THE DRAGON AND THE PHOENIX

by Shoraz

  Then, as Ava’s body sank deeper and deeper into the nearly infinite Ocean of Eternity, the sorcerers looked on as her body slowly disappeared into the vast and mystical ocean.

  Then, one by one, the sorcerers flew back towards the Grand Castle to begin their rebuilding of Zerros and the universes, under the lead of the mighty Mikaelos, and the magical and astounding Astaria.

  Meanwhile, as Ava’s body continued its voyage to the endless depths of the Ocean of Eternity, in her state of near lifelessness, she hoped that she would one day return back to her people stronger than she currently was. But deep inside she also knew that the damage that Max had inflicted upon her with the sword of Vylkrie, as well as the damage that Zarax and the diamond army along with the four dragons had inflicted upon her were things that would never be fully healed, and that she would never again have the full powers of the mighty Phoenix at her command.

  But even with that in mind, she hoped that after her state of rest she would one day return to her people and do what she could, in order to bring happiness, love, health, bliss, and joy to everything in existence even though her strength would never be what it once was. But for now, all that she hoped and prayed for was that the life and strength of the Phoenix would one day return to her withered and weakened body so that she may help the sorcerers in the search for the evil Razen and help them in their quest to destroy evil and greed; and spread happiness and bliss throughout Zerros and also to everything in existence within the countless number of universes in the Realm of Creation.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  As Ava began her state of almost timeless rest within the Ocean of Eternity in order to hopefully restore the life, soul, and energy of the Phoenix back within her. Mikaelos and Astaria led the sorcerers, royal guards and sentinels using the guidance that the Phoenix had given to them to do what they could in order to bring Zerros and the plethora of universes under its control back to their days of past glory.

  As the Phoenix lay in the Ocean of Eternity and reenergized herself so that she would regain some of her powers and strength and her life would hopefully be breathed back into her. Mikaelos, Astaria, and the rest of the sorcerers began to ponder upon their arduous trek of roaming through the universes to restore order and bring hope and happiness to everything in existence, even though they knew that it would be an uphill battle that would take eon upon eon to complete without the help of their powerful ruler, the gold, silver and blue Phoenix of Zerros.

  As Mikaelos pondered upon one of his many key decisions, he was on the cusp of one of the most precedent setting verdicts ever made and he looked to Qabreal and said, “Qabreal, build me a universe where nothing exists, and in it we will place only those Zerrosians whose souls were corrupted by Venetia’s evil ways and who sided with her in her dishonorable dictatorship over Zerros.”

  Then, as Qabreal left to build the universe of perpetual nothingness, Mikaelos looked towards Alkazar and said, “Alkazar, you have proven to me that you indeed regret following the commands of Venetia and I feel your remorse for what you did under her rule. I now task you with finding those from her clan and bringing them to justice,” and with those words, Alkazar and a band of royal guards and sentinels began their task of finding those from Venetia’s clan and bringing them to justice so that they may live their lives within the universe of perpetual nothingness which Qabreal was tasked with creating.

  As Mikaelos’ thoughts shifted from one monumental task to another, he saw that some of the sorcerers, royal guards, and sentinels began to gather outside in order to begin their voyage through universe upon universe in search of Razen the evil sorcerer, and he longed for the help of the Phoenix, but he knew fully well that her strength and powers would only be a shell of what it once was prior to her battle with Zarax and prior to Max’s betrayal of her.

  And with that in the back of his mind, he knew that without the capture of Razen, he would be free to spread his evil, hate, and greed to anything and to anyone throughout the universes within the nearly eternal Realm of Creation, and he knew that finding Razen was of the utmost importance and had to be done without the help of the powerful Phoenix.

  Then, as Mikaelos stood within the Grand Castle he looked around, and he was happy to see Manaka and Yokelis, and he said to them, “My friends, thank you for everything. What you did in order for the Phoenix to return to Zerros will never go unnoticed, and I know that you and many others will help all Zerrosians in the restoration of Zerros, and also help our creations within the universes that we have created, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

  “It is only through the power of the One Great Creator that we will be able to do this Mikaelos,” Manaka replied.

