Chapter 46 - Princess of the Eternal Flame
The throne room fell into silence.
The words "Ashen Phoenix" echoed in everyone's mind.
Empress Aurelia slowly gripped the arm of her throne.
"So..."
"It has begun."
Kai stepped forward.
"Your Majesty."
"What is the Ashen Phoenix?"
Aurelia exchanged a glance with the elderly man standing beside her.
He wore crimson robes covered with golden runes.
Despite his age, his eyes were sharp.
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
---
Character Identified
Sage Orion
Title: Grand Scholar of the Phoenix Empire
Rank: Mythic Beast Tamer
Occupation:
Keeper of the Imperial Archives
---
Orion sighed deeply.
"Very few know the truth."
He walked toward a giant mural covering the palace wall.
It depicted two enormous phoenixes.
One burned with radiant golden flames.
The other was wreathed in black fire.
"The first is Solara..."
"The Phoenix of Rebirth."
"Our empire's sacred guardian."
He pointed toward the second phoenix.
"And this..."
"...is Noctis."
"The Ashen Phoenix."
---
Ten thousand years ago...
Both phoenixes protected the world together.
Solara represented life.
Noctis represented destruction.
Neither was evil.
Neither was good.
Together, they maintained balance.
But during the Great Eclipse...
Noctis was consumed by corruption.
The First Beast Sovereign defeated it...
Yet refused to kill it.
Instead, he sealed it beneath Mount Solaris.
---
Ignis lowered his head.
"I remember."
"The First Sovereign believed..."
"...every beast deserved the chance to be saved."
Kai smiled faintly.
"He and I would have gotten along."
---
Orion continued.
"The Temple has spent centuries searching for Noctis."
"But they cannot awaken it."
"Only one carrying the bloodline of the Phoenix Royal Family can break the final seal."
Selene's eyes widened.
"Princess Elena..."
Aurelia nodded sadly.
"They captured her."
"They intend to use her as the key."
---
The Book glowed.
Main Quest Updated
Save Princess Elena
Objectives:
- Rescue Elena Solaris.
- Prevent Noctis' awakening.
- Protect the Sacred Flame.
Time Remaining:
60 Hours
---
Before another word could be spoken...
A deafening explosion echoed through the palace.
BOOOOM!
The entire building shook.
A soldier burst into the hall.
"Your Majesty!"
"The eastern district is under attack!"
"Black-flame beasts have appeared!"
Kai immediately turned.
"I'm going."
Selene smiled.
"So am I."
The Crimson Flame Fox leapt onto Kai's shoulder.
"Finally."
"Some action."
Ignis stretched his tiny wings.
"Try not to destroy half the city."
---
Moments later...
Kai reached the eastern district.
Buildings were burning.
Citizens fled in panic.
Three enormous fire lions rampaged through the streets.
Their golden manes had turned black.
Their eyes glowed crimson.
The Book appeared instantly.
---
Beast Analysis
Species:
Blazemane Lion
Rank:
Epic
Status:
Corrupted
Corruption Level:
43%
Can Be Saved:
Yes
---
Kai pointed his spear.
"No killing."
"We purify them."
The fox grinned.
"Leave it to me."
It unleashed a stream of Eclipse Blaze.
Unlike ordinary fire...
The crimson-and-gold flames wrapped gently around the lions.
The black corruption hissed.
Smoke poured from their bodies.
The lions roared in agony.
Kai stepped closer.
"Voice of the Sovereign."
His calm voice echoed through the street.
"You're not alone."
"You don't have to fight anymore."
For a heartbeat...
Nothing happened.
Then...
One lion slowly lowered its head.
Its crimson eyes became brilliant amber once more.
The remaining two followed.
The citizens stared in amazement.
"They..."
"They're calm."
Children cautiously approached.
One little girl hugged the smallest lion around its neck.
Instead of roaring...
It gently licked her face.
Cheers erupted throughout the district.
---
Suddenly...
A crimson hawk descended from the sky.
A scroll was tied to its leg.
Sage Orion quickly opened it.
His face turned pale.
"The Imperial Scouts have found Princess Elena."
Kai's eyes lit up.
"Where?"
Orion pointed toward the smoking volcano dominating the horizon.
"Inside the Temple of Eternal Ash."
Ignis's cheerful expression vanished.
"The Temple of Eternal Ash..."
"I thought it had been destroyed thousands of years ago."
"It wasn't," Orion replied quietly.
"It was merely hidden."
The Book of Infinite Beasts shimmered.
---
Next Destination
Temple of Eternal Ash
Estimated Travel Time:
12 Hours
Known Threats:
- Volcanic beasts
- Divine Temple forces
- Unknown Apostle
- Possible awakening of Noctis
---
Kai looked at the distant volcano.
Black smoke spiralled into the heavens.
Within it, he could almost hear a lonely cry.
Not one of hatred...
But of pain.
He tightened his grip on his spear.
"We leave immediately."
Far inside the volcano, Princess Elena remained bound in chains of black crystal.
She looked weak, but her crimson eyes still burned with determination.
Before her stood the obsidian-crowned stranger.
He smiled as dark flames rose around the altar.
"Welcome, Beast Sovereign."
"I've been waiting for you."