Chapter 22: Black Phoenix Awakens
A small boy of age five years old in a purple robe, with black hair and deep black eyes, was practicing with a wooden sword. After completing the sixth step of the Dark Emperor Sword, he ran excitedly toward a beautiful woman in a flowing white robe. Her eyes were as deep as water, and her beauty was almost divine.
"Mom, did you see that? I can now complete the sixth step! Now you have to fulfill your promise, you must bring me spirit beasts," the boy said in a begging voice.
"Kaal, my Darling, Mom will bring a cute pet, just like you," said Bella while stretching the cheek of kaal.
Suddenly, the boy heard a loud sound. The noise startled him, and when he looked toward his mother, he realized she had vanished. Frightened by the bizarre situation, the boy tried to run away. Just then, he heard a voice from behind.
"Look, we found your dead pet Kaal. Looks like some wild animal killed it," said a nine-year-old boy with sharp yellow hair and black eyes. He held the corpse of a Lightning Mouse in his hand, speaking with a mocking tone and an aura of quiet dominance.
"SAMRAT!" Kaal screamed in anger.
Kaal looked at his dead pet, then turned his gaze toward the older boy. Rage flared in his eyes. Suddenly, he heard a demonic roar echo in his ears. With that roar, his mind cleared, and the scene in front of him shattered like a broken mirror.
He found himself standing on the 135th step of a staircase. At the top stood a statue of a phoenix, radiating a terrifying aura. Its eyes glowed red, giving the entire statue a demonic appearance.
"So, all of that was an illusion created by the statue," Kaal said in a worried tone. "If the Hell Asura Bloodline hadn't warned me, I don't know how much time I would've wasted trying to break free from it."
When he looked to his left, he saw Divya standing there with blank eyes. It was clear that she, too, was trapped in the illusion cast by the statue.
Without the illusion that traps the mind in the past, Kaal continued his ascent up the ancient staircase. Each step felt heavier than the last, the pressure intensifying as if the very heavens sought to crush him. By the time he reached the 190th step, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.