A screech, louder than all the others co from behind, bringing back to face the biggest Phoenix of them all, who continues to stare curiously at .
"CAAAAWWW!!!!"
Looking at the terrifying beast, my body stops its shaking, now completely still, my face completely pale, while my eyes stay completely locked onto the phoenix, unable to even blink.
Uhh... maybe it's friendly?
***
This phoenix had never moved its body since Arthur saw it, only moving its head and neck, as it wondered about the reactions of humans and the sense of familiarity it felt coming from the boy.
Unable to figure out the reason from just looking at the boy from afar, it decided it would be able to find out if it got closer. And so, the graceful Primordial Phoenix, began to move.
It spread its wings out, to signal to the small human, who seed terrified, that it was not going to hurt him, slightly glancing over at the other human in full black clothes who seed calm, so there was no need to assure him.
The Primordial Phoenix thought the small human in front of him understood what it ant by spreading its wings, and leaned in to finally figure out what was the cause for the sense of familiarity.
***
I stood still in fear, no longer being able to feel, or move any part of my body because of the beast's terrifying battle cry, when it spread out its giant wings, so wide that it completely blocked my line of sight.
What the hell was that? Was that battle cry and spreading out its wings the beast's way of declaring to all the other phoenixes that I was its prey? And now it's leaning in to eat !!! Help shadow! You said it was safe!!!
I try to look back at the shadow in order to signal for help, but only my eyeballs could move. My head would not turn no matter how hard I tried.
Move goddamnit!!!
Noticing the divine orange light start to get brighter, I knew the phoenix was approaching quickly, and moved my eyes back one last ti, before I unwillingly close my eyes, a natural body response in order to brace myself, in a situation of danger.
NOO PLEASE DON'T EAT YOU TERRIFYING, GLORIOUS MONSTER!!!
–Wait what?
When the phoenix reaches , the feeling of comforting warmth on my stomach is not what I expected.
Huh? What's this? Did the monster not go for my head? Did it go to eat my liver and intestines instead? How grueso, though, this feeling of having my guts eaten out isn't exactly what I imagined. It feels kind of nice, actually, like my bed I slept in before all these events. I wonder if it can eat whole so I can be this comfortable all over my body.
Seconds pass, and I soon feel my body frozen in fear, start to thaw, returning control to my body.
Don't get wrong, I'm not complaining, but doesn't death happen much quicker than this? Could it be that I'm still alive?
Reluctantly, I slowly lift my eyelids and open my eyes, sparkling from the light coming from the phoenix.
It's snuggling with its head like a pet bird!! Oh my god, the cuteness levels!! I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!
My body falls flat on the ground, as the giant phoenix follows after , resting its head on my body.
This is truly the greatest feeling, it's like having five blankets on, while sleeping on a bed fit for a king after having no sleep for five days. Oh no... my mind is starting to drift off... I can't sleep yet... I still need to...
Arthur's eyes close in the warm comfort of the Primordial Phoenix's aura.
***
After basking in the faint energy exuding from the small boy, the Primordial Phoenix cos to a realization.
Yes! This is her energy! I haven't felt such a pure form of it for thousands of years, but I'm certain, this is the energy from mother's youngest daughter!! Does that an that her bloodline continues? What a glorious day! With this boy here, mother's legacy may continue! This calls for a celebration!!!
The phoenix rises and shifts its attention to the silly man in dark clothes playing with the other phoenixes, throwing Firestones into their mouths and petting them.
Uhh... let's see, what was the language that humans spoke again? Was it Aegelan?
"Human, what do you know about this boy?"
The man turns away from the phoenix and in an instant, appears in front of the phoenix.
"Greetings, great Primordial Phoenix, I am one of Dustin's shadows. You rember him right? He was the young boy that ca here about thirty years ago, when he beca the commander of the Holy Knights."
The shadow takes a deep bow, showing great sincerity.
"Yes, I rember him. And you. Answer my question, Keeper. Why does the energy of Pyro co from this boy? He is no saintess appointed by that childish girl. Is he–"
The keeper interrupts the Primordial Phoenix like it wasn't even speaking. While he maintains his deep bow, without looking back up.
"He's not, you should give up on that dream of yours already, there is none of divine blood left in this mortal world. He is just her newly appointed apostle."
The Primordial Phoenix flaps its wings, a sea of flas appearing all over the ground, only a small circle untouched by the flas, centered around Arthur being left. The other phoenixes stay still, all cautiously watching the man in black from atop their tall pillars, the treasures under them, unhard. The Primordial Phoenix leans down, looming over the calm man in black, who's still unfazed keeping his bow, as blazing fire erupts from the Primordial Phoenix's head.
"WHY WAS I NOT IMDIATELY TOLD ABOUT THIS? YOU WERE TO REPORT ANY OF THESE..."
