"Hmm, it HAS been a while, hatchling." Thienika gently patted Qi Hawk's feathered head as she recalled their last meeting.
It had been millennia since that fledgling had chirped annoyingly around her branches, begging for secrets only those of her ancient lineage truly grasped. He was so persistent.
Now, however, this was a being of immense power, a leader and Emperor of a formidable territory. She couldn't help but smile at how time truly had a way with fate.
"AHEM." Qi Hawk stood and straightened his feathers with a dignified air as his essence flared for a moment. He then turned towards the elderly woman, and those in the court watched as their mighty Emperor spoke with a respect that made them nervous.
"Venerable Thienika, how have you fared these past million years? What brings you back to Yama Yaguai?"
The question had her smiling softly as she glanced towards Raphael. "My purpose is to participate in the Great Divine Tribulation. This bull has promised to keep my starlight leaves dancing. A folly, perhaps, but one I've decided to embrace, for his heart is true."
Those words baffled Qi Hawk. "But WHY? With your STRENGTH…?" He was about to ask for clarity, for surely wasn't she a legend, a being that those even of his standing were taught to revere and respect, but then he realized…
Something was wrong.
Her aura, her essence… it was weaker than he'd anticipated.
"Void Eye - See!"
He focused his potent energy with a whispered command. A milky white light shot from his eye. And in that instant, he saw the truth that had been hidden.
Thienika wasn't simply at the Saint Ruler Stage!
She was at the 1st Layer! The LOWEST layer! And her Solar Essence was dwindling and flickering as if a candle in the wind about to be snuffed out.
"If this… If this continues…?" Qi Hawk gasped, but his whispers were trapped beneath his feathers.
He couldn't hold back his question any longer.
"Venerable Thienika, YOUR POWER… it has drastically diminished."
Her response, it was soft.
"My core, Qi Hawk… it is injured. A dreadful affliction from a time long past. If I don't receive the Void Emperor's blessing…"
"So THAT'S why you're participating in the Great Divine Tribulation?!"
He then recalled her power, from those days when his wings had barely even sprouted feathers. She was a magnificent being of unimaginable might. A force that made even the ancient dragons tremble!
"What… WHAT could have POSSIBLY damaged your core to such an extent? To… reduce you to… this?"
She simply shook her head, her weathered face betraying no hint of the anguish her words carried. "Some wounds… Qi Hawk. They never truly heal, not with simple herbs, nor blood rites."
"I see." He nodded.
'If she doesn't want to reveal the source, I won't pry. Her secrets are her own to keep.'
But he also couldn't simply stand back, not while the starlight leaves she bore were fading!
"Those trials are treacherous. Many will seek to claim your life and to use you as a stepping stone for their own ascension." He stretched his hand towards her with a gentle yet firm resolve, "Allow me to assist, Venerable Thienika. It is the least I can do for an old friend."
…
"What's happening?!" Raphael's hooves shuffled nervously as he observed Qi Hawk approach. There was a look in the Emperor's eye that made him tremble, a determination to heal. But would this kindness be received?
His answer came swiftly, for in those milliseconds as their Emperor's hand were mere centimeters from touching her fragile silver-bark scales.
BOOM! CRACKLE!
A brilliant white light shot out from Qi Hawk's palm. It struck Thienika and engulfed her form and caused her to levitate slightly.
She screamed!
It was a sound of dreadful agony, a resonance that angered Raphael.
"No! Stop! STOP IT! You're… HURTING HER!"
Fueled by a protective fury, he charged towards Qi Hawk
"Big Brother!"
Lu Jade cried out but their pleas for mercy were in vain.
As Raphael's monstrous hooves neared the Emperor's imposing form.
BOOM!
A wave of potent essence blew them backwards.
Raphael crashed into the wall near the entrance. His massive form slumped onto the jade floor. He coughed out blood.
His vision blurred.
"Such POWER…!"
Thienika's screams subsided, shortly after, but he couldn't see her through his hazy, blood-filled gaze.
"Is… Is she… dead?!"
