Finally, the day came.

“Wymer, I suppose we should say goodbye now, before things get complicated.”

“Goodbye now, before things get complicated!”

Asher laughed. “Goodbye, Wymer.”

“Goodbye, Asher.”

Asher felt pain as he knew this would be the last time he felt the comfort of the voices. But this was for his child, for Elena, so that they could be free of the voices. Of course it was.

As the cold morning air nipped at Asher’s nose, he looked over at the sun as it peaked over the horizon. It seemed as though it knew of the events to come and feared seeing them unfold.

Asher mused to himself, “But like all things, it must face its destiny. It will have to witness today as the world it watches over is destroyed.”

Asher walked down the old dirt path, looking at the sights. He passed his family’s house, and the tree where it had all started that one fateful day. He passed flowers and villages, making his way to the mountains as the sun now rose over their peaks. He passed streams and deer, weeds and mushrooms. Everything was peaceful.

The silence was soon broken by none other than Wymer. "Asher, I know we said goodbye already, but I have a surprise for you. I put a little of my power into changing fate to make sure that your family can be safe.”

“Why?”

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“Well, If there’s still a chance I’ll be redeemed, hopefully that will help my case. But if not, I’ll see you in Hell.”

“See you there.”

Wymer and all the other voices left.

Asher looked at the mountain and found the cave where he had planted the explosives. As he drew a breath, the cold air pierced his lungs. He lit his arrow on fire, and the flames burned at the air, a torch that lit the ending of the story.

Asher’s heart beat faster as adrenaline flooded his veins. He raised his bow and drew back the string.

His heart beat faster. His arm was still in the air, and he felt no fear.

His heart beat faster. He aimed, and he let the arrow fly.

Asher stood in complete silence. The rocks tumbled around him, and the voices screamed praise for him. He could hear none of it. He felt the power run through his veins as a shiver ran up his spine. He could only stand amongst the chaos and take it all in. He had flown his phoenix for the last time. He laughed at its simpleness, oh, how simple was the phoenix! It only flew when flown, it only danced to come back down, but Asher, no, Asher was not simple. He was powerful! He flew himself, and he danced forever, forever powerful.

“Do you hear Asher now, Elena? Adrian, Cedric, do you hear Asher as he laughs in the chaos now? You tried to destroy him, to bring him down, but he survived! You tied him to the earth, but he flew and danced and lit the sky! Now he stands, a torch of freedom for all to see. He will stand over the earth, as bright and certain as the sun.

“Mother wanted to escape, did she? But she didn’t, no, she wanted to stay, she wished power for herself, but Asher realized her plan and took her down. Yes, he is the reason why Adrian grew without a mother. He knows deep in his heart, and he regrets it not!” Asher’s screams flooded the air, as he laughed and laughed. He laughed at their stupidity, their weakness, their mortality.

He fell to the ground as his lungs gasped for air, and he looked up to the sky, at the sun, and grabbed it out of the sky. He held it in his hand and squeezed it as darkness fell over the land. Blood landed on Asher but he simply smiled and crushed the sun as his lungs gave out.