Morning came and went as Axis arrived at a small logging town. He looked to the houses, and flames flickered over his hands, causing him to hesitate for a moment before his growling stomach pushed him forward. The town was quiet, with only a few stores and scattered homes made from wood taken from the forest. The forest had once been a close friend to the town but had long since been slaughtered for profit.

“Do you still question why I would not bestow my power onto a mortal?” Viserus pressed, “They can not even curb their greed without it.”

His eyes lingered on the large sawmill that was built over the river which powered it before looking back to the road before him.

“Maybe if given to the right person they will rise as your champion.” the god of creatures toyed with the thought, “Have you ever considered that?”

Axis continued his way through the town as his flames flickered on and off, wisping over him and sometimes setting fire to the grass beneath his feet.

“Damn it,” he growled as he stomped out a burning tuft of grass. “This shit is getting annoying.” he sighed before noticing several kids watching him. Embarrassment quickly filled his cheeks as he offered an awkward smile, and they took off with a look of fear. “Well then…”

Axis made his way into the town’s tavern and onto a booth inside before he ordered some food. He pulled his legs up, crossing them while he sat there waiting, trying to control his flames.

“What are you doing, kiddo?” a familiar man sang as he sat across from Axis, earning his glare.

The man had deep red hair that faded to blonde as it reached his shoulders and eyes of fire that burned against his dark skin.

“What do you want, Larsolis?” Axis growled. “Aren’t Gods supposed to be busy?”

“First off, I want you to call me Lars when I’m like this,” he stated, “It’s more fun to toy with you mortals this way,” Lars added while winking to a woman that sat on the other side of the tavern, earning her blush.

“I’m growing more convinced that you’re God of the Pervs,” Axis grumbled, and Lars scowled at him. “Did you know god backward is dog?” Axis taunted, and Lars sighed with a smirk.

“If I had a son, I imagine he’d be like you,” Lars chuckled making Axis scowl.

“Seriously, what do you want?” Axis frowned.

“I have what I want,” Lars hummed, “You are the first of your kind.”

“So you’ve said,” Axis huffed in annoyance as flames flickered over his hand.

“But you are not the only- well, I mean you’re the only phoenix, but as more of the gods follow me in this new era, more types of mages will appear,” Lars revealed.

“What is a phoenix anyway?” Axis questioned, and Lars grimaced with a heavy sigh while rubbing his temple.

“Uncultured swine…” Lars grumbled, “Your clan worshiped me, yet you never learned what a phoenix was?!” he snapped before sighing again. “Let me enlighten you then, boy. The phoenix is, as you mortals would say, a beast of legend. A magnificent bird made of fire that dies in a brilliant explosion of flames, but is reborn from the ashes.” he explained, “The phoenix wields all the power that fire has to offer, and in the chaos of its emotions its power is almost limitless.”

“And I’m the only phoenix?” Axis questioned with a look of intrigue.

“Well, the only human one anyways…” Lars answered while gesturing carelessly.

“What else is there?” Axis pressed.

“I am not sure… It depends what gods have and will join me in this new era,” he answered in a bored tone, but after a moment a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes. “My sister has joined me, and released her hound to find a new master.”

“So?” Axis was not impressed.

“So, whoever becomes his master will control him, a guardian of hell itself. His master will be able to control the darkness that so many fear!” Lars exclaimed theatrically.

“Wow… Kinda feel gypped now,” Axis sighed as the god glared at him, and Axis smirked.

“Don’t toy with me boy,” Lars commented before glancing out the window to see the kids from before speaking with the guards and pointing towards them. “It’s time for me to take my leave. Good luck.”

“Good luck?” Axis pressed. “Why would I need luck?” he asked before looking out the window as well, to see the guards moving in. “Shit. What do I-” he started to ask, but he fell silent as found Larsolis gone.

Axis quickly stood, and he headed to the back of the tavern, checking behind him as he started to step out. However, as he looked forward, a blunt force crashed into his head, and his world went dark.

“He’s a monster! You heard what the children said!”

“But that’s just it, they were children.”

“No, I saw it too!”

Axis listened, his eyes too heavy to open as he slowly drifted from consciousness again.

“Then, it’s decided.”

“Yes, he must be purged.” another agreed as Axis slowly regained his mind.

“Wha-what’s going on?” Axis questioned as his head throbbed with his eyes slowly opening. “What the hell?” his breathing hitched when he could not move his arms.

Axis’s eyes flickered to the chains that bound his hands above him, securing them to the pole he was lashed to with a pile of dried branches beneath him, and a small crowd already gathered.

“You were right brother, he did surprise us.” amusement lightened Noxera, “I gave him one week, and it has only been five days since.”

“What…?” Axis breathed in disbelief as the sound of a flint striking stone filled the air, “Again?!” he exclaimed as flames flickered over his skin.

“HE’S AWAKE, WE MUST KILL HIM NOW!” a young guard exclaimed in terror, and a piercing pain filled Axis’s side.

“Wha- but I did nothing…” Axis breathed as he looked down to find the young guard’s sword impaling his side, “I just wanted to get some food…” he added as his flames flickered over his skin, and flashes of his father filled his mind, numbing the pain.

~*~

“No! Please! He is our son!”

“He will save our village. Our god does not have time for measly sacrifices. It has to be him.”

“Your god! My god believes all life is preci-”

“THIS SACRIFICE IS NEEDED OR WE WILL ALL DIE! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT VERA?! WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE ANOTHER!” Stone roared.

“HE IS MY CHILD! HE CAN NOT BE-”

Stone struck her, and she fell against the table.

“It is what has to be done, Vera.” Stone stated coldly.

“I will… I will- I WILL NOT LET YOU!” she screamed as she flew to her feet with a knife taken from the table.

Stone effortlessly caught her wrists, twisting them before forcing her to impale herself upon the blade.

“May Nexeva guide your soul,” he growled as he extinguished Vera’s life while Axis watched through a crack in the wall.

~*~

“I’m not-... I’m not doing this again.” Axis stated as his voice trembled, and tears fell down his cheeks while the flames grew steadily from his chest.

“Don’t be so quick sister.” larsolis warned, “Can’t you see it? His sanity is leaving him.”

The crowd was devoured by fear, pegging things at Axis while the flames strengthened and surrounded him. Objects caught in the fire turned to ash as his flames grew stronger until they turned white around his wrists, freeing him of his bonds.

“I absolutely loathe when you are right, Larsolis.” Noxera relented.

Axis swept his hand, and his flames engulfed the guards as well as half the crowd. The people began to scream and cry, calling him a monster as he slowly lost himself to the calm rage that beckoned him towards insanity.

“Of course I am right…” Larsolis scoffed, “However, I didn’t expect him to snap so soon…”

“Monster?” Axis questioned with a twisted smile forming on his face. “Maybe I am.”

“All life is precious.” turmoil held Viserus, “yet, I cannot bring myself to grieve for those that would bring destruction to my land, but I can not thank you either, Phoenix.”