And then…
He watched in amazement as she slowly descended. She was no longer radiating the gentle pale hues of starlight, but a vibrant, emerald aura that shined with renewed life!
"This…"
Qi Hawk's energies faded and he stepped back. "That is my gift, Venerable Thienika. I hope it proves sufficient."
She glanced at her hands and at her roots that was now brimming with the vigor of a thousand blooming lilies. "Hmm… Calamity Stage, 1st Layer! I have ASCENDED!"
Her words were more a question to her very being than those that stood before her.
Raphael and Lu Jade scrambled towards her and examined her condition.
"Grandma, are you okay?!"
"We thought… those lights…"
Thienika interrupted. "Qi Hawk has gifted me Solar Essence I lacked. The earlier tremors and that pain? It was his Solar Essences, surging into my broken core. He has stabilized my condition, at least for now."
Qi Hawk nodded and settled his gaze on her frail form with a hint of sadness. "The afflictions you bear are still present. And I cannot fully heal them. I lack the skills needed. But fret not, old friend, for I've placed a seal upon your core. It'll prevent your Solar Essence from draining further.
However… be warned! Should you overexert yourself during the Great Divine Tribulation, or should your form be badly damaged. Then my seal might shatter. Use this gift wisely, Venerable Thienika."
"I understand, Qi Hawk." She patted his shoulder as a gesture of gratitude.
Raphael puffed out his chest and strode towards her. He stood protectively. "Don't worry, Grandma Thienika. I WILL protect you, at ALL cost! We WILL win that blessing!"
His confidence, his audacity! Qi Hawk couldn't help but be amazed. "Ahaha, good! GOOD! That's the spirit, bull! You better protect Thienika. And for good measure…" He turned to his daughter. "Fenwei. YOU will be joining their team for the Great Divine Tribulation."
Qi Fenwei bristled. "WHAT?!"
"But Father, I already have a team. We've been practicing! We're strong! I've even told you about them! Why this sudden change?!"
"Don't argue with me, daughter." Qi Hawk's voice had a chilling tone.
"But…!" She couldn't understand his reasoning. The hours they'd spent honing their skills. The strategies they've concocted and the bonds they'd formed…
She turned her back to her father and stomped a foot, "I refuse! You already knew about them, didn't you?!"
Her defiance, the disrespect! The memories of Julian's previous insult to his lineage came rushing back in a horrifying flood that he couldn't control.
BOOM!
He unleashed his aura! It was potent, overwhelming!
Qi Fenwei gasped! She felt her delicate form being crushed by an invisible force. She stumbled! She fell to her knees, coughing up blood.
"DARE… to DISOBEY me?!"
"Fenwei!" Julian, whose reflexes were always faster than any other's quickly intervened. He appeared before her and neutralized Qi Hawk's power. "Calm yourself, Brother Hawk. There's no need for this…"
"STAY out of THIS! Ringtail. This is a FAMILY MATTER!"
"I cannot. She's injured! Don't you see?"
Julian was about to help her back to her feet but…
"Do NOT touch me! You lecherous beast!" Qi Fenwei swatted his paw away with her bleeding wing. She'd rather die, than be pitied.
She then stood. Her eyes, still defiant, but a glimmer of submissiveness was now evident. She bowed her head slightly and with a shaky voice that had the elders gasping,
"As… you… command… Father…"
"Ahaha… Good! Now then…" His aura subsided as he returned to his throne with satisfaction ringing in his tone. "Tonight, there shall be a feast in honor of our guests. You are all invited. And now, Elders…"
Qi Fenwei didn't hesitate. She fled the throne room in a storm. Her anger and humiliation were tangible energies that even the guards dared not gaze upon.
Raphael, Lu Jade, and Thienika bowed their heads. "We are grateful for your generosity, Emperor Qi Hawk."
"Hmm, go! Refresh yourselves."
As they exited the throne room, Raphael couldn't help but overhear a heated discussion taking place.
"That lemur! Ringtail! GO HOME!"
"But…"
It was Qi Hawk. He sounded irritated as the grand doors closed.
Raphael smiled, "What a day! It seems even emperors have troubles they can't escape."