April Eashane Point of View~~
The place was dark... mist was covering our path and yet the air seems heavy... I could feel the sun disappearing as we go further. Eyes could be seen behind trees... owls are louder than usual... the deeper we continue the forest the scarier it gets... You could feel animosity... the feeling like someone or something any time would come jumping at you holding a dagger...
"Hey? Are you fine?"
'ahh yes, my knight and shining armour... Luciel'
"Of course." I smiled.
He was always beside me and was always keeping checking. The rest weren't talking, just walking and walking... I don't know how long we were walking but it didn't seem that we were walking too long. Ethaniel said he'd know a shortcut...
Ethaniel just suddenly talked, "We are almost there! Finally!" he shouted.
We all stopped in our tracks to see a wall covered with vines... Ethaniel looked at us and smiled.
"Shall we go?"
'Go where?'
"Behind these vines is where you find the almighty Guardian." he excitedly said. He opened it and it was the wall. Ethaniel then went inside the wall- 'wait he went through the wall?!'
"Are you kidding me? That's creepy!" I said.
Ethaniel's head went back outside the wall, "See? Harmless. Hurry everyone! It's amazing here!"
'Matt went inside without hesitation and so did Alexander, Emilia looked like she had second thoughts but just rubbed it away and went in, I on the other hand... no way! I won't go into that creepy doorway!'
"Uhm... No way!"
"Hey, we can go together. You can hold my hand, princess." Luciel with his charming smile had said to me.
'Darn it! That is too tempting!'
I've stabilized my composure so of course I just showed him a smile of mine.
"Okay..." I replied.
He handed his hands... a prince's hand... long fingers beautiful skin...
I received his hand, and it was as soft as the palm of a puppy...
'how can a warrior like him having this perfect appeal? It's unfair...'
It was paradise... he held my hand close, and we walked through the wall and it was heaven... flying islands... rainbows... mystical creatures... the scenery of the falls and valleys... the magical birds that looked beautiful... It was the perfect place.
"Welcome to the Guardian's Den," Ethaniel said in front of us. I laughed a bit because he looked like a gatekeeper.
"Hey! What are you laughing at?" he asked. I just shook my head as a response while slightly giggling.
"Well! Welcome to The Phoenix Guardian's Utopia. The ruler of the skies!"
"Where is that Phoenix then?" Matt argued.
"Ahh yes about that... a little test before comes before we get to see him. There are millions of sky islands here and he lives at the very point of the place and the highest. We have to go through hell before arriving at him." Ethan said.
Matt's face twitched, "Are you kidding me?"
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't be too impatient. Since you've gotten stronger, why don't we test it out here? These places are well-known with extravagant items, runes and scrolls." Ethan said and winked mischievously at Matt.
"Fine. Every loot is mine and mine only."
"Deal."
"Whoa! Stop right there Chens! How about us? We find the loot ourselves we get to keep it!" I argued.
"That ain't happening until we reach the peak of this paradise. Right after we finish putting Matt there, every loot we find ourselves is ours but for now, we need to focus on Matt. He needs to go back to his old power as fast as he can we all know th-"
"Ah about that. My power's back from before." Matt interrupted Ethan.
"What...? You did?"
"Well yes, I was weaker before, and I still feel weak now but I'm stronger than I was in my previous lifetime." He explained.
"Well ain't that news! The Guardian will be impressed." Ethan proudly said holding his chin, nodding.
I looked at Luciel who was looking around. I realized he was still holding my hand... I couldn't stop myself from blushing, so I shook my hands out of his.
'Freak! Why did I let go!'
"Oh, I'm sorry, princess."
"Hey! I told you. Don't call me princess. Simply April." I replied still acting chill and keeping my composure.
He laughed at me covering his face with his hand.
'cute'
Ethaniel Jadeson Point of View~~
There were millions of sky islands, and we have to go to thousands before reaching the main Den. This place though is known for its' artifacts. A lot of things here are valuable and sometimes very useful. Scrolls are what we want to go after for since it's for Matt. The rest of the loot, Matt will be the one to decide. Phoebe should be fine with it, the stronger Matt the better he'll keep up with Phoebe.
"We should start heading out and go to the thousand islands," Matt announced as he picks up all of his things.
"Matt, come here for a minute," I whispered to him while dragging him somewhere private.
He came close to me, and we walked away from the others. A few moments and we were both alone.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I have this. The scroll of inventory, you'd probably need this."
