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~ Planet Iredescent ~

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Warmth disappeared upon the arrival of a cold, malicious presence. A glint of metal gleamed in the moonlight as a winged shadow descended from an open window, landing soundlessly on the lilac marble floor. The wings, arrayed of dark orange and light purple feathers with umbre undertones, furled slowly, closing in around the shadow's rail thin body, the wings dematerializing until further use.

The metal continued to gleam, eagerly swallowing the moonlight with its razorous edge. A wicked smile appeared on a gaunt, moonlit face, accompanied by a horrid shine in his merciless eyes, as the intruder entered Mirror Castle.

Red hair grazed his shoulders like an orange sunset dipping into the horizon, melting into a dark mauve purple jacket. The rest of the outfit was the same color, mimicking a spaceship pilot's uniform. The original owner was lying dead inside his own spaceship, his wrists slit to mislead the truth of his death.

Thin white hands reached to adjust the jacket. His head was raised high, throwing his hair back as he walked forward. The metal zinged softly as the castle intruder righted it, feeling the lightweight weapon in his hand.

It was a firi, the most dangerous military-grade physical weapon on planet Iredescent. Named after the Iredescent word for fire, the firi was invented by a young teenager, an Icelandic Geminangel named Iriq Stromlark.

Created out of Iriq's own matter and energy from his unique phasing ability, the firi was then cloned to supply the weapon to the Iredescent military.

The firi had self-replicating bullets that could change forms of matter. The firi never ran out of bullets because it self-replicated, forming bullets from surrounding atom particles. Because it was such a dangerous weapon, the firi was only distributed to those within the special operations military. Civilians couldn't get near such a weapon, let alone obtain it.

But it was a weapon that the castle intruder had taken from his own kin. His sister was a soldier in the Iredescent air force that was promoted to special operations, but unfortunately, she was killed by her own firi.

The same firi he held in his hand.

Solid footsteps approached the royal bedroom belonging to the Ruler of Iredescent and his wife. His grip tightened on the firi as the castle intruder quietly opened the door. His hazel orbs narrowed at the sight of the sleeping woman in the arms of her loving husband.

Images appeared in his deranged mind. Hate mirthed with fierce obsession of the golden woman that rejected his advances, refusing his lustful desire, fueling his irrational abhorrance for the woman who chose a wonderful man to have a family with.

A woman's voice echoed in his mind, bringing the image of a blonde woman that lay bleeding to death on the airstrip grounds. A woman with the same gaunt face, not moonlit but shiplit from the spaceship lights in the distance.

A lone tear attempted to surface, but he shot it down, refusing to allow the sentimental emotion he had forcefully buried, just like the woman he lost. His mind tormented with the cries of his dying sister as she pleaded, "Redek, don't do this! Don't – "

BAM! BAM!

Two perfect shots, aimed directly at the heart. The castle intruder was an excellent sharpshooter, a disastrous disadvantage to the royal family.

Nend and Aryle Nyssi didn't even know they were murdered in their sleep. Despite the dark shimmery purple blood pooling around their bodies and dripping down the bed, their peaceful sleep was undisturbed. As it turned out, the couple remained together even after death.

The castle intruder stared at them expressionlessly as he lowered the firi. He felt no remorse, no pity. Only a grim, horrid satisfaction with what he had done.

But it wasn't enough.

The two gunshots brought about the startled cries of young children from the nearby bedroom that was adjacent to the royal bedroom. Of course, the castle intruder thought, grimacing. The mini Aryles must be taken down as well.

Aryle was pronounced Ahr-lah.

"Swirling galaxies," the castle intruder murmured under his breath as he followed the cries of the young children. He was startled to see they were human, without Iredescent skin shimmer and wings or fins. He pondered for a moment, wondering if they were truly Aryle's children, then he recognized some of her features on a little girl.

These are indeed Aryle's children. Their parents must've turned them into humans in a pathetic attempt to try to protect them from me. Now that Aryle finally ceased to exist, I must eliminate the lineage and destroy every trace of that woman's bloodline so it would no longer persist. The castle intruder raised the firi upon the helpless children, two young daughters named Idare and Yasmina, and little sons named Sulir and Isaro.

