Rising Phoenix Gaming

The familiar rustling of the leaves and the gentle chirping of birds enveloped Wayne as he delved deeper into the woods. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Each step he took seemed to ground him further, the worries and fears of the past days slowly fading away. As he walked, a sense of serenity washed over him. The cool breeze carried a whisper of ancient wisdom, and Wayne felt as though nature itself was speaking to him, soothing his troubled mind. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his lungs, calming his racing heart. Lost in thought, Wayne didn't realize how far he had wandered from the main trail until came to the stream. He studied it looking both up and down stream, he was up stream from where he had been before. He turned to follow up stream but took only a few steps. The Maiden was again in his mind cutting her hand splashing her blood. Droplets glimmering on the bank. He turned and went down stream. It took maybe ten minutes to come to the place he had witnessed the maiden and the natives. he crosses the stream and looked at the bank. He knet and pulled out a knife and dug into the clay until he found something a solid teardrop shaped stone, like glass, blood red, and hot to the touch. he held it in his had and felt… power. He dug up six more of the stones each perfectly the same as if they had been cut by a jeweler.

After waking up, Wayne tried to shake the image out of his head, and then decided to drown the feeling it generated in him behind a cup of orange juice. After downing a large cup of the stuff, he decided that he had to get back out in nature and try to get his mind clear. He repacked his small hiking backpack with the built in Camel-bak. Inside he put a small slice of agate that he sometimes used in meditations. He resecured the various pouches on his backpack, and then noticed the not-so fresh smell and feel of his body. He headed to the bathroom, showered and changed into a similar shirt and jeans. Once that was done, after making sure he had his keys, wallet, and cell phone, he headed to his car with his backpack, refilled with water and some trail mix, which he put in his trunk. On the road, he seemed to zone out a bit, and almost drove on auto-pilot. After a bit of time, Wayne arrived at the same trail head that he had started from yesterday. When he arrived, he felt almost as if a fog had lifted and he realized where he was. After the shock of not remembering exactly how he got there, he stepped out of the car and grabbed the backpack from the trunk. He realized he didn't bring his camera this time, but when that thought crossed his mind he slid his fingers across slick face of the agate slice. That action reminded him of why he was here. It wasn't to look for something external, but to dive into his own mind and find his center. Wayne took a deep breath, put on the backpack and a pair of sunglasses, and took off onto the trail, praying in his heart that the trip would help calm his anxious thoughts.

Darien stopped focusing on trying to catalogue everything that was going on, on trying to analyze what Tandy was doing, and simply allowed it all to happen, and allowed himself to be part of it. He felt almost compelled to add his own voice to Song, and this time his affect wasn't caused by a word of power, simply woven into the harmony of the Worldsong, as a dozen of what looked almost like fairies danced through the air around them, and his voice joined the song, not with words, so much as a low, soft aria. Her way was different, but not incompatible, and Darien was glad for that. Until now, he knew only his great grandfather as a fellow awakened, meeting Tandy felt almost like Fate.

Tandy was nervous. She had never worked her magick,even though she didn’t know that that is what the shadows were, her way of seeing Magick, on command or for anyone else. She thought for a moment abstractly noting Darien speaking an odd word, and incorporating the simtiment if not the actual word. She decided to make them fly. The shadows around Tandy seemed to stir, responding to her unspoken command. With a flick of her wrist and a surge of determination, she willed them to rise from the ground and take flight. The shadows twisted and contorted, forming intricate patterns in the air as they hovered around her, casting an ethereal glow in the moonlight. Darien watched in awe, sensing the raw power emanating from Tandy as she manipulated the shadows with such finesse. The Worldsong hummed softly in the background, harmonizing with her magickal display. Tony stood by quietly, his eyes alight with wonder at Tandy's abilities, so unlike his great grandsons. As the shadows danced around her, Tandy felt a surge of exhilaration unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was as if she had tapped into a wellspring of magic hidden deep within her soul, a connection to the shadows that felt both ancient and familiar. Tandy uttered a word she made up on the spot, “Aerosoale.” and the shadows lifted her from the ground to hover several feet above her onlookers. With a smile she raise both hands and said another new word “Aeroansemble” and the shadows flew around Darien and Tony and lifted them to join her and with another sweep of her arms the three begane to circle each other in and intricate dance. To Darien’s sight he saw that the Shadows and the Worldsong were, if not the same, at least part of something something else. It was Magick, there could be no other word for it. The trio continued to move in a mesmerizing display of magickal prowess, their forms intertwined with the shadows as if part of a graceful symphony. Tandy's abilities seemed boundless as she effortlessly commanded the ethereal elements around them, her eyes shining with a mixture of joy and astonishment at what she was capable of. Darien marveled at the connection between Tandy, the shadows, and the Worldsong, realizing that there was a deep harmony between them that transcended mere manipulation. It was as though they were all pieces of a larger puzzle, coming together in perfect unity under Tandy's guidance. The courtyard hummed with energy, the very air vibrating with the magick that flowed through each movement and gesture. As the dance reached its crescendo, Tandy felt a surge of understanding wash over her. She was not just controlling the shadows; she was the shadows!

