As the Nomad sailed on the open sea Sinbad the captain of the Nomad stood at the port bow,the wind blowing in his hair and a look of sad reminisce on his face.Maeve came up behind him worried about the dark cloud that was over him and that had been over him ever since they were told to deliver cargo to one of the Shashebe islands.
"Sinbad,the crew and I are worried about you. Is there something wrong?" There was a moment of silence and Maeve heard the waves of the sea crashing against the boat.
"No, it's nothing" Sinbad answered in a harsh whisper and with that he turned to go down below deck.
Maeve walked over to the tiller where Doubar was manning and stood beside Bryn who had been watching Maeve talk to Sinbad for she was also concerned about his mood.
"Did you find out what's wrong?"asked Bryn
"No. He just closed off" Maeve answered
"I'm not surprised," said Doubar, " we are close to where it happened."
Bryn and Maeve turned to Doubar who never took is gaze off the sea. "What do you mean? What happened?"asked Bryn
"Seven years ago near this spot a young woman,"Doubar paused for a moment "a dear friend threw herself overboard."
"What!?" Bryn exclaimed.Both her and Maeve looked upon Doubar to tell the rest of the story.
"Her name was Maria.She was a beautiful young girl with a warm heart.When we were young,Sinbad and I,DimDim introduced us to her when he took her in after her parents were lost at sea.She left though when she was fifteen she said she wanted to find a place where she belonged.We missed her, she was one of the most truest hearts I had ever known .I think Sinbad missed her most of all though He loved Maria like a sister when they met they bonded he felt a need to protect her."As Doubar told the story the smile that was on his face when he began faded."A few years later we met up with her again and Sinbad convinced her to join the crew of the Traveler. She had become an exceptional fighter and one hell of a sailor and we all knew she would be a great addition but when she came aboard there was something wrong in her heart."
As Doubar continued a look of reminiscence came upon his face
--7 YEARS AGO--
A young woman stood at the side of the Traveler and looked at the waves crashing on the side of the boat,her long brown hair blowing in the wind.She was dressed in an oversized white shirt and baggy blue pants,she looked sad and frustrated and she put her arms around her self to warm herself from the cool bite of the open sea air.A young captain came up behind her concerned by her behavior.
"Hey if you don't cheer up soon I'm going to have to leave you at the next port."He said jokingly.
She looked at him sadly then continued to stare at the sea.
"Maria what's wrong? You have been sad and depressing since you've been on this ship."
"I'm sorry Sinbad" she said sadly
"What's wrong?" he asked again
"Oh Sinbad,I'm so lost.I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore when I left DimDim I was so sure that there was a place where I belonged a place where I could find reasons,purposes for everything that has happened to me."
"You mean about your parents don't you?"
"Among other things"
"Maria things like that just happen."
"No, there has got to be more to it then that." Sinbad took Maria in his arms trying to comfort her "I have been searching for so long and I've come up with nothing,when I came here I thought one of the place that I could have sailed to would have answers for me but there in nothing.I don't where to go I have nothing left here there's no purpose for me here." said Maria
"That's not true. You are a valuable member of my crew ."
"Sinbad you know I'm grateful that you asked me to be here but there is something more for me.I know there is something more," she stressed but then sighed as if losing all hope, "But I don't know where to find it or even look.What if there is no purpose in my life what if I have been traveling a useless journey?"
Sinbad did not pay attention to her last sentence because he saw that one of his crew members need help.He gently pushed her from his arms.
"Look we'll talk about this later ok I have to look after something"
He left Maria there still so confused and even more upset that he would not listen to her.She walked up a little more to the bow of the boat and looked once again at the horizon.
"No purpose.No life." she whispered to herself with tears in her eyes. And at that she dropped the belt that held her sword.
When it clanked to the deck Sinbad look to see where it was coming from.As he turned he saw Maria run and throw herself over the side of the boat into the freezing cold water .
"NOOOOO!!!!" he screamed and ran to jump in after her.The other sailors who had seen this ran to hold him back.
"No Sinbad!"said Doubar" You can't the water it too cold she must be already dead from the freezing cold water, you'll die too if you jump in!"
"I should have known.I could have stopped her, I could have protected her" he whispered.
--PRESENT--
"Sinbad carried the burden of her death ever since," Doubar said as he concluded the story, " He felt if he had have listened to her he could have prevented it."
