It was war. The Dragon Nations was fighting the Demon Realms for the millionth time. Within the war were a male Draconian and his son, both chaotic and dangerous. The male Draconian was destroyed by his own son. Being a God within the Dragon Nations, Brakkon was sent back with his fellow gods. In a form not his own, an Immortal-male more Mortal than Draconian, he pleads for forgiveness.

"I know my deeds were many and the losses from them more." Brakkon pleaded to the God Damascus. "I realize I have done wrong in the eyes of my people, but please, let me have the time to reform myself."

"Why do you ask this of us, Phoenix?" Damascus used his Elder God Name to remind him.

"I only wish to fix my wrongs."

"They have already been done. There is no retraction." Stated the voice of a Goddess, Tuatha. "Tell us why we should reincarnate you so quickly? It takes at least a regeneration of thirty years for a soul to be ready for its next incarnation."

"One reason." Brakkon-Named-Phoenix supplied seriously. "My People need me, as I need them, and my family."

"What do you know or care of family?" Damascus sneered. "Once your mate was sent to the Summerlands, you forgot all about family. No, family was not your priority, nor was it to your Draconian people, Brakkon. Your mind was clouded with so much hate; I am surprised Darkness kept his head so long before he destroyed you."

"He went chaotic after I renamed myself Thorn." Brakkon replied. "What was once a nickname between my son and me, was now a separate entity. I was not myself. If you look over the Akashic records of my earlier lifetime, it will tell you Draconis destroyed not me, his father Brakkon, but the soul of Thorn."

"Was it not true you created him from your own soul with your blood and power?"

Brakkon looked down, ashamed. "Aye, Damascus, but I never meant for Thorn to go this far. Please, I beg of thee, reincarnate me now."

"You know what it means should we do so?" Tuatha asked gently. "You will remember all of this lifetime and carry it with you in the next."

"Why should we?" Damascus scolded her before Brakkon could answer. "It is clear to all he is not ready, nor is he sorry for his actions."

"That's not true!" Brakkon stood and shouted. His eyes were black, and his form changed to his God-form, a Phoenix. "I know I have a long way to go, but I am terribly sorry for causing the destruction of my people and Realm! Please, you must grant me reincarnation now so I may redeem myself."

Damascus was silenced, in thought. He studied the God Phoenix's eyes and heart. His eyes showed he was serious and sorry for his actions, and his heart wished for redemption. Even Tuatha was confused by her mate's silence. Brakkon awaited his response.

Damascus spoke. "What would you sacrifice for reincarnation? Power? Wealth? Royalty?"

"I would do anything, Damascus," Brakkon said roughly. "I would give up all rights as Lord Emperor of the Dragon Nations." Damascus was impressed, so he went on. "I would give up all my power as a Dragon. I would become a mere peasant to keep my immortality. I care not for the flashy titles or the brilliant powers if all it does is corrupt and destroy me or those I love."

Damascus smiled and nodded. "Very well, Brakkon Dratianos, named Lord Phoenix, former Emperor of the Dragon Nations. I grant your reincarnation, but on the following terms." He started. "Your memories and mind will be intact, your powers limited, your form to mere peasant, and your rebirth as a full adult."

"What will my form be?"

Damascus smiled mischievously. "You will find that out for yourself." With a place of a hand to his Immortal chest, a bright light appeared, blinding Brakkon. "Pleasant Journeys, Brakkon Hawk."

That was Brakkon's only clue. Companions used the blessing of "Pleasant Journeys" throughout the Realm of Dreams.

So, he was reborn as the Companion, Brakkon Hawk.

∞∞∞

Brakkon Dratianos, now named Brakkon Hawk, knew the rules of this realm. Once gathering himself, he surveyed his surroundings.

"Ah, the Province Wood," Brakkon whispered aloud. "Not far to Lord O'Dell's castle."

"Just who are you talking to, Companion?" He heard a female voice above him giggle.

Looking up, he saw a large black falcon with shining silver eyes.

That is odd, he thought to himself, a falcon with silver eyes.

