The Phoenix soul: A legend Arises

Chapter 31: "The sentinel's path"

As Thrain approached the academy gates, he spotted Daelan waiting for him outside. Though unrecognized by the students, Daelan's commanding presence and striking looks caught their attention. Yet, none of them realized he was the leader of the Onyx Sentinels.

"Hey, Thrain," Daelan greeted casually.

"Uncle," Thrain replied flatly, his tone laced with a strange mix of acceptance and curiosity.

"Well," Daelan said with a faint smirk, "that secret was bound to come out eventually. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you. Not yet."

Thrain thought he should feel angry, betrayed, even, but oddly, he wasn't. Instead, he fell into step beside Daelan as they walked.

"So, who let it slip?" Daelan asked knowingly. "Wait, don't answer. Of course, it was Takamori, wasn't it?"

"Does it matter?" Thrain replied. He glanced sideways at Daelan, his mind buzzing with questions. "So you're my mother's brother. How does that even make sense? How did an Onyx Sentinel's sister end up married to my father? You wouldn't have let that happen, would you?"

"You're right. I wouldn't have," Daelan admitted, his voice carrying a rare note of regret. "But she had her reasons. She liked him. For some reason, she saw something in him. I don't know how they met, and trust me, I tried to stop her. It didn't work."

Daelan's expression darkened for a moment before softening slightly. "But maybe... it was meant to happen. Turns out, their child might just be the savior we all need."

Thrain exhaled sharply, his frustration boiling over. "I want to save all these questions for the King, but I can't hold it in anymore. Who was my mother? What was she like? I don't know anything about her. Not even a painting. Nothing." His voice cracked slightly, and as he swung his arms in frustration, his flames flickered uncontrollably, scorching Daelan's sleeve.

Daelan glanced at the burn on his clothing, raising an eyebrow as if mildly inconvenienced. His skin remained untouched, as if fire had no effect on him. "Look what you did," he said, voice low but calm.

Thrain immediately stiffened. "I didn't mean-"

"Forget it," Daelan cut him off with a dismissive wave. "It's nothing." He sighed, rubbing his temples before continuing, "I'll tell you what I can. Your mother... she was one of us. An Onyx Sentinel."

Thrain blinked in shock. He wasn't sure what he expected, but it wasn't this. Around them, a few students nearby slowed their steps, eavesdropping, though they kept a wary distance from Daelan's imposing presence.

Daelan's gaze hardened. "Yes, I know the academy and the rest of this kingdom discriminate against women, but we Onyx Sentinels don't. We value strength and skill, no matter the form. Your mother... she was one of the best."

Thrain's flames dimmed slightly as he processed the words. "Wait... the best?" His voice was quiet now, the anger replaced by something closer to reverence. "Then how did she end up with my father? You'd never allow that."

"I didn't," Daelan admitted, his tone sharp. "I don't know how they met, and frankly, I never cared to find out. But somehow, despite all the odds, you were the result of that union."

He paused, his expression darkening. "I hated the idea of you at first, Thrain. The child of an Onyx Sentinel and a royal? It was a disgrace. Mixing with the royals is forbidden, and your existence was proof of my sister's defiance."

Thrain clenched his fists, his anger sparking again, but Daelan continued. "Even so... I couldn't abandon you. You were her son, after all. I made sure no one dared to touch you, even when rumors of your weakness spread. And when I found out you were powerless, I was furious. You carry our blood, Thrain. Onyx blood. Yet, for years, it seemed you weren't worthy of it."

Thrain flinched, his flames flickering again, but this time, he noticed how Daelan's tone softened. Around them, the onlookers murmured, unsure of what to make of the strange exchange.

"But now," Daelan said, locking eyes with him, "I see it. The fire in you. The strength. Maybe I was wrong about you, Thrain. And maybe, just maybe, you'll prove me right."

Thrain didn't know what to say. His mind raced with the weight of what he'd just learned, but one thing was clear, he was no longer just the despised prince. He was something more.

Daelan's voice carried a rare hint of amusement. "I'll admit, Thrain, I was impressed when you were wreaking havoc in your pyrope mood. Watching you tear through the place, I knew it wasn't just some fluke. It was the real deal. I had to let you burn through that rage, see how strong you could really get. I could've stopped you sooner, but I let you go. It was... enlightening."