"And being here brings up all those memories as fresh as ever."commented Bryn
Before anyone could say anything else Sinbad came up on deck.
"Doubar how long before we reach Shashebe?"he asked
"Less then an hour"said Doubar
"Good I'll prepare the longboat and we'll get ready to deliver the cargo.We are going to make this a very short trip."said Sinbad
"Aye Aye."said Doubar reluctantly.
"Is that not alright with you Doubar."said Sinbad
"It's fine."
"Good" and Sinbad went to prepare the long boat.
***On the coastline as Maeve,Bryn,Rongar,Firouz and Doubar pulled the longboat ashore and other crew members unloaded the cargo Sinbad looked around the coastline.As of that moment Sinbad suddenly had a strange feeling like he was being watched.He turned around and looked toward the top of a cliff that overlooked the shore.A person in a white cloak atop a horse was watching them but when being discovered the stranger rode off.Sinbad continued to look at the stranger until completely they were out of site then looked to his bracelet because it had started to glow.
***By the time the crew had reached the nearest city from the shore it had grown dark.
"Perhaps we should stay at an inn tonight and deliver the cargo in the morning" suggested Doubar
Before Sinbad had a chance to say no Bryn cut in, "We'll never get to the next city in the dark Sinbad,maybe we should find an inn." Sinbad sighed "Fine we'll find an inn."
"Excellent!"exclaimed Firouz,"this will give me a chance to study on some of the legends of this island."
"Legends?" said Maeve.
"Yes,one in particular though.The legend of the Phoenix warrior.Legend has it that the Phoenix warrior,a young woman, had a telepathic connection with a phoenix bird and having that connection it gave her strength ,agility,and intelligence.She also had a special sword that she crafted and when the Phoenix breathed fire on it the sword acquired a metamorphic state,meaning it could change into any weapon the possessor wanted it to.I also heard that the Phoenix warrior had thrown herself along with her sword into the volcano in the middle of this island to prevent evil from getting their hands on the sword.It is said that a fire deity guards the volcano so no one could find where it was hidden and it is to remain hidden until the right person can claim it and become the new Phoenix warrior."
Rongar gave Firouz a confused look.
"I'm with you Rongar."Maeve commented,"I'm surprised at you Firouz,that has nothing to do with science."
Firouz chuckled"Maybe not but it is intriguing none the less."
***The crew had reached the center of the town where music was playing and people were dancing and laughing.The crew made their way through the crowd toward an inn they spotted.They all walked in to the warmly lit inn.
"Cozy."commented Doubar.
Sinbad walked up to the counter awaiting service when he heard the slightly harsh voice of a woman.
"Do you have the supplies or not?"she said.
Sinbad turned his head to see where the voice was coming form.Across the room there was a person in a white cloak with her back turned to Sinbad.She was talking to a slightly shorter,older man,obviously the owner.
"What's your rush? I thought you weren't leaving until the day after next." asked the owner.
"My plans have changed .I have to speed things up.I will be leaving at dawn."
The owner sighed and pointed his thumb to the door behind him. "Yeah I have your stuff.Go into the backroom it's all there."
The cloaked figure pushed pass the owner and went through the door.Then the owner saw Sinbad and the crew and rushed right over and behind the counter
."So sorry to keep you waiting."said the owner with a friendly smile,"Welcome to the Phoenix Inn."
"We'd like some rooms for the night."said Sinbad slightly distracted
"Wonderful! We have special group rates"
"Great, but you know that woman didn't seem to happy with your service."
The owner waved his hand in dismissal of it."Oh don't mind her.She is just some crazy girl on some crazy adventure.She always muttered on about it being her destiny,going on the quest for the Phoenix sword that this was her purpose in life or something "said the owner.
"Her purpose." Sinbad repeated.Something about those words sounded very familiar in his mind.
The owner didn't notice and went on."We always thought she was kind of crazy though ever since she washed up on the island a couple of years ago.She was a mess she looked like she had been floating in the sea for years."
Sinbad's eyes shot open at this."Doubar take care of the rooms."he said and ran off to the door that led to the backroom.
"Sinbad!"Doubar shouted.
