C1951 Sister and Brother

Streams of Serpentflame wound around the fire phoenix's human form like ribbons adorning a dress, accentuating her graceful figure. Each Serpentflame represented her mastery of fire magic, a display of the Way of Heaven she had diligently studied and refined.

The human form she had assumed was breathtaking, her figure alluring and her eyes brimming with boundless warmth. She addressed the ice phoenix, who had yet to transform, "Alex, you must stay strong and survive for me."

Alex, the ice phoenix, appeared listless. After the division, he seemed to be trapped in a fog of confusion, gazing at her and listening intently, as if trying to piece together a puzzle.

"The noble who journeyed from the vast Everlands of the Origin Realm was actually seeking me within our domain," the fire phoenix revealed in her stunning human guise, exuding an air of elegance and allure. After a brief pause, she added, "The arcane knowledge that enabled my transformation was imparted by that very noble. She wishes to guide me to the heart of the Everlands, to confront the Earthfire directly."

"I had initially accepted her offer," the fire phoenix admitted with a sigh.

Yu Yuan's brow furrowed as he regarded the two phoenixes, now split, with astonishment. A realization dawned on him that a profound secret must be concealed within them.

"After she departed, I shared the news with you as I prepared myself. My dear brother," the fire phoenix said, her gaze on Alex filled with a mix of indulgence and exasperation, as if looking upon a mischievous child prone to errors. "It would have been one thing if you had simply disagreed, but you should not have... covertly informed our king."

"In his wrath, our king forcibly fused our bloodlines, binding our blood and souls together," she explained with a heavy heart. "I lack the power to separate us without causing you harm. If I were to fully awaken and escape the king's bloodline constraints, you would be consumed by my flames first."

"I am left with no choice but to linger in the shadow of your soul, silently watching over you."

The fire phoenix gazed at Alex with a look of compassion and sighed, "My dear brother, I can forgive you for everything, and I hope you can forgive me as well."

"So, please, awaken."

With a hiss and crackle, the last vestiges of flame incinerated the shadowy seal in the ice phoenix's brain, revealing the obscured truth.

Alex's eyes, once clouded with confusion, suddenly snapped into focus. It was as if he had relived a segment of his life in a mere moment, witnessing the deeds of another self. He came to the startling realization that the power he believed was his own, his adept use of fire magic, had all along been a gift from his sister. She had endured silently, knowing full well what was happening, all to protect him and ensure his well-being—choosing to live in his shadow. She merely observed from the sidelines, allowing him to wield the flame's power, to exist and act according to the life he believed to be his own.

"Sorry, I must go. Alex, now that I've reached the Origin Realm, and since we've been separated, I am bound to honor my original promise," the fire phoenix spoke with a hint of sorrow.

"Do you still choose to follow that one of impure lineage? Despite sharing our noble blood, she was born in the Everlands and has lost her purity!" Alex, jolted awake and aware of the truth, stubbornly clung to his beliefs. He remained loyal to the Lord of Ruin. The siblings had made different choices from the very start.

The fire phoenix, as the elder sister, was the true chosen of the exalted Dark Phoenix. She was the first the Dark Phoenix sought out upon entering the Wasteland. The Dark Phoenix offered her the Earthfire of the Everlands, inviting her to refine the Earthfire as a kin. She accepted the invitation. She intended to settle her clan's affairs before departing for the Everlands with the Dark Phoenix. However, her plans were thwarted by her brother's betrayal, which alarmed the Lord of Ruin.

Consequently, the supreme ruler of the Wasteland forcibly fused their bloodlines, creating an Icefire Phoenix. The sister's strength and mastery of fire magic were all channeled into empowering her brother, in the hopes of forging a mightier sibling.

The fire phoenix longed to escape this predicament and separate from her brother, but such freedom would come at the cost of his life. She chose inaction. She resolved to forever conceal herself, to watch over her brother from the shadows, allowing him to live obliviously in the manner he assumed was right.

Until that moment.

"I must thank you."

The fire phoenix, now in the form of a human woman, shifted her bright gaze from her obstinate brother to Yu Yuan. She asked with curiosity, "Did you sense that we are actually two separate beings?"

Having seen the Icefire Phoenix split into two before his eyes, Yu Yuan shook his head.

"I only saw your soul. I thought there were two of you, that you had been two distinct souls since birth, sharing one body."

"My reasoning was straightforward. A phoenix that can freely switch between ice and fire poses a greater challenge."

"I intended to sever your ice and fire bloodlines, preventing you from changing forms at will. A phoenix without that ability is much easier to dispatch."

Yu Yuan shared his genuine thoughts.

He truly hadn't realized that the Icefire Phoenix of the Wasteland was the result of two phoenixes forcibly merged by the power of the Lord of Ruin.

"You're quite candid."

The fire phoenix's eyes showed a hint of surprise as she mulled over something.

After a pause.

The fire phoenix suddenly said, "You know her, don't you? I sense the bloodline mysteries she has mastered within you. I had this feeling earlier."

She was referring to the Dark Phoenix.

Yu Yuan, steeling himself, replied, "An old acquaintance, but we're not exactly allies."

"You? Hold on, let me guess."

The fire phoenix paused, a realization dawning on her. She focused on the Dragon Slaying Stage in Yu Yuan's hand and asked, "Is this called the Dragon Slaying Stage?"

"Yes."

"You are... God-King Taiyin?"

"Seems so."

"Oh."

The fire phoenix's demeanor and gaze took on a teasing quality, a peculiar smile playing at her lips.

"That explains it. It's you. I've heard her speak of your exploits. Whether or not you're allies isn't for you to say; it's her opinion that matters."

The fire phoenix suddenly burst into laughter.

