The Phoenix soul: A legend Arises

Chapter 23: " Daelan's History lesson"

Daelan halted below the jagged rock where Thrain sat, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the two locked eyes, Thrain's glowing blue gaze cutting through the still night. Then, with an almost casual motion, Daelan crouched and leapt.

Thrain watched, unimpressed at first, but his enhanced vision quickly caught the truth. The tiny sparks of lightning arcing across Daelan's body weren't just for show. They pulsed faintly, propelling him upward with precision and speed that surpassed anything Thrain had ever seen. Lynx, who once held the title of "fastest" in his mind, suddenly seemed slow.

Daelan soared upward, landing lightly on Thrain's beloved rock. It wasn't just the height of the leap—it was the ease of it. Thrain didn't flinch as Daelan's boots touched down mere feet from him. The older man stood tall, surveying him with an expression of faint amusement, as if daring Thrain to react.

"Your little hideout," Daelan said, his tone calm but laced with intrigue. "I wondered where you were running off to."

Thrain didn't answer, his gaze steady. If Daelan had expected a shy or nervous response, he wasn't getting one. Thrain remained seated, arms resting lazily on his knees, his aura one of confidence and indifference.

Daelan's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Not much of a talker anymore, are you?"

Still, Thrain said nothing, though a faint flicker of amusement danced behind his eyes. It wasn't defiance—just an unshakable calm that made Daelan feel like he was the one being studied.

After a moment, Daelan's eyes scanned the surrounding area. "So, what is this place? A retreat? A place to sulk?"

Thrain finally spoke, his voice low and even. "A place to think. And you're intruding."

…

Daelan was momentarily taken aback by Thrain's blunt response, but he quickly shrugged it off, masking his surprise with his usual composure.

"Remember when I said we had things to talk about?" Daelan said, stepping closer on the rock. "Well, this seems like the perfect moment."

Thrain did remember, and though his expression remained calm, curiosity stirred within him. His sharp instincts told him Daelan wasn't here by chance. He suspected the man might know something about his powers—specifically the blue flames. The way Daelan had been observing him, silently watching and following, wasn't lost on him.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, Thrain dismissed the idea that Daelan knew about the Phoenix. That secret, at least for now, remained his alone. Still, he leaned slightly forward, his gaze sharp.

"What do you want to talk about?" Thrain asked, his tone measured.

"Your powers," Daelan began, his voice steady but intense, "the blue flames of awakening—they're connected to the legendary Phoenix."

Thrain's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression unreadable. How does he know? he thought. Thanking whatever instincts guided him, he showed no sign of surprise. Instead, he leaned back slightly, feigning confusion.

"What do you mean... Phoenix?" he asked, his voice carrying just enough curiosity to sound convincing.

Before Daelan could respond, a sharp pain shot through Thrain's eyes. He winced involuntarily as they briefly shut, a flicker of blue sparks escaping. The sensation faded as quickly as it came, and his vision returned to normal.

Daelan raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a small smirk. "It seems like you don't know much about mana management. You've got a lot to learn, Prince." He sat down on the rock, now facing Thrain directly, his posture relaxed but his tone serious.

"But before we dive into that," Daelan said, folding his arms, "let me explain."

"As I said," Daelan began, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention, "we, the Onyx Sentinels, are tied to the kingdom, but not bound to the king. We obey, yes—but only within the lines of the true order. If the king, or anyone else, dares to cross those lines, we act. You could call us enforcers... or perhaps the shadow of justice. The hidden law."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle before continuing. "This order, this place, was founded by the last wielder of the blue flames. A legend in his own right."

Thrain absorbed the information, his mind racing. "At least he only suspects I know about the Phoenix. I could deny it if it comes to that," he thought, carefully maintaining a neutral expression.

Daelan continued, his tone steady but heavy with history. "Valtorian Kingdom and Kyrovia were once one—known to the smaller nations as the Fire Nation, or Pyrope. A name that struck fear and awe alike. Fire dominated our lands, and our unity made us unstoppable. But over time, greed and pride shattered that bond. We split, became rivals, and war became our constant companion."

He leaned back slightly, his gaze distant, as if recalling events from another lifetime. "The legend you're tied to… he was the one who ended that war. He forced the kingdoms to reconcile, to unite once more. His blue flames became a symbol of unity and strength, a power no one dared to challenge. For a time, we thrived as one nation again. But history repeats itself. The peace crumbled, and we returned to where we are now—fractured and hostile."

Daelan's eyes sharpened, locking onto Thrain. "That's why your flames mean more than just power. They carry the weight of his legacy. Whether you like it or not, you might be the key to something far greater."

"Besides," Daelan continued, leaning forward slightly, his voice lowering as though he were revealing forbidden knowledge, "the legend did more than unite the kingdoms. He sealed a dragon—a being of immense power. Let me tell you a truth most don't know: we humans didn't always have powers. Here in Valtoria and Kyrovia, it was the dragons who taught us fire. Well... some taught willingly, but others were forced."

Thrain listened intently, his expression carefully neutral, though his mind churned with questions.

"It turns out," Daelan continued, "if you killed a dragon, you awakened fire powers. These abilities passed down through bloodlines, generation after generation. But when we discovered this, it led to slaughter. Humans began hunting dragons mercilessly, and they retaliated. Some were on the verge of wiping out our race altogether."

Daelan's gaze darkened. "It was our fault. That's why the legend had to act. He killed, defeated, and eventually sealed one of the most dangerous dragons—a being so powerful it could destroy nations. But even he was weakened in the process. How he died remains a mystery, but what we do know is that he succeeded in sealing the dragon. Where? No one knows. In fact, no one even knows who first told the tale or wrote the scrolls. It's just been passed down, generation after generation."

He locked eyes with Thrain, his tone heavy with implication. "And according to the legend, he didn't just awaken his powers. He got them from a Phoenix. That's why I suspect the Phoenix met you."

Thrain remained silent, his expression unreadable. Daelan, undeterred, leaned back slightly, his smirk widening.

"Well," Daelan continued, "when I said humans, I meant us. We've yet to find others out there. Sure, there are stories—sailors who claim they've traveled far enough to meet people who could fly or control water. But we've never confirmed it. And frankly, no one here cares. We've been too busy fighting ourselves, constantly at war to bother looking beyond."

Daelan studied Thrain carefully. "You still haven't said a word. But let me tell you something—you can't hide from me. When I first mentioned the Phoenix, your heartbeat changed. Your emotions? They were all over the place." He paused for effect, his smirk turning sharp.

"And let me remind you, the legend taught us about the green flames, the counterpart to the blue. They're meant to reveal truth and deception. So, you've been caught," he finished with an almost triumphant tone, his piercing gaze locked onto Thrain.

Thrain's calm demeanor cracked for just a moment as Daelan's words sank in. He hadn't expected this level of scrutiny—or precision.

"I won't lie," Daelan said, leaning forward slightly, his tone smug but not unkind. "You've done well to block most of my attempts. Impressive, even. But..." He paused for effect, eyes glinting. "I think I caught you because your mana's been depleted. Your defenses are slipping, prince."

Thrain clenched his jaw but said nothing. His mind raced, trying to piece together how much Daelan really knew and how much was just calculated guesswork. Either way, the Onyx Sentinel had him cornered for now.

---