Azura had entered the office at ten AM sharp with Lucas and Professor Sloan already there. Andreas showed up a little later, much to the dismay of Sloan, and it didn't take long for them to go from general small talk to the real deal.

The time she had spent alone in the courtyard had felt good and she was glad both Lucas and the Professor had not made a big deal out of it. The memories had washed over and overwhelmed her and if either of them had stayed or forced her to go along, she would have broken down. Being with Lucas had lessened the pain of losing Charlie but he was still an important part of her life and she couldn’t help but feel guilty at times.

She’d just finished telling about the fight she and Nora had with the Phoenix. It was actually the first time she had shared it with anyone in so much detail aside from Lucas. She would always skip over the details but now she felt the need to talk about it. Partly because it was important for what was to follow.

There was a reason she was barely affected by the flames of the Phoenix during the fight. Yes, they had hurt and felt like they were burning her alive, but when she had woken up, she barely had a burn on her. Even though nobody had asked her how or why, she knew she owed them answers. Answers she hadn’t known herself till a few weeks ago.

It felt good to share what had happened even though it was still a difficult thing to talk about. Azura had to pause several times during her story, especially when she came to the part where Nora had lost her grip on the Phoenix and eventually was killed by it. She could still see her close friend being thrown off, the tail of the Phoenix swatting her like a fly and burning her to death. Azura could still see the fear in Nora's eyes as she lost her grip on the Phoenix's body.

"So Nora died and the Phoenix died." She let a short silence fall to make sure the rest was still with her. "I killed the Phoenix but the Phoenix also killed me."

As Azura spoke the words out loud she closed her eyes and relieved that last moment herself. She was thrown off the Phoenix as well after she had bitten down on its weak spot with all her might. It had actually killed the Phoenix, but she had been killed somewhere as she fell from it as well and she could simply not remember how it had happened no matter how hard she tried. It was one of the things that still bothered her but the Phoenix had never answered that question. She could only guess if it was the impact of her hitting the ground, or that the connection between her and the Phoenix made sure she perished at the same moment the Phoenix did.

"Wait, what?! You were killed?" She’d certainly gotten Andreas's attention. He leaned forward, sitting on the edge of his seat staring at her in disbelief.

"Yes. It'll be explained in a moment."

Azura turned to Professor Sloan after shaking the thought of her death out of her head.

"Now things get complicated and we could use your knowledge. You probably know that a Phoenix can't be killed. It will always resurrect." Professor Sloan nodded.

"Yes, it does. Back then I didn't want to tell you guys that because normally it takes up to a couple of centuries for that to happen. It had been over 300 years since the last Phoenix and this one and before that one, there was an even longer time span. Based on history, I made the calculation the same would happen again and did not want to burden you with this information as it would add nothing of importance."

"Well, what happened in the past doesn't mean the same thing happened now." Azura leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees. "The Phoenix resurrected within minutes this time."

"That would be impossible. The Phoenix would not be strong enough. It needs time to regain its strength to be reborn. A lot of time. That's why there are always such big gaps between the resurrections." Professor Sloan objected straight away.

For the first time, Azura saw a druid looking rather puzzled. They held the knowledge of the world, knew everything for hundreds of years. They were walking encyclopedias but for once, she had baffled one. Andreas seemed lost in thoughts but suddenly looked up as if he had connected some of the dots.

"You say you died. Yet, when Floyd and I found you and Nora, you were breathing. Although barely alive, you were alive. It took us a matter of minutes to reach you guys after the Phoenix went down. Are you implying you were reborn together with the Phoenix?"

"Yes. Well... Actually, I'm not implying it. It’s exactly what happened." Azura licked her lips and gave them all a nervous smile. She felt the Phoenix inside her stirring. It was a reassuring feeling and she knew she was doing the right thing by letting Andreas and Professor Sloan know.

Lucas took over giving her a little breather. She gladly let him and leaned back for a moment.

"I first noticed during her nightmares that her skin got hot. She actually burned me in an accident once and the Phoenix spoke to me through the nightmare. At the time I did not know what it was though. It took us a while to figure out what was going on, and after we did, it took even longer for Azura to accept it."

The heat inside her started stirring more but she had to push it down a little harder. She would show them, just not right now.

"She showed her 'fused' form during a fight. After that, there was no doubt left. Azura has a Phoenix inside her and it's part of her." Lucas finished talking and Azura looked back up at Andreas and Professor Sloan.

She could feel her heart beating faster than normal. Her fists were clenched together awaiting what they would say. Would they be able to accept it even though the creature inside of her had killed so many they knew? It remained quiet for a while as the lanky druid resorted to his books. He furiously skipped through them and threw them to the side one by one until none were left. When he was done, everyone just stared at him and the Alpha was even grinning as he saw the druid become more and more frantic. Professor Sloan just shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh.

"What do you mean by 'fused' form exactly? I have not heard about anything like this before and can't find anything in the books."

