The shadows of death loomed over Valga and the rest of the world; humanity faced grave danger, standing at the edge of potential salvation or doom. Valga held the key to its own destiny and the fate of the world.
For a few years, Valga remained a safe haven, protected by a magical dome that shielded it from Dominos' invasion. However, Talia sensed this defense wouldn't last much longer. In her visions, she foresaw an inevitable war that would determine the universe's fate, although she couldn't see beyond that conflict. Dominos' days were approaching, and Talia sensed Aquila's enemies were coming for him, though she couldn't pinpoint when.
She readied the people of Valga for the imminent dangers by training them extensively in physical combat. Dominos was certainly earth's Doom but as for Aquila, there was hope as long as he was kept alive. They resolved to do everything in their power to protect the city and the dark Phoenix from Dominos and his minions.
After these years, the people of Valga, though cautious, were no longer afraid of Aquila; they only hoped that the darkness within him would never awaken. However, Aquila was more worried. What if he couldn't control his powers or save the world from Dominos' destruction? The people feared the day Aquila's magic would awaken—a dreadful thought. They wished fervently that he would save the universe, not destroy it.
King Waldorf felt compelled to protect Valga, but he was too advanced in age and weakened to engage in battles. He mourned the loss of his son and entrusted Talia with Jack's research quarters, where all of Jack's studies, notes, discoveries, and the ancient scrolls of the Amazonians were kept.
Jack foresaw the impending war and had planned to construct an arena to prepare Valga for battle training. Talia learned and implemented Jack's master plan, rigorously training the people. With Lucian's assistance, she crafted magical weapons capable of defeating even Dominos' mightiest minions.
It was the day before the inaugural games in Valga. Aquila woke abruptly, prepared hastily for training. Past sunrise, he heard his father's voice whispering his name. Initially thinking Jack was behind him; he turned but found no one there. "Dad! Are you there?" he wondered aloud. After waiting without a reply, he stepped out of his tent.
Now 18 years old, Aquila possessed natural elegance, exuding beauty and charm similar to his mother. Despite his mother's specialized training, he remained an inadequate fighter, plagued by self-doubt.
It was the last day of training in preparation for the games. The training camp was set in a large clearing near the banks of the river estuary on the northern coast of the great hilly plains of Valga. Beyond stood the magnificent arena for the games.
Aquila approached his sister, Elena, and her friends, Mirabel and Annabel, the twin warriors.
"Look who's here," Mirabel teased scornfully.
"Here he comes, poor thing. He's going to die tomorrow," Annabel jokes.
Aquila, trying to remain focused, asked, "Have you seen Mother? I'm supposed to train with her."
"Huh?," Elena responded, whipping her eyes. "What do you need her for? She's busy."
"I am supposed to train with her," Aquila insisted.
Annabel interrupted, mocking him with his sister, "Someone is running to his mommy all the time."
Mirabel snorted in laughter. "Maybe you should train with us instead."
"No, I don't want to be hurt or hurt anybody," Aquila resisted.
"You're a dead person already," Mirabel stunned him with those words.
"What?" Aquila was shocked, finding it hard to cope with the harsh reality. He felt humiliated.
"Are you deaf?" said Annabel, faintly supporting her sister. "You should never have come to our world; you'd still destroy it anywhere," she explained.
Elena walked to the armory and returned with two swords. "The games is tomorrow. You can't even fight me, yet you want to fight in that arena with us against those goblins tomorrow," said Elena, challenging Aquila.
"What do you mean?" Aquila asked, feeling desperate.
"If there's any magic in you, then show me what you've got. Let's fight!" Elena snarled, offering him a sword. She wanted him to fight back, but he wasn't entirely ready for the challenge.
Despite the advantages of being a god, in his mortal form, Aquila feared death. The cost of his demise was crippling. For Aquila, his life mattered, especially after so much loss. He didn't deserve to die, and neither did the rest of the world.
Elena screeched and groaned as she inched closer to him. Finally, she leaped towards Aquila, landing her sword forcefully against his as he defended himself. The blow sent Aquila down on one knee, struggling to hold his ground.