  “Yes Mikaelos, what Manaka says is correct, and I know that you will do everything you can in order to help us in the absence of the Phoenix. You are a remarkable sorcerer and the sentinels, royal guards, and sorcerers are ready to follow you and Astaria in helping the universes that need our help, with the intention of bringing back everyone from Venetia’s clan back to Zerros by whatever means necessary. I also know that every single royal guard and sentinel will do their best to help our creations and also to help the sorcerers in their quest to restore order to the universes that we created and bring Razen to justice,” Yokelis said.

  “Thank you my friends. I know that the search for Razen will not be easy, but I and Astaria, along with the sorcerers will search for him, and we will go forward and help our creations and bring them back to their days of glory, and we will all rise far above the wickedness that exists, and we will destroy evil by shattering its very existence, and the powers of good will rise throughout everything in the Realm of Zerros and also within the Realm of Creation,” Mikaelos said.

  “And we will stay here in Zerros and rebuild our great realm along with the many Zerrosians who are ready to rebuild our home,” Manaka said.

  “Thank you my friends, I know that I can trust you both to lead the people of Zerros in rebuilding our home, and I know that you will help Qabreal and Alkazar find those from Venetia’s clan who have escaped and bring them to justice,” Mikaelos said.

  As Mikaelos finished saying those words he then looked towards the fountain of life and saw that Astaria was busy restoring it, and as she did so, the droplets of water which was the key to creating life on Zerros were on the cusp of again flowing, and the fountain of life was ready to again continue creating life as it was always meant to do.

  Then, Mikaelos looked towards the survivors from earth, and he specifically looked at Sarah and said, “Sarah, thank you for everything you have done in our fight against Razen and Zarax. You are one of the Phoenix’s most trusted companions, and she loves you dearly. Have you given any thought to whether you want to stay in Zerros or not?”

  “I will never leave Zerros until Ava has given me permission to leave, and I will stay here for as long as she, and you and Astaria, need me to,” Sarah replied.

  Mikaelos then looked towards Sarah with joy due to her response to stay in Zerros, and out of the corner of his eyes he saw Stryker and said, “Actually Sarah, I have something better in mind for you and Stryker,” at which point they both looked at Mikaelos wondering what he could possibly have in mind for them.

  And as they did so, Mikaelos said to them, “I will have the sorcerers build a universe very similar to the Xerrolux and create a planet exactly like earth, once they are done creating it, you and Stryker are free to leave Zerros to live on the new earth, and you will carry on the human race.”

  “No Mikaelos, we cannot accept this gift from you. Not only that, but how will we look after our progeny and provide for them,” Sarah replied.

  “Do not worry about that my friends, as the sorcerers, royal guards, and sentinels will look after you and ensure that you and your progeny are safe, secure and happy,” Mikaelos replied.

  Sarah and Stryker then looked at each other, and as Stryker nodded to Sarah, she said to Mikaelos, “We accept your gift Mikaelos, but only under
one condition. Give us the powers to help you find and kill Razen, and once he is dead, we will gladly carry on the human race on this new earth.”

  “Then so be it,” Mikaelos said with a smile.

  Then, Mikaelos looked towards Usain and Roma and said, “Your help in this battle has not gone unseen, and back on earth you made a conscious decision to come to Zerros, and now I will let you decide on where you wish to go.”

  “Our bond with Sarah and Stryker has become unbreakable, and they are our truest friends. Both Usain and I would like nothing more than to be on this new earth with them as long as they wish to have us by their side,” Roma said to Mikaelos, “And just like them, we want to help in the search for Razen and destroy him before we go with them to our new home,” Roma continued saying.

  Upon hearing the decision of Usain and Roma, Sarah quickly said, “We’ll be delighted to begin this new journey with you both, and once Razen is dead you are more than welcome to join us in our new home.”

