Issue 1 Downtime

The door to Altamira's room opened, several people in bright and shining gold armor walking in. After a moment, the Matriarch entered clad in elaborate and ornate robes entered. She looked peaceful and happy, all around her a soft golden glow seemed to radiate.

"Hello, Mira," the Matriarch said, in a soft and humble voice, "It is time."

Mira was sitting on the bed, facing the wall.

"Are we there yet?" she asked, sarcastically, without turning around.

The Matriarch waves the guards away, leaving the two of them alone.

"We have arrived, yes," the Matriarch said, "...Have you given any more thought to our mission?"

"I apologize," the Matriarch said, bowing her head, "Many preparations have been necessary. I haven't had the time to speak with you properly."

"Ask me anything you wish."

"We are docking at our central station for some repairs," the Matriarch said, "As well as to give me time to convince you to help us."

"I have no intentions of betraying you," the Matriarch said, "I really just want to talk with you. Tell you about our history and our mission. In the end, the choice is entirely yours. After all, I sincerely doubt I could stop you from doing anything you want."

"Thank you," the Matriarch said, "As you might know, I am the leader of the Universal Church of Truth. We were founded by the Avatar of Life, a being of immense power created to bring balance and harmony through his eternal conflict with the Avatar of Death."

"We celebrate the glory and beauty of life," the Matriarch explains, "And we seek to preserve it from forces that would seek to set the universe out of balance."

"The teachings of our god, the Avatar of Life," the Matriarch said, "He nurtured us, taught us, and gave us everything he could before he passed beyond this world."

"For us, balance is protecting the world from untimely demise. There are forces in this universe that seek to snuff out life, rather then letting the candle burn away naturally. Our mission has always been to safeguard the universe from those forces."

"That is why we sought you. The Phoenix is tied into life itself. You are young and still growing, but still have the potential to be a new Avatar of Life. You could guide us, help us, and protect the universe."

The Matriarch's voice cracked as she spoke. She looked like she was on the verge of crying. This was a woman who had been lost a long time, without purpose or guidance and standing alone in the dark. She looked towards Altamira as if she was the most precious thing in the world.

Altamira laughed. "I am no guide of balance. I am no Avatar of Life."

"Maybe not yet," the Matriarch said, "But you could be. If you wished."

"Please do not reject us," the Matriarch begged, "I can not begin to understand the burdens you carry, but we need you. We need you desperately."

"Please."

"I think I am asking someone who was blessed with a destiny," the Matriarch said, "Someone who has witnessed and felt first hand the tragedy of death arriving before it's natural time. Someone who could be an even greater force for good then our founder."

"Am I wrong?"

"All things are possible with faith," the Matriarch said, "Come with me."

The Matriarch opens the door and leads Altamira out through the ship and into the central station. They walk down a maze of hallways, people bowing and kneeling before the two as they pass by.

Finally, they reach a large antechamber. Several cardinals stand guard in front of the entrance to a massive door.

The Matriarch walks right past the guards without acknowledging them. Some unseen signal from her and the door opens, sliding apart with a deep rumble. Past the door is a huge machine, it looks like a faith battery but is larger and much more complex.

"This is where we would harness your power," the Matriarch said.

"Your power would mix with the faith of millions," the Matriarch said, "The prayers of our entire congregation would guide you towards restoring balance and harmony in the universe."

"Just as they guided the Avatar of Life before you," the Matriarch said, "You may scoff, but all things are possible with faith."

The Matriarch looked heartbroken, "You're...rejecting us?"

The Matriarch turns away, "To help my congregation, there's very little I wouldn't do."

"There is one," the Matriarch said. The glow around her intensifies and Mira can feel the woman drawing power from the faith batteries around them.

"Bringing balance to the universe," the Matriarch says, releasing a blast of light around Altamira that hits like a truck.

Altamira was power. Altamira was life incarnate.

Altamira was also surprised.

"Oof!" she said, sliding across from the floor from the force.

"What...what are you...don't make me..."

"I am sorry for this," the Matriarch said, "I was praying you would come to us willingly, but power such as yours can not be allowed to freely roam the universe."

The Matriarch waves her hand and a wall of faith energy comes at Altamira, with the power of a million believers behind it.

Altamira staggered back again, gritting her teeth.

"W...what are you?"

"I am the Matriarch," the Matriarch said, "I am a true believer. And my faith can move mountains."

The Matriarch claps her hands together, attacking Altamira from all sides in a crushing embrace.

"Your....faith...can move mountains, can it?" she said, going down to one knee.

And then rising.

"I am no mountain. I am fire she said, hovering over the ground, psionic energy swirling about her hands.

"You are a child," the Matriarch said, gritting her teeth, "You will not defy me."

"I am life incarnate, and I shall do what I please!" she said, unleashing a torrent of energy back towards the Matriarch.

The Matriarch staggered backwards before glaring back at Altamira.

"You are not worthy to be the Avatar of Life!" the Matriarch said, "I will personally rip that power away from you, you heretic!"

With the golden glow of all the faith energy she could tap into, the Matriarch rose from the floor and into the air. Energy formed into a glowing sword, which she swung at Altamira with all her might.

Mira brought her hands together, crossing her arms to absorb the blow, sparks of gold and red flaring throughout the hall, as the powerful energies collided and reacted to one another's presence.

"I. Am. The Phoenix she shouted, shoving the Matriarch away with all of her might.