Guardian in Training
Golden fire blazed from the phoenix as it rose above the treetops. The setting sun cast its dying rays on the silver, serpentine heads of the snapping hydra. It hissed and spat black poison at the wild firebird. The phoenix plunged into a steep dive, narrowly missing the poison which splat onto a leafy branch.
Like a flaming arrow, the phoenix swooped forward and cut a hydra-head with its talons before setting the stump ablaze with its wings. The hydra screamed as the phoenix proceeded to attack another head.
Finally the hydra spat poison on the firebird’s left wing. The phoenix tried to fly away but the hydra immersed it in more poison. A hiss and splatter drowned out its cry as the firebird fell. With a splat, the dying bird landed on the grass and suddenly the sticky mass erupted in scarlet flames. Soon the fire was gone, leaving behind a pile of ashes and a tiny, stirring baby bird. 
Light flashed from the newborn phoenix. It transformed into a young male warrior in armor. The same light flashed from the watching hydra and it too transformed into an armored warrior, an older female.
“You did well, Ralnor,” she said.
Ralnor frowned.
“But I died.”
“But you learned. When I took the form of a hydra before, you would change into something with physical prowess, such as a dragon or a griffin. This time you chose a survivor; a phoenix, which can rebirth if you fail. But if you die as a dragon, then it is over. That is why I never attacked so harshly before lest my training kills you.”
“I thought the hydra’s ability matches the phoenix in a way. The hydra regenerates infinitely, while the phoenix is reborn infinitely.”
“An astute observation.”
“Thank you, Aunt Saraera.” After a brief pause, he asked quietly, “when do you think I will be strong enough to protect the Tower?”
“Soon. Very soon you will be ready to join the rest of the family and become a guardian.”
Later that evening, Ralnor went into the forest to collect some herbs for a potion. He saw a strange creature emitting blue light in a distance. Stealthily, he moved closer. It was a giant eagle with sapphire feathers, drinking from a creek. Mesmerized, Ralnor inched forward. Suddenly a cold, dark liquid hit his face. It stung his skin as he struggled to wipe it off. But it was too late. He lost consciousness. 
When he woke up, he felt the wind in his face and he was flying. He looked up and saw the beautiful eagle carrying him in its talons. Riding on the eagle’s back was a little fat man with pointy ears and nose, a goblin.
“Where are you taking me?” Ralnor said. He wanted to address the goblin but his eyes couldn’t leave the strong, shimmering sapphire wings. He forced himself to look down at the moonlit hills and listened intently.
“To my home,” the goblin said. “Where you will serve us.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Same reason why you still haven’t escaped. The fewoc’s power captivates you. And my master has a potion that will allow him to control your mind.”
“If you think controlling me is going to get you access to the Tower then you are sadly mistaken.”
“We don’t want that weapon in the Tower. You guardians can protect it for as long as you like. But we want one of you to work for us. A powerful wizard like you will help us win the war.”
Ralnor’s mind raced as the fewoc soared. He had heard about the fewoc as a child, but the creature was not as well-known as the phoenix. It had a powerful, magnetic quality that affected all who witnessed the creature. The intensity of allurement depended on the magical potency of the witness. The more powerful the witness, the more obsessed they became. Hence, the goblin was relatively normal while Ralnor was no longer himself. He knew he should escape but he didn’t want to. Some creatures weak enough to escape the fewoc’s charisma but they cannot escape its talons. Suddenly an idea struck him.
Light flashed from Ralnor. The fewoc cried out and released him. As the white light vanished, blue light shimmered as Ralnor emerged. He had transformed into a fewoc.
“No! Don’t back off!” the goblin shouted. “Capture him! It’s just the wizard!”
But the fewoc would not attack its own kind. Free from its hold, Ralnor flew past the fewoc and was soon a twinkling blue speck in the night sky.