The phoenix construct dove toward the sword, clashing against its protective aura. The air shimmered as the energies collided, creating a whirlwind of fire, lightning, and energy. The woman's figure became almost ethereal as she poured every ounce of her strength into the struggle.
Finally, with one last deafening roar, the sword yielded.
It shot upward from the pedestal with a blinding flash, hovering in the air as if appraising its new master.
The woman extended her hand, and the sword slowly descended, its hilt landing gently in her grasp. The moment she touched it, the entire cave was flooded with light. A piercing, otherworldly aura erupted from the sword, sending a shockwave that tore through the forest above.