The Phoenix stares down at Arthur's unconscious body, its flas getting more intense, and redder.
"FALSE APOSTLES TO IMDIATELY SO WE DID NOT REPEAT THAT BLASPHEMOUS SITUATION EVER AGAIN! THAT WAS THE DEAL I MADE TO YOU, THAT'S WHY YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE!!!"
The man in black remains calm, still avoiding the Phoenix's eyes, as he moves down to Arthur, taking off his black cloak and placing over Arthur's sweating body. While the Primordial Phoenix watches the man's actions carefully and patiently to explain himself.
"Calm down, Great Primordial Phoenix, this boy is the real Apostle."
"WHAT?! KEEPER, YOU MUST HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!! THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS REAL APOSTLES! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU FELL FOR THE ONE THING I PREPARED YOU TO NOT FALL FOR!!"
The man in black finally looks up at the phoenix.
"He has the mark."
"BAH, THEY ALL HAVE A BLESSING, THAT IMMATURE GIRL IS TOO GENEROUS AND TOO RCIFUL TO TAKE ACTION."
The keeper's calm and patient deanor turns serious.
"He has ridal's eye."
"WHAT?!?!"
The Primordial Phoenix scread out. Not in anger, or of impatience, but of surprise. After it's loud exclamation, the phoenix looks at the man, thinking intensely and for a long ti.
"I trust that even if you may have lost your mind, you would not dare to spout lies in my face just to save a mortal."
The man in black returns back to his calm manner, taking another bow.
"I will make sure not to betray that trust of yours, Great Primordial Phoenix."
"Hmph, now speak, what is the reason why you have co? Are you just here to take so of my treasures and leave, or did you co here for a more respectable purpose?"
"I'm sure you know the answer to that already, Great Primordial Phoenix."
"Fine, just take a feather and go. Make sure to tell the boy when he wakes up, to see when he gets the chance. I'll be waiting."
With a single flap of its wing, the Primordial Phoenix disperses the flas all around the room. After the flas disperse, the Great Phoenix outstretches its magnificent wings, and begins to get ready to take off, before the puny human says one last thing.
"Wait, great Primordial Phoenix, what if you didn't have to wait to see him again? We needed a fast ride back to Dustin anyway."
"Are you trying to coax into acting as your pet mount, human? I will not fall for such petty tricks."
The keeper begins to act super friendly to the Primordial Phoenix, slyly smiling, acting like an inexperienced rchant trying to kiss ass.
"Oh, how could I ever trick you into doing sothing you wouldn't want to do? You can see the future for crying out loud! All I can do is to remind you of what you know what you will have to do. I'm sure you saw that as well."
"Kgh..."
***
Ugh what happened? I want to know, but I don't want to open my eyes and leave this comfort... oh, I'm recalling my mories again! Yes, I recognize this feeling, it's the feeling of that phoenix! Did it eat ? Oh well, that's fine too. I can regret it later, but why waste this comfort if I will regret this later and die, either way?
"Mmph, it's so warm, it feels like a Wildebear is embracing in its fur."
From the edge of my ears, I hear a faint sound, almost like soone is saying sothing, but their voice is being muffled by the large air resistance?
Wait, this sound–
I activate my heightened senses, which increase the sensitivity of my skin as well as my other senses, basking in the warm feeling for a little longer.
This voice is that of Shadow's!
Regrettably, I abruptly lift my head out of the little cloud of comfort, and open my eyes.
Woah, we're in the sky!! And I'm not falling anymore,nor do I have to fly while using my own mana!
Hmm... it seems like the sun is still up, so we haven't been gone for too long. If I had to say, it's been about an hour since we entered the temple–
Just–shut up. Just let enjoy this mont for a little longer.
I look down from the beautiful view of the sky, as I notice a light shining almost as brightly as the sun, coming from under .
Hmm?
"WHAAAAT?!?!?!"
I'm on top of a phoenix? Does that an I tad it? Oh my god!!! That ans I'm a tar now! And I didn't just ta any monster, but a divine beast! Other than a mage, my second goal as a child was to beco a Beast Tar, a Legendary Beast Tar, if you will.
I plop down on the flaming orange feathers of the phoenix and start waving my limbs around, trying to pet the massive phoenix in the only way I know how.
In a muffled voice I cry out.
"You're such a good boy!!!"
The phoenix sohow manages to hear this cry of mine and responds.
"CAAW!!"
It's screech, unbelievably loud, cutting through the air resistance as it can be heard just as loud and clear as it was back in the vault.
"Hahahaha!! That's really loud. This must be how normal people with pets, who don't have to train all day, feel. How amazing! I should take breaks like this more often! Maybe once a year."
Ahh, this is great, now we have all the ingredients to save Dustin! Just hold on for a little longer, I'll get you out of that case soon!
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