"I am talking to myself, lady falcon." He responded, "But since you were listening in, I could also have been talking to you."

The lady falcon flew down, shifting to an Immortal with long black hair and a flowing velvet gown. Brakkon stopped in his tracks and smiled, nodding.

"Where are you headed, Companion?" She asked him.

He started to walk again. "The name is Brakkon Hawk, and I am headed to Lord Guardian's castle."

"May I join you?" She asked, smiling. Her silver eyes sparkled.

Brakkon looked at her. "Of course, dear lady." He crooked his arm for her to take. Once she did, he continued. "May I ask your name?"

The lady hesitated, taking a deep breath, and bowing her head. "My name does not matter, Brakkon."

"There must be something I can call you." Brakkon smiled, touching her chin so she met his eyes and smiled as well. "Besides 'Beauty Beyond Compare'."

The lady giggled, blushing. "Very well, you may call me Sibylline."

Brakkon blinked. He covered his embarrassment by kissing her hand. "Pleasure is mine, lady Sibylline."

With that, they continued their way to Lord Guardian O'Dell's castle.

When they arrived, Sibylline looked at the castle and sighed. "It has been a pleasure walking with you, Brakkon Hawk. I must be on my way."

"As I said, my lady. The pleasure is mine." Brakkon kissed her hand and cheek. "Here's wishing you pleasant journeys."

Sibylline curtseyed, hiding her blushing face as she shifted to her falcon form and disappeared.

Brakkon took a deep breath and walked in the doors. "O'Dell!" He called to the air, walking further into the building. "I need to speak with you! O'Dell! Are you around, old friend?"

O'Dell's Immortal male form came from the corridor. "What is all this fuss about?" Once he saw who was there, he blinked. "May I help you, Companion?"

Brakkon sighed. Being called 'Companion' all the time would take some getting used to. "My Lord, may I introduce myself?" He bowed. "I am Brakkon Hawk, a new Companion to this Realm."

O'Dell studied him. "I have never heard of the family name Hawk."

Brakkon rose. "That is because I am the first. The name is, or should I say was Lord Brakkon Dratianos."

O'Dell blinked, searching his eyes. Sure enough, he was telling the truth. "How? You are a dragon! How did you become a feline Companion?"

Brakkon told his tale. O'Dell merely stared in wonder as he listened.

"Where is Thorn now? And Draconis?" O'Dell asked when Brakkon was finished.

"I know not, Lord." Brakkon supplied. "The last I knew, Draconis destroyed me, sending me back to the Realm of the Gods. He raged war against the Demon Lord Archimonde, and the Nations were in ruins."

"You say he went chaotic and destroyed the Dragon Nations?" O'Dell was in deep thought, rubbing his chin. His silver eyes were dark. "What of the Empress and your grandchildren?"

Brakkon did not know how to tell him. "My lady Locarra has passed to the Summerlands, O'Dell. I went chaotic shortly afterward."

"I am sorry for your loss, Brakkon. I was asking about the Lady Adellandra and Draconis' children." O'Dell supplied. "Where are they while Draconis is chaotic?"

"Adellandra left him not long after Locarra died," Brakkon said. "She took the children with her and has not been seen since."

"What of your daughter Dracora?" O'Dell asked.

"She disappeared as well; on your insistence I am to understand." Brakkon rushed. "Why all the questions, O'Dell?"

O'Dell smiled. "If I am to welcome you into this Realm as one of my own Companions, I need to know how you arrived."

Brakkon slumped into the nearest chair and sulked.

"Now, now, my old friend. Cheer up." O'Dell clapped him on the back. "I will keep your identity a secret if that is your wish. You may consider yourself at home."

"Home," Brakkon remarked under his breath. "I cannot return to my home as I am now. There is still war in the Dragon Nations!"

"It is not all that bad, I assure you," O'Dell said.

"I am made to be a feline Companion, a common housecat for Goddess' sake," Brakkon told him. "Stripped of all titles, status, and honor as a dragon Lord. What am I to do?"

