The Silver Sphinx

 

"And into flames he boldly dives;

His spirit revels in the glow;

His death a grand and beauteous rite,

His mind now free, with joy aglow.

Without any sorrow's weight,

He sinks into a brief respite,

To ash he fades, embracing fate." ¹⁾

 

 

 

Third Guild Day of Savorus, 126 HR

Morânia awoke with the first rays of the morning light. The amber-colored sky looked like freshly washed in the golden dawn. The bal'aasi rose quietly, turned to face the rising sun and said a prayer to Lathander. Nowhere was the Morninglord, god of dawn, hope and renewal, closer to her than here in Elysium, his home and hers. She always felt a surge of confidence and contentment flowing through her here. Since her god and her faction, the Ciphers, were at home in Elysium, she regularly came here from Sigil, and she always took the warmth and hope that she felt on the heavenly plane back to the City of Doors. After she had finished, she turned back to the small camp they had set up. The others woke up one after the other, too, the first being Naghûl, who generally needed very little sleep, and the last being Lereia, who - as a weretiger - slept a lot, as Morânia had noticed. They had some almond bread and dried fruits for breakfast, and Kiyoshi brewed tea again. While they sat together, still speaking little and slowly waking up, a red glow suddenly blossomed on the ridge of the near hills, flickering gently. It looked like a fire was burning there.

“Oh ...” Lereia looked at the flames on the hills. ”The phoenix?”

Naghûl nodded. “Yes, I would interpret that as the phoenix's nest. Beautiful, isn't it?”

Lereia looked up the information in her notebook. ”The phoenix, who has his nest in the Oreb Hills, must be asked for a Gem of Harmony.”

Since the flames were kindly showing them the way to their next destination, they broke camp and packed up everything. The Chalice of Peace, which they had carefully placed next to one of the tents, was still filled with the blessed water. Carrying it up to the Oreb Hills without spilling a drop would be quite a challenge, though. Abaia, who had been resting behind the tents, now climbed to its feet and looked somehow sleepy, as strange as it might seem for a bebilith. Then they began the ascent, and fortunately the Oreb Hills were neither too high nor did they rise particularly steeply. In most places it was possible to climb up without using hands. So they all came up the rocky hills relatively quickly, Abaia had the least problems with its eight long, spider-like legs. In bumpier places, Morânia who had put off her armor repeatedly flew a short distance so as not to risk spilling some of the blessed water. Her wings didn't carry her as high and as far as an angel could fly, but she could cover short distances or soar a few meters into the air. They came closer and closer to the flames on the hilltops, which they could now clearly perceive as such. Finally, several rocks rose in front of them, leaning against each other and piled up to form a structure about three paces high. On top of it, there was a large nest in which several adults could easily have found space. It shimmered reddish and golden, and in it sat – surrounded by flames – the phoenix. He resembled an eagle in appearance, but was almost as big as a horse, and had many long and bushy tail feathers, more like a rooster or a peacock. His plumage was dark red on the body and at the base of the wings, but it brightened towards the wing and tail feathers to a bright orange and finally a golden yellow. The phoenix of the Oreb Hills was known beyond the borders of Mishakal's realm, and he was as beautiful and majestic as Morânia had imagined him. She remembered that the phoenix was still Terrance's heraldic animal – maybe an emotional connection to a phase of his life he had left behind, but would never be able to shed completely. Perhaps also a fitting image for the death of his faith and its rebirth in the worship of the Great Unknown. They had stopped behind the next hill to not walk directly into the focus of the phoenix – although Morânia was sure that he sensed their presence nevertheless. She felt her heart beat a little faster with joy and excitement. She had experienced many things on her travels through the planes, but one didn't come face to face with a phoenix every day. For her and Naghûl, it was the first encounter with one of those mythical birds, as it was for everyone else.

 

 

With appropriate Sensate enthusiasm, her husband scrutinized the impressive creature. “Beautiful,” he murmured with rapture.

Lereia, like everyone else, had remained at a respectful distance from the nest. “Does anyone have experience with these creatures?” she asked quietly.

“Not yet,“ Naghûl replied, his eyes sparkling.

“They are said to be wild and temperamental,” Morânia repeated what she knew about the legendary birds. “But they are creatures of good.”

“Are they ... animals?" Sgillin asked hesitantly. “Or rather higher beings?”

“Rather higher beings,” the bal'aasi explained. “Just as dragons are not simply reptiles, a phoenix is not a simple bird.”

“I won't talk to him," Jana said firmly. Like the two lions before, the phoenix seemed to inspire more unease than enthusiasm in her.

Morânia shook her head gently, and that seemed to suit Naghûl just fine. She suspected that he was keen to speak to the mythical creature. But before he approached the nest any further, he looked back at the bebilith. “All right, Abaia, my dear. Just stay behind us. We don't know how well the phoenix will take to us, so let's approach slowly and carefully.”

The fiend twitched its front claws gently up and down. “Abaia will follow you.”

