Chapter 32: Journey to the Phoenix Sacred Temple
Current Location: Border of Middle Wildland
Time: Early morning, after the night’s battle
After ensuring all the travelers were safely escorted out of Middle Wildland, Irfanos stood atop a high rock, facing the rising sun, watching Shinin wave farewell to the last of the escort beasts.
Irfanos (calm, serious):
“Ching Lee and Lysa… they won’t last long in a single body. If they stay merged, their souls will corrode one another. Ching Lee is Syavadarkian. You want to save them, don’t you?”
Shinin (scratching his head):
“Uh… of course! But… what’s the plan? Coconut oil?”
Zoarfang and Ritz snicker behind him.
Irfanos (sighing deeply):
“There is a sacred artifact… kept at the Phoenix Temple, hidden in an elf village. It is guarded by the last Phoenix spirit, and will only awaken if the three Phoenix Arven feathers are united.”
The group fell silent.
The Role of Hasyalys and the Phoenix Feathers
Fran:
“Three Phoenix feathers? I have one.”
Aisha:
“Me too… Arven gave it to me when I was a child. It shimmers like a rainbow.”
Irfanos:
“Then the third… is with Hasyalys, right?”
Soon, Hasyalys descended from the sky atop a white Roc, flanked by two elf siblings—Elian and Elira—who once served as keepers of the elf library under the reign of Goddess Diana.
Hasyalys (waving cheerfully):
“So, I hear you’re trying to separate two stubborn souls in one body?”
Elira (smiling mysteriously):
“The Phoenix Temple is no ordinary place. Only spirits pure and tied to the flames of rebirth may enter.”
Irfanos Enters Shinin’s Body
Before setting off, Irfanos turned to Shinin.
Irfanos:
“This time, you’ll enter the sacred realm of the sky creatures. I cannot accompany you in physical form.”
Shinin (raising an eyebrow):
“So… you want me to carry you on my back?”
Irfanos (shaking his head with a sly grin):
“No. I’ll enter your body… and rest as a Panther tattoo. When danger strikes, I will emerge. But don’t do anything stupid like last time.”
Suddenly, the wind whirled violently around them. Irfanos leapt toward Shinin and vanished in a flash of black-blue light. A glossy black panther tattoo appeared on Shinin’s right shoulder blade.
Zoarfang:
“Whoa… cool as a Puma logo.”
Shinin (suddenly hearing a voice in his head):
“If you fall in a puddle on your own, I’m pretending I didn’t see it.”
Shinin:
“Huh? You’re in already? Not comfy… my back feels weird, like there’s a sticker stuck!”
Irfanos (in Shinin’s head):
“You’re more ticklish than I expected…”
Ritz (shaking his head):
“Even a Celestial Panther can’t handle this clown energy.”
Closing the Scene
The group moved northward, traversing icy highlands before entering a foggy forest that led to a hidden valley. Nestled within lay the Elf Village, home to the Phoenix Sacred Temple, guarded by spirits and eternal fire creatures.
Inside Shinin, Irfanos watched and analyzed, ready to act at the first sign of danger. Yet, in his tone, it was clear: he considered Shinin the dumbest hero he had ever known—but with the luckiest powers imaginable.
The morning sun reflected off the mist, and the distant roar of unseen creatures hinted… the coming trials would test every bond, every soul, and the courage of heroes yet to awaken.
Chapter 33: The Tale of Mercy Grace & Arven’s Awakening
Location: Phoenix Sacred Temple, Hidden Elf Village
The temple rose majestically in the center of a crystal-clear lake, surrounded by a forest that shimmered like fireworks. Hundreds of floating lanterns hung in the air, drifting with the wind as if breathing.
At the entrance, Elian pressed his palm against the carved phoenix wall. Golden light burst forth, revealing a secret passage.
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Elian (low, holding a centuries-old secret):
“It’s time you learned who Arven truly is… and who his mother was—Mercy Grace, the last Phoenix born with a human soul.”
Elira (eyes on the open sky):
“She wasn’t just a phoenix. She once loved humans. But humans betrayed her. Only one man earned her trust—Rayzean Alvandros, father of Rayser, and your father, Arven.”
Hasyalys (stunned):
“Wait… so Mercy Grace is my… grandmother?!”
Elian (nodding slowly):
“Yes. You are half-Phoenix. That is why the Phoenix spirit does not reject you. In fact… it has been waiting for this moment. To awaken again through you and your siblings.”
