The Forsaken Heir's Ascension
Chapter 68: The Fire Phoenix Awakens

Chapter 68: The Fire Phoenix Awakens

As they reached the edge of the triangular chamber, Alex raised a fist — the signal to stop.

He pressed his back against the stone wall, and the others instinctively mirrored him. Even Hati rose onto his hind legs and pressed himself flat, mimicking them.

Alex nearly laughed but held it in, whispering,

"We have to take them by surprise — but first, we need to know how many there are."

He gestured silently for the others to stay put. Then, cloaked in darkness, he erased his presence and crept toward the chamber entrance. Remaining hidden, he peered inside.

Five hunters.

Two swordsmen.

Two archers.

One man covered in throwing daggers — dozens strapped across his chest.

Just as Alex prepared to return to his companions—

A yellow light surged across the chamber.

Every hunter snapped their gaze toward him.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

A deep, guttural growl erupted from all of them at once. It was ancient. Humiliating. Monstrous.

Alex froze.

A wave of dread slammed into him, bone-deep. His legs trembled.

He bit down hard on his tongue. The pain grounded him—barely.

Behind him, the others dropped to the ground, terror carved into their faces. They couldn’t even look up — as if the very act of raising their heads would be suicidal.

Only Hati remained upright. He growled low, then barked,

"Woof!"

And began to back away.

"ATTACK!"

The shout tore through the paralysis.

It was unclear who screamed it first — maybe Rina, maybe Alex — but it woke them from their stupor.

"Attack!" Alex roared, lunging forward.

He raised his arm, aimed his emerald spear at the statue’s head, and hurled it with all his strength.

WHOOSH!

The air screamed as the spear sliced through it.

A swordsman leapt forward, directly into its path.

THUNK!

The spear pierced his skull. The momentum didn’t stop — it dragged the corpse with it.

THUD!

The body collapsed at the base of the statue, a grim offering.

THUD!

Alex hit the floor too, gasping.

Still shaking, he shouted,

"Fffuck!"

Only Meika held her daggers steady — even as her palms bled. Fear still flickered in her eyes, but now it was joined by something sharper: murderous intent. Rage.

"I’ll make them pay. For making me feel this much pain."

She gritted her teeth and tried to melt into the shadows — but a surge of yellow light swooped down, dispelling her skill. Then came the daggers. She leapt backward, just in time to see the dagger-throwing hunter charging at her.

Kaelan backed up against the chamber wall, dread carved into his pale face. His body shook uncontrollably.

Lyra stumbled as well, but steadied herself upon seeing Meika hold her ground. With resolve hardening her face, she tried to follow Meika’s lead.

Rina’s golden eyes trembled with fear, her grip shaky around the sleek black katana still in its sheath. She slowly unsheathed it, looking at the blade with longing.

"Mother," she whispered.

Nodding to herself, she lunged at the nearest swordsman.

Slash!

Clang!

Her blade was parried back — but she didn’t stop.

She redirected her next strike at his neck.

The swordsman moved to parry — but the arc of her blade shifted.

Slash!

Her katana sliced through his hand. Blood sprayed.

Clang!

His weapon dropped to the floor.

He stumbled, trying to regain balance, then reached for the fallen sword with his other hand — dragging his nearly severed hand along by threads of skin.

He crouched.

Woosh!

Rina’s sword pierced his stomach.

He didn’t even flinch.

He stood up, lifting the sword again like nothing had happened.

Rina stepped back, stunned.

What is going on? Is he immortal? He’s not even feeling pain. What sho—

"RINA, CHOP OFF HIS HEAD!"

Alex’s scream broke through her panic.

She nodded and lunged.

The swordsman tried to block with his remaining arm — but he was too slow.

Thud.

His body fell.

His head rolled across the chamber floor.

Seeing his companions fight back, Alex conjured two short daggers from dark elemental power — no longer than a forearm, curved inward at the base, obsidian black with smoke-like aura swirling around them.

He sank into the wall’s shadows.

A black patch slid silently across the floor.

Behind the first archer —

Alex emerged like death itself.

One swift strike.

Head severed.

He vanished again into the dark.

The black patch shifted again — this time behind the second archer.

"I can’t keep using this," Alex thought. "My elemental power is almost gone. I have to conserve enough to face that statue..."

He reemerged, cleanly slashing the second archer’s head.

Then he noticed Rina backing away after injuring the swordsmen and zoning out

"RINA! CHOP OFF HIS HEAD!" he shouted.

His yell drew the attention of the last archer — the one tormenting Lyra.