Sinbad barged into the backroom.There was nothing except for a few barrels then he noticed the back door open.Sinbad ran out the door and around the Inn.Then he saw the white cloaked figure running through the crowd of people.Sinbad ran after the figure.He pushed through the crowd determined to catch up, with the thought ofCould it be?After all these years?racing through his mind.Finally after passing through the crowd he ran even faster to try and catch up to the swift figure that was trying to get away from him.Finally he caught up and leaped and caught her at the legs sending the figure falling to the ground and landing with a thud.Sinbad quickly turned her over and stared into the eyes that glared at him.
"Maria !!"
Maria pushed Sinbad off her and stood up "I thought it was you I saw on the shore Sinbad.I couldn't be sure, you've changed."
Sinbad looked at the leather clad figure before him with a white cloak draped over her shoulders and now what was once short brown hair, long sun streaked hair cascading down her back. Sinbad wanted to comment on how much she had changed also but all that came out was"I thought you were dead."
Maria looked at Sinbad intensely"I wasn't meant to die Sinbad."
Sinbad noticed the rainbow bracelet on Maria's right wrist.He held her wrist up with the same hand that bared his own bracelet.
"I see you got some new jewelry Maria.Where did you get it?"
"Same place you got yours I see" said Maria as she looked at Sinbad's bracelet.She pulled her wrist away."Truth is I don't know where I got it.When I washed up upon this island I just had it on." There was a moment of silence before Maria broke it"So why are you here Sinbad? Are you here for the Phoenix sword too?"
"You mean the legends are true?"he asked
It finally started to make sense Maria has the bracelet on which prevented her from dieing and explains why she washed up on this particular island ,it was to get the Phoenix sword.
"You are after Phoenix sword aren't you?" Sinbad said with sudden realization.
"So you are after the sword."Maria said accusingly
"What!? No!"
"Sinbad!" Doubar shouted.He and the rest of the crew must have followed him out. "Sinbad why did you . . ." Doubar stopped in midsentence and turned white at what he saw."Maria!" he managed to say.
Rongar and Firouz exchanged confused looks but Maeve and Bryn who had heard the story where shocked.
"She's Maria?" Maeve said,"But she's alive. How?"
"Bryn saw the bracelet that Maria had. "She has the bracelet."said Bryn
Maria gave a confused look at each of the crew but then it became stern. "I don't know why what the hell is going on here but you better not be going for the sword.This is my quest!!I've been training to long for it.All my life I knew there was something more for me that I had a purpose.The Phoenix sword is it!!" Maria stressed.
"I can help you" said Sinbad with concern in his voice.
"I don't need nor want your help.I will do this on my own." And with that Maria turned and walked away from the crew leaving them astonished and confused.
***That night Sinbad couldn't sleep he kept thinking about the words Maria had said to him and the crew.He looked out the window of his room at the Inn, day had started to break.He remembered Maria saying that she would be leaving at dawn.He got up out of bed and grabbed his sword.It didn't matter what she said Sinbad decided he was going to follow Maria.He would protect her whether she liked it or not.
***Walking through the forest Maria kept stopping to look behind her because for some reason she felt like she was being followed but when turning to look there was no one there.She walked farther into the darker part of the woods,Maria was coming to an area where many thieves and assassins waited for people to come along so they could rob or kill for sheer pleasure.Many people who have tried to get to the Phoenix sword have never gotten past this point.When Maria started to walk through a tall heavy dark women stopped Maria,with about a dozen men behind her.
"Hey little girl." she said
"I don't have time for this." said Maria."Just let me pass."
"Oh,you see now I can't do that,cause you have to pay a toll,it can be your money or a body part." the thief said as she chuckled.
"Well you would probably be much better off with some sort brain." said Maria with a smirk.
The thief scowled at Maria and lifted her fist to punch Maria but as her hand came towards Maria's face,Maria put her hand in front and stopped the punch.Then she took the thief's arm and flipped her over.
"Seshi!" one of the thieves cried
As Seshi tried to get up she yelled"Attack!!"
The men lifted their swords and all ran toward Maria screaming.The first thief came at Maria with his sword raised high.Maria jumped up and kicked his sword out of his hand and high into the air.Maria then caught the sword and punched the thief out.Another thief of the band came toward her and quickly Maria did a roundhouse kick knocking that thief out.Seeing that two of their members were taken out,two more of the band decided to attack Maria together.As they ran towards Maria, Maria turned and ran half way up a large tree then bounced off and kicked the two thieves in the head and sent them flying..Still with the sword in her hand Maria clashed swords with another thief just as Sinbad out of nowhere tapped the thief on the shoulder and punched him out.
