"Inferno? You mean the strongest spirit?", Jade asked, instinctively raising her sword at the being possessing Arthur's body.
But she knows that she can never beat this monster standing before them. Silence enveloped them and she could feel her body screaming at her to get away.
He hadn't released his presence but the air was heavy and she found it hard to breathe.
The spirit looked at her with his sapphire eyes and then laughed, his voice echoing in the silent woods and giving everyone the chills.
"What is happening?", Ruth asked from where she sat, looking very confused at this development. Not only she but everyone else was also stumped.
Inferno continued to laugh until he was out of breath.
"Whoo. That was a good one.", he said as he calmed himself, "It appears Amaterasu and that damn dog Anubis are spreading weird stories about me."
He smiled, "You are mistaken, young Aria. I am the strongest fire spirit. But the strongest spirit? I am afraid that I will only come in second. That title belongs to the Spirit Queen."
Zephyrus, Ruth, and Seventeen narrowed their eyes but the others were just as confused. "Spirits have a queen?", Alice asked.
Inferno noticed their expressions, "You are not aware of that knowledge?", he soon realized, "Ah. The people of the present do not know about the Crowns."
"Well. Except for a few.", he said, looking at Zephyrus and Seventeen.
"What is he talking about, Headmaster?", Jade asked, looking at the Air Cardinal. "Can we talk about that a bit later? I promise I'll tell you the whole story.", he replied.
"Yes, Leonard Zephyrus. Tell them later, it is a long story after all. You can also invite HER to the conversation, " Inferno said, sniffing the air, "Looks like she finally decided to step out into the world."
"I'll be visiting you soon. So please wait a moment.", he spoke to particularly no one before looking at Alice.
"As for your question, young Night. Yes. Spirits do have a queen. You all may know her by her other name. The Fox Goddess."
Jade's and Alice's widened, "But the Fox Goddess is the mythical queen of demi beasts.", the former said.
"She's a myth!", Claire exclaimed from behind them.
"Oh. Is she?", Inferno first looked at Ruth, Zephyrus, and Seventeen. His eyes lingered on the android for a minute before an evil smile formed on his face.
"If you want to know more, just ask your Cardinal, the descendant of Kryos, or the doll."
"What?", Jade, Alice, and Ruth said simultaneously while the twins looked at the two men, especially at Seventeen.
Zephyrus stepped forward, "That's enough."
He pointed his polearm at the being possessing the body of the student of his academy, "Tell me Inferno. What do you intend to do now that you have awakened?"
The Fire spirit tilted his head, "Oh? Trying to change the topic? Very well.", he looked Zephyrus straight in the eyes.
"I am a Fallen Slayer, Cardinal. I can sense a lot of Fallen, and their numbers have increased. Then there are the Fallen Lords. Those arrogant bastards have become bold during my absence."
He sniffed the air, "And I smell a creature that should not exist in this world. What do you call it nowadays? The White Cataclysm?"
Zephyrus nodded, "So you are aware of Lazarus?"
"Of course I am. That thing reeks of malice. Very unpleasant."
"According to the texts of the ancient Vahari, the only thing that can harm it are the Purity Flames. Your flames.", Zephyrus said.
Inferno held out his hand and a ball of blue flames ignited, "I know about that. I've known about the creature before the dawn of this age."
He closed his fist, "Very well. I will help you. It has been a long time since I had stretched my legs."
Zephyrus released a sigh of relief.
"That sounds good. So what about Arthur?", he asked.
Inferno frowned and everyone felt the air around him change, "What about him?"
Everyone had their guard up, "You said that he is now asleep. When is he waking up?", Zephyrus asked.
"Oh, he is waking up. When I let him.", Inferno said, his smile back on his face but his voice was cold.
Alice stepped forward and pointed her sword at him, "What does that mean spirit?"
He looked at her, "To put it simply, dear sister. I am taking over this body."
"DON'T YOU DARE!", She got ready to attack him only to be stopped by Zephyrus.
"Headmaster!"
"Calm down, Alice.", he said before facing Inferno, "I have read about you. According to records, you and your vessel worked together to fight the Fallen."
The Fire Spirit nodded, "Yes we did. But only when my vessel is strong. If my vessel is weak, then the only option is for me to take control of their body."
The air started to swirl around Zephyrus, "Are you saying that Arthur Night is weak?", he asked in a dangerous tone.
Inferno spread out his arms, "Of course, I do not deny the child's skills. He is on another level compared to his peers. But his strongest weapon is his fierce intellect and he is a cunning one."
