Rise of the Lonely Phoenix🔊

Once upon a time, in lands far east, beneath the snow-clad peaks of Azure Mountains nestled a tiny village named Harmony. At the heart of Harmony, beneath an age-old willow tree lived a young poor carpenter named Chen.

Chen was known for his unparalleled craftsmanship. Despite his prowess, his life was deprived of any flavor. He was drenched in loneliness, with his only solace being a wooden bird he'd made. This bird was unlike any other; it was a Phoenix crafted meticulously with all the stories of courage and strength he'd heard growing up.

One chilly winter night, under the radiant moonlight, Chen, clutching his wooden Phoenix, cried out to the silent sky, expressing his solitude. A shooting star streaked across the heavens at that very moment, casting ethereal veil over the earth. Filled with naive hope, Chen wished upon the shooting star for a friend, an ally, a companioin to share his life.

Unbeknownst to him, his plea had been heard by Lumina, the Goddess of Wishes. Moved by his honest plea, Lumina decided to help. While Chen lay asleep, Lumina descended from the ethereal realm. She gently picked the wooden Phoenix, kissed it, filling it with celestial magic. As she left, the wooden bird shimmered, waking Chen up. Astonished, he looked as the wooden Phoenix fluttered its wings and soared into the midnight sky only to precipitate into a shower of gold, and reincarnate into a majestic golden Phoenix.

Aghast, Chen saw the Phoenix descending from the sky. 'Fear not Chen,' the Phoenix spoke in a soothing voice, 'I am Ave, and I'm here to be your companion'. Thus, started the journey of the young carpenter and the Phoenix. What seemed impossible before was achievable now. Ave's strength, courage, and wisdom coupled with Chen’s craftsmanship transformed the village. Life in Harmony flourished, stories of Chen and Ave's deeds grew, touching the distant corners of the world.

But prosperity attracts jealousy, and the growing fame of Chen and Ave stirred the wrath of a vile sorcerer named Jun-Li. Eager to seize their powers, Jun-Li captured Ave while Chen was away. He imprisoned Ave and stole his golden feathers to gain his celestial strength. Weak and injured, Ave lay in despair, whispering to the winds hoping it carried his distress to Chen.

As Chen returned, he found the village in silence, and his home empty. Sensing the lingering dark magic, Chen followed the trail left by Jun-Li. Arriving at the desolate castle, he found Ave, stripped of his power. Realising what had transpired, Chen, overwhelmed with anger, approached Jun-Li.

'My friend's power isn’t yours to take!' he declared, holding out his hand to Jun-Li. Laughing, Jun-Li aimed to strike Chen with the same magical orb he used to capture Ave. Bracing himself, Chen received the attack head on. The magic surged through him, but instead of succumbing to it, he started glowing with the same celestial light Lumina had bestowed upon the wooden Phoenix. The energy wave, rebounding from Chen, hit Jun-Li like a typhoon, defeating him. The fallen feathers, recognizing their true master, embedded themselves back to Ave, returning him to his powerful self.

Astonished at the sight, Ave clocked, 'This is the Phoenix's true strength, rising again, never yielding!'

Living through adversity, their bond became unbreakable. The harmony returned to Harmony, with Chen and Ave's tale carving itself into the annals of history. The celestial Phoenix, the ordinary carpenter, together affirmed that one does not need to be born into greatness, but can rise from the ashes, like the Phoenix, to achieve it.