"Sinbad! what...?"
"Hold that thought." he said quickly to Maria and struck a thief, that was coming up behind her, dead.
Sinbad kicked another one down when Maeve came in hurling her fire balls at the rest of the thieves singeing each one badly in the pants.Doubar,Rongar ,Firouz and Bryn also didn't want to miss any of the fun, they came in to finish off the band of thieves.
Maria just stood there out raged by what was happening around her, she didn't even notice Seshi coming up behind her until Rongar threw two of his daggers pinning Seshi to a tree.
As the band finally ran off scared ,Bryn said "What was all that about?"
"A band of thieves,assassins who knows?But they were bad news.How did you guys find me?"Sinbad asked
"We figured you would follow Maria so we followed you."answered Doubar
Upset by what she was hearing Maria went up to Seshi who was struggling and punched her out.Then took the daggers and threw then at Sinbad that pinned him to a tree he was standing by.Then Maria took her sword and held it to his throat.
"Why are you following me!?!? I thought I told you not to interfere!!"she yelled
"Maria I just wanted to . . ."
"I don't care just leave me alone!!"
"Maria what happened to you?" said Doubar "You used to be so kind hearted."
Maria looked at Doubar and her voice became very soft and gentle. "Things happen Doubar.People change and hearts harden."
Maria took the sword away from Sinbad's throat and slowly walked away continuing on her quest.Rongar released Sinbad from the tree and Bryn and Maeve ran up to stop Maria.
"Wait Maria just hear us out"said Maeve"Look I know you feel like this is something you have to on your own.Like it's the only thing that will make your life complete or you won't be at peace unless you get it done but there is more to your life then that.You don't have to shut people out. Sinbad cares for you I see it he wants to help, let him."
"Maria," started Bryn,"I can only imagine what you've gone through in your life."
"That because you know nothing about me."said Maria
"But we are connected,you and I, we share a special bond."Bryn lifted her bracelet as it started glowing,"We are both destined for great things.Sinbad also has this bracelet and he cares for you. This makes his caring stronger.We are family Maria bounded by more then just blood."
Maria looked at her bracelet which had also started to glow."It never glowed like that before."Maria looked to Bryn
"Let us help you." said Bryn
Maria then looked behind her to the crew that was watching,waiting for an answer. "Alright you can come with me to help me with any trouble I. . .I may face,but when we get to the volcano I go alone from there."
Each one of the crew nodded and then followed Maria to where Maria would start the next part of her quest which was meeting the fire deity.
***For most of the way they all walked in silence except for Firouz who always popped up with some sort of question about the Phoenix legend.
"This fire deity that guards the volcano how does she continue to burn? Is there some sort of substance in the ground,an oil maybe,that enables her to burn?" Maria gave Firouz a confused look "Scientific curiosity." he said while shrugging.
"Don't mind Firouz, Maria,he prefers to believe in science rather then magic."said Sinbad as he looked at Maria.But even after finishing his sentence he still continued to look at her.Maria noticed this
"What" she asked
"Those were some great moves back there with those thieves.When you said you have been training you weren't kidding."
"What about you.I remember a time when killing someone wasn't even an alternative for you but back there you killed that man without a second thought."
"Yeah well like you said people change."
"Hmph!" said Maria then pushed it out of her mind and continued to focus on her journey.
***As they reached the base of the volcano,Maria,Sinbad,Bryn,Maeve, Doubar,Firouz and Rongar did not encounter any more foes but Maria knew her biggest challenge was yet to come.They all looked up at the large volcano and the large grassy path that led to the mouth of the volcano,but they saw no fire deity.
"Maybe the legends about the fire deity aren't true." said Maeve
" You might as well start up the path" commented Doubar
"No it's too easy" said Maria
She picked up a rock and threw onto the foot of the path.Suddenly out of nowhere a big burst of flames came from the ground and took the shape of a woman with long flaming hair.
"I knew it.If I had of stepped on that spot she would have turned me into ashes."
The fire deity's voice crackled as she talked."Who stands before me awaiting the challenge of obtaining the Phoenix sword?"
"My name is Maria .I wish to accept the challenge"she said as she stepped forward.
"All those who have tried before hand have failed."
"I will not fail.This is my destiny."
