Misanthropy (Born of the Phoenix Book 2)

by David Murray Forrester

  Light surrounding the figure faded. Crystal, embracing her awakened form, spread her flaming wings. Belos’ka, also evolved, took the shape of a burning phoenix head.

  ‘I was hoping that blast would have destroyed their entire army,’ Selene’s voice in Crystal’s head. ‘Oh, well. Guess I’m not strong enough yet. Let’s go wipe out the rest of them out, shall we?’

  “Selene? You’re here?”

  ‘We are one, now. I’ll always be with you.’

  Crystal felt her soul swelling with warmth and love. An unbreakable bond. A friend whom would never leave her. A soul who mirrored the kindness within her, as well as her sadistic berserk nature and hunger for violence. “Yes. Let’s go slaughter them all.”

  The Men of Dawn were in awe of their saviour. Tairrie watched on from the tower, her hands trembling where now Emily’s were relaxed.

  “What the hell is happening?” Baardsen stood shocked as he watched the ridge burn in an inferno of towering flames.

  “That, is Crystal Terrifos.” Lorewell was saved. The scorned woman, Crystal was the key to saving Lorewell the whole time. Victory did not lie with Tairrie, as they first suspected. Zoe finally understood Kasbin’s premonition. With the Marching Army thwarted, the Fountain of Sorrow would not come to pass. In playing their hand, the Vaneshians revealed their intentions. Zoe feared the defeat would not quell King Ellory’s lust for conquest. Repercussions on the horizon. Sapphiron, a long way from knowing peace. This night however, would end in celebration.

  Epilogue

  Covered in moisture, leaves were cold to the touch. Woody scents wafted from the damp bark, slowly rotting on the jungle floor. Jubalee pressed a hard pace. Both the Arrakan were on edge, jumping at sudden sounds in the undergrowth. Nursing her injured leg, Ravage endured great difficulty keeping up. Unwilling to be a ball and chain, slowing the others down, Ravage kept her pain secret.

  They travelled under shadow. The canopy above, alive with the sounds of animals and the high-pitched call of exotic birds. Humid fog lingered. Surrounded by a dense growth of ferns and shrubs, Patsy couldn’t make heads or tails of their direction. Jubalee leading the way on memory and instinct.

  The day, long and strenuous. As the afternoon darkened, Jubalee led them into a rocky gorge. “This trail will take us to Higgins Hole. It’s a cave where we’ll be able to take shelter for the night. Be on your guard,” she told them. “A lot of ambush predators hunt in this area.”

  Moss thrived in the gorge, growing across stones and the decayed trunks of trees whose sheer weight caused noticeable destruction as they fell from the jungle above. Bizarre insects scurried. Patsy moved cautiously, fearful the tiny creatures may be vicious and poisonous.

  A shallow stream ran along the centre of the gorge. Kneeling, Kohana splashed his face to cool himself down. Camouflaged amongst the rocks, a towering lizard arose from its slumber beside him. Kohana froze. Armoured in thick scales, the beast a walking fortress. Aged spikes ran down its back and along its heavy-set tail. Large, blue eyes inspected the creature whom had awoken it. With a groan, the Sulgaak turned away. Climbing slowly, bloated from an earlier meal, the beast scaled the rock wall to find a sheltered stone on which to continue its sleep.

  Lowering her bow, Jubalee sighed with relief. Sulgaak saliva contains a powerful toxin which aids in their digestion. Deadly to humans, a single bite from a Sulgaak is a mortal wound unless treated immediately. “You’re lucky she wasn’t hungry.”

  “You’re telling me!” Kohana dabbed water from his face. Jumping across the rocks, he rejoined his companions.

  Concealed behind a rock spire, the cave entrance was protected from the elements. The group entered. Ravage, glad to finally sit, rested her staff against the wall beside her.

  Patsy put her pack down. “How’s your leg, Ravage?”

  “Not too bad,” she rubbed her calf muscle. “A bit sore, but it’ll be alright.”

  Jubalee approached. “Not a bad cave, huh?”

