The second bearer then passed on the duties of the shrine to Rahl before reportedly vanishing into the unknown depths of the forest. Ten years ago, Rahl passed away. Yet the previous keeper of the shrine knew his time was very near and showed Char the way to a hidden chamber. There, something miraculous happened between the two. When the ritual was complete, Char emerged alone from the hidden chamber forever changed in many ways. Tattoos had been added to his face, signifying the blood marks burned into the skin of the Phoenix Bearer. Mesmerizing gold had replaced the soft brown of his eyes, and a few fleeting weeks later he began manifesting magic almost identical to what Rahl used. Char recently visited the port of Umi in disguise, and found poverty. Every year since he has made a secret journey to the port in the guise of a blind man without the aid of the other two phoenix guardians, though they may or may not know he is going. It's sort of a spiritual journey for him, to remind him of the importance of what he protects and that humility is a virtue best taught by experience. Item: The Flaming Axe, only useable by the Phoenix Mecha. The axe can perform all the powers that the mecha can, except shooting golden fire. It can even fly about on it's own and attack enemies by itself. Mecha Name: Sõra (means ‘Fire tear’ in a certain dialect of Pheo-nai) Mecha Appearance: The phoenix mecha is an impressive sight with it's glowing red armor and flaming golden highlights. The phoenix armor's head has been likened to that of a fox. The phoenix personally never claimed to be much of an artist, even if the two crest feathers are slanted backwards in a more birdlike fashion than the ears of a fox. The phoenix mecha's hands are sharp bladed close combat weapons stylized to be much like that of a bird of prey, hence why Char calls them 'talons'. The claws live up to their namesake. The phoenix mecha is known to have the most strength of any mecha in it's hands, being able to crush, tear, and shred any known substance given a good grip. The Flaming Axe is always apparent when stored away on the phoenix's back, the blades looking like a second set of smaller wings while the mecha flies. Sora has a tail that splits in two three fourths of the way down. It is also known to be one of the famous transforming mecha, changing into the form of a giant phoenix. Sora is reputed to be the fastest traveling mecha when in the air, though it has been so many years since it’s been seen that it’s fallen to the rumor that the dragon mecha are quicker in the air. Char climbs into the chest compartment and sits in an egg like bowl. The chamber closes and fills with a strange orange fluid, putting the pilot into a meditative like state. There the pilot becomes aware of the mecha around them and that with concentration they can move the enchanted armor about like flexing some newly discovered muscle. Char controls the phoenix mecha though thought and voice commands. He feels the damage the mecha suffers. Unfortunately Sora and Char are still working out their relationship and it takes time for a mental link to develop and for Char to control the mecha with proficiency, plus he only has memories of controlling the mecha not actual experience, the same goes with wielding the axe. Sora also has temporary moments of being awake and acting on it's own when the phoenix fragment is piloting it. Over time a mental link will fully form between the pilot and the mecha, allowing for the mecha to respond instantly to a mere though with Char sitting inside. Powers: Char is still discovering his magic and the extent of what he knows. Fire/heat absorption: (unspoken) tires him the bigger the fire blast when not in Sõra. He can use this to keep himself warm and then expel it, but only to where his skin becomes hot, like a fire. He can burn people depending on how much heat he's absorbed, but cannot set things alight. The phoenix mecha can absorb enough heat to where it will literally melt, or ignite, anything it comes into contact with be it weapons, mecha, or cities. "Imantimis" (ignite fire) He can't feed off this power. He can set small things alight, but not much more. Able to bring water to a boil, his hands glow a pale gold. He needs to either touch the object of concentrate on it. Sora can fire powerful streams of golden fire from it’s hands and eyes, though it has been reported to use it’s split tail as a fire whip, it's 'talons', and it’s energy wings as an opponent shredder. "Solu ne" (Be reborn) *lays his hands on some one that is badly injured, near death, and/or dead and speaks these words, channeling a great deal of his strength into the dead corpse. Then he leaps away just before the person explodes into a great goat of fire and is instantly burned to ashes. The fire burrows into the ground, leaving nothing but ashes where, ground of choice, and then vanishes. He hurries forward and shoves his hand deep into the ash pit, now totally cool, and pulls the now alive, but stark naked person coughing from the ashes. This power strangely works on mecha as well. "Mis Nai" (fire speak) He can send a short, normally one word, message to a near by flame source. The other guardians can understand the words with in the fire, but to anyone else it a strange golden flicker in the flame, those with control over fire control can not understand it since it is not normal fire. “Sora Wein” (Sky fire) This power allows Char to spread the phoenix mecha’s translucent wings or change the mecha to a mode more reminiscent of the firebird within.