The screech echoed again, sending a shiver down my spine. It wasn't the kind of sound you'd expect from a bird. No, this was the shriek of something far more powerful, something otherworldly. I took a deep breath and adjusted my grip on my axe, the metal cool in my hand despite the oppressive heat that seemed to be radiating from the mountain itself.
I wasn't afraid. Not yet. But my heart was pounding with excitement. This was what I lived for—danger, adventure, and a good challenge. The mountain's rocky surface crunched underfoot as I crept closer to the source of the noise.
The air grew warmer with each step, and soon I found myself in another clearing. This one was wider, the ground covered with charred remnants of what had once been a forest. A large nest, made from twisted branches and scorched earth, sat in the center, with something glowing softly inside it.
I took a step forward, and that's when I saw it.
The phoenix.
Its feathers were like liquid fire, burning with a brilliance that made the sun itself seem dull in comparison. The bird's eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, I felt a pulse of heat as if the very air around us had ignited. Its wings were spread wide, and its beak opened in a warning screech. It was a magnificent creature, beautiful in its terror, and it radiated power. This wasn't a simple beast. This was a force of nature.
I wasn't sure how I was supposed to approach this—if it would let me get close enough to pluck a feather. But the question was answered when the phoenix, with a shrill cry, leapt into the air and flapped its fiery wings, sending a wave of heat crashing into me. The blast nearly knocked me off my feet, but I managed to dig my boots into the ground and steady myself.
The bird was quick, far quicker than I had anticipated. It soared above me, its wings cutting through the air with an almost effortless grace. And that's when I heard it—the rumble beneath my feet. A deep, guttural growl that shook the ground and vibrated in my chest.
I cursed under my breath.
I had forgotten about the dragon.
From the far side of the clearing, the ground began to crack and shift. The massive, scaled body of a dragon emerged from the depths, its eyes glowing with a fierce, burning intensity. The creature was enormous, easily the size of a small mountain, and its wings were like a storm cloud, black and leathery. It roared, sending a shockwave through the air that made the trees tremble. The very earth seemed to bow before it.
This wasn't just any dragon. This was a force of destruction.
I didn't have time to think. I acted on instinct, ducking behind a boulder to avoid the dragon's first blast of flame. The heat from its breath was unbearable, and the air shimmered with the intensity of the fire. I wasn't here to fight the dragon—not yet. My focus was on the phoenix. I needed that feather.
I peered around the rock, trying to spot the bird. It was still in the air, but it seemed to be circling around the dragon now, its movements erratic. Perhaps it was trying to stay out of the way. Perhaps it had a plan. Either way, it wasn't paying attention to me anymore.
The dragon, however, was. It snorted and turned its massive head toward me, eyes narrowing as it took a step closer, shaking the ground with every movement. Its jaws opened again, ready to unleash another torrent of fire.
But just as I braced for the worst, the phoenix dove toward the dragon with a speed that seemed impossible. Its fiery wings cut through the air, leaving a trail of embers in its wake. It screeched again, a sound so piercing it seemed to rattle the very bones of the mountain. The dragon snarled and snapped at the bird, but the phoenix was too fast, weaving in and out of its reach, drawing the dragon's attention away from me.
I seized the opportunity.
I dashed forward, my axe held high. The heat from the battle between the two legendary beasts nearly made me stumble, but I kept my eyes on the phoenix. It was close. Just a little closer, and I could—
The dragon roared, and the ground beneath me shook. I barely had time to react before a massive tail swung in my direction, smashing into the ground with a force that sent debris flying. I ducked just in time, but the force still knocked me off balance. My boots skidded across the rocky surface, and I was thrown to the ground, my axe slipping from my hand.
The phoenix's screech echoed once more, and I looked up just in time to see it dive toward the dragon, its wings beating with a violent fury. It was as if the two were locked in an ancient dance—one that would end with only one of them standing.
I scrambled to my feet, reaching for my axe again. The phoenix was right above me now, its fiery body casting a golden glow across the clearing. I could almost feel the heat of its feathers. It was close enough now.
Without thinking, I lunged forward and grabbed a handful of the bird's feathers. They burned hot in my grip, but I didn't care. I ripped one free, ignoring the sting as my skin blistered from the fire. It was worth it.
With the feather in hand, I turned and ran, my heart racing. The battle between the dragon and the phoenix was far from over, but my task was complete. I had what I needed.
Now I just had to get out of there alive.
The ground shook again, this time with a thunderous roar from the dragon. I didn't look back. I was already on my way down the mountain, the phoenix feather tucked safely into my pack.
The dragon's roar faded behind me as I descended, but the echo of that legendary battle stayed in my mind. I had done it. The phoenix was mine.
But the dragon? That was a challenge for another day.