NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39: The Phoenix Resurgence
Chapter 39: "The Phoenix Resurgence"
Thrain took a deep breath then charged forward, his ember vision illuminating the Night. Daelan sneered, summoning a wave of flames to engulf Thrain.
Thrain leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the inferno. As he landed, he focused his energy and created a small marble of hardened fire using his Construction skill. The marble shot towards Daelan, who dodged it with ease.
The marble exploded upon impact with the ground, sending shrapnel flying in all directions. Daelan retaliated with a blast of fire that Thrain barely avoided.
Thrain created another marble, this one imbued with even more energy. He launched it at Daelan, who again dodged it with ease. However, this time Thrain was prepared.
With a swift motion, Thrain created an invisible string of manipulation, infusing it with his mana. The string shot towards Daelan, who sensed its presence.
Daelan's eyes narrowed, his masterful senses detecting the subtle energy signature. With a swift slash of his hand, he cut the string, severing Thrain's attempt to control him.
Seizing the opportunity, Daelan unleashed a devastating combination of flames, each one fueled by his immense power. Thrain stumbled backward, his defenses wavering.
In a desperate bid to turn the tide, Thrain summoned his special blue flames. The intense heat and energy emanating from the flames momentarily stalled Daelan's attack.
Thrain took advantage of the reprieve, launching a flurry of punches and kicks infused with his Construction skill. Daelan countered with his own flames and construction skill, the two clashed in a spectacular display of fire and energy.
However, Daelan's superior power eventually won out. With a crushing blow, he sent Thrain crashing to the ground.
As Thrain struggled to rise, Daelan stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion. "You're strong, Thrain," Daelan said, "but you're no match for me."
"I'm surprised you managed that. Who taught you that? You do know it's forbidden, right?" Daelan asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
Thrain hesitated, debating whether to reveal the truth. But trust, something he was beginning to feel for Daelan, pushed him forward. "It was the Bijins," he admitted, watching Daelan's reaction carefully.
Daelan chuckled softly, shaking his head as he began pacing around the rock. "Of course. I should've known. Or maybe I did know," he murmured, almost to himself. "She taught them well, didn't she? They can control people like puppets, drain mana with ease. With three of them together, they're a real problem. They can heal, wield Construction, and manipulate minds... Still, though, they don't seem all that strong in a direct fight."
Thrain frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Who are you talking to? Who are you talking about?You're barely speaking to me, murmuring like that," he said, his tone tinged with suspicion.
Daelan stopped pacing, glancing at Thrain with a smirk. "I'm talking to you, kid. Just because I'm not staring at you doesn't mean I'm not addressing you," he replied, though his words carried an edge of evasion, leaving Thrain to wonder who, or what, had truly occupied Daelan's thoughts.
"That doesn't cut it," Thrain replied, crossing his arms with a frown.
Daelan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, kid, all you need to understand is that you've learned a forbidden, and almost forgotten, technique. I wouldn't exactly call it lost since some still know of it, but it's forbidden for a reason. You're not supposed to manipulate someone's core or mind like that. And you say you mastered it in a day?" He shook his head, incredulous.
"In a couple of hours, actually," Thrain corrected, his tone calm but laced with subtle pride.
Daelan stared at him for a long moment before scoffing. "That's not possible. How? I don't see how anyone, even someone like you, could manage that in mere hours."
Thrain smirked slightly, raising his chin. "I am the Phoenix Born."
Daelan groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "Alright, that explains it, but still, damn. Just… don't go using that skill unless you absolutely have to. It's dangerous, and not just for your opponent. These things always come with a price."
Thrain nodded, acknowledging the warning. "Do you have the skill, though?" he asked curiously, leaning forward.
Daelan's gaze sharpened as he looked him directly in the eye. He made a low, deliberate clicking sound with his tongue. "Kid, maybe it's because I've been joking around with you, but you seem to forget who I am. Do you realize I'm the Onyx Sentinel's leader?"
Thrain shrugged, then smirked. "Well, there are two of the factions."
Daelan ignored the remark, his voice hardening. "And? I'm a master of more than you can imagine. I've read your mind before remember that?"
Thrain blinked, the memory surfacing. He had forgotten just how terrifyingly strong Daelan truly was. Despite being his uncle, there was always an undeniable gap in their abilities. But for some reason, with Daelan, it didn't feel like a challenge, it felt like a mountain he wasn't meant to climb.
"You're growing quickly," Daelan continued, his tone softening. "And that's good because your fate isn't some trivial thing. You're destined to face a dragon, Thrain. The strength and control you've gained in fire manipulation are just the basics. You've learned enough for now. The rest is up to you. Master what you've been taught before asking for more. You're a cheat as it is, skipping ahead like this."
Thrain chuckled quietly, taking the comment as a compliment.
Daelan stepped back, his tone turning serious. "We'll continue this after the Pyropeia Tournament. I'll see how you perform and how much you've grown by then. But for now, focus. Don't let yourself get cocky."
With that, Daelan turned and began walking away, leaving Thrain alone with his thoughts. The words lingered like an unspoken challenge, the kind only Daelan could give.
…
"He didn't even let me ask any questions," Thrain muttered, watching Daelan's figure disappear into the distance. "So that's it? I'm supposed to prove myself now? Is that what he's saying?" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.
Taking a moment to steady his thoughts, he looked to the ground, speaking softly to himself. "Alright… let's go over this. What have I learned so far?" He began listing them out. "Breath control, mana management, construction, explosions, manipulation, fire sense..." He paused, thinking harder. "I've even learned about using strings and tapping into ember vision. All these skills, and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface."
He clenched his fists, his determination sparking anew. "I need to hone these skills, perfect them. If I'm going to survive whatever's coming, I can't just settle for good enough." Thrain exhaled deeply, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "I wish I could meet the Phoenix again… There's so much I need to ask. Maybe it has the answers I'm looking for."
Lowering himself to the ground, Thrain folded his legs and closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. In and out, slow and steady. The night air was cold, but his core remained warm, fueled by the embers within. As he meditated, his thoughts began to drift, his body feeling lighter with each passing second. He hadn't realized how much time had gone by, only that he felt... different.
Then, faintly, he began to see light, not from the outside, but within his closed eyelids, like a glow forcing its way through the darkness. His eyes fluttered open, and he gasped softly.
There it was.
The Phoenix.
Radiant and powerful, it stood before him, just as beautiful and awe-inspiring as the first time they met. Its fiery energy shimmered and danced in the night, casting an otherworldly glow across the area. Its eyes, filled with ancient wisdom, locked onto his, and the air seemed to hum with its presence.
For a moment, Thrain forgot how to breathe. He simply stared, captivated by the sheer majesty of the creature. It felt as though the Phoenix was both a dream and a reality, something untouchable yet undeniably present.