Check out Quest of the Phoenix by ravenwood666may, winner of Fantasy Collab contest: Write to Survive.

It was the darkest of nights when Selena saw a flame lit up the sky, so much so that she had to shield her eyes to protect them from the blaze. From the shape and magnificence clearly visible in its form, she knew what it was, a Phoenix.

Her people believed that if you see the phoenix at night, you were destined to go on a turbulent quest, but no one actually knew what that journey entailed. Thus, no matter how much she admired the magical creature, Selena was terrified at what it could mean for her future.

"Selena, are you okay?" Luna, her sister, asked.

"There is a shift in the air. The new tide is coming," Selena said, aware that Luna couldn't see what she saw.

The sign of the unknown adventure laying ahead was only known to those who were to partake in it.

"Will it bring us prosperity or destruction?" Luna asked.

"That I cannot see," Selena said, covering her third eye, which was pulsating with the possibilities, with the potential futures unfolding. "It depends on me and one other."

"Who's that?" Luna asked, worried about Selena.

After all, the rare few who dared set off on a quest rarely returned, and when they did, they were changed so much that their own mothers could not recognize them.

"There you are, my beloved. Are you ready to set off on a new adventure with your mate?" Luan said, appearing beside them before Selena had a chance to answer Luna's question.

"Do not tell me..." Luna said, unable to finish her question.

Luna knew how Selena felt about her destined mate. She could not even imagine how burdensome it was for her to have to face the dangers of an unpredictable quest by his side.

"I am afraid so. I must have angered the gods. Perhaps divining the future was never meant for me to do," Selena said, lowering her head in defeat upon feeling the invisible threads connecting her fate with Luan's.

He was the person who aggravated her the most in their tribe, yet the gods chose him as the one she should spend her life with. At first, she thought it was a cruel game they were playing, but now she knew better. They were doubly bound. Forever.

The sign of the phoenix never made a mistake. Only people whose lives were intrinsically connected were chosen for the greatest honor of all. Only they were to leave their island and search for the Artifacts of Prosperity.

"We need to go. The Cave of Knowledge waits for no man or beautiful woman," Luan said, winking at Selena.

"Good luck, sister," Luna said, knowing that there was no time to waste.

However, she was also fully aware that she might never have the opportunity to see her sister again. That the phoenix would choose the seer of the tribe and its most skillful tracker spoke volumes of the importance of the quest, and yet the rest of the tribe would still be left in ignorance as to what the two brave souls were to do. The truth of the quest would only reveal itself to those who had been called upon.

"Be well and protect our family," Selena said to her warrior sister putting her hand to her heart.

With heaviness in her soul at the prospect of leaving the tribe without any warnings of the future, Selena set off with Luan to face their destiny, whatever it might be. She was determined that no matter what burden was thrust upon their shoulders, she would carry it well because her family needed her back. Even her tribe needed her more than they would ever know, as it was only thanks to her that they gained victory when a neighboring tribe planned a sudden attack.

"You are quiet, my gentle flower," Luan said as they moved swiftly towards the caves that contained all the knowledge and the Quests of the Phoenix.

"I am worried about leaving them behind," Selena admitted hesitantly.

"Do not fret, my dear. We shall be back victorious before the tribe has a chance to need us," Luan said, sounding far surer of their victory than Selena felt.

Before she had the time to worry herself into an abyss of dark thoughts, they reached the caves and entered them cautiously. After all, if there was one thing every child of the island feared, it was the Cave of Knowledge. After all, the story said that if one who was not called upon entered it, they never returned, lost in all the knowledge they were never supposed to have.

"Ready my future happiness?" Luan asked, offering his hand to Selena.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Selena said, clasping the offered hand.

No matter their past, Luan's presence was reassuring in its familiarity in the strange place that was the cave.

The moment they entered, the cave seemed to glow with light as small dots sparkled brightly on the walls, the floors, and the ceiling, the bright lights of knowledge. The narrow road led them deeper inside until they reached large glistening doors of pure beauty.

On both sides were two handprints carved into the door, glistening more brightly than the rest of the cave. It was as if it was calling to them, guiding them forward.

When they put their hands inside the carvings, they glowed brighter. Next, cursive letters started appearing on the surface of the door, writing out their destiny, their quest with the speed that they could barely follow.

"Two of the brightest lights of our world shall go into the land of gloom, Earth, and find the rarest gem there is; hope. If you accomplish that, you will bring peace and prosperity to your tribe. If you fail, the blood of your people shall color the sea," the letters said.

Then they were transported to the place where the sun in human souls was dimmed by fear and despair, Earth.