  “Then it is decided, and Sarah, Stryker, Roma, and Usain will be our vicegerents on earth once the search for Razen is complete and he is brought to justice,” Mikaelos said.

  Meanwhile, back in the Ocean of Eternity, the mystical Phoenix continued her state of almost lifeless rest, and as she did so, she still somehow managed to ponder upon her creations within the universes as well as the sorcerers, royal guards, and sentinels of Zerros and she longed to be with them in their quest to restore peace and happiness to everything in existence, and also in their quest to find Razen, the evil sorcerer.

  And as she did so, her mind was still bothered by Max’s decisions and actions and even though a part of her felt that he failed and deceived her, she knew that his original intentions back in the depths of the Pacific Ocean were initially made to save her, and that somehow Max still loved her very much, even in his death.

  Then with that in mind, she thought about John, and she felt the light that he gave to her, and she knew that it was somehow guiding her and would continue to guide her throughout all of eternity. She then remembered her mother, father, and Jonah, and for a moment a wave of sadness overcame her.

  But then, as she looked back at the impact which her mother, father, and Jonah had upon her life, she knew that their deaths were not in vain and in the end, everything happened just as it was always destined to be.

  Then she somehow remembered John’s words of, “I’ll be in the universe of Oskola on a planet called Euclidius, I’ll be waiting for you,” and as the words went through her head she hoped that one day she would embark on a journey to find her eternal friend – John.

  But for now, she had no choice but to stay within the Ocean of Eternity in her nearly lifeless and inert state, while Mikaelos and Astaria, along with the sorcerers, royal guards and sentinels looked after the rebuilding of Zerros, as well as rebuilding and changing the physics and laws of life, and bringing happiness, hope, joy, and love to everything in existence within the plethora of universes under the governance of Zerros.

  And then, as her mind floated in a realm between life and death, she switched focus and contemplated upon the sheer wickedness of Razen, and she knew that Mikaelos and Astaria would do their best to find the evil and malevolent sorcerer, who she knew deep inside, was causing havoc and spreading evil throughout the unknown universe where he had escaped to, in addition to the other universes which he claimed that he could travel to from within any other universe in existence.

  And with that, the magnificent Phoenix put her mind into a deeper state of rest in hopes that it would somehow accelerate her process of healing and that it would hasten her return to help her people in their fight against the evil that existed within the universes. And then as she did so, and only milliseconds before the unthinkable occurred, the Phoenix sensed what was about to happen, and as she realized that and thoughts of sadness went through her mind she said, “No, I can’t leave them,” and just as she uttered those words she realized it was too late and she felt as if she was falling through time for all of eternity, and then suddenly and out of nowhere, her mind abruptly and unexpectedly shut down, and it was as if the mind of Ava and the energy of the mystical Phoenix ceased to exist.

  Then, as Mikaelos, Astaria and the rest of the sorcerers sensed that their connection with the Phoenix was no more, they felt that both Ava and the Phoenix no longer existed. When in truth, the Phoenix was now in a realm beyond anything that could be fathomed, which in reality was the ultra–fantastical Realm of Nonexistence – which was a place of nearly infinite wisdom and powers, where only a few souls from the octillions upon octillions of souls that ever existed in the Realm of Creation and beyond had the chance to see and experience, and was a place where the secrets of everything in existence, including the secrets and truths of life, existence and reality, was in plain sight for everyone within the ultra–transcendent realm to see.

  However, unknown to the souls that had the opportunity to reside within the Realm of Nonexistence, there were three distinguishing features among many other features which they all had in common. The first feature was their sincere belief in the power of good. The second feature was that they were all irrefutably unselfish and in some way, shape and form they put the happiness of every single being in existence ahead of their own happiness. And finally, the third feature was their absolute belief in the power of destiny and the influence that this great power had as it weaved, entwined and merged everything in existence along the magnificent path that was designed and created by the One True Creator of every single entity that had, and will ever exist – which included souls, humans, planets, stars, galaxies and universes among many other entities, and even included the transcendent entity and life form known as Time.