"The fate of the world is on you. How are you going to stay alive if you can't defend yourself?" Elena's voice carried fierce determination that even the twins were frightened. "Stop, Elena, you're hurting him," Annabel pleaded desperately.
"No! I haven't even started." Elena charged at Aquila, her sword swinging vengefully. Aquila skillfully dodged her swings, but she fought relentlessly, as if possessed.
She relentlessly hammered at Aquila's sword until it fell from his hand. Enraged, she kicked him to the ground and raised her sword to strike the final blow.
"Stop, Elena! No! Don't kill him!" Annabel's fearful voice echoed, as she rushed to fetch Talia.
Aquila huddled on the ground, his left hand raised in an attempt to halt her. Her sword slightly gashed his hand, blood trickling over his arm.
Realizing the extent of her aggression, Elena gradually regained control of herself. Both breathing heavily, she grunted in disappointment and threw her sword to the ground.
"Sorry about that, weakling," Elena mocked, as Aquila groaned in pain.
"You did that on purpose," Aquila retorted.
"What's stopping you from fighting back, huh? Maybe you shouldn't fight with us tomorrow. I'm better than you, and you can't kill those goblins, but I will," Elena replied angrily.
"You're bluffing, right?" Aquila questioned, as she clenched her fist towards him. Their mother rushed to the scene.
"Elena!" Talia's voice boomed. "What are you doing? Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Show some respect and leave at once."
"Sorry, Mother," Elena muttered, avoiding eye contact with Aquila.
"We better go, guys," Elena said to her friends.
"He's worthless; you're better off," Mirabel praised Elena.
"We'll see about that tomorrow," Elena replied, feeling conflicted. She didn't understand why she had been so harsh on him since their father was gone. Unjust blame seemed to pile on Aquila for things beyond his control.
"Let me see your wound, son," Talia said, taking his hand and healing it with her magic. "What happened here?" she asked.
"Nothing to worry about, Mother. It was just a small incident during training. That's all," he lied, not wanting his mother to worry.
"Go to the river and wash up. You should be fine," Talia said, though uncertain. She knew what had occurred but felt powerless to alleviate Elena's bitterness toward him.
Aquila made his way downhill to the nearby water and cleansed away the bloodstains from his arm. Once finished, he settled by a nearby rock, burying his face in his hands as tears streamed down. Memories of his father flooded his mind, and he gazed around the estuary, hills, and the flowing stream, feeling overwhelmed. "I need your help, Dad! I miss you so much," he sobbed loudly.
Suddenly, the water nearby began to bubble at the spot he washed himself. Aquila paused, watching intently as an object emerged—it was his father's seashell necklace floating on the water's surface. A sense of peace washed over him. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a connection, as if his father had heard him. Glancing around cautiously, he retrieved the seashell necklace and started to fiddle with it.
Deciding to return to the training camp, he wore the necklace. At that moment, he was overcome by a strange sensation. He fell into a trance, and before him appeared a vision: his father, Jack, bound between pillars in a dark and desolate place, groaning in pain as he strained to lift his head towards him.
Aquila rushed towards his father, desperate to free him from the chains, but his efforts were futile. "You can't free me, my child. It's too late for me. I heard your cry and used the last of my magic to send you my parting gift," Jack's voice was strained, gasping for breath as he spoke.
"No, father, please don't leave me now. I don't know what to do," Aquila cried uncontrollably.
"You must listen to me. You have to become the dark Phoenix; it's your destiny, your true nature," Jack's voice was fading.
"But I can't. I fear I will bring destruction," Aquila protested.
"There's no other way, my son. If you don't, the demons will bring ruin. They're coming for you," Jack warned urgently.
"I don't know how to control it. I could become evil," Aquila was filled with uncertainty.
"You are my son. I've seen true evil, and it's not within you. Our powers are under our control. You've hidden your powers away. You will find a way. Embrace the darkness and wield it for good," Jack advised.
"But how?" Aquila pleaded.
As his father's form desiccated, drained of life, Jack murmured his final words, "My spirit shall guide you when the time comes."
In that moment, an overwhelming surge of power coursed through Aquila, and with a sorrowful roar, he felt transformed.