From the Ashes

       Ryan felt what was like a dream, except it was far too real. He felt himself 'flying' through space. Long lines of light passing him by swiftly. It was beautiful as it was terrifying. He saw a man wearing a simple white robe, who emanated light like a star. He simply turned, his hand outstretched to either guide him or usher in a direction. And Ryan felt himself pass by the figure, continuing on his journey that could have been anything between a moment or an eternity, Ryan then saw a globe... a world. He felt himself rushing through the sky and to the surface. A forest, ruins, and then Ryan hit a broken tower. And it all went dark.

The next thing Ryan remembered was pain, fire, and burning. Ryan awoke, but the world was dark and cramped. Immense pressure bore down on him and a sharp pain was in his chest. Ryan was disoriented from everything that had happened in a short amount of time.
He must be alive under the rubble of the fallen building. All that before was maybe a near death experience? So Ryan pushed upwards, his body straining and... scraping? He lifted the immense weight on his back upwards, first kneeling and then standing. A large chunk of black stone tossed to the side.

Ryan found himself standing in ruins. But not of the office building. Instead he stood amongst fallen black stones in what he assumed was a broken tower. For he could see a thick forest past the black walls of the ramparts he stood above. He must have hit his head harder than he thought. Ryan went to place his hand on his head, but felt metal. Ryan then looked at his hands and his body. He was covered from head to toe in dark armor, felt a full helmet upon his head, had a black tattered cape, and even gauntlets over his hands. And there also happened to be a sword in his chest. Ryan then began to try and pull off the helm. But it didn't move. He scraped at any crevice he could find, but the armor wouldn't budge. It felt fused to his skin. He dared not remove the sword in case doing so killed him. Ryan was breathing heavily, he had to sit down. He went over to more rubble and sat up on it. He closed his eyes. What was happening? What was happening to him?

"Excuse me," a feminine voice interrupted, Ryan looked up. On some nearby rubble a woman sat; she was dressed in white robes that hugged her figure, golden jewelry, and had long flowing golden hair that rippled in the air. She however appeared, transparent. Not fully real. "I know you are very disoriented, but may I ask a favor of you?"

Oh, now I'm hallucinating. Ryan thought.  He stood however, and walked over to the women. The woman smiled a bright smile, her eyes sympathetic.
"There is currently a young lady buried under the rubble, would you mind pulling her out?" The women asked politely.
Ryan's body jerked. "Where." His voice came out deep and low, far more of a command than the question he meant.
The women pointed to an area. Ryan got to work, lifting stones. And he found himself doing it easily. He was able lift walls and large stones. Maybe I'm dreaming?

Then Ryan saw a hand peaking out amongst the stones. He lifted more rubble to find the broken and bloodied body of a young woman. She was obviously dead. Ryan stumbled back in shock. 
"Now, could you find her bag? It has something that will help. I believe it is somewhere were you first came out." The women spoke, floating above Ryan.
Ryan thought of several questions, but he was just too tired and shocked from the whole experience. So he just simply complied. He dug through more stones, finding a bag and a pouch. The contents of the bag had spilled out. From maps, broken flasks, torch, and other assorted items. Ah, fantasy. A fantasy themed dream. There was also a small wooden box that had been crushed open, tossed from the bag and near where he had first pulled himself up from the rubble. There was a single red and orange feather, that seemed to glow like embers.

"Yes. Grab the feather," The... spirit woman instructed, "Now go over to Ingrid, take off any of her armor or metal. Then place the Phoenix feather against her skin."
Ryan complied, not seeing a reason to ask questions, despite the spirit women getting more excitable. He grabbed the bag and pouch, taking them with him. He then went over, gently taking off the girl's dented armor and straps. He then saw a small chain around her neck. He pulled off what seemed to be a pendant, which he wrapped around his wrist. After that, he placed the feather on the girl's forehead. The feather then glowed brighter, disappearing into embers. Then the girl's body caught fire. Ryan jumped back in surprise, feeling the familiar heat. The girl's body twas fully engulfed in flames, all her clothes burning away from the intense heat. Then the flames ceased. And there the girl, Ingrid, laid. Her body no longer broken, bloodied, or bruised. She wasn't awake, but she was breathing. Ryan pulled off his tattered cape and draped it over her. Looking at her now, she was blonde and somewhere in her early twenties. She was beautiful, but Ryan needed to make sure she was alright. He wrapped her in the cape, and then effortlessly picked her up, lifting her away from the hard stones.

"Thank you for your help. She is important to me, and she deserves..." The spirit women spoke.
"Where is a bed?" Ryan asked with his new voice, which sounded like a demand.
The spirit woman looked towards him, her smile fading, "There should be one in the lower base of the tower, or in the barracks of the ramparts."
With those suggestions, Ryan went to find the stairs. He had to kick debris out of the way before heading down. Carefully navigating broken steps, making sure to cradle the girl safely, and into the dark interior of the ruined tower.