They stood there alone.

The fire in front of them flicking and cracking almost threatening to hurt them. They didn't flinch once. Instead, thier vision blurred as thier eyes became glossy.
A lump in thier throat formed as they stared at the fire.

The light catching in thier eyes leaving a small glimmer of something almost forbidden, hope. They weren't allowed to show emotions and were trying desperately not to let tears fall.
Thier so called king watching them from afar.
They were alone.

Soldiers lined the walls, they were apart of. Side by side, watching the fire blaze. in a ball of god-like presence.

"Next" The king said in his throne, lazily waving his hand to the person next in line.
He was shaking, but proceeded to walk into the fire letting himself burn to death.
His screams of pain echoed through the halls making everyone shake in fear letting other soldiers morning the death of another one of thier kind.

They shook, almost to deny thier training. Thier training to be cold and emotionless. Thier training to become feared.
They were one, but they were also alone.

The fire still glazed the polished walls and floors, making the perfect clean environment filled with smoke and soot.
"Next" His fingers outstretched, as his head rested in his other hand almost looking like he was going to fall asleep.
Maybe he was.

They were next. It was stupid to hope. So, they embraced it. They walked forward with a bold stand they firmly outstretched thier hands as they gave a speech.
"You foolish king! We show weakness once and you send us to death. Weakness can kill, and one day you will find that weakness in yourself. I curse you, from this day forward. You. Are. Weak." They turned around to the soldiers deemed weak and yelled at the top of thier lungs, "fight back, let my death be an example! Let hope guide you and ignite a fire within you."

Other 'strong' soldiers ran twords the yelling man. With such passion he yelled like a tiny ember in the dark of night filling a valley full of life, "FIGHT AND BE FREE. A NEW DAWN WILL RISE AND OUR KING WILL FALL!"

With that, he fell to his death. A sword struck through his heart. Letting his ember ignite a forest fire. Making all the 'weak' soldiers ignite into one beautiful Phoenix of fire.