Flowing Time

    An endless desert as far as the eye can see. Within a mound, a baby boy is born. Molded from the sand and coming into form. The baby soon crawls before walking. Then starts talking. He soon grows into a young man, helping those around him and doing for himself. He continues growing in both age and experience. The young man then notices the flow of time, the sands moving past him faster than before. He becomes obsessed. He tries to grab hold of the sand, though it just slips through his fingers. He continues his pursuit, futilely grasping at the sand. Though upon becoming an elder, he looks to the sand behind him and sees what's most important. He takes a seat in the sand, closing his eyes and focusing on his breath. Slowly a smile rises on his face and he fades with the flowing sand.

(Rouet - Claudio Constantini)

Rebirth

I am a Phoenix.

Born from the ashes of my past self,

through the fires of my trauma and pain.

Though with that fire,

I take flight,

my inner fire shining brighter.

No longer held back by the trauma and experiences of my past.

Reborn anew.

I am a Phoenix.

And nothing shall stop my flight.

Return

    Screeching and otherworldly howling echoed across the canyon as battle took place on a bridge. Three adventurers clashed with infernal beasts, clothes tattered and their spirits matching. All three fought for breath as well as their lives.

    "How long is this gonna be?" the dual knife wielding rogue asked as he opened the throats of two monsters.

    "Till we can fight no more," the paladin answered. A spellcaster fired lightning from their fingers, piercing several monsters.

    "Less talking, more slaying!" The spellcaster commanded.

     The party fought on and on, no end in sight. The dual knife wielder looked into the sky, looking to a deity - any deity - for hope. Upon searching the sky, he saw a bright light. "Hey Paladin... Did you ask your god for a sign?"

    "What?" He then looked at the rogue before following his gaze. The shining light grew brighter, no, closer. This drew the attention of the rest as they looked to the sky. 

    The shining light crashed by the battle, kicking up a cloud of dust. As the dust cleared, a figure could be seen. The figure swung their arm, clearing the rest of the dust and revealing themselves.

    "Sorry... Did I interrupt something?" The man stated with a grand smile. Shock washed over the faces of the party before they smiled in unison.

    "You bastard!" The rogue stated while laughing. The paladin gave an approving nod right before bisecting one of the demons.

    "You're right on time," the paladin replied. Violence erupted, though the adventurers gained a second wind with their reunion. The spellcaster hung in the backline, charging a powerful spell. The rogue charged in, slipping through the demons' defenses and landing critical cuts. The paladin drew the attention of multiple the demons while slaying them with little effort. The hero drew the attention of most of the demons as he dispatched them with his focused light. A single beam piercing through two or three demons.

    Though through this controlled chaos, embers could be seen flying through the air to the spellcaster, who had finished their chant.

    "Scatter!" The spellcaster shouted. The rogue dove off the side of the bridge while the hero pulled the paladin off the bridge. The demons were confused by the sudden retreat and realized their fate too late. The embers gathered into a mighty inferno. "Dragon's Breath!" The flames swept through the bridge, incinerating every demon in its path. Once the flames died down, nothing remained but scorch marks.

    The rogue climbed up the side of bridge while the hero levitated back up from under the bridge with the paladin. "Great plan. Worst location," the rogue quipped.

    "Isn't that why you always carry rope?" the hero quipped back. The group let out some laughter that grew with their excitement. They had just fought a demon swarm. And won! Their friend was back from the dead! They celebrated as they continued down the bridge, continuing their adventure.