"It's so hot..." I said under my breath.
I'm not sure if this is my blood pumping or was it because of the fiery angering flames from the creature in front of me. The phoenix was soaring high in the sky, below it, there's its trail of flame coming from its tail, leaving tiny fire particles.
I'm fully aware of my surrounding. I can sense everything in here, no matter how small it is. All building structures here are all mere illusions. Furthermore, I attempted to get out of here but my astral body was trapped in here. Looks like, it doesn't have any plan of letting me go and wanted its bargain by containing me in this world. When I noticed that, I fully understood that I need to take action.
However, we're against a creature that probably lived ever since the beginning of creation. It may be an exaggeration, but the unformidable aura of the phoenix was the reason why I felt that way. There's a lingering feeling of scarcity. My heart was throbbing along with my blood pumping through my veins, despite being in my astral form. Was it excitement? Fear?
I look down at my feet to see the colorless sand then gaze up. "I thought you will hide in your egg? What's the sudden urge for you to wake up?"
"You're a threat to this land."
"Good to know... Then why won't you leave me alone and let me leave?"
The phoenix chose not to answer.
I chuckle and said. "Thought so... Perhaps trapping me in here would be the worst decision that you've ever made in your life."
I stomp the colorless ground and the entire world trembles. The dim sky looms above. A spear manifest from my right hand along with countless magic circles with spears surfacing above. The magic circles were scattered across the land where my eyes can see.
The jubilant people from earlier are protected by a radiating orange glow around them, not minding the spears poking out from the ground. I may have estimated poorly at the population of souls residing here. "Hundred of thousands... or even millions? You're a sly spirit. I don't know how you did it, but this is really impressive. By only using mana, you manage to maintain this world. I wonder what would happen if you got your hands on mine."
I'm expecting it to react, but it's staring down at me. "Can you at least respond? I've been talking to myself here, for quite a while. I'm feeling lonely here, Ra."
Instead of speaking, the phoenix flaps its wing, and a strong wind gust blew the hair in front of my face away. Soon after, four massive balls of fire are hovering around its body before it descends in my direction at an alarming rate. I teleport somewhere else in response then I saw the balls of fire dispersed in thin air without touching the ground.
In an instant, the phoenix was flying toward my direction with its entire body in full force to assault me. I lift my two fingers up and the spears on the ground shot up with chains coiled around the lower end of the stick. However, those hundreds of spears melted the second it reaches a few feet of the phoenix. I completely understood that I'm at a disadvantage since this world is controlled by the phoenix—But it's worth trying. Plus, I'm not planning to stay any longer.
I teleport through one building into another, to evade the phoenix. Despite witnessing my attacks smither into ashes, it continues for a good while until every spear in the ground disappears within my sight. "As expected, I just wasted those up."
The protected souls beneath me are all unaffected. I condescendingly smile toward them and at the phoenix in front of me. "Let fear strike the turbulent world of man and it shall convict the frivolous insolence souls of mortals. In the name of Diana, goddess of retribution, goddess of good and evil, the keeper of balance. Open the gate."
[Gate of Nemesis.]
The time in this world froze and that made the phoenix stop. Above and beyond the devoid sky, a figure of a man can be seen descending from the open door, crawling out like a scavenging animal. He seems oblivious to the countless hands clinging to his body. From the two metal doors, there were carvings of terror and despair from the faces. The phoenix could only watch the man above descend to its paradise in horror. I snap my finger, halting the movement of the man descending from the sky.
"I know you've been holding back because of your people and weakened. I'm not sure about your plan. But... you bought me here in a desperate attempt... Right?"
"T-The... Gate... You... The Arbiter... I may have underestimated you, mortal. To acquire the essence from the celestial race... You're impressive." It finally spoke in a calm manner, but I can sense the whirl of emotions coming from it. I don't know whether it's for Diana or me.
"For correction, you underestimated us, not me."
Right now, everything is in the palm of my hand. The gate can devour every soul in here along with the soul of the phoenix. It's one of my great possession that Diana created along with Tsuki. It was a mix of both of their powers.