For his part, Darien trusted in his great grandfather to ensure this place remained private, as he mustered his focus to Open his senses even more to the Worldsong, to better observe what Tandy was capable of. "Revelare" He spoke the Latin word with a practiced ease, and felt the Worldsong embrace him, a low soft medley surrounding them, the Worldsong itself anticipating something happening in this courtyard, but not resisting his desire to know, and understand.

He spent the rest of the evening researching the legend of the Blood Moon Maiden, delving deep into obscure forums and ancient folklore websites. The more he read, the more a sense of unease settled in his stomach. The stories painted her as a vengeful spirit, punishing those who disrupted the natural order or desecrated sacred lands. As the night grew darker, Wayne found himself immersed in tales of disappearances and mysterious deaths linked to encounters with the Blood Moon Maiden. His rational mind battled with primal fear, unsure of how to process what he had witnessed by the creek. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with him, and he dozed off in the recliner, National Geographic slipping from his hands to the floor. In his dreams, he saw the woman again, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light as she moved gracefully through the forest. When he awoke with a start, dawn was breaking outside his window. He had dreamt but already the dreams faded but one image was clear... The Blood Moon Maiden cutting her palm and scattering blood, the drops big, red, and wet landing in the dirt of the stream bank.

This set alarm bells off in Tandy’s head and the Shadows on she could see thickened around Dariena nd his Great Grandfather. She was a veteran of the streets since she was fourteen and going off to someplace private meant a whole different thing to her than it did to the two men. Once this occurred to her the shadows receded, they were still there but only at the edge of her perceptions. “Right now?” Both men could hear the caution in her voice. Tony observed the change in Tandy's demeanor, sensing her apprehension at the suggestion of moving to a more secluded location. He quickly reassured her, his voice gentle yet firm. "No need for alarm, Tandy. We only wish to help you understand and control your abilities better. It's important that we guide you in a safe environment where we can focus without distractions." Darien nodded in agreement, his expression sympathetic. "We won't push you beyond your comfort zone, Tandy. Your well-being is our priority," he added, hoping to ease any concerns she may have. Tandy hesitated for a moment, studying their faces intently. She could sense the genuine intention behind their words and found herself reluctantly nodding in agreement. "Okay, let's go," she finally said, her voice tinged with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity. With a reassuring smile, Tony motioned for them to leave the diner, leading the way as they stepped out into the night. The streets were quiet as they walked, the only sound being their footsteps echoing against the empty buildings. Tandy felt a knot of unease tightening in her stomach as they moved further away from the familiar glow of the diner and into the shadows of the deserted alleyways. Tony and Darien remained silent, allowing Tandy to collect her thoughts as they navigated the dimly lit paths. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, each of them lost in their own contemplations. As they reached a secluded courtyard bathed in moonlight, Tony turned to Tandy with a reassuring smile. "This should be a good spot for us to delve deeper into your abilities," he said softly, his gaze steady. Tandy took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. The shadows seemed to dance around her, whispering secrets only she could hear. With a newfound sense of determination, she stepped forward into the moonlit courtyard, ready to unravel the mysteries that lay within.

Wayne sighed deeply, 'Thank you for the information, Jason. I promise I'll be very careful. If you find out any further information, let me know. " He disconnected the call, and sat down at his desktop P.C. When it booted up, he opened his web browser and began researching "Blood Moon Maiden." While there wasn't much online about "her" what he did find was a bit disturbing to his thought process. "Damn. This feels a bit more serious than it first seemed. Although the fact that no one reacted to her presence, as well as the fact that I couldn't get her on film is weird, there has to be some sort of explanation. I just hope it's not that i'm hallucinating. Considering I hadn't heard of this story before, i doubt it." Wayne then got his backpack out, and almost on autopilot, he began to unpack from his trail hike. His camelbak insert was taken out, emptied and cleaned. The wrappers from his granola bars were thrown in the trash, along with a couple of small wrappers he found on the ground. His boots were taken off, and the dirt scraped off and the tops wiped down. Once that was done, he took off his jeans and light jacket and threw the jeans in the hamper. He put on a pair of comfy sweatpants, grabbed a copy of National Geographic and sat down on his favorite recliner, trying to calm his mind. The images of the woman, the tied up man's face and the grim look of the other men kept flashing through his mind. He seemed unable to let it go, and he began making up stories about the people involved. His train of thought was disturbed by a strong gust of wind rattling the wind chime set on his small porch to tinkling. He resolved to find out more, but he needed to figure out how.