From another part of the castle, Markerer Venjemiv winced at the sound of gunshots and silenced cries. I'm too late, Markerer thought fearfully, gripping his short blond hair and teleporting as fast as possible. Relief flooded him when he saw the only survivor, the youngest of the children.

A baby named Iressa Nyssi.

Two sets of eyes, cold murderous hazel and warm benevolent blue, gazed upon Iressa as she awoke from sleep, confused and frightened.

The castle intruder's eyes rested on the baby for just a brief moment, before frantic hands snatched her from his gaze. The castle intruder looked up, meeting the eyes of another Iredescent with the same abilities: shapeshifting and teleportation.

Markerer recognized the castle intruder as Redek Falk. He had seen him often, suspiciously sneaking around the castle grounds. And now, he is within castle grounds, Markerer thought ruefully.

The Ruler of Iredescent, Nend Nyssi, was Markerer's closest friend and like a brother to him. They grew up together and went to the same school when they were younger. Markerer had been present at Nend's wedding with Aryle and at the celebrations following the births of their children.

And now, he was present at their deaths.

All except the lone survivor, the baby he held in his arms. The last remaining member of the Nyssi family. A young princess descendant of her father, the Ruler of Iredescent.

A princess unaware of her murdered family.

Markerer had no time to mourn. He dashed out of the bedroom, running hurriedly as Redek pursued him. The sound of broken glass shattered as Markerer leaped out of the window, teleporting to the castle grounds.

The shattered glass cascaded downward, the shards revealing glimpses of the baby in Markerer's arms.

Like her siblings, the baby was human, no longer Iredescent. Her purple eyes turned blue, and her violet purple hair turned ebony black. The diamond skin shimmer disappeared from her skin, but her skin was fair and white like the moonlight that shone from above the glittering night sky.

The shattered glass clinked upward, the shards dispersing into crystal splinters, as a heavy boot stepped on the broken glass.

The baby cried out when a firi bullet nearly missed her, striking the wall. Pieces of the wall exploded as Markerer ran with the castle intruder at his heels. Markerer held Iressa, trying to protect her as best he could with his strong arms and the shimmery light purple blanket she was sleeping in.

Evading Redek, Markerer teleported inside his spaceship in the royal landing lot. He immediately started up the engine, setting the route for planet Earth. Markerer placed the baby Iressa in the backseat behind him as the ship began taking off into outer space.

Redek stood appalled for a moment before he teleported inside his own spaceship, the one he had stolen from the dead pilot. He shoved the dead pilot out of the ship before taking off.

The two spaceships tore out of Iredescent's atmosphere at high speed, heading directly for the portal that led out of planet Iredescent's dimension called the sparkly dimension. The portal glimmered and sparkled like a light from a lighthouse, appearing in the deep black sea of outer space, amid an ocean of glittering stars and galaxies.

Markerer took one last glance at planet Iredescent before the ship speedily went through the portal, heading for planet Earth's dimension.

The solar dimension.

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Two flames clashed in a fiery dance above the starlit night sky, encompassing the stars in a stunning radiance of light. One flame was a marvellous, purple-tipped orange yellow; the other flame was vivid blue like the ocean.

The flames grew into the massive forms of two Phoenixes that fought each other, not for strife but for fun.

The Blue Phoenix could see the cheerful smirk on the Phoenix's face as he released another set of purple-tipped orange yellow flames, the flames turning into cannonballs that exploded upon impact with the Blue Phoenix. The Blue Phoenix shook his head to clear the dizziness before firing back, dancing just out of reach of another set of flames.

Is that the best you can do? You, the only Phoenix that can turn into a merman and an Iredescent? The Phoenix playfully taunted the Blue Phoenix, speaking to him telepathically.

I've yet to best you, Father, the Blue Phoenix responded, smiling brightly at the Phoenix.

That was another ability unique to the Phoenixes: the ability to speak with each other telepathically whilst in their Phoenix forms.

An orange yellow blast fragmented the blue flames that spread out, trying to blanket the oncoming fire, but the attempt rendered to collapse. The vibrant blue flames and the purplish orange yellow flames converged, striking before the blue flames fell underneath the orange yellow flames. The orange yellow flames rose in triumph, setting off fireworks and raining fire droplets that disappeared and reappeared.

