The stories whispered in the recesses of the heavens leave me curious about the creature. Never have I encountered a being of her type. Yes, she was the first, but others have been born in her wake. Some, still at Lucifer’s disposal due to their willingness to serve him. Others born in various ways, even by the hand of my father. None have been born with the sheer destructive power this one possesses. Rumors of her being more powerful than the devil himself abound. I’m not entirely sure I believe those tales, however. She is born of darkness, therefore an angel such as me should have the power to thwart her. My brothers and sisters are less confident than I am, however. Still, I take nothing for chance.
The last angel who met with the Phoenix insists she is not an evil creature. Mila spent time on Earth quite long ago and has shared her encounter several times with me. My sister knew I was the one being sent to determine our move and wanted me to have insight. In her humbled opinion, the Phoenix simply wants to be left alone. Mila preaches of the being’s reluctance to be involved with anything and claims she only uses her power when threatened. This is information I will use to my advantage. If I appear non-threatening and simply curious, there should be no reason for the Phoenix to rise against me.
My thoughts of how to proceed are quickly dampened when I feel the power. She is on the move and isn’t bothering with hiding herself like Mila claimed she did in the past. No, her essence is strong, her power surging. Something has awakened her inner-self and will give me the opportunity to bear witness to her strength.
In a flutter of movement, I appear near an alleyway. I feel the lost being first. It is soulless, having been claimed by one of Lucifer’s many minions. The battle for souls, the driving force behind both Heaven and Hell, has been fought for millennia. Unfortunately, the humans do not understand the dire consequences involved with giving themselves over to the darkness. The idea of burning in a chasm of Hell fire and evil is lost to them. Their beliefs, in many cases, are also lost. This leaves far too many of his precious children finding their way to Lucifer through his minions who promise them paradise on earth for damnation in the afterlife.
The Phoenix is here. The rumors of her birth are. She doesn’t resemble the demons from Hell. Her form isn’t grotesque, burned, or disfigured. Instead, she looks like a human being. Only the highest forms of celestial beings such as myself, my brothers, and even my fallen comrade, Lucifer, would know her true form. I see the wings. They are vast and powerful, dripping with the flames of Hell itself. If she were to completely lose control of herself, she could easily wipe out this world and all the beings inhabiting it.
I try to avoid her detection. I’m not sure how heightened her senses are when it comes to beings such as myself. With my hopes of meeting with her on even footing, and without placing any fear in her, it is best I simply observe and stay out of her way. I do wonder, however, if she will end this creature’s suffering or simply allow him to dwell on Earth as so many others do from fear of moving on.
The conversation between her and the apparition is lost on me when I feel an all too familiar darkness in the distance. The demon who claimed the soul and left behind what he didn’t need, like it was of no importance, is nearby. It is trying, unsuccessfully, to do like me, and hide its existence from the Phoenix. It wants to observe her, but the fear coursing through the vile creature is evident. It’s afraid of what she will do if she finds it. I can hear its lost meanderings in my mind clear as the harps that play in the heavens.
She clearly could care less whether the creature is in the vicinity or not. This is another indication of the power she knows she possesses. Demons often fear one another. Lucifer has his army. He has his generals, his knights, and others who are powerful and destructive. Then he has his henchmen. The ones who are lower level chaos bringers who charm their way into the lives of humans and claim the souls he needs to rise and bring forth the apocalypse. This demon, he is nothing special. I feel no great power from him as I would a knight. He is simply a pawn who was sent to do a job, then observe the poor Phoenix’s reaction. They are ready to make a move, whether she knows it or not. My only question is, what are they planning with her?
By the time I give the Phoenix’s situation my attention again, it’s over. The soulless being has been discarded, on his way to Hell where he chose to dwell after his time on Earth finished. She is unscathed. By the way she is holding herself, she isn’t bothered by the fact she just sent what remained of a man to Hell. She doesn’t care that a demon is lingering, watching her every move. She also doesn’t mind that I am here, watching as well. I know she senses me, whether she reacts or not.
Oddly enough, she doesn’t go in search of the demon, or me. Instead, she simply walks out of the alley as if nothing has happened. The body is still waiting to be found and no one will ever know she ended the plight of the lost being trapped on tEarth. No humans that is. I saw it. Most of it. If I’d paid more attention to the exchange, I would know her exact reasonings. It doesn’t matter, though, in all honesty. Ending the plight of someone lost on the Earth is a decent move, in my opinion.
She takes her time as she walks the street. The night doesn’t bother her. She doesn’t show fear of being attacked by the demon, me, or even wandering humans who prey on the weak. In the human world, she would be considered quite beautiful. Her hair is flame red, which makes sense considering the fires burning within her. Her skin is like porcelain. I would guess her age for this lifetime to be mid-twenties. She looks like any other human of her age we watch from the heavens. I am not fond of her way of dressing. Her skirt is quite short and the shirt she is wearing show more skin than I feel is required. She is a being of Hell though. I would imagine she suffers from the fires raging inside her constantly. I suppose I can overlook that part.
I’m not surprised by her home either. We’ve watched her over the years and know she has several. Why she prefers this one is a mystery. It’s quaint yet inviting. The demons dwelling inside have been discussed quite often in the heavens. They were once practicing witches. Their escape from Hell with the Phoenix was unheard of. It isn’t often Lucifer allows his demons to crawl out of the pit without purpose. What’s more surprising is their return to their former lives. They practice as witches again and use what they were taught and have learned since to keep themselves strong. Through all the years they spent with the Phoenix, not once have they attempted to feast upon a soul. Many in the heavens feel the Phoenix was lucky to be banished to Earth shortly after the witch trials and the twin’s demise. It gave her beings to protect her when she would be reborn who were not taken with Lucifer and his ways of life in the pit.
I hesitate in my reconnaissance. Going too close to her home could be a mistake. Instead, I hide myself away in the shadows and watch the greeting she receives at the door. In the light of day, I will make my move. It will be simple and unbiased. If the Phoenix is truly what my sister claims she is, the two of us may enjoy a nice, long conversation. If not, it has been quite a while since I was truly in a meaningful battle.
Chapter Three
Anala
Living several lives makes each one a bit easier. At this point, money is no issue. I have collected enough over the years to be more than comfortable in the life I lead. I enjoy very human things. Television, music, movies, art, and especially bourbon. It helps settle the nerves on nights like tonight.