Part 5: The Magma Phoenix

I’m fortunate to be able to give my tired feet a rest. I am writing to you from the back of a Lunar Sheep! We are currently en route to the Phoenix King’s castle. So much has happened, I can hardly think of where to begin.

Phoebe led us out of the Spectral Forest and up into the Lunar mountain range in search of the home of the Magma Phoenix, Scoria. We had to follow a narrow and treacherous path along a ridge with a sheer drop. This is where the Lunar Sheep came in handy. The creature is soft, but incredibly sure-footed. We used the materials you provided me to construct a saddle and harness to keep me securely on the sheep’s back. The greatest challenge when riding was staying awake! And I certainly did want to stay awake when considering the enormous fall awaiting me if I should tumble out of the saddle.

Glitter kept our spirits up by reciting travelogues and stories of great adventurers. Specter patrolled for nightmares and guided them out of our path. The terrain was challenging for me, but easy for the phoenixes, until we arrived at the tunnel. 

The tunnel was on the side of a sheer cliff face. Using the paracord you provided me, I was able to rappel down to the opening. Once the phoenixes landed inside, it was clear we would have to go in single file. The tunnel was quite narrow. 

As we journeyed deeper and deeper through the tunnel, it narrowed until Glitter and Specter could barely open their wings. Phoebe, being smaller than the others, was able to fly forward and lead us on. Glitter was quite anxious being in such an enclosed space, cut off from the stars. Specter disliked the pitch darkness and felt claustrophobic with only the paths ahead and behind open to him. Plus, it was quite warm and stuffy underground, and getting warmer as we journeyed inward. I had to remove my coat and store it in my pack for the trip.

I kept the phoenixes distracted by telling them stories about all of you and how you’ve helped me so far on my journey. I told them about the realms we explored and the adventures we had in the hatchery world saving the baby phoenixes. This helped pass the time until we finally arrived at a tall but narrow crack in the stone with orange light pouring through.

This was the secret entrance to Scoria’s home.

Once we arrived, it was quickly apparent why we needed to use the secret entrance in the first place. Scoria was trapped in a dream and her nest was overrun with nightmares. The nightmares didn’t have a distinct shape. Instead, they seemed to blur and run between several different shapes, never settling on a final form. 

Glitter squeezed through the crack first, scattering the nightmares away from Scoria with a hearty song. Specter swooped in second with an unearthly call that seemed to spellbind the nightmares and guided them out of the cave.

I followed after Glitter, climbing carefully down from the crack and onto some solid stone. Scoria’s cave was a bulb in the rock formed by an ancient bubble of magma. It was open to the sky.  Towards the back was a pool of liquid magma radiating heat. Scoria lay in a nest of stones several dozen paces from the magma pool.

Phoebe and I carefully approached Scoria. The heat was intense. Each whisker felt like the end of a candle wick and my feet seemed to be melting inside my boots.

We pulled Scoria gently out of her nest and tried to wake her, but she was lost in dreams like Phoebe had been back on the Lunar Plains. As Phoebe nudged Scoria trying to wake her, I dug through my pack to locate my journal. 

I had written down the story Glitter used to wake Phoebe, and I recited it to Scoria as she slept: A story about the nightmare realm, a story of a princess who had gotten lost far from home, a story of a hero defeating a great monster, and the story of a shepherd who vowed to win the heart of his true love by counting every lunar sheep.

She stirred but didn’t wake. Phoebe, hearing my tale, provided her own: A story of sneaking away from the palace and finding the hidden entrance to Scoria’s home. At that point, Glitter and Specter returned from driving off the nightmares. Glitter observed the spell we were trying to weave over Scoria, as though they could see the threads of each tale surrounding her. Glitter added one final tale of their own: The story of a hero who protected and endured against all odds. 

They finished their tale with a final trilling call, and Scoria awoke!

She was confused and very hungry. I fed her some of the excellent trail rations you provided, which gave her enough strength to glide back to her Magma pool to recover. 

While she rested I asked Phoebe if the story about sneaking out of the palace was how she learned about the secret cave entrance to Scoria’s home. She sheepishly admitted it was her own story. 

You see, the Phoenix King is a Moon Phoenix, and Phoebe is his daughter. This is why they reside in the Lunar realm. Phoebe was raised in the palace instead of the hatchery, but now that she is closer to adulthood, she has taken to sneaking out of the palace from time to time and visiting the members of the Phoenix Court. I looked so shocked by the news that Phoebe apologized profusely for hiding her identity. But truthfully, I wasn’t upset. Merely surprised and excited to learn more.

Glitter and Specter are not sure how the protective barriers around Scoria’s home were damaged enough to allow the nightmares through, but they did discover that Scoria’s Lunar Crystal is missing, so we decided to continue on to the castle immediately. I am riding a Lunar sheep and Scoria is riding behind me until she feels well enough to fly. 

I think that will be soon, because she keeps sneaking fruit out of my pack when she thinks I’m not looking. She especially likes orange slices.

I’m happy to have her riding behind me because as we reach the upper peaks of the Lunar Mountains, the air is turning cold. 

My next letter should hopefully be sent from the Lunar Castle. I am excited to see what the royal palace looks like, especially if Phoebe can give me a tour. 

Thank you again for all your support on my journey. Scoria also thanks you for the orange slices.

Your enduring emissary,

Read the rest of Cecil's letters here: Cecil's Mailbox