As I lay in the ashes of my hometown, bleeding from multiple wounds, soaked from the rain, eyes blurry with tears, I was struck with a powerful urge to survive. Later I would resolve myself for revenge and try to topple the most powerful criminal organization on the continent but as I lay dying my only wish was to live.
I had grown up in a rural town, a couple miles out at most from one of the Familiar forests, raised by my mercenary of a grandfather. The folk out here were hardy and strong and had a high chance of impressing or befriending magical beasts. Familiars, beasts that had made magical contracts with humans, used to be rare in big cities. They were owned by the famous, the rich, those with godly luck. Rural kids had it easier. We lived closer to the beasts and our honest hardwork and determination attracted those that were interested in the ritual. I, unfortunately, had never attracted a beast that my grandfather thought was good enough for me, something about my great potential.
What point am I trying to make? Well, as I fought with my fading consciousness, I heard a melodic song and felt the sky stop crying down on me. It was dawn, and with the sun came the immortal phoenix. I just barely managed to stay awake for the ritual before succumbing to my fate.
To this day, I still don't remember much about that night. I remember piercing screams and deathly quiet, I remember my grandfather's body, the taste of smoke and ash, and the burning crackle of flames. I remember the culprits, a large criminal empire colloquially called Purgatory Sin, and I remember their leader, one of my personal heroes, Ms. Selena Ross. I remember my heart breaking and my will almost shattered beyond compare; but mostly, I remember my burning will to live and my encounter with the firebird that saved my life.
My name is Talia Rayne and I was 15 years old when I learned that humans really are monsters.
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When I came to, it was around noon and I was alone in the ashes of what my life used to be. I was unharmed, my clothes singed and scarred, perfectly normal except for the stylized phoenix feather seemingly tattooed on my left shoulder, the symbol of my contract with the immortal firebird of longevity and rebirth. My thoughts returned to what happened the night before and I recalled our contract. I wanted to live, the phoenix granted me life in exchange for magic power. Then I recalled who was ordering around the criminals who did this to my home.
Selena Ross was the nicest politician you'd ever meet, taking in orphans and supporting charity cases. When I was younger I'd been appalled that she was a higher up in the Sins, now I just wish that I had left well enough alone.
My survival was seen as a miracle, my talent extraordinary, and I was soon taking lessons for my magic. I told everyone who asked that I could not remember much of that night, only a partial truth, but I really didn't want the Purgatory Sins to know that I remembered or recognized their elusive leader.
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I started my new life at the New York Academy of Magic at 16, still grieving for my hometown and my childish innocence. For the whole year I was quiet and reserved. I probably would have continued sulking well into my second year if I hadn't met Sarah Jane, my only friend at the academy.
Jane was peculiar. An optimistic, happy go lucky girl, Jane could have been friends with whomever she wanted but I was the only one that Jane became closer to. Later I would find out that Jane's maternal lineage were all therapists and that she recognized some of her mother's patients in me. Jane thought I needed a friend.
I did need a friend to pull me out of my sulk but at the time, I thought Jane a nuisance and hoped she'd go away.
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We met as roommates in the Arcana Dorm, a dorm designed for mages with famous connections, in the need fo privacy. Jane's family was famous for their illusions, mastering the arts of manipulating the mind. I, on the other hand, was the grandaughter of Seth Zephyr Rayne and had contracted the immortal phoenix as my familiar. The Rayne clan was famous for our mastery of the elements. Unfortunately, we had been almost wiped out by Purgatory Sin in the last 40 or so years. I was now the last Rayne.
Or so I thought….
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Purgatory Sin, hearing that I was alive, started coming after me. Selena Ross was about to participate in a council meeting to determine countermeasures for Purgatory Sin. I had needed to do something, anything, to stop the council. Selena would sabotage any plans they came up with. I agonized on what to do for weeks, throwing more and more effort into my magical studies.
My plan was dangerous, foolish, reckless, but I had no choice…
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