Instead of immediately getting involved in affairs between humans and others Ardin choose to live among humans as a human. He traveled with merchants to many lands. In one particular city he came across a halfling girl who traveled with a band of gypsies. Her father had been an elf who carried on a brief affair with a fortune teller.
"My father did not abandon her, it was she who drifted away in the night." The girl whispered one night as they lay entangled in each others arms watching the moon. "She said it is the way of our women, we are not meant to stay in one place but to wander."
He smiled at her, "It is my way to wander too."
At this she laughed before rolling on top of him. Her dark hair fanning around either side of his head as she moved her head so that they were eye to eye. Her lips almost touching his.
"No, you wander. That is true, but you will settle. You are searching for something, and once you find it you will settle." She kissed him, "And then you will  no longer hide what you are."
He thought that she would be it, however after they had made love, and he had gone to sleep, she too drifted away.
He would have gone to search for her, but she was correct. The next day he found what he was looking for, and it was that city in which he chose to say until it was time he too went to the resting place.

"We are leaving." Thomas, the merchant he had been traveling with said as soon as he came through the door of the inn they had been staying at.
Ardin raised a brow as he watched Thomas gather their things in a rush.
"Why are we leaving I thought you needed to stay a few more days."
"You haven't heard?" Thomas stopped and regarded Ardin his expression grave. "Oh I forgot, you were out with the gypsy girl last night. I heard that band of gypsy's left in the wee hours of the night, at least you were able to say goodbye."
He did not get to say goodbye to her, but at this moment; he was less concerned with the gypsy girl that had disappeared like a thief in the night, and more concerned about what had Thomas said.
Thomas went back to packing and said, "A band of idiots decided to go find the phoenix's nest, and they found it. Not only did they trespass, they bragged about killing her nest and dousing out the flames. I am not trying to be around when the beast discovers this."
Ardin closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated. It only took a moment for him to find her, and even though she was a great distance from the city, he could feel her anger, her hatred for these creatures who slaughtered her children for no reason. He heard her cry out in rage and his eyes flew open.
He suddenly ran out of the inn, and with inhuman speed ran into the forest until it was thick with trees. There was a low breeze and he turned to see Zephyr standing in front of him, a large smile on his face. Beside him was an air nymph and a girl who was in her teens. She had white hair like her father and bright green eyes. She gave Ardin a small smile.
"I thought you were going to the resting place?" Ardin said.
Zephyr nodded, "I did, only for Meris. I felt there was one more thing I would need to do before it was my turn so here I am."
"I do..."
Zephyr gave him a look as the sound of a bird shrieking vibrated through the forest. It was still a great distance away, but he knew that it was only a matter of time before she reached them. That upon reaching the city she would kill everyone indiscriminately.
It was his place to discover the humans who had committed this grievance against her. It was his place to punish these humans and yet he knew that she was so filled with rage and hate that she would fight him. She would not listen to reason  because other crimes had been committed others and he had not interfered.
"We should hurry," the girl said softly as she looked at the sky. "She is almost here."
Zephyr nodded to her and looked at Ardin. "Shall we go to meet her?"
Ardin said nothing as the air around him began to warm and his eyes glowed blood red. His lean body began to expand and contort, until he was no longer man but a great beast. Scales as black as cool and form limbs with long black claws that burned the ground around him. His neck was long and he had long whiskers the color of blood with glowing eyes to back. He flexed his wings and took off into the air. Zephyr chuckled as he stood into the air after Ardin. The girl and the nymph sat indian style on the ground, they eyes closed as they began to concentrate.

The phoenix was a great bird whose feathers seemed to be constantly engulfed in flame. She screeched as they came upon her.
Stop, I know your pain. There is another way I will bring forth the guilty. Ardin said to her as he locked into her mind.
No. Her voice was filled with the lust for blood. Her anger and rage burned as the flames surrounding her intensified. They must all die. They must all feel my pain and my suffering. Move aside, this does not concern you dragon.
He roared as hot flames exploded from his mouth. She cawed again before flying upwards in a spiral, she tossed her body upside down and dived down towards him. Her claws scratched at his flesh, digging in deep as she duck her beak into his neck. He growled as he twisted his body roughly, tossing her away from him. He opened his mouth wide and flames soared towards her, hitting her head on and sending her flying towards the ground.
Zephyr moved quickly as the air twisted and whirled around him until it formed a giant tornado. He flung it towards the phoenix who cried out as her flames slowly died. Ardin dropped down in front of her and their eyes connected. Flames began to rise slowly around her and he roared before tearing into the birds flesh removing her head from her body. Flames began to surround him as he consumed her flesh taking in her essence, absorbing her power.
Malaika. Was her last thoughts and the image of a woman flashed into his mind. She was a beautiful woman with cooper skin and light amber eyes. Her hair was black and was pinned up into a curly updo, and her curls were adorned with silver and diamonds. She was near the mouth of a volcano surrounded by the damp ashes of the phoenix's murdered offspring. Ardin returned to his other form, his chest bare and stained with blood His leather pants his only remaining clothing. His black hair tossed in the wind as Zephyr stood landed beside him. All that remained of the phoenix a naked carcass.
"Now it is time we part ways until you join me at the resting place." Zephyr smiled, "Until next time."
"Until next time." He agreed.