  “Yeah. Looks pretty cosy.” Patsy gazed around. Stone formations, smooth. There were no cobwebs or debris. “Surprisingly clean.”

  “I try to keep this place tidy. We stay here fairly often when we patrol this area of the jungle.”

  “Does that lead anywhere?” Ravage pointed to a tunnel leading deeper into the cave.

  “There’s a stream back there, but that’s about it. The walls are all closed in. The water comes from underground. It’s clean, so feel free to drink it. Me and Kohana are gonna go see if we can find something to bring back for dinner. Do you two mind getting some firewood?”

  “Sure. Not a problem,” said Patsy.

  “We’ll need quite a lot. Enough to keep the fire burning all night. It’ll help keep Ashravel away.”

  “Who is Ashravel, anyway?” Ravage starred up at Jubalee.

  “In my village, it’s considered bad luck to talk about him while you’re in the jungle, as though it draws him to you.”

  “Really?”

  Jubalee nodded. “He’s a forest demon. I’ll tell you the story when we reach Malminno.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Alright, we’ll be off then. See you soon.” Jubalee signalled to Kohana. The pair left the cave.

  “Just rest up while I get the wood,” Patsy removed her cloak and fumbled through her pack for some rope to bind the wood.

  “You sure?”

  “I know you tried to hide it, but today was tough on you,” Patsy threw the coil of rope over her shoulder. “So just rest, ok? We’ll probably have another big day of walking tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Pats.”

  After a few steps, Patsy turned. “Look at that. I’m leaving you in a cave again. It’s becoming a recurring thing with us.”

  Ravage raised her middle finger. Patsy chuckled as she walked away.

  Honey dripped down Ravage’s chin as she devoured the honeycomb. Afraid blood might attract predators, Jubalee decided on a meat-free evening.

  The night was clear. Two moons rested in a bed of stars. Crackling fire illuminated the cave. The Arrakan sat enthralled as Patsy reminisced stories of her time as a shorku hunter with the Tens twins. The memories stirring strong emotions within Patsy and Ravage; carefree years of adventure, friendships and drinking.

  Kohana took first watch while the women slept. Sitting with his back to the fire, he tended his bow, polishing the wood and tensioning the string.

  In the late hours, Ravage awoke. Nature calling.

  “Where are you off to?” Kohana asked as Ravage walked past him.

  “Got to pee.”

  “Ooh, best not to go outside. You don’t know what’s lurking out there. Just go find a place in the back of the cave.”

  “Ok.” Ravage wiped sleep from her eye. Picking up a flaming brand from the fire, she wandered to the chamber in the back of the cave and after finding a sheltered spot, took a squat.

  The pool of water in the centre of the chamber became illuminated with a soft, red glow. Curious, Ravage wandered over. A glowing snake swam in the depths.

  “What in the world?”

  Rising to the surface, the snake stiffened. Its colours changed as magically, the serpent transformed into a longsword. The iridescent ring upon Ravage’s finger grew warm.

  “Jobee?” Leaning down, Ravage stared at the sword. She felt a strong compulsion to take the weapon. Reaching in, Ravage drew the sword from the water.

  An unfamiliar metal. Neither steel, iron or dempt. “What is this?” Ravage tapped on it as she examined the blade. A marvellous sword. Forged by a master smith with keen attention to detail. Swinging the sword through the air, Ravage was impressed by the blade’s weight distribution and comfort of the hilt. Another divine gift.

  “Thank you, Goddess.” Ravage bowed at the water’s edge, then headed back to the campfire.

  The adventure continues in book 3:

  The Sapphire Crown.

  Information regarding Larrosan ruins within the Trillian Jungle igni
tes Ravage’s passion for truth. Seeking to uncover its history, secrets and treasures, Ravage and Patsy, led by their new-found allies venture deeper into the perilous jungle. Will they be able to remain hidden from the ravenous clutches of the demon Ashravel and accomplish their goal? Or will the monsters, dragons and horrors of the north bring them to ruin like so many adventurers before them?

  Now bonded with her Feluna, Selene, what path will Crystal tread as she forges her destiny? And what will Akella do with the knowledge that she too, has a Feluna hidden within her soul…