"Are things here really that valuable as you make it seem?"
"More valuable than anything on the seas."
"More valuable than what Uncle II Acker is keeping?"
"Ahh, I guess those are very valuable but at-least par with them." I cleared.
"Well if it's that good then, we might as well keep them. Let's go back and start clearing."
I nodded as a response and we headed back to the group. They were all looking at both of us and had already prepared to leave.
"Shall we?" Matt asked them.
They all nodded and started heading towards the first island. Since we all were cultivators, falling off the islands ain't a problem. Alexander would be saved, and Emilia would panic but still figure her way to survive. I can survive because I can use my glaciers to float. Matt can use some skill of his and survive. He always does. April can use magic flowers. Luciel can use a magic spear. The monsters that we will be encountering will be the last big threat to us.
The monsters that we will be encountering will be the last big threat to us. This one would be the only monster to be considered as a threat... The Phoenix's subordinate.
Kber the quadruplets... also known as the Elemental Phoenyx's.
Orange Phoenix, Phoerix. The sand and earth elemental Phoenix.
Purple Phoenix, Phoiryx. The poison and shadow elemental Phoenix.
Red Phoenix, Phoinyx. The fire elemental Phoenix.
Blue Phoenix, Phreanyx. The ocean and wind Phoenix, and last but not the least,
The green Phoenix, Phronyx. The leaves and nature Phoenix.
All five Phoenyx's who guards the Den of their Father who is also their Master will be our opponents before meeting Phoebe. The only thing to worry about is that each Phoenix is as strong as an Acker. A big threat for us to worry and would probably risk our lives.
The island has small islands as its entrance forming a staircase to go up the floating island. The others were going up, and I quickly stopped them.
"Hey! We've gotten so far! Don't tell me you want us to stop here?" Matt asked.
"We need to be careful, the moment we step in that island, we are considered as intruders. The enemies as we know won't be as easy as it seemed back on the other islands so be careful!"
They all nodded in agreement and we walked in sync going to the last island to face The Phoenix Guardian.
In the last step, the island looked beautiful. Few hours had passed, and we had already passed a thousand islands and the next island would be the last till we reach the Phoenix Den or Phoebe's home. Ruins are visible on the surroundings too, since it's the lair of the Subordinates it surely has good loots. I wonder what loots, though. The only thing that concerns me is if the Phoenyx's. Phoebe's known genuine pigs, he raised the Eagles and gave them the blessings and his teachings... Eventually, the beta-Phoenix were created and were named as Phoenyx's. Phoebe had taught and created them for this very moment as a test and I don't know whether he cares or not. All I know is we have to go through them, or we don't get to see Phoebe.
"We go together, attack together, protect each other. Understood?" I said to everyone.
They all nodded, and we step foot on the island.
Matthew Johnson Point of View~~
As soon as we step foot on the island growls or angry creatures started screeching.
"What was that? April asked, terrified.
"Come down, it's them. They felt us." Ethaniel answered.
We walked through the forest 'til we heard wings flapping... it was loud... one side of the forest was vibrating of green colour. It was as if the sun was there but instead, with its usual colour, it was green neon colour, blinding each of them thus letting making them cover their faces.
'And there it was, one of the Phoenyx's... the green Phoenix. Has an equivalent power of a strong Acker prodigy, flying up to the sky, staring at us... it's eyes called for an abyss. It screeched and started attacking.'
"LOOK OUT!" Ethaniel warned. "Freeze!" he cast and had no effect on the Phoenyx.
'Last island I told Ethaniel that if they won't get beaten, I won't waste my energy trying to beat those Phoenyx, so I asked him to handle it himself first and if I notice that they are failing, I'll be helping out. I also want to solo Phoenyx's.'
I sat down as they fought the beast. I could hear their chants inside their minds. I figure that they won't be having problems with one Phoenyx since Luciel is with them.
"Go, guys! It's just a bird." I laughed.
"Yeah, how about you shut up, sit still and watch us beat this thing, brother Chen?!" April said arrogantly.
I laughed at that thought of April boasting in from of me. I continued to observe the fight. We outnumber the Phoenyx since it's five on one and yet Emilia and Alexander are gravely injured. I also notice that the Phoenyx rely on animal instincts and is still using physical damage. It clearly seems like it's underestimating its opponent.
'Can it be tamed? Since it relays on its animal instincts maybe it is still an animal that can be tamed.'
Art of misery.