Woosh!

An arrow flew at him.

Alex raised his daggers just in time to parry.

Clang!

The force of it knocked him back.

Too strong. I can’t take those head-on.

Now he understood why Lyra had been dodging instead of fighting.

He turned — and saw Kaelan still frozen by the wall, Hati standing guard in front of him.

"KAELAN! SNAP OUT OF IT! If you don’t, we’ll die!" Alex shouted.

Kaelan’s eyes blinked open. His body tensed.

Then—

"AHHHHHH!"

A scream erupted from his very soul.

He stepped forward, fists clenched, flames beginning to swirl around him.

From the fire, small flaming birds emerged, each one sharp and swift like an arrow. Their numbers kept growing, assembling midair into the shape of a colossal phoenix — wings stretching across the chamber, tail brushing the floor, and crowned head grazing the abyssal ceiling.

Then, without a sound, it opened it’s mouth and screamed toward the abyss like sky.

A fiery rain poured down. The birds dove like daggers, crashing into the chamber indiscriminately — friend and foe alike caught in the storm.

Seeing Kaelan’s reckless outburst, Alex screamed, "Everyone, retreat! Retreat now!"

Rina and Lyra immediately followed his command, bolting toward the corridor behind him.

But Meika was still locked in a brutal fight with the dagger-wielding hunter. Both were wounded and bloodied. She glared at him with murderous intent — he moved like a twisted mosquito, agile and erratic, bending joints in unnatural ways. A shallow cut on her cheek dripped blood.

"Hati, go! Get her, now!" Alex ordered.

The massive wolf crouched low, then surged forward with blinding speed. He passed between Meika’s legs and scooped her onto his back in a single motion.

Woosh!

Daggers flew after them, but Hati outran them easily, wind howling in his wake.

Just as they reached the corridor, the others arrived — all barely escaping the oncoming storm.

BOOM.

The earth trembled.

A furious fire phoenix claimed the battlefield.

The shockwave slammed them all into the corridor walls.

As the fire vanished, a devastated chamber appeared before them. The once-magnificent statue was reduced to just its legs. Smoke lingered in the air.

Standing at the centre of the ruined hall was Kaelan — shirtless, brown-skinned, and breathing heavily, his piercing blue eyes focused ahead.

The group slowly stepped out of the corridor and walked back into the chamber. Rina approached Kaelan curiously. Only some of his paint remained, smeared above his knees.

Tilting her head, she asked innocently, "Are you... brown because you’ve burned yourself like this many times?"

Everyone went silent for a beat—then burst into laughter.

Rina looked around, confused. "Why are you all laughing?"

Kaelan groaned, rubbing his temples. "I was born like this. I’m not burned."

"Ohhh..." Rina replied, her voice trailing off in embarrassment.

Lyra chuckled and added with a sly smile, "You’ve never seen anyone from the Ignis Clan before, have you?"

Rina shook her head. "No."

Lyra sighed and muttered to Kaelan, "She really is clueless... just forgive her."

Then her tone sharpened. "By the way—" she narrowed her eyes at Kaelan, "why were you trying to kill us?"

Kaelan coughed awkwardly, eyes averted. "I... lost control."

"What was that?" Lyra pressed.

Before he could reply, Meika stepped forward with a mocking smile. "He said he lost control. Members of the Fire Phoenix Clan have immense elemental power, but it’s volatile. Their emotions fuel their flames—like fire dragons—but unlike dragons, they usually stay calm. But when they lose it..." she gestured to the ruined chamber, "this happens."

Alex, now sitting beside Hati, paid them no attention. He pulled out a wrapped steak and began eating calmly.

Rina walked over, eyes gleaming. "Is that... Auntie Chef’s steak?!"

Alex looked at her with deadpan eyes. "You didn’t bring food again, did you?"

Blushing, Rina scratched the back of her head. "I... forgot."

Alex let out a tired sigh, then pulled another steak from his spatial ring. "Here. Sit down."

She plopped down next to him with a bright smile and tore into the food like a starving beast.

"Slow down," Alex muttered.

Too late—she began choking.

Alex silently handed her his gourd of water.

After finishing her meal, Rina let out a loud burp. "That was amazing. I’ll treat you when we get back to the academy."

Alex nodded silently.

RUMBLE.

The ground beneath them trembled violently.

Before any of them could react, the floor split open.

"AAAHHH!"

They all screamed as they plummeted downward.

THUD. THUD.

They landed on soft, green grass — surrounded by tall, trees.