  Then, as the realization that Ava and the Phoenix were no more took hold of their minds, they did their best to come to grips with the reality of the situation. And it was at this point that they knew it was up to them to defeat Razen and stop the spread of evil, greed, and hate from devouring everything in existence within the Realm of Creation.

  Then, as the reality that the Phoenix would not be there to help them in their quest became apparent, Mikaelos looked deep within his soul and knew that it was up to him and Astaria to lead the way. And as he looked towards Astaria and saw that she had finally finished her magic and spells upon the fountain of life and sat in sadness from her feelings of the Phoenix no longer existing, he called out to her, as well as a few other sorcerers. Mikaelos then looked towards Sarah, Stryker, Roma, and Usain and asked them, “Are you ready?” to which they all nodded their heads in agreement, and then the sorcerers all began chanting their spells of magic upon them. And then, one by one, the ancient spells coursed through their bodies and began their miraculous transformations from robots and humans into hybrid Zerrosians so that they may help in the search for Razen.

  Then, as the spells took effect, Mikaelos and Astaria took off to the skies above followed by a band of powerful sorcerers, along with the hybrid Zerrosians – Sarah, Stryker, Roma and Usain, and they all flew off into the distance towards the portals to the universes where the royal guards and sentinels and some sorcerers were already waiting for them, ready to embark on their monumental, painstaking, and epic journey of destroying evil and giving hope and happiness throughout every single universe in existence, which they knew would not be an easy voyage and would be full of dangers and perils the likes beyond what anyone could have ever imagined or foreseen.

  In addition to that, they were also ready to find Razen, the evil sorcerer, and kill him before he continued to spread his incurable disease of evil, hate, and greed throughout the universes, and to everything in existence within the Realm of Creation.

  As the brave band of sorcerers, royal guards, sentinels and hybrid Zerrosians stood at the portals to the universes ready to embark upon their valiant and selfless trek to help everything in existence, and save them from the wrath of Venetia’s friends and allies who gluttonously controlled their own universes,
as well as the wicked Razen, along with the evil and greed that was embedded within the very fabric of life itself, they knew that the task at hand would not be easy, but they also knew that they had no choice but to help the inhabitants within the Realm of Creation that so desperately, yet somewhat unknowingly, needed their assistance.

  And with that, they fearlessly stood only mere meters away from the portals to the universes ready to be whisked away to the universes to begin their journey of bringing hope and happiness to everything in existence, as the body of their majestic ruler – the gold, silver and blue Phoenix – lay in a deathly state of perpetual nothingness in the Ocean of Eternity, while her soul and energy were now within the ultra–mystical Realm of Nonexistence of which there was no guarantee that her soul and life would ever return to her.

  Then, as Mikaelos and Astaria looked at their army of sorcerers, royal guards, sentinels, and hybrid Zerrosians they knew that they were up against the most evilest of evil in their fight against greed and hate in their search for Razen. And with that, they bravely walked forward to the portals to the universes and prepared themselves for what would be a multitude of battles and wars beyond anything that they or anyone else could have ever foreseen or fathomed.

  Astaria then pondered upon Zarax the Blue Dragon, who in a way, selflessly gave his life to save everyone in Zerros from lives of eternal despair as Zarax knew that he was unable to fight the sheer power of evil that Razen had embedded within him.

  Then as Mikaelos looked at Astaria, she nodded her head as if to say that she was ready for the fight of her life, and he then motioned for the army of sorcerers, royal guards, sentinels and hybrid Zerrosians to move forward, and as he looked at them he shouted, “I hereby now declare you all, the Protectors of the Realm of Creation, and together we will destroy those on the side of evil. These wars are not for us, these wars are for our creations!” as the army of sorcerers, royal guards, sentinels and hybrid Zerrosians – now and forever known as the Protectors of the Realm of Creation – all began entering the portals to the universes knowing that the battle for the Realm of Zerros had ended, but the search for Razen, along with the wars for the plethora of universes, galaxies, planets and life forms within the nearly eternal and almost never–ending Realm of Creation were about to begin.