The gold-orange of the phoenix’s wings capture the glow of the rising sun’s rays as it flies. The majestic bird dives letting out a gentle caw as it lands, fluffing its feathers. It caws once more as a teenage girl walks out from behind a tree her green eyes sparkling with intrigue. The bird steps toward the girl stretching it’s head out to her. She reaches a hand out to the creature petting it’s beak. She giggles slight as the bird makes a purr-like noise resting it’s head on her hand. The Phoenix opens it’s eyes looking into the girl’s. What’s your name?, a voice whispers through her mind.
“Mina.” She smiles at the bird finally noticing it is much larger than her.
Well Mina would you like a ride? The voice whispers once more.
“Yes!” She smiles gleefully.
The Phoenix turns to the side lowering it’s neck so Mina can climb on. Mina gently grabs the bird’s feathers hoisting herself up onto the base of it’s neck. You may call me Zeryx. The voice echoes through Mina’s mind as she situates herself. Zeryx spreads his wings taking off into the early morning sky.
Mina leans forward placing her hands on his feathers as they soar through the purple-pink of the morning. Zeryx dips and tilts his body to the air currents as Mina looks down at the far away earth. Mina yells with glee as she sees the tops of the trees. Do you want to land Mina? Zeryx voice asks in Mina’s mind.
“Sure.”
Hang on.
Zeryx closes his wings diving down and Mina clings to his neck. He swoops down landing softly in the center of a small town, Mina smiles wide. “How’d you know where I lived?”
Because we’re linked now.
“Linked? How?”
I can feel your thoughts, your feelings.
“How?”
When I opened my mind to you, it was sealed when we went flying.
Mina slides off Zeryx’s neck looking up at him. “How long will it last?”
Until one of us dies.