Fran and Aisha exchanged glances, clutching their Phoenix feathers.
Shinin (whispering to Irfanos in his head):
“Feels like I’m watching a telenovela… but unicorns are on fire.”
Irfanos (sardonically in Shinin’s mind):
“If you stay quiet for five minutes, maybe the Phoenix won’t rip your tongue out later.”
A soft white mist rolled over the peak of Sky Mountain. The wind carried the scent of wildflowers and soil steeped in ancient history. In front of the altar shaped like a colossal firebird, Hasyalys and Fran stood with the Phoenix feathers they had kept since childhood. Elian nodded solemnly.
Elira:
“Place the feathers at the center of the altar. These aren’t ordinary feathers… they are fragments of Arven’s soul, the Blood Phoenix.”
Hearts pounding, Hasyalys set down the feather, and Fran pressed hers with both hands. The wind swirled, the sky turned orange, and golden lightning streaked across the previously clear blue sky.
Ritz (yelling, holding onto Aisha who nearly lost her balance):
“What’s happening, Elian?!”
Elian bowed slightly, smiling through misted eyes:
“A father with unfinished business always finds a way back…”
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the center of the altar. From it, the form of a man materialized—tall, hair ablaze, eyes burning like unextinguished embers. His cloak billowed despite the still air. His first breath unleashed an aura of purifying fire.
Elira (choked whisper):
“Arven…”
Hasyalys fell to her knees, trembling, unable to believe what she saw.
Hasyalys (small voice escaping):
“Father?”
Arven opened his eyes. His smile was serene yet tinged with sorrow.
“My children… finally, this flame has guided me home.”
Fran:
“We carried the feathers for years… hoping you were still out there. But we never knew…”
Arven (placing a hand on Fran’s chest):
“That is why you are strong. Because you never forgot who you are. Because this blood… Phoenix blood… is more than a legacy. It is a promise of protection, until the end of time.”
Hasyalys:
“But why only now, Father?”
Arven:
“Because the sky has only opened again today. Because the fire only ignites when the heart of the Phoenix is awakened… by the love you all share as a family.”
Arven gazed at the sky. Elian stood by his side.
“The universe is shifting. You must learn the truth about Mercy Grace, about Viszavius… and the destiny that awaits beyond the stars.”
Golden light bathed the valley, and for the first time, Hasyalys knew… they were no longer alone.
“Hasyalys… my child… it is time for you and your siblings to inherit my flame. But this fire is not for one soul alone. It will burn the greedy and avenge my pain… and the wrath of your mother, Mercy Grace.”
Hasyalys (kneeling, ready to accept):
“Not for me alone, Father. I will share it with my siblings. We will be humanity’s shield… not its rulers, but the continuation of what you and Mother could not finish.”
A sacred light shaped like a Phoenix enveloped the five of them—Hasyalys, Fran, Zoarfang, Ritz, and Aisha. In the explosion of light, Arven’s Phoenix power was absorbed into Hasyalys’ power rosary. The rosary transformed, shimmering like living fire crystal.
Irfanos (speechless in Shinin’s mind):
“…She inherits Phoenix fire like you absorbed me. But the difference—she doesn’t stab anyone in the back.”
Shinin (grinning):
“Jealous, huh?”
Rosario Transformation & New Powers
Hasyalys touched the rosary and extended four shards of light to Fran, Zoarfang, Ritz, and Aisha. They touched them, and in an instant, golden aura of fire enveloped their bodies.
Elira:
“Now… you are no longer just Phoenix-blooded humans. You are quasi-fire wielders. Half-human, half-vampire, half-sacred Phoenix.”
Fran (eyes aflame, power surging):
“This heat… feels like it will never extinguish. Yet so peaceful.”
Aisha:
“I’ve never felt this strong… no wonder Mercy Grace risked everything to face all the Syavadark power for Arven.”
Closing the Scene
As they departed the temple, the sky bore the shadow of a colossal Phoenix, its form screaming silently—a warning and blessing intertwined.
Beneath that sky, the small band walked toward their next destination… for the real trials were about to begin.
Shinin:
“So… now we all have fire, huh… anyone up for cooking instant ramen? I feel like we could boil water without a stove.”
Irfanos (resigned tone in Shinin’s head):
“If the world can survive with you in the team, I’m convinced we can even take on the Apocalypse.”
Next Chapter Tease:
Their team will face enemies who know the truth behind why the Syavadark covet human power… and the secrets revealed at the recent tournament will ignite battles beyond imagination.
