I sifted through the memories of Mother's words about the Phoenix's partners, love interest or otherwise. One stuck out more intensely than others—a man she had rescued from prison. Realization washed over me like the icy hand of death. I too had rescued a man.
A flicker of a memory flared within me, a memory from the Phoenix. The first time she saw him.
The prison reeked of despair, stone floors slick with the offal of forgotten and unforgiven souls. A single flame rose from the Phoenix's hand and illuminated the dark corridor as she stepped forward, her advancement a defiance to the gloom surrounding her.
I gasped, tears springing to my eyes. My heart ached to witness even the memory of suffering that clung to the place. And then, I saw him.
He was chained, his skin marred with blood and fecal matter. Upon his face an unreadable expression. No anger, or suspicion. Just the face of a man who had forgotten hope.
His hair was matted and framed a face with scars, some old, some new. His wrists were manacled, blisters, blood and ooze dribbled down his arms where the shackles bit into his skin. Still, something of his bearing remained regal, unyielding.
"Who are you?" His voice was rough, lips worn and cracked. "Illusion? Another torment?"
We stepped forward, transported to that very moment. I felt the flame extinguish on my palm, as my fingertips caressed the brow of the man. He seemed to melt under the softness of her touch.
"No illusion, rather a friend." Her hands continued their gentle ministrations.
He scoffed, a bitter sound carrying no joy. "There are no friends here. Only endless days of torture and what escape we find in illusion. "Though I have to say as far as my imaginative conjurings go, you're certainly the prettiest."
The Phoenix, though nearly immortal still appreciated a man with a sense for the finer things preened under his praise. "I'm here to free you from this place."
"Now I know you're an illusion. This place is a tomb, and the only way out is to ride the river of death. "If you are death, my lady, please take me with you, I have no wish to continue."
Tears rolled freely down my face now, observing this interaction between them. More than anything, I sensed her need to free this man, to prove there was still hope.
We knelt before him, our hand reaching for the shackle. Glowing brighter, red-orange flames licked the iron until the chain fell from his wrist. Her hand passing over his wounds, she healed them.
His eyes widened, the first crack in his facade. "Who are you?" His tone was uncertain, no doubt calculating the cost of freedom. "What must I do to earn this privilege."
"You know me by many names, though the Phoenix is most common," she said.
"Phoenix? As in the legend? Illusions to keep those who are oppressed from giving up?" His laughter was dry and humourless.
"Have I not freed you? Are you saying you belong here?" The Phoenix continued. "I've come and set a path before you, come with me or stay. The path is full of danger and heartache, but it is yours to walk."
He hesitated, touching the wrist where it had formerly oozed as if trying to discern the intention of kindness. "I have escaped danger this day, but know nothing of heartache, but I suspect I'll learn. May I know your name?"
"Goodness, my name. Well, it's been a good millennia since someone's asked that," she exclaimed.
"The Phoenix is a title," he smiled, the sides of his eyes crinkling attractively.
"It's Hwang," she grinned, a hand rising to cover a row of pearly white teeth as the smile threatened to turn to laughter.
"Bong." He gestured to himself. They shared a secret smile, leaving me at a loss. The Phoenix sensing my confusion replied inwardly, "Hwang is the female phoenix. And his, well Bong means male phoenix."
"Oh," I said. My thoughts elsewhere. The Phoenix fell quiet.
***
The man I rescued stood with his back to me, his side profile revealing his eyes were fixed on a point in the distance. Whatever his thoughts on the impending marriage, his features shared nothing.
I stared, trying to see what he saw, but failed until they came into view. He remained still, as though hearing nothing of the events that began to unfold.
Garbed in raiment that defied existence, I learned the elders were the front runners of the Celestial Council and that the marriage was to be a penance for the Phoenix's earlier actions - the very same ones that had released her love.
"Just my luck. The only time I'll ever get married and it's a penance for a good deed. A GOOD DEED." I repeated loudly into the chamber where we stood facing one another.
"You've broken the law. Interfered in mortal affairs." The council stated.
The Phoenix remained suspiciously silent, leaving me to face her crimes. "Is it law to allow an innocent to suffer?" I spoke up, voice steady despite their lofty positions. "I refuse to believe compassion will ever be a crime. She shared her memories of that time with me, and I would have done the same thing. Anyone with a heart would have."
Your actions have upended the fine balance we enjoy. To restore it, you must bind your fate to his. This is an arranged marriage, sanctioned by the heavens themselves."
My heart sank. I acted out of duty, and compassion, not to defy. I could feel the Phoenix now, her presence like a warning not to defy the council further.
"As you command." I bowed my head, waiting for the right moment.