"We will see.First you must answer a riddle.Stick out your tongue and touch your forehead.You have ten seconds."
Maria was taken aback confused but then she smiled.She stuck her tongue out and then touched her forehead with her index finger.The rest of the crew smiled finally getting the riddle.
"Perhaps I should make my riddles harder." scowled the fire deity "Very well you may pass but you must pick one person to go with you."
"I will."said Sinbad quickly
"I told you Sinbad I . . ."
"Very well Sinbad you will accompany Maria."
Maria looked at the fire deity annoyed but quickly put it aside as the fire deity stepped aside and gestured for Maria and Sinbad to go up the path.
"One more thing Maria" said the deity"You will have a challenge to face before you are able to get the sword so be ready."
Maria nodded and started up the path as Sinbad followed.
***As Sinbad and Maria walked up the path to the volcano every step became harder to take as the path got steeper.Over halfway up the path Maria stopped sat down and pulled her hair away from her face
."Tired?" asked Sinbad
"No. I'm just pulling my thoughts together give me a minute and we'll continue."
"You have so much determination."
"And why not?"
"There's nothing wrong with it,in fact it's admirable, but odd."
"And why is that?"Maria said a little confused by Sinbad's reply.
"As long as I have know you,you have been a kind gentle warm hearted person,yet you always had this stubborn determination to find some meaning in your life.I've always found it selfish."
"Selfish!!"Maria yelled
"Yes, you always ranted and raved about this purpose you had to find.You threw yourself overboard because you couldn't find a purpose but before that you were so very kind.I just don't understand."
Maria looked to Sinbad her voice once again became very soft and gentle. "Sinbad when I was a little girl,I lived in a small village.There wasn't many people but we all lived like one big family.Harvest was always good and everybody was full of such warmth and good spirits.I loved everyone in that village with all my heart but it was my parents that I loved most of all.Every person in that village and my parents were my whole world I knew of nothing else.One day my parents took me for a picnic by the ocean,I had a lot of fun. I remember skipping home and smelling smoke. I saw the fire in my village.My mother held me back while papa went ahead to check it out.I feared for my father's safety though and ran after him.And there I saw dozens of burnt bodies all around me.I screamed and my mother and my father carried me away.Later that year my parents took me on a boat to Baghdad, they wanted to get me as far away from my old village as possible.On the ship I developed really good friendships with the sailors,I knew then that I wanted to be a sailor." Sinbad smiled at this as did Maria when telling it. "But one night my mother woke me up.There was a storm going on I think I don't remember but there was a lot of noise and rain and thunder.Mama put me in a long boat with the firstmate and I saw my parents drifting away from me even before my mother had a chance to get in and then there was a flash of lightening.Next thing I remember is the first mate saying 'Wake up child, wake up' we were on the shore line.I asked for my mama and he said 'I'm sorry child we can't find them I don't know where they are.' After that I just remember screaming for my mama and papa,crying and thinking why did this have to happen? Why did the people I loved most in the world have to die and I was kept alive." a tear ran down Maria's cheek as she told her story but she quickly wiped it away. "When DimDim took me in he told me that there was reason for everything that happens,that there is a purpose for it all.That stuck with me Sinbad and I began searching for a reason and a purpose for everything that has happened in my life.There has to be a reason."
Sinbad sat beside Maria and took her hand"I know you went through a lot in your life.I know the determination you feel I was there once I felt it too but you can't let it control your life.You have to let people in and let them help."
Maria pulled her hand away and stood up."Well, what happened to you?Where were you when I needed your help seven years ago."
"Maria I know I wasn't there and I didn't listen and I'm sorry but please don't blame me.I didn't know all this before but I do now and I'm here now, let me help you.I want to help you, I care for you."
Maria looked at him for a moment but then turned her attention to the volcano. "Come on we are wasting time we must continue on."
***When reaching the top of the volcano both Sinbad and Maria could feel the heat from the lava as they climbed up onto the ledge that over looked the mouth of the volcano.
"This is it ."said Maria
"Where's the sword?" asked Sinbad
"In the lava all I have to do is go down there and call for the sword."
"How?"
"By using this rope." Maria pulled out strands and strands of rope that were thick and made of rubber. "A little something I made last year I knew it would come in handy." Quickly Maria tied the rope around her waist then tied the other end to a heavy boulder."I'm going in" she said
Then suddenly a burst of flames shot up from the ground and there stood the fire deity."Oh no you're not!"