Darien looked to Tony, and nodded. "Do you think you can help her with this? I know her way seems very different from ours." It wasn't impossible to help but he found himself wanting to do so as well. "Of course I'll do what I can too." He looked around. "Not here though, way too many people. Maybe we should go somewhere less public?" He had a feeling Tony knew what he was alluding to, and he looked to Tandy. "Nothing untoward, just easier to do some of the things we can do without an audience."

Tandy shook her head slowly, a troubled expression crossing her face. "No, they don't ask for anything in return," she said quietly. "It's like they're bound to me somehow, responding to my will without any demands." She paused, a shiver running down her spine at the thought of the shadows being tethered to her. "But sometimes... I feel like they're trying to tell me something. Like there's a message hidden within their movements, waiting to be deciphered." Tony watched her closely, his eyes glinting with a mix of concern and intrigue. "It seems you have a unique connection with these shadows, Tandy," he said slowly. "Perhaps it's a gift that has been dormant within you, waiting for the right moment to awaken."

Tony said nothing, though he was clearly thinking about what she said. Darien however did speak up. "So you're already using your abilities intuitively, that's actually good in a way, as you're less likely to really do something with truly serious consequences that way for the most part." He nodded. "Do they ever to ask you to do anything for them, in return for their obedience, or otherwise?" While it wasn't really something he had aptitude for , Darien was aware that Spirits did exist, and wondered if Tandy was seeing such entities as shadows, or perhaps it was something else.

Tandy hesitated, unsure of how much she should reveal. She had always kept this ability hidden, even from herself at times. But now, faced with the scrutiny of Tony and Darien, she felt a strange sense of liberation in speaking her truth. "They don't communicate in words," she began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "It's more like... a feeling. An intuition. When I will them to move or change, it's almost like they respond to my thoughts before I even fully form them in my mind." Tandy paused, trying to articulate the inexplicable connection she felt with these shadows. “Like I am the shadows.”

"When you do that, what happens? Does it affect what casts the shadow?" Darien was simply trying to piece together how far this went. Tony for his part, was considering what he knew regarding what and how they did what they did, and trying to correlate it to what Tandy was saying she could do. "Do the shadows ever directly communicate with you?" he asked quietly. There were of course several options for how to explain this, finding the right one though, was important.

"Yes." That one word mad both of the the Old and the young look back at the girl. There was something in the tone of her voice. "I can make the shadows do what I want." Tandy looked at both of them, unblinking.

Darien for his part was also listening rather intently, and nodded. "That's certainly a different way of seeing things. Have you tried affecting these shadows, like making them stop, or actually do something you want them to do?" Tony looked to him, and frowned, but Darien looked back without shrinking from the glare. "What, we both know I was interacting with the Worldsong before I even really knew what it was, or how." "Yes, and that was very dangerous, Darien. Overuse and misuse can have disastrous costs, and side effects. That's why you must always manage the risks, and find new ways to will what you want to happen into reality naturally."

Tandy absentmindedly took a bite of her food and chewed. She stopped suddenly and swallowed. “Shadows. I see shadows.” The atmosphere in the booth seemed to shift as Tandy uttered those words. Tony's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of interest passing through them. Darien leaned in closer, intrigued by her revelation. "Shadows," Tony repeated thoughtfully. "Tell me more, child. What do you see in these shadows?" Tandy hesitated, unsure of how to put into words the things she had always kept hidden within herself. Tony leaned in, a newfound intensity in his gaze. "Shadows?" His voice was low, almost a whisper, but commanded attention. "Tell me more about these shadows you see. What do they look like? Where do you see them?" Tony's interest was palpable, a mix of curiosity and something darker lurking beneath the surface. Tandy shifted uncomfortably under his piercing stare but knew she had to be honest. She glanced around the diner nervously before taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I see them everywhere, some are like your shadows and of other people and things, but they move as if they are doing something that their casters want to do but won't or can't. But then some aren't cast at all the just are, just lurking at the edges of my vision," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're not like ordinary shadows - they move on their own, twisting and contorting in unnatural ways." Tandy shuddered, her hands trembling slightly as she continued. "And sometimes... sometimes I feel they are watching me." Tony listened intently, his expression unreadable.