"It's when I shift into my snow leopard and then basically grow a second flaming skin with gigantic wings. I become one with the Phoenix and it makes me a whole lot more powerful." She smiled as she looked at her fingers where a tiny flame danced around. Andreas and professor Sloan both stared at her with wide eyes.

"So what if you're saying is true," Sloan watched the flame intently until Azura stopped playing with it and the little spark of light went out. "New history is being written right now. There's just one thing that concerns me. Phoenixes were always made to destroy. It was why you were meant to kill it with Nora. They bring destruction, fire, and death." He was almost scolding. Something he never had done before.

"It has a plan! It knows the future, it has a goal! It was meant to be killed by Nora and I. It was meant to pick one of us to continue." Azura interrupted him, becoming a little more defensive.

"And what exactly is that plan, Azura?!" Sloan snapped at her.

He was supposed to be the calm and cool one. He was supposed to help her understand but now his sudden outburst caught her by surprise and for a moment she was at a loss for words as she asked herself that same question. The only answer she had was one that would prove him right even though she had no idea what it entailed.

I know my goal and purpose, but the way there can vary. I'm just making sure we get there. I've seen millions of possible ways to reach it but your choices define the path. You know the outcome though.

Azura flinched as the Phoenix spoke to her. It had remained silent for a long time and had only spoken to her through dreams lately. To hear it live again in her head felt strange but she also welcomed it. It made her feel a little stronger even though she knew she had to tell Andreas and Professor Sloan the only thing she knew. To admit it made her stomach turn as if she was betraying them. She was no monster, she would not become the monster.

"To set the world on fire..." The words left her lips softly and quietly and she refused to look up knowing all too well what impact her words had.

She dug her nails in the palm of her hands, the pain distracting her from what was going on around her. She felt them slip away on her clammy skin and as she stared at her hands she noticed the veins were clearly visible on top of her hands. Her head was pounding and it seemed like forever before anyone talked. Every second felt like a lifetime until she felt the cool hand of Lucas taking her own. It made her breathing easier, and her uneasiness wither a little.

"Sloan, this is all new to us. We don't know what it means yet so we mustn't jump to conclusions. Maybe you can contact other druids, ask around if anyone has ever heard of something like this. This is Azura we're talking about and she seems perfectly in control. I don't believe she will destroy the world. Besides, have you seen the place where the Phoenix attacked and burned down everything? It's beaming with life."

Hearing Andreas taking her side made Azura look up again. The knot in her stomach eased a bit. It had an effect on the professor as well. He seemed to calm down and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry. You're right, Andreas. This whole situation just goes against everything I know about the subject at hand. I guess there is still much to learn. I will consult with others who might know some more about this. For now, Azura, do you think it's possible to see the Phoenix? You have piqued my curiosity."

We can. Just this time, we don't shift to a snow leopard first.

"I can show you guys. The Phoenix wants to as well. But not here and first I need to know what happened last night." She shifted in the chair and started fiddling her fingers. Andreas glanced at Lucas and Sloan and turned back to Azura.

"You are much stronger than you think, Azura. With werewolves, Alpha's have a standard level of authority higher than any of the other pack members. The Alpha uses this authority by letting out a surge of power to make other pack members or outsiders submit to them. This is not news to you as I've taught you this before and also how to harness your own. Everyone has a certain amount of power and you can also bluff your way through if needed. When you told me at dinner about the three patrollers of the Red Dawn pack I thought you had bluffed your way through as you’ve never had so much power being a snow leopard, but last night I was proven wrong and it caught me off guard. We were subconsciously having a power battle. My wolf reacted to your authority so I let out some of my power and you did the same. It must have been quite uncomfortable for Lucas to get assaulted from both sides like that."

The eldery Alpha patted Lucas on the shoulder and flashed a smile at Azura.

"He held up better than I would have expected. Just a small look of discomfort on his face but he wasn't crawling on the floor."

"It was close though." Lucas grinned and took Azura's hand. "I have noticed it since you fully accepted Phoenix as part of you. At first, I thought you were aware of it yourself but I guess not."

"Alright... If what you guys are saying is true, then how come my 'authority' is affecting werewolves? I'm not one of you guys and you never affected me in any way, Andreas." She was happy the subject of conversation had shifted away from the Phoenix although this topic was just as tricky to navigate.

Professor Sloan cleared his throat making them all turn to him. He had been remarkably quiet since his outburst earlier but now finally spoke up.

"All shifters share a common ancestor. Even though you guys are different species, the basics are still the same. Lucas was affected by Andreas even though you weren't, Azura. I think the reason you never experienced the urge to submit to Andreas is that you already harbored the authority or power within you. It's just now coming to the surface. You might have the same amount of power as Andreas... You might even have more now that you have the Phoenix."

Any sign of his earlier outburst was gone. It was as if he had let the information sink in and now you could practically hear his brain grinding every tidbit of information on the various subjects together to form a new theory.

