Birthright: A Phoenix is Born

Dreamscape

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My world stopped. Then began anew. Hurling my brain in circles. My mother's statement blaring.

This is your legacy Damian. The legacy you inherit.

As the next Phoenix.

The words eased from her lips, cascaded through the air then locked themselves around my neck choking the life out. While I wheezed Koju and my mother looked on.

"He is hyperventilating, my queen." Said Koju, a worried look streaked across his face.

"I know that." She snapped.

Koju leaned back at her glare. She then faced me. Cupping my chin I watched as the ice in her gaze melted. Infusing a halt to my overworked nerves, as well as the growth of warmth inside.

"Son...." Her tone soft yet adamant. "I understand this is difficult but I need you to promise me, you'll do your best?"

Though my mouth dried long before, liquid trickled out my pits. I clamped them shut, mustering a semi-convincing "Yeah". The remaining conviction settled on a past matter.

"I do have two questions though."

"I'm all ears."

"Elizabeth mentioned something about me dying if I fail, that's a lie, right mom?"

My mother sighed painfully, turning aside while tapping Koju on the shoulder.

"When the Phoenix joined with your ancestor Oranmiyan." He picked up. "A covenant was created between them. In return for a place to call home, the Phoenix would lend its power and wisdom to rightful king or queen of Bi'ina so that the country could be governed properly. Damian, as things now stand, you are in violation of that agreement."

"What do you mean?"

He gritted his teeth and continued. "According to tradition, the heir has till their 18th birthday accept the throne or else the mantle and powers will be passed to the next blood relative in line. However, in your case there is no next in line."

"I have cousins, right?" I laughed. "Aunts, uncles, any family member would be better suited for this than me?"

"You don't." My mother cut in. "Every single member of the royal family has been murdered by your uncle. The man that now sits on the throne. Bolu."

Koju froze at that man's name. Gaped towards my mother, I watched as more of the shadow gained ground on their faces. Replacing my sight with the drab scent of jasmine. Sofa springs creaked as Koju broke free from his trance. Yet mine was just beginning. Gears in my brain pieced together the information. The strain in my neck increased with each passing second. As did the quiver in my hands.

"I'm guessing since my mother married into the royal family she can't take my spot. Meaning I've got to pay the consequence of the broken agreement, death."

Koju nodded. And with that my muscle twitches finally subsided. The zeal drained from my body, in its place slithered in a weight. The force wrapped around each limb, leaving them limp and lifeless. At that moment, most of it made sense. Most but not all.

"I do have one final question." I sighed.

"Go on." Huffed Koju.

"How did my father die?"

Koju and my mother stared at one another. Each attempting to read the other's mind. Then, a hurricane erupted in our living room. Glass frames, plaster clouds and loose brick rained down releasing torrents of shattered fragments in every direction. I ducked yet it was pointless since Koju's giant frame shielded me from the falling debris.