Show off, the Blue Phoenix said to the Phoenix, who responded with a chuckle.

Gotta teach your son the proper techniques if he's to master his Phoenix flames someday, the Phoenix said, motioning with a wing.

The Blue Phoenix glanced down to where a young boy sat on a grassy field. He was hugging his knees to his chest, his gaze turned upward at the sky, watching the fire show displayed by his elders.

He was a calm, quiet peaceful kid. He had black hair and a slim body, the same physical features as the Phoenixes in their human or Iredescent forms. He was Iro's four year old son, Crimson Fenice.

Iro Fenice was the Blue Phoenix. The Phoenix with purple-tipped orange yellow flames was simply called the Phoenix. He was Raistin Fenice, Iro's father and Crimson's grandfather.

Even though Raistin was over three thousand millennia years old, Phoenixes never aged, remaining "forever twenty-one" according to Raistin. Therefore, father and son appeared as young adult men, with no signs of aging. Both had black hair, though Raistin's was shoulder-length and Iro's was waist-length. Raistin had smooth olive skin, and Iro had pearlescent white skin.

Each Phoenix had a different eye color. Iro Fenice, the Blue Phoenix, had ocean blue eyes. Raistin Fenice, the Phoenix, had earthy brown eyes. Crimson Fenice, the future Crimson Phoenix, had crimson red eyes.

They were the only Phoenixes in existence. Because of their power and influence, the Phoenixes were held in high regard. Their massive forms were as big as the gemstone house several distances away, the house that was known as the Phoenix residence in Cadburnia, a part of the land where the Phoenixes dwelled on planet Iredescent.

The flames shattered, appearing like fiery embers within crimson red eyes.

Watch it! The Phoenix exclaimed, missing a wave of electric flames generated by the use of fire and water, a combination of the Blue Phoenix's abilities from his Iredescent side and his Phoenix side. You nearly shocked me!

I thought you wanted me to best you, the Blue Phoenix said mischieviously, rolling back the flames and creating an electric water-laced blue firewall behind him, showcasing some of his power.

The Phoenix's eyes narrowed in disagreement. His fiery wings curled around his body, as if powering up, then the wings suddenly stretched out with a mantled fire that spread across the sky, devouring the blue flames and firewall.

I'll always best you, Son. The words were somber with a touch of sadness, echoing a hidden depression that the Phoenix seemed to always carry with him, despite his usual cheerful demeanor.

The flames scattered, disappearing from two sets of eyes, one set blue and one set brown.

Having had their fun, the two Phoenixes flew down, transforming before they landed on the grassy field. Raistin fell awkwardly in his human form, scowling at Iro who landed gracefully in his Iredescent form.

Raistin was dressed entirely in black; he rarely wore any other color. Iro wore a deep blue sleeveless shirt and slim black pants with blue shimmers that hologrammed in and out of the fabric material, creating a sort of illusion.

Appearing like blue volcanic rock made from Phoenix flames, a stylish men's bracelet adorned Iro's wrist as he pushed back some of his long black hair and approached the young boy on the grassy field.

"Would you like to turn into your Phoenix form?" Iro encouraged Crimson, who shook his head no.

"He will someday," Raistin said confidently. "I look forward to the Crimson Phoenix's appearance."

"Same way you looked forward to my first Phoenix appearance," said Iro, remembering the first time he turned into his Phoenix form.

Iro was born in Tokyo, Japan, on planet Earth. He moved to planet Iredescent with his parents when he was ten years old, the age he started exhibiting his Phoenix powers. Crimson was too young to exhibit his Phoenix powers, but Raistin felt it was a necessary benefit for him to watch his Phoenix elders in action, to sort of prepare him for the future.

A musical ringtone played, alerting of an incoming call from Raistin's comect that lay in the grass beside Crimson.

Comects were lunar powered Iredescent phone devices, charged by moonlight rather than sunlight or electricity. They were an Iredescent invention available on every planet in the Iredescent world. They came in different colors, matte and shimmer, holographic or sparkly, never losing signal no matter what planet they were on.

Crimson picked up the comect and answered, greeting with a simple word, "Phoenix."