"Relax, for one," O'Dell remarked. "For another, you could follow me. I have the perfect place for you in Feline Village."

Brakkon stood. "Perfect place, eh?"

"Aye." O'Dell nodded, wrapping an arm around Brakkon's shoulders. Brakkon looked at him suspiciously. "The Feline Palace, nestled in the— "

Brakkon interrupted. "Let me guess, the Feline Wood?"

O'Dell laughed. "Come, Brakkon."

Rolling his eyes, Brakkon Hawk followed.

∞∞∞

It took a few months for him to adjust to his new life in the Dream Realm. He wandered, found many things that interested him, and even made a few friends. Brakkon ever missed his beloved Dragon Nations, but that was the price to pay for returning to the Mystic Realms as opposed to Mal'estar.

He kept to himself, mostly, finding how much of his power he had and using it in secret. No other Companion came by his new home of the Feline Palace. O'Dell visited, more friend than a Lord of the Mystic Realms. O'Dell even gave him rank as a Sergeant in the Mystic Army, which fought against O'Dell's twin brother Orthos and the Dominionite Warriors.

On many of his walks through the Province Wood, he sensed someone watching him. At first, he ignored it, heading on his way. Soon, he knew who it was and smiled to himself. It was a female falcon. He used his telepathy and empathy many times, hoping to coax her into shifting and joining his side, but she never did.

Brakkon enjoyed his quiet life in the Realm of Dreams, but never forgot his main reason for being there. There was always something for him to do with the Army, and he soon became General of it. It kept him busy for a few years and earned him a certain respect from his peers, which included the Originators.

He continued to walk through the Province Wood at night, his empathy always searching for the female falcon. Soon after the War for Peace ended, he found she no longer followed him. His mind played through many scenarios, mostly the possibility of her death in the War.

It was a starry night when he walked to the river's edge, ever searching and wishing for her return. Brakkon Hawk could not stop thinking about the falcon named Sibylline.

The only thing that interrupted his thoughts of her was the reflection he caught in the water. He studied his feline form.

He sat on the grass and looked up at the sky as he whispered. "The Fates should be shot for this." His eyes caught a shining star. "You must think it is all a joke. A Once-Draconian Emperor's form reduced to that of a common housecat! Well, I am not laughing, ladies and gentlemen."

The shining star seemed to blink at him.

He rose and washed his face in the river, spying the Immortal form of a black-haired woman in the water's reflection. She was beautiful, with stars sparkling in both her hair and her silver eyes. He stood and turned to bow to her.

"Hello, Balinese." Sibylline called. "You may rise."

He stood, golden-eyes delighted to see her. "Good evening, Sibylline."

Sibylline smiled, nodding. "Good evening to you. How are you this fine night?"

"All is wonderful upon your arrival." Brakkon kissed her hand. "Ah, Sibylline. Truly, the most beautiful name I have ever heard."

Sibylline blanched. "Why, thank you, sir."

"The name is Brakkon Hawk, M'lady." He supplied, smiling into her silver eyes. "Do you not remember me? It may have been a few years ago."

Sibylline stared back and blushed. "Aye, I led you to Lord Guardian's Castle when you arrived."

Brakkon smiled. "That you did, M'lady. You were in the form of a gentle falcon."

Sibylline laughed. "I have not shifted to that form for a few years."

"I remember you." Brakkon supplied. "You followed me through the forests in that form. You kept yourself hidden and never came to my mental calls."

"That was you in my mind?" Sibylline asked in wonder.

Brakkon crooked his arm. "Aye, lady. That was I."

Sibylline smiled at him and realized how golden his eyes were, how magical and secretive. With her own Empathy power, she felt something between them; a kind of spark that told both it was more than friendship. It was Destiny.

He took her hand and led her to places she had never seen before. It was his private little Kingdom, and the couple became involved. It was not long before Brakkon had fallen in love with the Mystic Sister.

Despite all the battles, wars, and fights with Dominionite Warriors, Brakkon had to say his life was perfect.