Thrain had already suspected that. Daelan had lightning powers, could fly, and there was no way he wouldn't have been able to show up immediately when summoned. "So you were just wasting time, huh?" Thrain said, his tone more bitter than surprised. "Letting me destroy everything just to see if I'd live up to your expectations?"

Daelan shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I suppose you could say that. But, in the end, I also helped. I saved those people. And I wanted to see the strength you have when you're pushed to your limits."

Thrain processed that in silence, already piecing it together. Daelan didn't just let him go wild for no reason. "I get it," Thrain muttered under his breath.

There was a long pause before Thrain decided to ask another question that had been bothering him. "I've always wanted to ask... the Onyx Sentinels serve the Kingdom, right? Doesn't that include the Kingdom of Valtoria?"

Before Daelan could respond, a blur of motion interrupted. Thrain's attention snapped upwards just in time to see Daelan shoot into the air with explosive speed, then slam Lynx to the ground hard, knocking the wind out of him.

Lynx gasped for breath as Daelan's strong hand tightened around his throat, lifting him off the ground. His glowing green eyes bore down on Lynx, as if willing him to confess something.

"What did you hear?" Daelan's voice was cold, controlled, but filled with an unmistakable edge.

Lynx, eyes wide and body trembling, responded in a robotic tone. "Only... the part of Thrain asking about the Onyx Sentinels serving two kingdoms."

Thrain's heart raced. His eyes flicked between the two, but before he could say anything, he saw the tension in Daelan's posture shift. The Onyx Sentinel released his grip on Lynx, letting the boy drop to the ground gasping for air.

"Enough," Daelan muttered, his eyes still glowing faintly. He glanced at Thrain, then back to Lynx, his face unreadable. "Keep your mouth shut about this. Don't make me repeat myself."

Thrain stepped forward, raising a hand to signal for peace. "It's fine, Daelan. He's my friend."

Daelan didn't seem to care much. He glanced at Thrain before pushing Lynx away with a forceful shove. "Stay out of trouble," Daelan said flatly, then turned away. His eyes flickered back to Thrain before he disappeared into the air, his form becoming nothing more than a shadow against the sky.

Lynx, still on the ground, managed to pull himself into a sitting position, his face pale and bruised from the impact. He gave Thrain a strained, apologetic look.

Thrain, not knowing how to react, just sighed. "Sorry," he muttered, though it was really his fault. 

…

Daelan hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether to share the truth or not. Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of something heavier than usual. "Yes, we were supposed to serve both kingdoms. But something changed."

He paused, as if searching for the right words. "You know how the saying goes: all things must come to an end. The Onyx Sentinels… they split apart. It happened after your mother and your father were involved. When you were born, things shifted. I didn't let anyone harm you, didn't let them execute you, and that was when the fracture began. Some of the Onyx Sentinels chose to remain loyal to Valtoria, not as a hidden group, but as an isolated faction. They've sworn their allegiance to Valtoria and oppose this kingdom."

Thrain processed the words slowly, his mind racing to understand the weight of what Daelan had just revealed. The Onyx Sentinels, once a united force, had divided, one faction loyal to Valtoria, while the other remained true to their original kingdom. A secret rebellion brewing beneath the surface.

Daelan's expression grew more serious, and his words carried a weight that hung in the air. "And they fight us when we try to get in there. They know us, they are us. They know our tactics, our strengths, everything. So, you've got more than just the kingdom's system to dismantle. You've also got to fight a dragon." He gave Thrain a look, one that seemed to say, I'm not joking.

Thrain absorbed the weight of Daelan's words. A dragon, something that seemed impossible to even think about, yet here Daelan was, dropping it as if it was just another part of the plan.

Daelan continued, a hint of approval in his voice. "I saw you training those students earlier. I have to say, it was a smart move. Going straight to the roots, taking control where it counts. And I know you saw me too. The whole 'Onyx Sentinels teaching you' lie was ridiculous, but… you know what? From today forward, I'll start teaching you for real. Just show up at that rock you always go to, and that'll be our training ground."

With that, Daelan's figure shimmered, and he shot into the air, flying effortlessly. The onlookers stood in stunned silence, their gazes following him as he vanished into the sky. Thrain couldn't help but notice how the crowd was whispering in awe. The sight of a true master.