too on the nose now.

"We’re like the wings of a phoenix, right?" Shrugging, I said to myself. " Rise from the ashes."

But when everything was already burnt to cinders—everyone—what did that even mean?

Celest put her head on my shoulder and relaxed. Her scent was slightly reminiscent of the lavender my mother used to cultivate in our backyard. Her touch was unexpectedly warm—comforting even. Other than titles and roles, we didn't know much about one another, but we were the only ones that remained. And occasionally, that was sufficient.

She muttered, her breath warm against my collarbone, "I'm no longer a queen." Her hair shimmered in the light from the fireworks as it was draped over me like a velvet blanket. “Who am I without that responsibility?”


I was at a loss for words. Hell, I was wondering the same thing. I'd been a lone wolf before Oblivion. Yes, my family was the guild, but adventuring? It was a private matter. alone. And now that everyone had left, I was alone myself. aside from Celest. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was sufficient.

My arm ached from the tattoo, a constant reminder of Greywolf. She gazed back at me, her eyes immobile as ink. Just before she was swallowed by the Swamp of Agony, her genuine eyes had been full of life and mischief. I was not even able to save her from that. Not even from myself. But Celest... she was still here. And that felt like a lifeline in a world full of ghosts and memories.

I took a quick look at her, noticing the subtle vulnerability on her face. Perhaps it was time for me to give up acting like I could handle this by myself.

"I used to be good at being alone," I remarked as I watched the pyrotechnics change to yellow, a color that at last didn't appear to be the last gasp of life. The yellow was cheerful and vibrant, like her hair. My red hair took on an orange hue as if we were both composed of fire, eradicating the darkness in unison. "But perhaps we are no longer required to be,"

Her eyebrows wrinkled in perplexity. "Explain what you mean."


"How do you feel about an adventure?" I enquired, taking me by surprise with the offer. The words came out of nowhere, as if they had been waiting for the appropriate opportunity to express themselves.

"A journey?" Her eyes brightened, reflecting the fireworks' brightness like little stars. I hadn't witnessed such joy in her for a very long time. Perhaps that was also what I required.

With a nod, I leaned back on my hands and observed the sky relighten. "We changed this planet. We ought to investigate it now. Discover what's available.

Celest bit her lip with hesitation. "You know, I've never really been much of an adventurer." Though it was mild, there was something else in her voice, perhaps hope. “Are you sure? I know you prefer... being on your own.”

Once, that was indeed true. Prior to the Agony. Prior to everything coming apart. Right now? I had changed my mind.

“I’m not much of a leader,” I said. But many say I'm an excellent wanderer. And I believe we both need to go exploring. One journey at a time, I understand.

That smile of hers back then had the power to ignite more firecrackers than any other. The fact that she was no longer a queen was irrelevant. The fact that the Earth we had rescued was still scarred made no difference. It was important to remember that there was a future ahead of us, one free of tragedy and bloodshed.

Furthermore, it's possible that we weren't required to work alone.

"Okay, Robin," she murmured, her voice full of promise and now stronger. "An adventure it is."

Together, we observed the sky as the final fireworks faded into a silent, dark night. It didn't feel as empty as it had in a long time.

Solid proof that you can make a fantasy epic without needing any of that Isekai Crap!

Seriously though man, this is awesome! I'm so glad to see this story finally getting started!

Honestly, it's a really fun companion piece to Ragna! While their worlds might be completely different, that isn't to say we couldn't one day make a stand-alone crossover world story! I think they would relate a lot to Ragna's story and she'd be happy to find more friends and allies!

Looking forward to your fantasy epics man!

Once I get far enough in the two fantasy series that can be arranged😎

[superkamiguy1]

Oct 3, 2024 1:24:07 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Oct 3, 2024 1:09:50 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Solid proof that you can make a fantasy epic without needing any of that Isekai Crap!

Seriously though man, this is awesome! I'm so glad to see this story finally getting started!

Honestly, it's a really fun companion piece to Ragna! While their worlds might be completely different, that isn't to say we couldn't one day make a stand-alone crossover world story! I think they would relate a lot to Ragna's story and she'd be happy to find more friends and allies!

Looking forward to your fantasy epics man!

