《The Outcast of House Phoenix》 Rebirth of the Phoenix: The Rise of Karlous Delimare Kaiser Phoenix
A gentle breeze caressed my face, carrying an unfamiliar yet invigorating scent. My eyes slowly opened, and a golden radiance filled my vision. The air was crisp, almost surreal in its purity, and the sun''s warmth embraced my skin in a way I had never experienced before. Wait¡­ what? I bolted upright, my movements swifter than anticipated. The bed beneath me was astonishingly soft, far more luxurious than any I had ever known. I glanced around. The room was opulent¡ªwalls adorned with intricate carvings, banners displaying an unfamiliar crest, and luxurious furnishings that spoke of nobility. ¡°What¡­ Where am I?¡± I murmured, my voice sounding slightly alien to my own ears. My throat felt parched, an insatiable thirst driving me to rise. As I staggered forward, my gaze fell upon a large mirror in the corner of the room. And then, my breath caught. The reflection was not my former self. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. The figure staring back was tall and lean, exuding an otherworldly aura. His silver-white hair shimmered in the morning light, cascading in elegant waves. His face was sharp yet regal, his eyes glowing with a supernatural brightness. And his body¡­ Eight-pack abs, chiseled muscles¡ªperfection beyond human limits. ¡°What in the world¡­?¡± I whispered, tracing my hands over my unfamiliar yet impeccably sculpted form. Then, a sharp pain erupted in my skull. Memories¡ªfragmented and chaotic¡ªflooded my mind. Visions of a life I had not lived. The name¡­ Karlous Delimare Kaiser Phoenix. A noble from one of the most powerful aristocratic families in this world. And yet, despised. A failure. A disgrace. The outcast of the Phoenix family. I clenched my fists. What in the world was happening? Meeting Frey Del Ahoya As Karlous fell deeper into slumber, dreams began to take shape. Or¡­ were they memories? He stood¡ªolder, more powerful, his frame matured. A brilliant sword in his hand glowed with a radiant purple light. He faced a battlefield alone, standing in front of an army of over a thousand enemies. Blood dripped from his wounds. He was exhausted, but his grip never faltered. Beside him, a girl¡ªbeautiful, trembling, and severely wounded¡ªstruggled to stay conscious. His breaths were ragged, but he continued to fight, shielding her with his entire being. Wave after wave of enemies clashed with him. Still, he pushed forward, carving a path. At last, he managed to create a gap and turned to run, carrying the girl in his arms. But just before escape¡­ A dark spear¡ªblack as midnight and jagged like obsidian¡ªpierced through his heart and hers. Both fell. And just as Karlous turned to see the one who had thrown the spear¡ª He woke up. His chest rose in sharp gasps, his body drenched in sweat. His heart pounded violently, like a war drum. ¡°What¡­ what was that?¡± he muttered, clutching his chest. A migraine erupted behind his eyes. His vision blurred. Pain coursed through his body like lightning. His breath caught as he began to tremble, body seizing under invisible pressure. And then¡ª A gentle light shimmered from his neck. A pendant. One he hadn¡¯t noticed before. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Soft green energy seeped into his skin, flowing into him like the breath of the world itself. His body began to relax. His breathing slowed. The pain faded. ¡°Where¡­ did this come from?¡± he whispered. The light from the pendant pulsed once more, and he felt the warmth of the tree beneath him¡ªas if nature itself was holding him. Unseen by Karlous, the ancient tree rustled with magic. The spirit that had once wept for him¡ªan ageless guardian of nature¡ªhad made a decision. Drawn to his sorrow, his fire, and the dormant potential within him, she had merged her essence into a form he could carry with him. She had become the pendant. And Frey Del Ahoya¡­ had seen it all. From his place beneath the neighboring tree, Frey''s golden eyes observed quietly as the spirit¡¯s energy flowed into the boy. He watched as the pendant formed, wrapping around Karlous¡¯s neck like a gift from the earth itself. Frey didn¡¯t speak. Not yet. Still confused, frightened by the dream, Karlous sat up. Then¡ª Splash! A stream of water hit him straight in the face, washing the sweat clean off. Coughing and stunned, he looked up. A golden-haired young man stood nearby, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. ¡°You were having a nightmare after pouring your heart out like that, little Phoenix,¡± the stranger said calmly. Karlous blinked. ¡°W-What¡­ who are you?