Tony nodded, but refrained from speaking for a moment. She could feel his gaze upon her, their eyes meeting, and it felt almost as her soul itself was being examined, before the much older man spoke. "I will teach you, and we will both help you to understand this world." He smiled warmly. "Now, perhaps most importantly, we need to understand how you currently see the world. You of course know the normal way most people perceive and understand the world around them, what I want to hear about is anything that doesn't fit the norm. We can certainly teach you how we perceive things, but knowing your basic understanding gives us a starting point. Don't worry too much one way or another. " Darien nodded. "Even small things can help. Neither of us expect you to see things just as we do, heck we don't perceive it all exactly the same way."

Tandy nodded, trying to absorb the weight of the revelations that were being laid out before her. She couldn't deny the spark of curiosity and excitement that flared within her at the thought of unlocking her true potential, but it was tempered by a sense of caution and apprehension. She glanced at Darien, seeing a kindred spirit in him, someone who had already embarked on this journey of self-discovery and understanding. As she turned her gaze back to Tony, she felt a surge of determination welling up inside her. "I want to learn more," she said, her voice steady despite the roiling emotions churning within her. "I want to understand this world beyond the veil, to see the truth that lies hidden from most. Will you teach me?"

Wayne's student, Jason Cantwal, picked up the phone after a few rings, and Wayne wasted no time in explaining the situation to him. As he described the mysterious woman and some of what events he had witnessed at the creek, his student fell silent on the other end of the line. “I don’t know professor, there are Hundreds of women who could meet your description. You didn’t get a picture of this woman? That would be easier to track down on the internet.” Wayne attacked the problem from a different direction, emphasizing the woman’s dress and even lightly describing the cutting and splashing of blood, although he did not say it was real but, rather implied that perhaps it was some sort of LARP or something like that. After a long pause, his student spoke in a hushed tone. "Wayne, very few of my people go in for that sort of fantasy stuff. You know that. But what you're describing sounds like the legend of the Blood Moon Maiden. She is said to appear in times of great turmoil, her blood sacrifices ensuring balance is maintained in the natural world." Wayne's heart raced at the mention of the Blood Moon Maiden. The legend was known among certain indigenous communities in the area, but he had always assumed it was just a myth. Could it be possible that he had truly witnessed her ritualistic sacrifice by the creek? His student continued, "If you've seen her, Wayne, you must tread carefully. The Blood Moon Maiden is not to be trifled with. She is a guardian of ancient secrets

Wayne ran his glove-covered fingers through his hair. He was more than a little confused and panicked. While he KNEW with all his heart he saw that woman, he also knew that photographs don't lie. "This isn't possible. I mean it is possible, but I don't think I was hallucinating. Then again, the point of a hallucination is that you think it's real..." Wayne muttered under his breath. He then let out a growl and scream of frustration. "Damnit. This is going to drive me crazy... or if it WAS a hallucination. even crazier than I am now." Wayne took a few deep breaths to help calm down. "I have to look at this rationally. If there was someone, they'd leave evidence. The police are sure to notice another set of footprints... but maybe I should ask some of my friends if they know of any First Nations members that would fit her description." He took out his small notepad and began writing down what he remembered of the young lady before his memory became clouded with time. Once he was putting down the description, he remembered the look in her eyes, and felt that that image would stay with him, forever. Maybe they will know more about it... more about her. He picked up his phone and began dialing one of his students who knew people in the local communities.

Even as his Great Grandfather spoke, the words held his attention, and he still found himself paying attention to their surroundings. though in the diner, no one was within two tables of them, so as long as they didn't yell, no one would hear their words. Still, as Tandy tensed, he looked back to her. She'd just had alot of information dumped in her lap, and he nodded. "The Awakened don't all perceive reality the same way, and even as that's true, there's no one true way to understand it all. Even if we don't see it the same way, sharing our Perspectives allows us to potentially see more we couldn't before, things we miss." Darien's tone was very genial, he was being honest and fairly open. Perhaps he knew he came off as Naiive, but given how they'd met, he wanted her to feel more at ease. There were plenty of people around, so this definitely wasn't the place to start actively using their abilities.