Once I get far enough in the two fantasy series that can be arranged😎

Hell yeah bro! 

[Valhalla Erikson]

Oct 2, 2024 18:23:02 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

"Here you are, Celest!" I gestured for her to come closer.

Beside me were a pair of exquisite thoroughbred horses, one with a mottled gray coat and the other with a deep bay coat that gleamed in the early morning light. The gray one nuzzled at my shoulder, having determined that my hair was either hay or a novel kind of feast. I gently moved its muzzle away before it could eat more than it had intended.

Before we had even begun the trek, Celest's smile made the trip worthwhile. "Are you attempting to outpace me in our adventure?" The bay horse virtually melted beneath her gentle touch as she gave it a nice scratch behind its ears.

"Exploration," I uttered, preparing to climb into the gray horse's saddle. The horse continued to examine my hair, seemingly considering a retry. "We have a great deal of ground to cover."

With a one elegant movement, she mounted the bay as if she had always been in the saddle. Really, not shocking at all—she was a queen once. Handling a horse was probably on par with maintaining a crown on your head while being referred to be a goddess.

"Is it possible for me to name him?" she inquired, rubbing the horse’s neck as if they’d known each other for years.

"Please stay with me."

She gave it some thought while focusing on the bay's gentle, deep eyes. "Silas."

I gave a blink. Silas? I wouldn't have exactly chosen that name for a horse. Better suited for an accountant, or maybe a monocle-wearing sorcerer. Who was I to argue, though? "Yes, Silas."

She gave me a smile, then cocked her head to observe my mount. "And you, too? Have you thought of a name yet?

I looked down at the gray horse, its coat resembling the foggy peaks we had ridden through years ago, when things were easier and I didn't have to walk around feeling like I had lost someone. "Greywolf," I murmured.

Celest's gaze was palpable on me. "Robin, are you certain?"
My arm ached from the sight of my old friend's inked eyes staring back at me—a reminder of the true Greywolf. A dire wolf who was once more than just a pet—he was family. My chest began to hurt more, although it wasn't unpleasant. "I'm positive."

She understood without my having to explain; she just nodded. Celest had always had a sixth sense for calm periods.

“Oh,” I murmured, shrugging off the gloom. "I have a present for you."

My shoulder bag was deep, but I managed to fish out a necklace. Shining in the sunlight, it was a thin chain featuring a ruby stone encased in a twisted metal frame. Celest glanced from the necklace to me with a little frown and a confused expression in her eyes.

"Robin, I—this seems to be yours," she remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the pendant of a phoenix leaning on my chest.

I removed mine from my shirt and extended it so she could see the differences. There was something raw, as if it had been broken in two, about the red stone in my pendant, which was also smaller than the one I was wearing.

I handed her the necklace and added, "That's because it is." "I brought it to the jeweler after the fireworks." Had they divided the jewel. They claimed that it would weaken the structure and was therefore a terrible idea. didn't prevent me. I reasoned that since this universe rises from the ashes like a phoenix, then so do we. We all carry a bit of it in this way.


Celest gazed at the necklace she was holding, her fingertips running along the rough surface of the stone. For a brief while, I believed I had gone overboard and that perhaps I had violated some unwritten guideline regarding the appropriate meaning of gifts.

However, when she raised her head, I could feel the warmth in her gaze directly through me. "Robin Winterbird, you just cannot be done." For once, she laughed a little and not in a queenly way. However, I'm grateful. I will always cherish it.

Soon afterward, we started out as two travelers without a plan or map, just each other and an uncharted world waiting to be explored, along with two horses whose names meant more than they probably should have. Whatever came our way, whether it a particularly uncooperative mountain or a gang of robbers on the rampage, we would deal with it. With everything we had overcome, what remained to be afraid of?

We were the only two there. And that was more than sufficient, I realized.

😎

[superkamiguy1]

I can already tell that Robin and Celest are going to be a fantastic pair that balances each other out very well as they journey through the reborn world and start their new grand heroic journey as they work to find themselves with Robin being the shining hero while Celest balances him out with rationality and urging proper caution. They'll be an excellent team together thanks to their lifetime of training and experience in the old world.



You have to feel bad for Celest losing everything and now having to grapple with figuring out who she is in this new world without the kingdom she once lead but thankfully Robin is there to guide her and help her out.