Yu Yuan looked on, utterly baffled.

It seemed the fire phoenix from the Wasteland and the exalted Dark Phoenix from the Everlands shared a remarkable bond. The Dark Phoenix had apparently confided in her Wasteland kin about some of their shared experiences.

The fire phoenix was not only aware of Yu Yuan's existence, but it also seemed to be privy to the events that had transpired between him and the Dark Phoenix, including their complex web of grudges and affections.

"Oh, my foolish little brother," the fire phoenix lamented, shaking its head with a sense of resignation. "Even if I were to imprison and suppress him, I couldn't alter his unwavering faith and loyalty to that King. Alas, let it be." With a tone of helplessness, the fire phoenix implored, "Please, don't kill him."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

In its human form, the fire phoenix unfurled nine vibrant ribbons of flame from its waist. These ribbons concealed flames and secrets potent enough to pose a threat to the soul itself.

"Do you really think that killing either of us siblings would be an easy task?" the fire phoenix questioned with a hint of challenge.

"I certainly don't believe so," came the reply, as a dangerous glint sparked in the fire phoenix's eyes.

"Except for the Primal Soul deep within the Everlands and its chosen successor, I can incinerate any other soul or spirited body," the fire phoenix said with a light chuckle, speaking frankly. "The Spirit Magic you used earlier might have stumped my brother, but now that I'm awake, I can easily unravel it."

"Lord Taiyin, I'm aware of the origins of your Mind Magic," she continued, locking eyes with Yu Yuan and smiling knowingly. "You're not yet fully awakened. Your true power of the primordial spirit has yet to be unleashed, making it quite challenging for you to confront me."

"How about we strike a deal? I'll abstain from engaging in this battle, and in return, you promise to spare my brother's life," she suggested, indicating her readiness to depart.

"And if he seeks his own demise?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"That's unlikely; he's quite the coward," the fire phoenix assured. "Deprived of my power and recognizing his inability to defeat you, he'll meekly retreat to our Wasteland." Having a profound understanding of her brother, the fire phoenix confidently drew this conclusion before suddenly inquiring, "Where might I find this master?"

"In the Darkpinion," Yu Yuan informed her.

"Thank you. I'll make my way to the Darkpinion at once. There's a multitude of matters I need to discuss with her. And, I'll be sure to extend your warm regards, mentioning how dearly you miss her," she said with a cunning smile.

Without any intention of displaying her true fire phoenix form, she drifted away towards the distant expanse of the Star River, maintaining the visage of a human woman. Her destination was neither the Yellow Moon nor the Monsa Nebula.

The fire phoenix, nestled deep within Alex's soul, observed all events with a detached gaze. She was well aware of the turmoil in the Monsa Nebula and the demise of the dark hound and the Hawk God Soderis.

Yet, she remained unmoved.

"Panot."

Her voice, soft yet commanding, halted her departure as she called out into the emptiness.

"I'm here."

The long-absent Dark Tower, along with Panot, the Rat God within, reluctantly materialized. It seemed they no longer dared to conceal themselves after her summons.

Panot stood on the Onyx Altar, his beady eyes brimming with reverence.

It appeared that his prior respect for Alex was, in truth, directed at the fire phoenix.

"I'm leaving. You know what to do, don't you?"

She regarded Panot with a serene gaze.

Panot hung his head, "If Yu Yuan is willing to release his grip, I won't continue to ensnare Alex's mind or coerce him into war."

Without the fire phoenix, Alex no longer warranted the formal address of 'sir.'

"Hmm, good. Remember, you were once under my command."

The fire phoenix let out a cold huff, "Bear in mind that upon my return to the Wasteland, I can obliterate your kin and erase every trace of your existence, Panot."

The Rat God grimaced, "Sir, I am but a minor character, a tiny ship upon the vast sea."

"I won't trouble you. Inform that individual that once I've refined the Earthfire in the Everlands, if he doesn't seek me out from the Origin Realm, I will venture to the Wasteland to challenge him anew!"

With those words, the fire phoenix soared off toward the Water Divine Domain of the Abyssal Leviathan, where she also spotted the ensnared Galehound God and Starbeast God.

Both Beast Gods were severely wounded, their bones shattered from the relentless assault by the Abyssal Leviathan and the Lizard.

The fire phoenix looked on with an icy demeanor, showing no inclination to intervene, and continued on her chosen path.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

A barrage of murky cosmic energy burst forth from the Water Divine Domain, unleashed by the frenzied Lizard.

Unaware of the exchange between Yu Yuan and the fire phoenix, the Lizard launched an unceremonious attack the moment she entered his range.

Boom!

Without revealing its true form, the fire phoenix suddenly manifested a deep crimson shield on its back. When the Lizard's cosmic energy struck the barrier, it was instantly shattered into countless fiery specks.

In the Water Domain, the Lizard grunted, his wild gaze clearing slightly.

He watched the departing fire phoenix with an increasingly solemn expression, sensing an immensely terrifying power within it, akin to the perfection embodied by Tan Xiaotian.

"We've got a tough one here."

The Lizard remarked to the Abyssal Leviathan before breaking free from the Water Domain, intent on pursuing the fire phoenix.

"Let her go."

From across the cosmos, Yu Yuan, who had been monitoring the fire phoenix, interjected.

The Lizard, though visibly annoyed, ceased his pursuit, yet his gaze remained fixed on the fire phoenix. He exclaimed, "This Beast God is unlike any other; it's the real challenge."

"I'm aware."

Yu Yuan nodded, gesturing dismissively through the void, signaling to the Lizard to abandon the chase. "For the moment, she is not an adversary to either of us."

"Understood," the Lizard replied, refraining from further inquiry and standing down.

​