Muta was in a dream. How could he tell? The first sign was probably because he was floating. Muta was floating in a vast expanse of darkness. No matter how far he looked, everything was just black. Muta was not nervous at all. It was as if he had experienced this before. Leaning backwards against nothing, he closed his eyes and pointed his head upwards. He started to experience a warm sensation radiating from above. Muta smiled as the sensation grew into a faint glow coming through his eyelids. It had a similar feeling to the times when he would lay on the giant rock by the hillside and await the sunrise.
Muta decided to finally open his eyes, slowly peeking upwards. Just when he saw what it was, his eyes widen. Above him was an image of a fiery bird. The powerful glow emanated from its golden orange feathers emphasized the radiance of this beast. The pulsing fire surrounding the beast reverberated around it. Muta froze in place. He was awed by the magnificent sight.
He had heard stories from his father about this legendary bird. The beast was said to live in the pits of a volcano, with the ability to resurrect after death. The bird's wings and body were coated with fire. It was said that the gods of the earth when they blessed humans with the ability of Auras, they had given them certain beasts Auras too. One of them is the Phoenix, the mystical bird of fire, the embodiment of Rage.
Why was had it appear in Muta's dream? He had no clue. The Phoenix slowly flapped its flaming wings and descended towards Muta. The brave boy had not falter as he watched the Phoenix approach him. They were face to face. Curious, Muta stretched out his arm and reach for the bird's feather. As the boy touched the feathers of the Phoenix, he closed his eyes, anticipating a burning sensation to hit him. However, there was no pain and only surging warmth. "My dear boy," The sound caused Muta to retract his arm. "Fear not, my fire shall not burn you."
Muta did not know where the sound came from. "Who is this?" The boy turned his head around in search of the mysterious voice.
"The one talking is the soul within this bird, stupid." Muta looked back at the Phoenix with a puzzled look. "You can talk?"
"Yes. Aren't I talking to you right now?"
"But, how?"
"All Aura beasts have the ability to communicate with you humans. It is just a matter of us wanting to or not," The bird continued to look into the boy's eyes as if it was looking for something within him. "Anyways, I appeared in your dream to thank you."
"Thank me? For what?"
"I would like to thank you for saving me earlier on. The bird you saved earlier on was in fact me. I had turned back into my lowly form several days ago when a group of bandits decided to hunt me down." The boy expressed a worried look. "Well, are you ok now? Your wing was badly injured, but father tried his best to fix it for you."
The Phoenix nodded and replied. "Yes, indeed I am feeling better now. Your father is truly a magnificent user of the Grief Aura. He was able to heal an Aura beast to the point where I can start flying again in 2 to 3 days time." Muta sighed in relief. He was shocked too that his father was able to wield two Auras.
"That is good news. Would you like to follow my father and I for the next two days then? I am currently heading to Golgia for my Aura test and I do not mind caring for you till you are able to move properly again."
"That sounds like a plan. Thank you uh… What is your name, young boy?"
"Muta. My name is Muta." He smiled brightly.
"Nice to meet you Muta. You can call me Rak."
"Ok Rak. Looking forward to caring for you."
The bird started flying upwards into the darkness. Flakes of the bird's flame trickled down from above. " Oh right, Muta, I would not be able to speak to you telepathically unless you are in a dream-like state for now as my powers are not fully recovered yet."
"Ok, I understand Rak." Muta waved his hand as it disappeared from his dream. It was then Gavin woke Muta up. It was once again time to leave for Golgia. The sun had barely risen, the sky was gradually turning from dark to light blue.
Muta got up and turned to Rak who was still sleeping. He picked it up off the ground along with his bag pack. "Let's go, Rak. Off to Golgia."
Gavin overheard his son talking to the sleeping fledgeling. "Oh so you named him Rak eh," Muta nodded as he skipped towards his father while cradling the injured beast.
"Next stop. Golgia." Father pointed in the city's direction and the duo departed once again.