Then they approached the magnificent bird, slowly, respectfully and with bated breath. When they emerged from behind the hill where they had been waiting, the phoenix raised his head. The large, burning nest on which he sat was made of branches, fragrant spices and precious stones. He had just woven a bunch of red flowers into the nest with his beak, but now he paused and turned to them. Naghûl, Lereia and Morânia bowed deeply, and Sgillin also bowed his head. Kiyoshi softly clapped three times and bowed with clasped hands before the wonderful creature, which he, as Morânia suspected, would certainly classify as a kami. Only Jana remained rigid, appearing nervous and tense.

Naghûl took another small step forward and addressed the phoenix. “We greet you, mighty one, who rises from the ashes, exalted above the flames.”

When the tiefling greeted him, the mythical bird spread his wings. The feathers glowed and shone in all shades of orange and red, claws and beak were pure gold. His eyes scrutinized the visitors, alert and glowing. “We greet you.” They heard his telepathic voice in their minds, just as with Abaia. But he paused immediately. “An evil thing has approached our nest ... But not as evil as it appears at first glance. We sense the spark of a deva in it. Explain.”

The bebilith promptly cowered shyly. Naghûl took heart. “Yes, Abaia carries the spark of a deva. The spark teaches the demon good and through it, it has gained the will to change, exalted one.”

The phoenix cocked his head and studied the bebilith for a while. “That is touching,” his voice sounded again in the minds of the visitors. “We understand well how old becomes new. It is the connecting element of many worlds we have seen: Creation happens through an act of destruction.”

Naghûl nodded. “But in this case, creation is not yet complete. We and Abaia want to return the deva's spark to the angel. But to do that, we need the Regalia of Accord. Only then can Abaia follow its new path and the deva be saved.”

“The Regalia of Accord.“ The mighty bird spread his wings again, and glowing sparks flew from the tips of his feathers. “What do you want from us?”

“We have learned that you possess a Gem of Harmony.” Naghûl bowed. “We ask for it so that we may pursue our noble goal.”

“We possess such a jewel. But without this stone, the fabric of our nest is destroyed and we cannot rise from our own ashes." The voice in their minds sounded serious and regretful.

Naghûl thought for a while. ”Is there an alternative for you to restore the fabric of the nest?”

The phoenix fixed his glowing gaze on the group. “If you could give us something of equal purity in exchange, that might suffice.”

Although Jana had announced that she didn't want to talk and had so far only stared at the wonderful bird, she now spoke up. “What do you mean? Another gem?”

“A good thought.” Naghûl nodded and took a crystal star from his belt pouch. ”Would this jewel be pure enough?”

The mighty phoenix now spread his wings, rose from his nest and flew down to them. Morânia felt the heat radiating from him, it was like standing next to a glowing furnace. Everyone took a step back, except for Naghûl, who held out the blue crystal star to the mighty bird.

The phoenix leaned forward to examine the jewel. “It is very, very pure. Very precious. But not fiery enough.”

Jana seemed to struggle with herself for a moment, but then she pulled herself together. “I also have some gems with me. Among them a ruby ...”

Lereia had also taken something out of her belt pouch. “I have a light gem.” She showed the red crystal that could be used to permanently bind a magical light effect to another object. Naghûl seemed to get an idea, and he asked Jana and Lereia for the two jewels. They gave them to him, and he held the light gem over the ruby and then applied a little pressure. Both stones glowed, and the light gem transferred its glow to the ruby, disintegrating into fine dust itself.

Naghûl then held up the glowing ruby to show it to the phoenix. “Is this at your will?”

“Indeed it is.” The mythical bird nodded gracefully. “We can weave this jewel into our nest and replace the Gem of Harmony with it.”

“If you are willing to do this, we would be in your debt.” Naghûl held the ruby up as far as he could, and the phoenix bent forward to grasp the stone with his beak. A noticeable wave of heat emanated from him.

Everyone turned away a little as the phoenix approached the stone; it almost felt as if the flames of his plumage were briefly licking over their skin. The majestic bird took the stone, flew back up to the burning nest and carefully wove the jewel between the branches. Then he took another gem from the boughs of his home. In his left talon, he now held a red jewel about the size of a fist, with hundreds of facets in which the light refracted and created a rainbow-colored shimmer.

“Beautiful,” Lereia whispered, touched, as the phoenix gave the gem to Naghûl.

The tiefling took it with both hands, very carefully, apparently assuming that it would be glowing hot. But Morânia was relieved to see that her husband smiled immediately and closed his fingers protectively around the jewel. Apparently it was pleasantly warm at best.

Then he bowed to the wonderful bird. “We thank you, great one.”

The phoenix nodded majestically. “We have one more piece of advice to give you.”

“We would be grateful for any advice,” said Morânia, also bowing.

“We said that something new can and should arise.” The phoenix cocked his head. “But something new can arise only from the destruction of both - the deva and the bebilith. But not through wanton destruction. The two must be consumed in the Trials of the Labyrinth. For these trials burn as hot as fire, and in the flames of truth everything is cleansed.”

Lereia looked at the phoenix, astonished, almost horrified, and Morânia heard Naghûl swallow audibly beside her.

The bal'aasi nodded hesitantly. “I think I understand.”

“Only the proper vessel can hold the spark,” the phoenix explained. “The Gem is such a vessel, if it has been prepared. Always remember the Rule of Three: Through truth, destruction and peace you will reach your goal.”

