The Phoenix soul: A legend Arises

Chapter 38: "Threads of Control"

Thrain's lips curled into a confident smile, the weight of his earlier frustrations lifting. He finally felt ready to take control. His blue flames burned brighter than ever, crackling with energy as he extended them toward the snake.

Through his Ember Vision, the process became clear. A trail of mana wove itself like a glowing thread, linking him to the creature. He could sense its movements, its instincts, its very essence bending to his will. It obeyed his command, slithering where he directed, a puppet bound to its strings.

Yet, even as he controlled it, a nagging thought lingered in his mind. 'This is just the beginning. There must be a deeper way, a more refined method to seize control with sheer will alone, bypassing the need for such direct lines.'

For now, though, this success was enough. Every great mastery begins with a first step, and this was his.

The Bijins exchanged glances, their usual playful smirks replaced with genuine pride. "We knew you could do it, Phoenix-born," Akane said, her voice carrying a hint of reverence.

Thrain paused, his control over the flames momentarily slipping. "Phoenix-born?" he repeated, confusion flickering across his face. "What does that mean?"

Emiri stepped forward, her gaze steady. "Don't pretend you didn't know, Thrain. We always knew, your flames, your strength. It's why we were drawn to you. In a way, it was both a request and an order to come be with you."

Thrain blinked, taken aback. 'How did I miss this?' he thought, his mind racing. 'Why didn't I ever think to ask them about their past? I don't know a thing about them. I just assumed they were normal Bijins with complicated stories, nothing more.'

He glanced at the green flames surrounding them, flickering with an otherworldly intensity. 'I must have overlooked the obvious. How many women are even taught to wield flames, let alone flames like these?'

The realization hit him like a tidal wave. He had spent so much time focused on himself and his own struggles that he had failed to truly see the Bijins for who they were. Their connection to him, their power, their presence, it all made sense now.

Even though Thrain barely knew their pasts, one thing was clear, they had no intention of harming him or leading him astray. Their guidance, though unconventional, had been unwavering.

"Akane, Hikari, Emiri..." he began, his voice carrying a sincerity that surprised even himself. "Thank you."

The weight of his words hung in the air, not just as gratitude but as a recognition of their efforts. For the first time, he spoke with genuine respect, looking each of them in the eye. He wasn't just thanking them for their help in mastering his flames, but for their patience, their belief in him when he had doubted himself.

The Bijins exchanged brief glances, their expressions softening. Akane was the first to respond, her usual sharp tone replaced with something gentler. "We don't need your thanks, Thrain. We've only done what we were meant to do. But... it's good to hear it."

Hikari stepped closer, her voice calm yet firm. "You've come a long way, Thrain. Don't stop now. There's more to this path than you can see, but you're on the right track."

Emiri smiled faintly, her words carrying a quiet warmth. "We're with you, no matter where it leads."

Thrain bowed his head slightly, acknowledging their words. "I mean it. Thank you... for everything."

The Bijins responded with a graceful bow, their respect evident. Without another word, Thrain turned and walked away, heading to his rock to meet Daelan. The flames dimmed behind him, but the bond forged in that moment lingered.

…

When Thrain arrived at the rock, he spotted Daelan perched at the top, his arms crossed as he gazed down.

"Ah, there you are, kid," Daelan called, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "Been a while, hasn't it?"

Thrain raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "It's only been a few hours. Besides, you're always lurking around, so it's not like you really give me much space."

Daelan chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "Fair enough. But I must admit, it's a little shocking. For once, you haven't done anything foolish or catastrophic in school or anywhere. Not today, at least. What's going on with you? It's been days, and you've already set a record for causing trouble everywhere you go. Surely, you're planning something. Or... perhaps the warning from your father actually got through to you?"

Thrain smirked, the kind that spoke volumes without uttering a word.

Daelan narrowed his eyes, his suspicion deepening. "Ah, I knew it. This little troublemaker is up to something. You've got that look again." He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Fine. Whatever it is, let's get on with it before you drag me into more chaos."

Thrain simply shrugged, his smirk unwavering as he climbed up to join Daelan. His silence only made the anticipation heavier.

"So... what now?" Thrain asked, breaking the silence. "Are we just going to sit around in this cold? Feels like it's about to rain. Or are you teaching me something new?"

Daelan raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with mockery. "Teaching you something new? When you don't even have the basics down yet? Your mana control is still a mess, and even though you've accidentally stumbled into some advanced techniques here and there, they're exactly that, accidents." He said, acting like he didn't know Thrain had gotten the hang of the construction ability.

Thrain clenched his fists but kept his composure, knowing Daelan wasn't entirely wrong. What Daelan didn't know, however, was that he'd already begun learning control and manipulation from the Bijins, a skill he intended to showcase.

"How about a little spar, then?" Thrain suggested, his voice steady but carrying an edge of challenge.

Daelan smirked, leaning back against the rock. "Gods, you really are something. Challenging a master again? I'll give you credit for your stubbornness, if nothing else."

Thrain knew he had no chance of winning against Daelan, not yet. But that wasn't his goal. He wanted to prove he was improving, that he could hold his own, even for a fleeting moment. The sparring wasn't about victory, it was about showcasing the skill he'd learned.

"Fine," Daelan said, pushing off the rock and landing gracefully before Thrain. "Let's see what you've got, kid. But don't cry to me when you're flat on your back again."

Thrain smirked, stepping forward. "I won't need to."