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Izous' paws hardly touched the scorching ground as he ran. He was much too focused on his goal to even be bothered to register it. A dear friend had just returned to the Plane of Fire and he had every intention of finding him. It had been a long time since he had seen him and he wanted to make sure he was okay.
Izou crested one of the small rocky hills that dappled the landscape of lava and dark stone. From this new vantage point, he could get a good look around. But he ignored anything that did not look like his friend.
Then he spotted him.
His friend was sitting on an outcropping the jutted out from one of the larger mounds. He could not see much of him, but with how he was sitting, Izou was sure that the Phoenix was in a lot of pain. He looked as if the entire world was weighing upon his shoulders. It must have been hell to get to where he was sitting. Izou did not dwell on it long as he set off for the hill. When he reached it, he followed along the path that offered the least resistance.
As Izou got closer, he allowed himself to be consumed in fire so he could take on his human form. As soon as it cleared, Izous appearance had shifted to that of a teenager with long black hair and a nice robe he had received during his last summoning. It was much nicer than the robes he had when he was summoned. His soft brown eyes filled with sorrow as he looked over the damage that had been done to the Phoenix. Izou carefully stepped closer to get a better look. The Phoenix did not seem to notice him at all.
There was a v-shaped welt on his neck, and deep purple finger marks encircling his neck. He had suffered strangulation and hanging this time. Further observation revealed wrists that had been rubbed raw from binds that had clearly been on too long. Izou did not want to know if it was from his summoner or someone else. He would not ask for those details either. The Phoenix would share if he wanted to or when he was ready. The Phoenix’s chest was a mess of stab wounds, barely hidden by the white robe he was wearing. Each wound was scabbed over and irritated. Izou was sure that there were more injuries.
Izou had to wonder why the Phoenix was not allowing his flames to heal the wounds. He was surely in a lot of pain from them and they would get infected if left too long. They couldn’t die, but that did not mean they did not feel pain.
Izou shook his head, then cleared his throat to announce his presence to try not to spook the Phoenix too bad. “Do you mind if I join you?” He asked.
The Phoenix jerked and turned to look at him with wide blue eyes despite his attempt to not scare him. Izou did not miss the glimmer of fear before it faded from the Phoenix’s eyes. His face fell into its usual bored expression once he realized it was just a friend rather than another creature coming to attack him or just cause problems.
“No.” The Phoenix answered. He sounded like he had spent days swallowing broken glass. Izou was sure it hurt horribly too.
Izou sat down beside him, gently nudging him over to make more room. He was barely settled when he felt the Phoenix burying into his side. The Kitsune wrapped an arm around him, gently tracing soothing shapes against him. Izou could not imagine the sort of pain he must have been through. The power he granted to those he bonded with always seemed to corrupt.
“Oh, baby bird…” Izou sighed as he raised his free hand to card through the Phoenix’s blond hair. He dropped it to brush against Marcos’ cheek. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. But do you want to talk about what happened this time?”
“I…” The Phoenix started, then paused as he tried to force himself to continue. Izou gave him a squeeze to remind him that he was safe. That he had no reason to be afraid to share what was on his mind. That seemed to help the Phoenix. “My summoner… He tried to kill me before they captured him for execution.” The Phoenix trailed, deciding to not continue with the full tale. Which was alright with Izou. Just knowing that one bit was enough. “I don’t want to go back.”
Izou could already tell what it was. The Phoenix had said it once before. ‘Humanity would be better off without the power of the Phoenix.’
“If that’s your decision, then I won’t try to stop you.” Izou said, then offered a small smile. He was trying to reassure him. “But I think one day, you’ll find someone who treats you right. They’ll give you a name and take good care of you. You just take as much time as you need and don’t worry about changing your mind.” Izou gently scratched the Phoenix’s head. “Get some rest, baby bird. I know you’re tired.
“Thank you, Izou…” The Phoenix’s tense body relaxed further into his side. He didn’t stay awake for long, his breaths evening out as he slipped into sleep. Izou would stay here until he was awake. Just to make sure nothing happened to him.
“Anytime…” Izou said, his eyes wandering to the injuries. Without the Phoenix actively stamping them out, blue fire knitted together his skin. When it was done, it was as if the Pheonix had not been hurt. But Izou was more worried about the psychological harm.
Izou vowed he would keep an eye on the Phoenix. If he never returned to the material plane, then Izou would simply stay here with him.
His friends’ well-being was more important than anything else.