"What?"
"I have decided you are not worthy enough to accept this sword.You are selfish, always thinking about yourself.You cast yourself in the sea leaving Sinbad tortured with your death just because you needed to find a purpose.You are trying to get this sword for yourself."
"NO!! You think this is just for me!! People that I have cared for the most in my life have been killed and murdered both times I have been kept alive.Why? Because there is some kind of purpose there is a reason behind it all! And what if I can't find this purpose, this reason does that mean my parents, my people would have died in vain, died for me.I will carry the burden of their deaths until the day I die.I carried it when I threw my self overboard and I do now ,the only difference is I am more determined to make meaning of everything that has happened.After throwing my self overboard and washing up on this island I realized I was not meant to die, that mistake made me realize I had a purpose and that was to bring meaning to my peoples death."
"So you are doing this for yourself.To make yourself feel better." said the deity.
"No, I am doing this for my people so their death is not in vain.I'm doing this to save other villages from dieing and to maybe save another girl from wandering around most of her life trying to figure out ,why." Maria looked at the deity with tears in her eyes."This sword, this power is for all people who deserve that chance to live .The very chance I took for granted so many times.Do not let my past affect the judgment of the person who stands before you today."
Sinbad took Maria in his arms and hugged her ,he whispered "I understand."
"As do I"said the fire deity."Maria come forth and receive your destiny.You were right Maria there is a purpose for everything that has happened in your life this is it."
Maria smiled at what she heard and secured the rope.Maria took a step back and ran, jumped and spread into a swan dive as she dived in the volcano.The rope stopped and left Maria just far enough above the lava so she would not get burned.She reached out her hand
"Phoenix sword! I call upon you. Rise and be received by the hand of the new Phoenix Warrior ."
The sword rose from the lava and set itself in Maria's hand .Then tying the sword to her side Maria grabbed the rope that was holding her and pulled her self up the rope.When she reached the top the fire deity was gone but Sinbad still stood there waiting.He saw her come out of the pit and helped her out.
"You got it?" he asked
"Yeah I did." said Maria smiling for the first real time in a long time.
Maria took out the sword and looked at it's long silver blade with the handle carved to look like wings on fire.
"Good job" said Sinbad "You deserve this."
Maria then pointed the sword toward the sky and let out a battle cry as she felt the power of the Phoenix surge through her.
***"Look!"Maeve yelled as she pointed to the top of the volcano when hearing the cry
The rest of the crew looked to the top of the volcano and saw Maria and Sinbad. Maria was holding the Phoenix sword high above her head.
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Firouz
"She got it" said Doubar
"Well she's not going to keep it." said Seshi from behind
The crew turned around to find Seshi and her band of thieves behind her ready for another fight.Bryn held up her hand in protest.She knew that Maria had the sword and who knows what powers she might have now.
"Look, just walk away now .You don't know what you will be up against." "Well lets find out!! Attack!!" yelled Seshi
***From atop the volcano Sinbad and Maria saw the fight going on.
"We have to help them." said Sinbad
"There's no way we can get down there in time." said Maria.
"Well then it's time to find out what this sword of yours can do."
Maria looked at Sinbad confused at first but then she began to understand."You think that the sword can bring us down there?"
"It's a powerful sword and worth a shot."
Maria closed her eyes and began to concentrate.The sword began to glow in her hand then lifted the sword and struck it into the ground and in a firey ball of light Maria and Sinbad were transported from the top of the volcano to the ground where the fight was going on.The band of thieves as well as the crew were taken aback by this fire ball that brought up Maria and Sinbad
"Nice trick." said Seshi "Like to see you do that again." and with that she ran toward Maria screaming with her sword raised high.
Maria brought the Phoenix sword up to clash with Seshi's only to have it slice right through Seshi's sword.Maria smiled and brought her sword back as it suddenly changed into a whip.Maria slashed the whip around Seshi's leg.Maria pulled Seshi back with the whip still around her leg and threw her into the band of thieves with a force so large it knocked them all out when hitting the ground in a big pile.Maria walked over to the pile having her whip change back to the sword.
"Nice work,I didn't even have to lift a muscle"said Sinbad as he smiled and took the rope that he brought with him from the volcano and tied all the thieves up.
"Most relaxing fight I've ever been in."said Doubar laughing
Maria laughed also and smiled at Doubar"I forgot how funny you were Doubar."