"This is a first I've ever heard of a Phoenix fusing with another species, but seeing as how powerful Phoenixes are, I might just say you could be more powerful than anyone else. You need to be careful, Azura, if you display too much you will quickly be seen as a threat. Keep it inside and only show it when needed."

I would listen to him if I were you. We are the strongest out there, but you need to grow some more before I fully let you feel it. I always told you we had a world to set on fire.

Azura retracted her hand from Lucas as she felt her head twitch to the side. A grimace flashed across her face as the Phoenix spoke to her again more violently. She hated it when it did that and somewhere in her mind, a small alarm bell was going off.

"Lovely." Azura's voice was drenched in sarcasm as she responded to both the Phoenix and her former teacher. "When I was little and anyone would ask me what I would want to be when I would grow up, it most certainly would not be a werecat fusion with a Phoenix and turning out to be the most powerful being alive. But lucky for you guys, the Phoenix is not letting me have all of its power...yet... What the hell am I supposed to do with it? I already learned everything that happens has its reasons, so me gaining this power probably has its reasons as well but why me?!"

"You're meant to make the world burn, remember?" Lucas winked at her unaware the Phoenix had told her the same thing.

He's truly a smart one isn't he? That's why I liked him from the start. Just tell him he'll be part of it as well. After this, we need to show them.

"Oh shut up. You're just as involved as I am." She sneered right back at him and quickly got up to pace around the office trying to ease her restlessness. "Besides, I have a Phoenix talking to me in my head right now and it thinks you're the smart one. If I can't rely on that big bird anymore, who can I rely on?!" Sarcasm still dripped over every word coming from her mouth and she had a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips but she knew it was only hiding her true feelings.

Her skin was crawling and she rubbed her eyes out of irritation. Andreas silently got up and stopped her pacing by taking a hold on her shoulders and pulling her in for a short fatherly hug. When he let her go she straightened herself and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to start freaking out.

"Maybe I should postpone stepping down as an Alpha." Azura's jaw almost hit the floor as Andreas casually kept on talking. "I've got the feeling that you might need my help one day."

Another smart man. We will need him one day. So much to do before you're ready. We need to show them first though.

"Stepping down as an Alpha?! But why? And who would become Alpha? You don't have any children or anyone appointed as sub-Alpha."

"I'm not stepping down yet, Azura. As to who will become Alpha, that is up to the pack. It will be one of the Beta's but the pack will have the final choice. But that's something to discuss another time. It won't happen for a while though so you don't have to worry about anything."

We need to show them. Quit stalling!

The Phoenix’s voice got louder as it suddenly got quite demanding. It made her snap her head to the left in a short but violent twitch. She clutched her head and rubbed her temple to ease the pressure. The heat that had been building inside of her during the whole conversation seemed to triple almost instantaneously. It wanted to come out and it wanted to do so in such a violent and sudden force it felt like being stung by a needle a thousand times. Her hands started shaking and she felt the muscle in her eyelid start to twitch. It was getting harder to breathe again. Excess saliva was forming in her mouth and she was losing all contact with reality as the Phoenix started to push without giving her a chance to catch up.

Azura was no longer aware of her surroundings as she suddenly had to fight an internal battle that had caught her completely off guard. She had clenched her fists together, her nails once again digging into the palm of her hand leaving deep imprints. Her knuckles turned white as she contracted all her muscles together. It was actually starting to hurt. Azura felt as if her skin was on fire. As if the flames were just underneath, trying to burn their way through. It was a sensation she had not felt before and it was quickly becoming one of the most painful things she had experienced. She gritted her teeth together to prevent herself from losing control and shouting out. She was in Professor Sloan's office, she couldn’t let the Phoenix out here. It would burn the whole place down.

She stumbled and had to hold herself up by grabbing hold of the wall. After counting to ten to distract herself from the pain the Phoenix was giving her, Azura opened her eyes to find three people staring at her of which two seemed almost terrified. Lucas just seemed extremely worried, but neither one of them had even remotely come close to her or tried to touch her. She glared at all three of them and she noticed Professor Sloan actually stepping back as her pained gaze met his.

"Azura... Your eyes!" Andreas gasped as he saw the fiery red eyes dart around between them as if they were scanning for the next prey.

"Outside...Now!" Azura managed to hiss through her teeth and it seemed to work.

Lucas seemed to snap out of his worried but frozen state and lunged forward grabbing her wrist and dragging her out of the office. Maybe it was her, maybe it was the Phoenix that decided not to burn him. She knew her skin had to be scorching hot but Lucas didn’t appear to feel it while Azura didn’t seem to feel the difference whether she was controlling it or the Phoenix. Her mind was partially her own still, but her body was quickly losing control. She started shaking more violently as Lucas dragged her through the hallways to the nearest exit with Andreas and Professor Sloan following behind.