Kiyoshi nodded gravely and spoke for the first time. ”We will bear it in mind, venerable kami of fire and renewal.”

“Can we help the two with the trials?“ Sgillin cautiously wanted to know.

“Yes.” The phoenix spread his wings. “And yet, everyone will face their own trial: the deva, the bebilith and you.”

Lereia straightened up. ”We will take on these trials to enable the renewal of the two.”

The phoenix nodded contentedly. “Then go now and create something new through destruction.”

“We thank you for your advice and help.” Morânia bowed deeply, and the others followed her example, this time including Jana.

The phoenix gave the group a last serious look, especially Abaia, then he flew back to his nest and continued building it.

Naghûl turned to the bebilith and smiled. “You see, Abaia? Everyone here wants to help you and will help you. That's good, do you understand?”

“Abaia understands,” the bebilith replied.

The tiefling nodded, satisfied. “But now it's time for us to get Ybdiel and help him as well.”

“No,” was the immediate reply.

Sgillin instantly raised his eyebrows in alarm. “What do you mean, no?”

Naghûl asked the half-elf with a calming gesture to hold back for now. “Please explain, Abaia,” he then turned to the fiend.

“Abaia alone is faster,” the bebilith explained. “Abaia will get deva. Meet you with deva at labyrinth.”

“Cebulon said you would lead us to him,” Lereia objected.

Morânia, too, was uncomfortable with the idea of letting the still unstable fiend go off alone, deva spark or not. “Are you sure you can handle it alone?” she asked skeptically.

Kiyoshi looked at the others and shook his head in warning.

Lereia didn't seem enthusiastic either. “I have a bad feeling about this,” she interjected.

Naghûl and Jana seemed undecided, and Sgillin furled his eyebrows in displeasure. “Aren't you worried that Abaia will slice Ybdiel when it gets in a bad mood?”

But before they could discuss the question further, Abaia rubbed its front legs together, and there was a flash of light, just like when it had disappeared with the deva. A blink of an eye later, the bebilith was gone. Sgillin cursed under his breath and Lereia let her shoulders drop with a sigh.

“I see.” Naghûl nodded gravely. ”I guess we have no choice but to try. Oh, and forgive me for hogging the conversation with the phoenix. It was a bit selfish, but you truly don't get an experience like that every day.”

Morânia smiled. “That was all right as far as I'm concerned.”

The others didn't seem angry either, and Sgillin shrugged. ”Why? It was successful, that's the main thing. But where can we find this labyrinth?”

Morânia wanted to answer, but suddenly she had no control over her tongue. She felt light and warmth flowing through her, a sweet, pleasant feeling of safety and at the same time boundless freedom ... the Envoy. Now, the third time, the feeling was vaguely familiar and she let go completely. “I am the Envoy,” she heard herself say, just as she had the other two times before. “Ask and you shall be answered.”

“Oh.” Naghûl looked around, from one to the other, with a questioning look. Morânia could perceive all this, hear the words, see the looks and gestures, albeit as if through a thin veil or a tarnished window.

After a brief exchange of glances with the others, Lereia turned to Morânia. “If we fail one of the trials in the labyrinth, will it cost us our lives?”

“No,” Morânia heard the Envoy answer through her lips.

Lereia glanced at Naghûl briefly, but he motioned to her to continue. She nodded. “We have heard of destruction. Will someone have to make a sacrifice for the trials?”

“Yes,” the Envoy replied.

Lereia bit her lip briefly, but then quickly concentrated on the next question. “Will bebilith and deva live on after passing the trials?”

“Yes,” the Envoy confirmed, and then Morânia's head fell forward.

The bal'aasi felt the light and warmth that she now without a doubt associated with the Envoy leave her, as she regained control of her body.

Naghûl immediately reached for her hand. ”Are you all right?”

This time she only felt a slight dizziness, harmless enough to be able to stand without problems. “Yes ...” She smoothed her hair back. “I'm getting used to it.”

Lereia sighed. ”That means that if we want to pass, at least one of us will have to make a sacrifice. But Abaia and Ybdiel will then live on.”

“They will,” Naghûl said confidently.

Morânia nodded in agreement. “I am curious to see how that will happen. But Elysium represents all that is good. I cannot imagine that anyone has to die for this.”

Sgillin appeared more serious than usual, but was still the first to suggest they move on. “Well, then let's find out.”

Just as they were about to leave, they saw a bright flare from the top of the hills. As they looked up, they saw the phoenix sitting on his nest ... and it burst into flames. The fire spread quickly, glowing yellow, orange and red, but white, blue and green flames also danced over the peaks. The flames leapt out over to the feathers of the phoenix, but they didn't just dance around them. They consumed them. The wonderful bird laid his head back and let out a long, wailing scream as he was slowly but surely devoured by the fire of his burning nest.

Awestricken, Lereia looked up. “Oh ... He will rise again, won't he?”

“Yes.” Naghûl nodded, and an almost blissful smile appeared on his lips. “From his ashes ...”

 

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played August 3, 2012

1) poem by August von Arnswaldt