How cute, Iro thought, smiling adoringly at his son. He sat on the grass beside him and took Crimson in his arms, placing him on his lap.

Raistin took the comect from Crimson and saw the call was from Suduko Tristanle, Crimson's uncle. "Hey, Suduko. What's up?"

Suduko's chilling words, however, indicated this was not a good call. "Nend Nyssi and his wife Aryle, and their children, were murdered not even an hour ago."

As Raistin listened in horror, Suduko continued, "Markerer Venjemiv is on the run from the murderer, a shapeshifter named Redek Falk. Markerer has the baby Iressa with him, the only survivor of the Nyssi family."

For a long moment, Raistin was unable to say anything, extremely shocked to hear the tragic news. He remembered Nend's coronation, remembered the celebration and lights. It hadn't seemed that long ago since he watched the previous Ruler crown Nend as the new Ruler.

Nend Nyssi was a military commander trained by Iro Fenice. The previous Ruler went into retirement, allowing Nend to become the next Ruler of Iredescent. It was a devastating blow to learn of Nend's sudden, unexpected death.

He hadn't been the Ruler of Iredescent for a full decade, and already I'm tasked with the responsibility of deciding a new Ruler. What an unfortunate tragedy. Poor me with all the extra work I'll have to do. Raistin sighed, mentally preparing himself for the busy months ahead.

"I appreciate you informing me, Suduko. I'll meet you at Mirror Castle and we will discuss this further. Meet me there this very night, as soon as possible," Raistin finally said, ending the comect call.

After quickly relaying the message to Iro, Raistin called Merrotay Brenizor, asking him to meet urgently at Mirror Castle. "I apologize for calling at a late hour, but this is an urgent situation."

"I'll be there," said Merrotay, already getting dressed. Merrotay was Raistin's most trusted coworker, an advisor that worked for the Ruler of Iredescent.

Raistin turned to address Iro. "Take Crimson inside the house and protect our wives. I will settle this matter at the castle," Raistin said to Iro, who hastened to comply.

Iro gathered Crimson in his arms, holding his young son, as he watched his father transform into his Phoenix form and take flight, his purple-tipped orange yellow flames shining like a flashlight in the dark night glittered with stars.

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The darkness that surrounded Mirror Castle was chased away upon the bright appearance of the Phoenix. His luminous flames cast a vibrant glow over the landscape, making the night look like day.

Some of the sentries and guards thought it was the morning sun, but then they saw the radiant figure of the Phoenix high in the sky, and they realized that the light was coming from the Phoenix.

It was still night and not morning, not yet the break of dawn. Stars continued to glitter, dancing in the sky like ballerinas, oblivious to the somber melancholy mood that settled on the castle like dew on grass.

An orange yellow firewall quickly encircled Mirror Castle, preventing anyone from coming in or out. After scanning the surroundings and making sure there was no danger anywhere, the Phoenix updated the firewall, making it safe for everyone except shapeshifters. Any shapeshifters that touched the firewall would be incinerated upon contact.

The Phoenix descended from the night, turning into his human-like form. He waved at the guards and soldiers, relieving them of duty and sending them home to protect them in case Redek returned.

A sad sigh escaped upon the discovery of the dead pilot, another victim of Redek. The body was promptly cremated with orange yellow Phoenix flames. A memorial was intended to be held for the dead pilot alongside the royal family, since they were Redek's victims.

The meeting would take place in the hall. Raistin smoothed his hair back as he walked in, seeing a glamorously dressed figure already in the hall.

Despite being called last, Merrotay was the first to arrive.

Merrotay looked well for his fifties, appearing as fashionable as ever. His metallic silver bangs shone underneath the moonlight, his elaborate purple robe and pants clinging to his thin frame. He was human, though his shiny makeup and eyeliner indicated he appreciated the Iredescent way of glitter, shimmer, sparkle, and shine.

Merrotay was originally from planet Mijishin. He was the former advisor to the Mijishian King before Raistin recruited him to become the advisor to the Iredescent Ruler.

"Someone's got to take some of the paperwork and weight off my shoulders," Raistin told Merrotay upon hiring him. "You are a trusted person to share my workload with."