Antoni studied Tandy with a calculating gaze, his eyes seeming to pierce through her very essence. Tandy squirmed under his scrutiny, feeling exposed in a way she had never felt before. After what felt like an eternity, Antoni finally spoke in a voice that held centuries of experience and knowledge. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tandy. But please, call me Tony. All these kids act like I never left the old world. Believe me I did, and never have I looked back." His words were measured, each syllable carrying weight. "You are right to seek guidance in understanding your abilities, youmg lady. I sense a potential that lies within you.” The Old man smiles at his great grandson, “The path of the Awakened is not an easy one, but it is a path of great power and responsibility." Tandy swallowed nervously, her palms clammy against the menu she held tightly. She glanced at Darien,then back at the old man. “I don’t understand. What do you mean by Awakened?” Tony's eyes twinkled with a knowing glint as he leaned back in the booth, giving Tandy a small smile. "Being Awakened means tapping into the true potential of your mind and spirit. It means seeing the world for what it truly is, beyond the veil that blinds most people. It grants you the ability to shape reality, to bend it to your will in ways that others cannot comprehend." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "But with this power comes great responsibility, just like the Spider-man in the comic books.You must learn to control your abilities, to use them wisely and with respect for the natural order of things. The consequences of misuse can be dire." Tony's gaze bore into Tandy's, making her feel as though he could see into her very soul. “My grandson here, he sees the truth of the world through his connection to his music, to what he and I call the Worldsong, eh… somewhat of a grandiose name but it serves its purpose. The Worldsong guides and reveals its truth to him… it revealed you.” He smiles broadly at Tandy, “But I do not think it is the Worldsong or Music which pulls you. And the Worldsong does not always reveal everything, especially if pains have been taken to conceal.” Tandy tensed and sat up straight, her eyes glancing around.Darien, who had been listening aptly to his great grandfather say more about the Worldsong and being awake to a stranger than he had to even him initially, saw Tandy tense.

Antoni Landa saw his great grandson sitting in a booth with a woman he definitely didn't know. That said, he felt the same sort of power coming from her, a vast well of barely tapped potential, and smiled. He understood without being told why he'd been asked to come. When he arrived at the booth, Darien got up, allowing him to take a seat and then sat beside him. They'd ordered drinks and something to eat, and once it was brought, Antoni looked at the two youngsters. Darien took this as an opening and nodded. "Tandy, this my great-grandfather and mentor, Antoni Landa. Grandfather, this is Tandy. I met her earlier tonight while I was out walking. After discovering that we have much in common, I thought it best to introduce her to you. She has great potential." He looked back to Tandy. "He helped me recognize what I was doing, and taught me all I know regarding what we are, and how we interact with the world around us."

With that, he pulled out his phone and called his great grandfather. There was a diner near the park, one he'd eaten at a few times, and quickly arranged for his great grandfather to meet them there. Once he agreed, he nodded. "Well, now that that's done, we can head on over, and grab some food if you like. It will take him a little to get there." Tandy nodded in agreement, a mixture of nerves and curiosity evident in her demeanor. She followed Darien as they made their way to the diner, the world around them buzzing with an energy that only they could sense. As they entered the cozy establishment, a bell jingled overhead, announcing their arrival. Darien guided Tandy to a booth near the back of the diner, where they settled in to wait for his great grandfather. The faint scent of pancakes and coffee hung in the air, blending with the quiet chatter of other patrons. Tandy fidgeted with the edge of the menu, stealing glances around the room as if looking for threats. Minutes turned into what felt like hours, and just as Tandy was about to question whether he was even coming, an elderly man entered the diner. His presence commanded attention, his eyes holding a depth of knowledge and wisdom that seemed to speak of a lifetime lived to its fullest.

As Wayne entered his studio, he wasted no time in setting up the equipment to develop the film. The images he had captured were hauntingly vivid in his mind, and he needed to see them on print as soon as possible. The dim red light of the darkroom bathed the room in an eerie glow as Wayne carefully loaded the film onto the reel, his hands steady despite the turmoil churning inside him. The chemical smells filled his nostrils as he poured the developer into the tank, gently agitating it back and forth. As the first image began to form on the paper in the developer tray, Wayne's breath caught in his throat. The photograph showed the bound man on his knees, fear etched into every line of his face. The next few images captured the heated argument among the men, their expressions twisted in anger and desperation. Wayne's blood ran cold. The woman was in none of the frames. Even those that he clearly remembered focusing on her only showed the forest. She was not there. She was not in any image!