This is a fantastic start to the story bro and I can already tell that this story is going to be utterly amazing.

[superkamiguy1]

Oct 3, 2024 1:26:34 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Oct 3, 2024 1:24:07 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Once I get far enough in the two fantasy series that can be arranged😎

Hell yeah bro! 

As another fun idea I just had: What IF Phoenix Reborn and Ragna's stories are legends passed down through the world in The Serneity Verse? Arcadia might be a fantastic opportunity to explore that concept!

[Valhalla Erikson]

Oct 3, 2024 23:50:06 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Oct 3, 2024 1:26:34 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Hell yeah bro! 

As another fun idea I just had: What IF Phoenix Reborn and Ragna's stories are legends passed down through the world in The Serneity Verse? Arcadia might be a fantastic opportunity to explore that concept!

Oh that is interesting!

[Valhalla Erikson]

Robin

The river ran shallow and cold, like a slice of winter stolen and tucked here between the trees. I knelt by the edge, filling my canteen and feeling the chill bite into my fingertips, and for a while, that was enough to keep everything else at bay. Just the cold. Just the sound of water slipping over stones, like a language I used to know but had long since forgotten.

Celest was crouched a few feet away, her face barely visible in the fading light. She was rinsing her hands, her movements slow, deliberate, like she was focusing on each finger as though they might slip away if she didn’t. She hadn’t spoken for most of the journey—her silence had stretched long and thin, like a string pulled taut. I knew the feeling too well. That hollow, tired numbness that clung to the corners of my mind. It was easier, maybe, not to speak, to just let the emptiness settle like fog over everything we’d lost.

But Celest was different. She’d always been bound to her kingdom, her titles, to the myth she’d grown up inside. She’d been taught to hold everything together as the world leaned in on her, never giving her the option to crumble, never letting her become anything but Queen Celestia. Now she was just Celest. Just a woman with no kingdom, no throne, no Saints. Just the dust and ghosts of memories that used to be a life.

She stood up abruptly, staring out over the river, and then she screamed.

It was raw and jagged, cutting through the still air, an unfiltered cry that echoed and cracked like thunder, tearing its way into the quiet. She screamed again, louder, until her voice was ragged and broken, carrying all the things we’d buried, the things we didn’t say to each other or ourselves. She kept screaming as though maybe, somehow, the World Saints would hear, as if they could change any of this. As if they might answer.

I don’t know how long it lasted. The sound seemed to stretch on, filling the trees, the river, the stones beneath our feet, until it all became one endless roar of grief and fury and something so human, so primal, that it twisted in my chest like a blade. By the time she fell silent, her voice was a raw whisper. She sank to her knees, her head bowed, and the sobs came then, thick and unrestrained, breaking over her shoulders.

I don’t remember moving, but suddenly I was there, kneeling beside her. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, holding her tight as she cried, and I felt her fold into me. She was shaking, her body wracked by sobs that felt like they were tearing her apart, like they were dragging pieces of her soul out with every breath. And all I could do was hold her, letting her fall apart because there was no fixing this. There was no going back to what we had been, no returning to the world we’d known.

Her hair smelled faintly of lavender, mingling with the scent of river mud and crushed leaves, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, breathing in that smell, grounding myself in the fact that she was here, that we were still here.

When her sobs finally subsided, her body relaxed, though her shoulders still shook now and then with the occasional hiccup of breath. She pulled away slightly, enough to look at me, her eyes red and raw, her face streaked with tears and dirt. There was a lightness in her gaze now, a strange sort of clarity, like she’d finally let go of some weight that had been pressing down on her for far too long.

“I don’t know how to be anything but a queen,” she whispered, her voice cracking, fragile as glass. “I don’t know how to be... just Celest. I don’t know who that is.”

I didn’t have an answer. Hell, I didn’t know who *I* was anymore. But that was the thing about us—we were both adrift, stripped of everything that had ever anchored us. And maybe, just maybe, we could find something new in that emptiness. Maybe we could become something neither of us had been before. So, I pulled her close again, resting my chin on the top of her head, and we sat there by the river, listening to the quiet rustle of water and leaves, letting the world rebuild itself around us, piece by piece.

For now, that was enough.