And so, Merrotay served as the advisor alongside Raistin, the main advisor and the ultimate authority. His advisement helped establish good trade and negotiations between Iredescent and Mijshin, ensuring that the two planets remained in good standing with each other.

Despite being called first, Suduko was the last to arrive.

His tall, muscular form entered the castle grounds, taking note of the damage done to the wall. Moonlight shone on his shoulder-length sky blue hair and highlighted his dark tanned skin, streaking down his sleeveless tunic and cobalt pants. His large, deep blue wings were drooped slightly, though the moonlight continued to caress the silver glitter on his wing feathers, even as he entered Mirror Castle.

And so, the flamboyantly dressed Merrotay, the formally dressed Raistin, and the casually dressed Suduko convened in the hall of Mirror Castle, brought together on a moonlit night under unfortunate circumstances.

Merrotay and Raistin shared a moment of sympathy for Suduko, who felt the loss most keenly.

Suduko, Nend, and Markerer had all grown up together and shared a brotherly bond with each other. They were foster children who grew up in the same home and became brothers. Death was the only thing that separated from their brotherhood, creating a dark slash amongst the trio.

Upon seeing Merrotay and Raistin, Suduko wordlessly displayed his comect and played a message from Markerer, a voice call that Markerer had recorded aboard the ship.

"Suduko, this is Markerer. I'm recording this call into your comect even as I speak. Nend and his family are dead, and I am on the run from his murderer: a shapeshifter named Redek Falk.

"I know we usually hold elections to select the new Ruler of Iredescent, and I know I don't have the right authority, but I'm sure Nend's royal advisor and the Phoenix would agree with my decision to appoint you as the new Ruler of Iredescent.

"I can think of no other person better suited for the position than you, Suduko. I trust you completely and I leave the planet in your care. I wish I could see you again, but I am forced to leave Iredescent with Iressa, Nend's daughter and the only living survivor of his family.

"Take care of Iredescent for me, Suduko. Sparkle on." And the call ended.

There was nothing but silence for a moment before Merrotay said thoughtfully, "It appears that Markerer appointed Suduko as the new Ruler of Iredescent."

"I approve of the appointment," Raistin said decisively. "Effective immediately, Suduko Tristanle is the new Ruler of Iredescent. I will make the announcement in due time. In the meantime, Suduko, you are to go home to your family and make preparations to move to Mirror Castle, your new permanent residence. I will be the personal protection of you and your family."

Nobody objected the Phoenix's decision. The Phoenix was well-revered and respected, the ultimate authority; any decision from the Phoenix was taken into stride without question. Suduko was a kind, trusted person who was close with the former Ruler of Iredescent; neither advisor could see any reason why he shouldn't be the new Ruler of Iredescent. And so, the Phoenix agreed with Markerer's choice of new Ruler.

"Thank you, Phoenix," Suduko said with reverence. Normally, he would've called him by his first name, but this was a very serious occasion when he felt such formalities were needed.

Raistin dismissed the meeting and escorted Suduko home, flying in his Phoenix form alongside Suduko's spaceship. Suduko realized he would receive a new spaceship upon his sudden new promotion as the Ruler of Iredescent. He would miss his regular spaceship, not ready for an upgraded spaceship that would house the Ruler and the military.

After making sure Suduko went home safely, the Phoenix expressed his sympathy and wished Suduko a good night before he left, disappearing into the night.

Suduko opened the door to his beautiful gemstome home made of sapphire and rose quartz. He would need time to grieve and mourn the loss of a close friend, and to process the responsibility of ruling an entire planet. He wouldn't be alone, since Raistin and Merrotay would assist him. But the tasks were overwhelming, even with Phoenix assistance.

Soon as he walked in the door, a small body slammed into Suduko, nearly knocking him to the ground. He caught a glimpse of dark midnight blue hair and tanned skin before being ambushed by a warm, enthusiastic hug.

It was Suduko's four year old son, Tren Tristanle.

Tren exclaimed happily, "Father, you're home! Yay! Did you see Grandfather Phoenix?"

Even though the Phoenix wasn't Tren's biological grandfather, he referred to him as Grandfather Phoenix, while Crimson referred to him as Grandfather, since Raistin was his biological grandfather.