Wait, that's Alexander's assassination specialty skill... is he really serious? Not only is he very sure about killing a mere bird he is also putting himself in grave danger... oh well too late because he was already glowing dark and his veins were more showing. They were also dark.
"Lioness Purification."
I assisted him so he won't be gravely injured. I didn't want to support him, but he could possibly die and I don't want anyone to die in-front of April.
Emilia looked at me and lip-synced "thank you." I nodded in response and sat back down. I crossed my leg and continued to observe. Phronyx is getting cornered since the attack of Alexander had damaged him off but he healed them quick. This opponent is really tough. Anytime soon and they'll be needing me. Anytime soon Phronyx will use his energy, and that will be the biggest problem.
"Glacier Wall! Frozen Assistance!"
Enhance Power, Enhance Magic, Enhance Defense, Enhance Mana, Regen, Ice frost, Freeze, Wall.
"Ancient defence power, the crystal maiden. I call upon the greatest god of ice. Heed my call protect me with the wall of reflection, I offer my mana... thou shall be praised."
Another ancient magic. They need me. Phronyx released the Forest Tsunami, and it broke Ethaniel's shield...
"RUN!" I shouted and started running towards them. I took out my sword.
'Graceful Slash'
I leaped and had immediately stopped the energy of Phronyx.
"I'll handle this." I looked at them and it looked like they weren't able to fully avoid Phronyx's attack. Ethan is gravely injured and so as Luciel. Alexander is resting, and Emilia is helping April heal the guys.
"Weak. You all are weak. This Phronyx is the weakest among the four! Phreanyx is the strongest and compared to this guy. Phreanyx is way stronger."
They didn't respond. I guess taming this guy will be easy if it is allowed to tame this guy.
"April, I'll try to tame this guy. You take him as your partner." I told her.
She froze for a moment, "What do you mean you try to tame that beast?"
"It means you get to keep it as a pet April."
"Impossible! You'll be in trouble brother Chen!"
"If I would be having problems then why did I even assist and take over with what you needed to handle?"
She became silent and just continued on healing. I, on the other hand, focused on my company.
"Phronyx. I'm sure you know what I'm capable of right?" I talked to the Phoenix when we both were alone already and he was ready to attack.
"You knew I could talk. How?"
"Simple, if you really were a bird you wouldn't be able to talk. If you were taught by some legendary master then you could be able to do what he could do. "
"Stop talking. Fight."
"My pleasure. Cardiac Caribbean Ocean's Dragon. Hope you don't die."
The Caribbean power shot towards Phronyx. He hesitated and cast his magic. He stopped half of my magic but had hit himself hard with the leftover magic. He crippled himself and had cut off lots of his feathers. His vibrating green power had lessened and he seemed less powerful that could control the laws of nature.
"Re:Creation Grimoire Legends, The Revelation Book. Law of Nature, spring healing." I summoned the Grimoire I taught myself with the Re:Creation. It was one of the Ancient Legend. So the spell that I created was as strong as an Ancient Legend Spell. The books that stayed there in my base has to be important that even I, myself, picked it up when I wasn't still in my right mind. I'm, after-all the greatest Acker.
"Why?" Phronyx asked.
"Why? Well, all I wanted was to free you."
"What do you want."
"I want you to become my pawn. Be my servant."
"Are you out of your mind, you're telling me that even though you already exhausted yourself?"
"Well, I can kill you and create the biggest spell to make you be sired with me."
"What do I get from it."
"You can go to different places. All you have to do is become a knight of my sister."
"So you do know."
"Of course, why would I come empty-handed?" I laughed,
"I'm in."
"Oh ho ho! How about our great old father-master?
"Father wants us to do what we want. Out of guilt, we couldn't unless given an opportunity. Father will accept what I want to do."
"So you are willing to protect and become my sister's escort any time?"
"You knew we can take human forms too."
"I know lots of things."
Uncle Acker has been teaching me things, dark secrets, truths, but I had far to know. The Abyss.
"I will."
"Then take an oath. Swear your loyalty."
'I swear, in my feathers name for I will stay behind the Acker Family and that the rest of my siblings does too. Feather.'
He said in his subconscious.
"Good. Although I wanted you to speak it out loud."
"Now tell me, we are connected to my siblings but then how are you going to convince them?"
I ignored him and went back to the others. How can I convince the others huh? I myself have no idea. The oath Phronyx did connect to the others which means I have no problem with having them loyal to us but we have to convince them. The question. How...