I haven't scratched the surface of understanding the souls. There were so many questions left behind. If Tsuki consumes the soul of those creatures that she has eaten, where would they go? Will they still exist and go in the reincarnation cycle? Or is Tsuki's existence the same with Pixie, or just one level below her? I need answers to fill the hole in my mind. Both Tsuki and Diana's existence are an anomaly for me—The Guider and the Arbiter of souls. Is the phoenix just spouting nonsense? No.
Speaking of which, the phoenix hasn't moved since earlier. I can sense its mana scattering around the place, placing layers of protection. It's just depressing to watch because the phoenix can't do something about it, as my existence inside this space will only make its life miserable. It's like welcoming death itself with open arms. I close my eyes once again to check whether it finally chose to let me leave, but...
"Ra. I don't know where your confidence comes from, but seeing your desperation... Haa... Why would you still want this nonsense to continue? You clearly don't want to hurt me because my astral body holds the piece of treasure that you wanted. So, how are we going to handle this?"
"Then—"
"I told you. I won't hand myself over to you. If you want it, you're willing to sacrifice everyone in here. I won't hesitate and I know you also know that. At this point, you're just seeking things you won't be able to attain without the use of force. If you chose that path then I won't shed a single regret of killing every soul in here." I said coldly.
I furrow. "I have my own people that I also cherish, you narcissistic chicken. Speak or else."
"Haaa..."
Suddenly, the phoenix descends from the sky and glows majestically, turning itself into a tall man, a handsome-looking man. Moreover, his hair was flaming along with the wings at his back. Then looking at his face up close, I saw a diamond-shaped orange stone at the center of his forehead. He's also wearing the same clothes as the souls living in here.
"I'm in defeat. Withdraw that hell gates of yours."
"No. I won't pull it until I sense the passageway out. Because if you still won't, we'll just force our way out."
"Haaa... Fine..."
I look over the horizon. Before leaving, I opt to question the phoenix's non-sensical thought process. "You're so bad at convincing me."
"How can I convince you? Godly power? You already have two of them. Violence? No. As you already stated, I'm weakened. Right now, I can only use a fracture of my power. Desire? Perhaps I can give you everything that you ever wanted."
"Why not start with that?"
"Every creature in this world, as long they have consciousness will succumb to their desire. We can't escape our desire. And yours... is too much for me."
"Or in short, you don't have the capabilities to fulfill it... Wait, you know my desire...?"
"Yes."
I contemplate before answering. "O-Oh... I see..."
"Well, looks like I just wasted your time." Ra smiles at me.
"I still don't get your goal... But before I leave, can you at least stop with what you are doing? Are there any alternatives? It's affecting my life miserably. Rosalyn's crazy personality is getting out of hand. Bring her back to normal."
"I will. However, her desire to be with you is her true feelings."
"Eh? It's not from you or whatever you give to them?"
"Albert was the only person receiving all negative emotions of my world. He approaches me personally to bear the burden of our contract in exchange for the protection of his sister. That's why a large chunk of my soul is inside of Rosalyn. She holds most of my power. For Rosalyn's emotions, I assure you I'm speaking the truth.
"... Okay. I don't know what to say."
"Hold her dear, okay?"
"What?"
"You heard me. Protect her. For her—" Ra's face softens. "Nevermind."
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Don't mind it. Furthermore, you can't force me since I'm still abiding by the world spirit's law."
I snap my finger and the looming grotesque scenery from the sky, dispersed immediately.
"Oh, hey. What if you can give me a minuscule amount of it?"
I glance back to the phoenix to give him a middle finger before fading out. "Fuck off."
────────────
Back to the real world...
I open my eyes to see the familiar ceiling of my dormitory room. However, a hot and soft sensation was wrapping around my body. It was too blissful. Then I look down at my body and saw my naked self along Rosalyn's naked body right next to me. Our entire body was reeking of sweat. Furthermore, I see white liquid dripping down...
"Seriously? Again? Why does this keep happening to me?" I cursed my luck.