Suduko looked at Tren, his eyes misting with tears. In that moment, he felt super grateful his child was alive, while Nend's were not. Suduko gripped Tren in a close hug, holding him for a long time. Silent tears streamed down his face, wetting his shirt with crystal droplets.

Soft footsteps approached the father and son. A light pink kimono robe touched the rose quartz floor, accompanied with lacey pink and white wings that dematerialized, seeming to fade into the delicate fabric. Glossy black hair caressed shoulders and light fair skin, her almond-shaped smokey topaz eyes revealing the woman as Suduko's wife.

Mirella Leeiyor Tristanle was the sister of Antha Leeiyor Fenice, Crimson's mother. As direct relatives of the Phoenix, both families spent much time together. The Tristanle family freely came over to the Phoenix residence, and the Fenice family regularly visited the Tristanle residence.

Even though Crimson and Tren were biological cousins, they were more like brothers, since they were so close, despite being total opposites. Crimson was like the moon while Tren was like the sun. Crimson was quiet and introverted; Tren was talkative and extroverted. Yet they loved each other like brothers, getting along fantastically.

Suduko released Tren from his hug, going over to embrace Mirella. "We need to pack our things. I just became the new Ruler of Iredescent, and the Phoenix requested to move myself and my family to Mirror Castle."

Tren's eyes widened in astonishment. "A castle?!" he asked incredulously, fascinated by the news.

Suduko glanced at Tren, confirming, "Yes, son, we are moving to a castle." Suduko turned to Mirella, saying, "I will explain everything later, Mir. For now, I need some time alone."

Oblivious to the sadness lurking in his father's voice, Tren got really excited, running around the house, repeating the word, "castle" several times.

Suduko did not share his son's excitement, aware of the sad circumstances that led him to live in such a beautiful castle. Security would be doubled, not only with soldiers and officers, but with the constant presence of the Phoenix, the most powerful lifeform in the galaxy.

Understanding the grave situation, Mirella went with Tren to start packing their belongings. Suduko went to his room and closed the door, needing a moment alone to grieve the loss of a dear friend, and time to process his imminent future.

Meanwhile, Raistin had returned to Mirror Castle to prepare it for the new Ruler. After clearing the castle inhabitants and sending them home, Raistin inspected the murder scene and the broken window.

Golden tears rolled down his face as Raistin burned both bedrooms with his Phoenix flames, including the royal bedroom and the children's bedroom. The flames were controlled, burning everything within the bedroom, not including the wall structure.

Iredescents preferred to cremate rather than bury, so it was innate to burn the bodies of the dead. It was rare for a Phoenix to cremate a body, though it was done when necessary.

Raistin stood in what was once the royal bedroom, entirely engulfed in flames. Yet he wasn't burnt nor harmed by his own flames; even his hair was intact, not damaged in the slightest. His flames were a permanent, natural part of his body.

He formed a likeness of Nend and Aryle Nyssi, using a material similar to volcanic rock, formed out of Phoenix fire. Because their bodies were cremated, the likenesses would be buried in their place at the royal gravesite. The likenesses were like statues, life-like and with details of their physical features and clothing.

It was much more difficult to create the likenesses of the children, but they were created and placed alongside their parents. Golden tears drenched the flames that went out the broken window, fixing it with Phoenix fire.

The scattered flames rose amid the shattered glass, burning away the past, making way for the present, and readying for the future return of the stolen princess of planet Iredescent.

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Chapter Music:

"DAWN GATE"
by Granrodeo

[A Japanese rock/metal song. The part where he mentions 'princess' makes me think of the stolen princess of Iredescent, plus Granrodeo is definitely the kind of music Raistin would listen to. Just has that cheerful 'Raistin' vibe]

🪐 Also, a classic rock song that is sort of Markerer's theme,

"Long, Long Way From Home"
by Foreigner

🔥 And of course, the Phoenix theme,

"Phoenix"
by Scandroid

[Just FYI, lots of Foreigner, Autograph, Blue Stahli, and Crush 40 music for this story. Some of the songs sound like they're written just for this book because they relate so much to a certain character or chapter.]

[If there's a song you would like to suggest or recommend, please definitely let me know! As long as it's not mainstream or rap]

Anyways, yeah! Sparkle on ✨