Ask any survivors of the Cataclysm and they will tell you the legend of Lilo Kukhyana. But what they do not know is the truth behind the Cataclysm and the true story of Schawn, son of Helios.

       Two months of lonely waiting in the old hut hidden away in the forest. There was nothing much he could do. Other than the small trips outside to look for insects and small animals for food, there was nothing much Schawn could do, but wait... and wait. All alone in a primitive wooden hut. Still holding on to the magical feather in his hand, Schawn wonders what else he could possibly do? What if the magical feather wasn’t magical at all, what could a regular feather do? It can be pulled and stroked simply for the feel and satisfaction of the golden and smooth texture, yes. Everything about the feather was just so perfect, yet so boring. If only there was something else, he began to ponder. In his mind, what could have been if it weren’t for the war. Subconsciously grabbing the feather like a quill he began to draw a simple house. Magically, a glowing golden ink oozed out from the tip of the quill, leaving a small fire trail before fading. Writing just got a lot more interesting. He imagined going to school, he imagined reading and writing other languages. He wondered how fancy tests could be like. Subconsciously signing his name on the floor of the hut “Schawn”. Suddenly, the scald tattoo on his arm started to glow and burn a cooling eerie red flame. Then, on the letters of his signature the fire trail reappeared, and from its spot shone a bright golden ray. His letters were suddenly burning itself into the ground. Those flames started to manifest and from those letters on the ground a creature emerged. A bright and beautiful creature with feathers golden as the morning sun. The small bird flapped its wings and tilted its head. It began to chip and stretch its wings, igniting them like a candle fire. The feathers on his chest started to burn in different shades of yellow and red. Eager as Schawn is to witness this, he could feel the immense warmth on the tattoo on his arm, draining all the remaining energy he had left as he tried a futile attempt to keep is eyes open.

     Waking up to the ashes of the hut and the sound of war drums, Schawn tried to move his sore and tired arms. To no avail. Around him was destructive fire and smoke. Then, he felt gentle arms slowly lift him up from the ground.

      “Praise Helios you are alright.”

      “D-Daddy?”

     “I’m so glad that you’re alive… I can’-… I… I’m sorry son”

     Covered in arrows and aching on every bone and muscle of his body.

     “My son, you are going chief and protector of this land, and I trust that every decision you would make will be for the best. If you’re ever lost, may the light of Helios guide you, and I will always be there.”

     “I call the power of Helios once more, from winding rivers and distant shores. They had brought the fight to our land. Now, help us turn the tides of war, aid us through our final stand. Cast your light onto the shadows, cleanse the land of this evil. Phoenix! Detonus Armagido!”

     The chief, hugging his son ever so tightly, as a blinding flash followed by the powerful explosion of a small sun swept across the entire forest, instantly vaporising everything in its path.

     Not a single tree within its area remained intact, no soil or foliage unscathed, no rubble or rock unblemished, all was gone but the tears from the son of the chief.

To be continued