Human beings often think that they are the dominant species on earth. This is both true and not true at the same time.
Let me explain:
Humans are the dominant species on earth insomuch that they seem to control the majority of the known world. They have power over what will happen to the wildlife around them as they can have it reduced to nothing more than a lumber mill should they so desire, as long as they have enough connections or money among their own kind.
Or have an ax and the skill, will and time to do so for themselves.
“You should never trust a human, fledgling,” her brother admonished her once the hunting party was gone from the wood.”
“But they didn’t harm anyone but what they needed for food, haven’t you always told me that this is the way of the world?”
“There is the way of the world, and then there is a desire for power. Men have fallen for less.”
“There must be some out there who aren’t that bad, surely!”
Then there are the men who have no power, but have enough brains to find a way towards power that no one else can take from them. A power source that they can bind and make near limitless in the possibilities of use.
Being able siphon the energy and very life-force of a phoenix can make one almost immortal, whether the phoenix is willing or not.
“Fledgling, I hope that you never find the difference between these two kinds of men, for I am certain that the latter exists only in tales.”
Breathing In 