Phoenix: rise from death. **COMPLETED**

#6 fire red

I looked down for the briefest of seconds. these souls no longer had faces. they jist flowed down the river in masses lost to the world now. I couldn't help but wonder what happened to the souls collected. what woukd one need them for? I had to bring myself back. I was getting too distracted. it looked like I would be jumping and praying to the moon Goddess that I made ot across. deep breath in amd release. I was trying to calm my nerves and lower my heart rate. the more control I have I figured it could only help me channel my energy into my legs to jump as hard as I possibly could. I allowed myself to step back slightly and then I justet myself go. I could feel my feet as they left the platform I was on. the edge was so small I wasn't sure I had any leverage to get across. I was forcing my body forward as if I was running in mid air my legs were willing me further through the air. I could feel my slow decent. my feet touched down on the rocky platform as they slipped out from under me forcing my body to free fall to the ground. I tucked my legs under me so they wouldn't touch the river as I saw their hands reaching for me trying to drag me down. I gained control and scrambled back just out of their reach. "crap, that was close Angel." I really wasn't talking to anyone but myself. I just needed the confirmation that I got in that moment. those souls could have drug me in and then I would have been just as lost as they were. I shuttered at the thought.

I got up off the ground and brushed myself off. turning towards the hallway I started walking towards the energy I felt. it was calling me to it. why would death create a sword that could kill it? was this so the God's could have a checks and balance system if one became too greedy and power hungry? how ironic the sword is now to be used to kill one of deaths minions. the walk was long and dark. I barely had enough light to see even in wolf form. I couldn't be sure how long I had been walking and stumbling in the dark when all of ansudden I felt a heat unlike any other. the long dark hallway opened up into a giant cavern. there was fire surrounding me like lava only these flames were blue. there in the middle of the sea of blue flames was a pedestal. then my eye caught the faintest of glimmer. I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed. when I was told it was a sword I figured a shiny sword made from the rarest metal that stood tall and proud calling on the flames of death but in its place was a small shiny dagger. it wasn't ornately designed or even so beautiful it drew me in. nope, it was just a small silver dagger with a pearl handle. I looked around thinking I was the tail end of someone's joke. did the moon Goddess do this as a joke?

"this must be a joke." I whispered. shaking my head and shrugging my shoulders I figured to just go get it. I needed that dagger and it was the only thing able to kill Christopher and the demon he gave himself too. now how do I get there? looking around I can see as a wolf I can actually get enough moment to leap and snatch it in my jaws,hoping I don't kill myself with the blade, and make it to the other side. it was definitely a crazy plan but I made it this far and I wasn't turning back now. I called forth my wolf and began shifting into her letting her fire red fur cover my body. she was fire just like my hair. the only one in our pack. my wolf was beautiful though most were nervous because of her fire red color. she backed us up as I came forward just enough to help us retrieve the dagger. I had confidence she didn't need my help for anything else. she easily guided as she left into the air. it was like a dance to my wolf. she was graceful when she moved and I loved her. we were connected like most weren't. when we shifted I gave her control fully trusting the graceful beast she was. we had been a slave to Christopher and the mate bond for so long she had become my best friend outside of Carla. she was a part of me and kept me from hurting many times. I knew without a doubt with her I woukd never fall prey to the mate bond again. this time she would fight by my side against any mate that would chose to harm me. I could feel the daggers power and she told her to grab now as it came into view. we worked in tandem to snatch it in our mouth gliding effortlessly to the other side. I felt her land softly on the pads of her paws sad then dropped the dagger to the ground allowing the shift back to my human form. we were now naked my clothing in a shredded pile on the other side of the cave.

it didn't matter any longer if I was naked or not. I was ok being naked as a shifter it happened a lot. although at the end if Christopher had seen me naked at all after shifting he would get angry and accuse me of having lovers. laughable considering he not only cheated on me constantly he raped women too. my best friend being one of them. the sick bastard will pay. I glanced down at my side at the scar he left behind. his name still branded there like I was his possession. now just a reminder of my past life that he took away. I ran my fingers over his name then bent down grabbing the dagger carefully by the pearl handle I ran to the side of the cave making my way back to the entrance I had come in from. getting back out might prove a bigger problem but the dagger was now in my possession and could help if needed. I made my way down the long dark hallway stumbling in the dark once more. after falling for what seemed like the one hundredth time I was finally at the entrance to the river of souls. I shiver a little as a chilling plea for help sounds out. all those lost souls. I couldn't help but feel sorrow for them. I needed to figure out how I was going to make it across. the ledge on the other side was not enough to support me in my wold form and it wasn't like I had magical abilities granted to me from the moon Goddess. nope I was just me. I was growing frustrated needing a plan. I decided to talk to my wolf hoping she had a plan.

what do you think?

my wolf didn't answer right away. I could sense her tryingnto think. you are going to have to jump in your human form. you are strong enough but your footing must land perfectly. there isn't enough space for mistakes here. if you fall into the lost souls we will be lost. I can't save us.

I knew she was right and I knew I didn't have any other option. if I fell in that was it. even the moon Goddess couldn't save me. it was odd thinking she was limited in her powers. at the same time this must be the reason desth was reaching out trying to expand his powers. he needed people willing to give themselves to him so that he could find the loop hole in his limited reign. I will never understand why men need so much power. it's like an addiction worse than drugs. I mentally prepared myself for the jump. there was no room for error. I stepped back a few steps placed the pearl handle in my mouth and clenched down with my teeth. I couldn't lose this. I crouched down getting ready to run. I could feel my nervous energy itching to be released. then I took off running and pushing myself as hard as I could then lept my legs slowly propelling my naked form to the ledge. I could feel my bare feet touch down. I stood there for a minute realizing I was dangerously close to losing my footing. then it happened. I went to move closer to safety and my left foot slid under the loose rocks beneath my feet. I felt myself falling flailing trying to grasp the smooth surfaced stone wall to no avail. damn it! I fell down and was able to grasp on the ledge the dagger still tight between my teeth and my body half over the ledge. half of me was dangling almost touching the river of souls as I quickly gathered myself together and scooted as close as possible away. the souls still wailing and crying at their disturbance. "f**k angel! that was close!" I had grown aware I talked to myself out loud. at least I was alive. making it outnof the cave from there was easier. the guards stealing a nap not really paying attention. I guess good demon guards were hard to find.