It was nearly two months later when he got the news…

  The mayor had personally arrived at the barn that Cole had been staying in. Edgar was holding Saeko’s bow. He looked completely disheartened as Cole was on the verge of tears.

  “No. Don’t say it. Don’t. She, can’t…” Cole sputtered out immediately

  “I’m sorry Cole…” Edgar said softly as he held out the bow “She insisted you have it.” He added putting it gently in Cole’s hand’s

  Cole burst past them crying hard and panting even more as he ran his hardest. Out past the woods and to the late where he finally collapsed and cried even harder and screamed in defiance.

  “Destiny is often a cruel mistress.”

  He could hear Saeko’s words again. He gritted his teeth and cried himself out through the night

  When morning came he watched as the sun slowly rise up over the lake. He rose up and could feel a new fire in his soul. As he looked around at where he was he was before the very tree his village spoke of. The tree of death, a large black pine tree that stood taller than the rest. As he looked at the bow and studied it more. He could start to feel and understand what her true dream was now. He could feel her intentions, her memories. He slowly drew the bow just like she did his body moving in sync with how she did.

  His eyes narrowing as he his hand naturally drew the heavy string with ease. He could feel the bow envelope with energy. He could feel it radiating off the weapon and coursing through his own body. It was so powerful and terrifying. He could feel it’s power melding with his own in the form of an arrow made completely of smoldering ashes. Ashes so hot but not burning him at all. This was the power of the Phoenix…

  He had the string drawn all the way back he let out his breath and let go of the string and letting the arrow fly towards the tree as he could feel the power behind the arrow not realizing just how much power he had put in until it hit the tree. His eyes went wide as it pierced the tree like it was butter. Cole could not begin to understand what was truly happening as everything he was seeing seemed to slow down. But the arrow did not stop and tore through the tree and causing a massive explosion of fire that released a massive wave of energy sending flying him back and being knocked unconscious…

  He could hear voices and hushed tones along with the droplets of warm water. He mumbled repeatedly only to be met with words he couldn’t comprehend but clearly telling him to lay down. His vision was hazy and out of focus. He couldn’t do much of anything nor could he muster the energy to even move as he found himself slipping back into darkness.

  When he finally opened his eyes he was being treated by a woman with large cat ears. Her hair and eyes a familiar silver.

  “You expelled too much aura. You’re incredibly lucky, or vastly ignorant.” She said simply as she changed the rag as he laid there

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  “Maybe a bit of both…” he murmured “I’m sorry-“

  “Don’t. What’s done is done. She knew what she was getting into. And I fully understood she may not come back. It’s the way things work. We can’t keep the ones we love from dying. But we can make the most of the time we do have.” She explained to him refusing to hear any words of apology

  “What happened?” He asked now

  “I thought you’d remember. You were there. You cut down the demon tree. Very admirable, though extremely reckless.” Saeko’s mother said flatly as he was confused

  “I what…?” He asked his voice going hoarse momentarily in shock

  “You, cut it down…” her mother said slowly and sounding confused “You burned the damn thing down, surprisingly none of the fire spread. Like the tree was trying to kill the fire but it just kept burning faster. Now it’s but a pile of ash, and the tree of life has begun to grow.” She explained further

  He looked even more lost and confused truly unaware of what he’d done. He could hear a group of men arguing and a large man with a thick beard burst in past the mayor. Saeko’s mother standing in his way now.

  “So you’re telling me this boy ended that damn tree?” The large man asked his voice deep and gravely

  “Al! Leave him be. He’s earned his rest.” She said firmly her gaze burning into him

  “Hm. Fine.” Al said gruffly as he turned and left without another word while Edgar entered now

  “I’m sorry about that Mishka.” Edgar said

  “I’m going to step out for a bit. I’ll be back with some soup. Let him rest.” Mishka said as she left

  The mayor took a seat beside Cole’s bed now as Cole himself was still truly lost on everything that had happened.

  “You’re braver than most men. Though reckless, bravery is still commendable.” Edgar said to him

  “I just let my instincts take over… I could feel her guiding my hand. I don’t know what else to say.” Cole said honestly but the mayor merely held up a hand

  “It’s alright. I’m not angry with you. You’ve given this village a chance to start over. For that we are eternally grateful and in your debt.” Edgar said as took a knee before Cole “For the last century our people have tried to cut down that tree and taken many lives. We were never sure if the white tree was even real. But you’ve given us hope.” He added

  Cole sat there still in a state of shock. He hadn’t intended to anything of this nature. This power he had was terrifying in its own right. But he had already displayed some good with it.

  “Then with your permission, mayor. I would ask a small favor?” Cole asked now

  “How can I help my boy?” Edgar asked him in turn

  “I can feel my destiny lies beyond the borders of this village. I don’t know what this gift is. But I wish to understand it and control it. I know I can’t do that here, I’d mostly likely hurt someone. Though I would not know where to go.” Cole explained to the mayor

  Edgar merely smiled at the boy.

  “I figured you’d say that. So I will not hold you here if you feel the desire to leave. Just know you are always welcome back and will always shelter your descendants.” Edgar assured him making chuckle some

  “I don’t know about that.” Cole said jokingly

  “You never know kid.” Edgar smiled some more as he stood once again “Get some rest. I’ll see if I can get some supplies for your travels.” He added as the door closed behind him

  As Cole laid back down for a little while feeling so overwhelmed by all this. It was so weird feeling this power

  Mishka returned with some stew. “You need to eat some.” She said helping him eat slowly

  A few days later he was given a new set of dark studded leather vest, clothes and a cloak. He was even given a horse and was ready to set off.

  “Cole! You forgot this.” Mishka said as she came to him offering Saeko’s bow and sheath of arrows

  Cole looked at them with a tinge of sadness but smiled nonetheless.

  “Thank you.” He said softly as he accepted them both and put them on the side of his saddle

  “I won’t tell you where to go. That is your decision to make. You can either go East towards the kingdom of Falconia or head west towards the settlement of Blair, beyond the mount pass. Joining a small mage or merchant guild or even stepping foot in Falconia is just as dangerous as the mountains and Blair itself. The mercenaries are no different from the nobility.” Edgar explained to Cole letting him know what was out there

  As Cole looked out to the East and then the west.

  “Then I start out west. Something’s telling me what I’m looking for is out that way.” Cole said as he looked in that direction

  “Then may destiny guide you towards your path or grant you a swift death.” The mayor said lastly

  With this Cole was off…

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