My spirit came easily now, like an old friend, and my human form disappeared in favor of the blazing, beautiful phoenix I was always meant to be. I took off into the air in a whirlwind of flame, hoping that my words left an impression on everyone who’d heard them. Yes, I was the phoenix reborn. Yes, I had enough power to fight against any darkness. But no, I would not be their weapon. I would not exist in a cage.