The crew smiled at Maria realizing the dark cloud she was under had been lifted
"Congratulations Maria." said Bryn "You deserve that sword"
"Of course, she passed all the tests and after all it is her destiny." said the fire deity appearing from the ground
"I don't understand what were all these test I was taking ?" asked Maria
"The first test was against those thieves.You showed strength and agility in fighting them."
"You mean those guys aren't real?" asked Maria
" No, they are not real"The fire deity lifted her hand at the thieves who were tied up and they turned to ashes.
"But why did they come back?"asked Sinbad
"That was to see if Maria could channel her energy enough to use the sword.The next test was where you listened to Bryn and Maeve and you let the crew join you on your journey here.You showed compassion ,humility and that you can let people help.The riddle I gave you showed your intelligence and quick thinking.And finally the test where I questioned your motives,you showed selflessness in your motives, confidence in your abilities and determination in your quest.True qualities of the Phoenix Warrior."
"But why did I have to have Sinbad with me when going up the volcano?" asked Maria
"Because he needed answers for your decisions as much as you needed this sword." Maria looked over to Sinbad as the fire deity continued"Maria you will have many more adventures and another quest to fulfill for you must find the Phoenix bird of which you now have a connection with.The Phoenix bird left this land after the first warrior died.You must find this bird and reunite with it so you may be whole."
"Thank you." said Maria
"Now go and good luck,Phoenix Warrior."
***Back in the village at sunset,Maria wasted no time she already packed up her things ready to leave the island.Sinbad,Doubar,Bryn Maeve,Firouz and Rongar were there to see her off.
"Leaving so soon?"asked Doubar
"You heard the fire deity.I have to find the Phoenix,I'm not complete without it."said Maria
"I just wish I could have talked to you more, find out what you've done these last seven years."
"Oh Doubar,"Maria went up to him hugged him,"you've already witnessed the most important part of my life there isn't much else before that but thank you for being here." Maria turned to Bryn and Maeve "And thank you,both of you for talking to me ,helping me push pass my stubborn streak."
"We're glad to have helped you Maria but remember we are bound by the same force." said Bryn
"Besides we're really stubborn too." said Maeve with a smile
Then Maria turned to Sinbad who was standing by her horse. "Sinbad I am so sorry I put you through so much pain."
"It's alright Maria."
"No it's not.The truth is you are the closest thing I have got to a family since my real family had died.You and Doubar have been like brothers to me but you Sinbad, have been like this guardian angel always wanting to protect me and I took your caring for granted I am sorry.You have to know that I will cherish you for caring, always."
As Maria and Sinbad hugged their bracelets began to glow.Bryn smiled at this because her bracelet was also glowing.
"We will all be your family Maria."said Sinbad "Now are you sure you don't want to come with us? Join our crew, sail with us."
"No,I really do think I need to find the Phoenix on my own besides I may be able to help some people along the way.So I'll be taking another ship of the island."
"But you don't know where you're going." said Sinbad
"Yeah I do,I'm just going to take the long way around."said Maria smiling
Sinbad smiled back and Maria got on her horse and before riding off looked at the crew of the Nomad.
"So long,I hope our paths cross again."
"So do I." said Sinbad.
"We all do." said Bryn
Maria smiled "Oh, and Sinbad, don't forget about your cargo." and then Maria rode off.
The crew looked confused for the moment then their eyes widened in realization.
"The Cargo!!"
***Back on the Nomad,Sinbad and Doubar stood manning the tiller and a big smile was on both their faces.Bryn came up to them.
"Good thing we delivered that cargo before we left or we would have been in big trouble." said Bryn
"Remind me in the future to stop taking side trips when delivering cargo."said Sinbad
"But if you hadn't have taken this one we would have never helped Maria."said Bryn
"Do you really think she'll be ok?"asked Doubar
"She 's strong and confident plus she has this power now and that dark cloud has been lifted from her."said Sinbad
"Just like someone else I know." said Bryn looking right at Sinbad
"We both found answers and purposes and now we are free."
"But do you think she will be ok out there."asked Doubar again
"I know she will be ok." said Sinbad
"How?"
Sinbad lifted the arm that bared his bracelet"We have a bond ."
Bryn smiled at the brothers who smiled at each other and then looked out to the open sea to go on to their next adventure.