He turned to Alice, "So cunning that he kept the fangs of the Night branch family away from the Family Head for a long time."
This revelation shocked everyone present.
"What?", Alice, the one most shocked asked.
Inferno placed a hand on his chest, "This young child and his trusty Shadow protected you from the dangers sent by the branch family without your knowledge. Have you wondered how you were never attacked by the branch family in the way your predecessors were?"
She and the others were speechless. "I never knew your brother did all of that in the dark. That also explains why the branch family really wanted Arthur dead.", Jade broke the silence.
"Alas. It seems like you will not be able to express your gratitude to your dear brother.", Inferno said with mock sympathy.
He then looked at Zephyrus, "He is a strong kid. But fate has played a cruel trick on him by letting him be born without an attribute. And against a wyvern like you, Cardinal, he is nothing but a snow fox."
"The boy is weak and so I will take over his body.", he said with finality.
Alice gritted her teeth, her eyes started glowing, and light particles danced around her. Zephyrus kept her in check but even he was getting angry.
"Don't you think this is a fair deal, Cardinal Zephyrus?", Inferno spoke, "I will take care of the creature and even the Fallen lords if you want that."
"Heck, I'll sweeten the deal and get rid of the Night branch family that is troubling your old student and even fulfill Arthur's wish, to have his revenge and protect his sister."
"What do you mean by his revenge?", Alice asked suddenly.
"Oh? You don't know? I'll tell you later, sister.", the spirit winked.
"So. Do we have a deal, Cardinal?"
Zephyrus had an intense look on his face as if he is contemplating his next decision. He looked at Seventeen but the android just looked back at him.
Throughout the whole exchange with Inferno, he didn't speak a word and even retracted his daggers. The Cardinal couldn't figure out what he is thinking.
What should he do? Should he take up the offer? Sure, it would benefit them the most. But will he be able to forgive himself if he sacrifices a bright young man and betray the trust of his students?
He closed his eyes and looked back at Inferno. He had made up his mind. He is not going to repeat any of his past mistakes.
"No. I cannot abandon Arthur Night."
Inferno laughed when he heard his answer.
"Wow! I am honestly surprised. You who abandoned your loved ones due to your cowardice are now defending a young man. How hilarious!"
He suddenly stopped laughing and looked serious.
"Then I am afraid negotiations are over.", he summoned blue flames on his hand.
"Oh just shut up.", Seventeen suddenly appeared in front of Inferno and grabbed his face.
"HUH?", everyone, including the spirit was confused.
"Sorry about this Arthur.", Seventeen said as he spun and flung Inferno into the trees.
"Seventeen! Wait!", Alice yelled as her brother started flying. Fast. Very fast and disappeared into the woods amidst the noise of trees breaking.
It was silent except for the crackling of branches as everyone processed what just happened.
Seventeen turned to them with a smile and winked at Alice, "Sorry about that Alice. I will make it up to you. That guy speaking with Arthur's mouth was annoying."
"I will take care of things now.", he turned to go after Inferno, "Arthur's monstrous presence has faded. You guys make sure the students are fine."
"Seventeen. We are coming with you. This is Inferno the strongest fire spirit we are talking about.", Zephyrus said and the two captains beside him nodded in agreement, their weapons at the ready.
"It's fine, Headmaster. I will be enough. He is my student and I must help him.", Seventeen shook his head with a smile.
He looked at the Cardinal and Alice, "Please trust me on this."
They maintained eye contact for a minute before Zephyrus sighed, "Very well. Please be careful."
"Thanks, Headmaster.", waving his hands, Seventeen dashed into the woods with a sonic boom.
Everyone in the clearing relaxed when the instructor left. They didn't realize how tense they were.
"You think he will be able to handle it?", Alice asked in a worried tone.
Even though Inferno didn't do anything except have a conversation with them, she knew that it will not be easy to beat him even with the help of Zephyrus, a Cardinal.
Jade sheathed her sword, "You don't have to worry about Seventeen. If there is anyone here who can keep up in a fight against Inferno, it is that guy. What do you think, Headmaster?"
Zephyrus was still looking in the direction Seventeen left, "Yeah. I believe so."
He realized Seventeen moved the battlefield so that his identity would not be exposed by Inferno. 'I hope you will be fine.', he thought before turning to the captains.
"Let's go over to the beach. The students will be having a lot of questions."
As soon as he spoke those words, a blur of orange passed by him, and a blast of cold air hit him from behind.
"Headmaster!", Claire and Flare ran to them, "Miss Ruth has taken off!"
"So it seems.", he looked back and saw a thin layer of frost that led into the woods melting away.