¡± The young man shrugged. ¡°Relax. You don¡¯t smell like panic anymore.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°Now that you''re awake and no longer smelling like burnt sugar¡­ maybe we should talk.¡± Karlous stared, still too shocked to reply. The man chuckled. ¡°Name¡¯s Frey. Frey Del Ahoya.¡± There was a brief silence before Karlous found his voice again. ¡°You¡­ you saw all of it?¡± ¡°Every word you whispered to the tree. Every tear that spirit shed. Every flicker of power that pendant used to calm you.¡± Karlous instinctively touched the pendant. ¡°What¡­ is she?¡± Frey¡¯s gaze softened slightly, his voice more serious. ¡°She is nature¡¯s will. You were seen, Karlous. And in seeing you, she chose you. That pendant isn''t just decoration¡ªit''s protection. It''s connection. Maybe even something more.¡± Karlous was quiet. His fingers lingered on the pendant. Somehow, he felt like he wasn¡¯t alone anymore. Frey glanced toward the horizon. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one with ghosts. But the way you carry yours¡­ that fire in your heart¡ªthat¡¯s rare.¡± A small smile played on Karlous''s lips, weary but grateful. ¡°Thanks... I guess.¡± Frey¡¯s grin returned. ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. You¡¯re just getting started. And by the looks of it, you''re going to need a teacher.¡± Karlous raised an eyebrow. ¡°You?¡± Frey smirked wider. ¡°Me. The prince with no kingdom. The ghost of a lost war. And starting today¡­ your worst nightmare.¡±
And that¡­ was how Karlous met the prince from a fallen kingdom¡ªand the man who would become his first true mentor.
The Flame and the Ghost The sun had climbed higher, peeking through the golden canopy of leaves, casting rays that danced on Karlous''s confused face. The pendant around his neck continued to pulse faintly, as if acknowledging the shift in fate. He stood still, his mind racing. His breaths, though calmer, came unevenly. He looked at Frey¡ªno, stared at him¡ªas if trying to peel back a layer of illusion. ¡°Who are you really?¡± Karlous finally asked again, more grounded this time. ¡°And how did you get through the Phoenix House barrier?¡± Frey grinned, taking a step forward. ¡°Let¡¯s just say¡­ not all gates are made of steel and runes. Some open for those the world has forgotten.¡± His response only deepened the mystery. ¡°And that sword?¡± Karlous motioned to the massive, sheathed weapon on Frey¡¯s back. Its hilt bore ancient symbols, glowing faintly like embers trapped in stone. Frey turned, letting the light fall upon it. ¡°A relic. One of the last things my kingdom left me with. It listens more than it speaks¡­ but when it speaks, things tend to break.¡± Karlous swallowed. The air around Frey felt... different. Heavy, yet freeing. Like the moment before a storm. Or the breath before a song of war. ¡°And the pendant?¡± Karlous asked again. ¡°You said it¡¯s not just decoration.¡± Frey¡¯s eyes flicked to it, a rare hint of reverence softening his usually sharp demeanor. ¡°She chose you, Karlous. Nature doesn¡¯t just weep for anyone. The spirit of that tree¡ªyou gave her a reason to believe again. And she gave you a piece of herself in return.¡± Karlous felt the weight of those words. He looked down at the pendant. For a moment, it pulsed¡ªnot with power, but with warmth. ¡°But why me?¡± he whispered. Frey didn¡¯t answer immediately. He walked toward the base of the tree and sat down with a relaxed motion that betrayed discipline beneath. He patted the spot beside him. Karlous hesitated, then joined him. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Frey spoke slowly now, not like a warrior, but like a storyteller. ¡°Every kingdom that fell, every city that crumbled¡ªdo you know what they all had in common? They believed strength came only from bloodlines, or blessings, or banners. But real strength¡­¡± He looked Karlous in the eye. ¡°Real strength comes from suffering. From choosing to rise. Again and again.¡± Karlous didn¡¯t flinch. He¡¯d heard platitudes before. But this wasn¡¯t that. ¡°So what? You¡¯re going to train me?¡± Karlous asked. Frey smirked. ¡°You¡¯ll call it hell. I¡¯ll call it a Tuesday.¡± Silence stretched between them. But it wasn¡¯t awkward. It was anticipation. Finally, Frey stood and extended a hand. ¡°You¡¯re not weak, Karlous. You¡¯ve just never had someone show you how to use your fire.¡± Karlous stared at the hand. And then, without another word, he took it.
Beneath the gaze of the ancient tree, under a sky painted in gold, the pact was sealed¡ªnot just between mentor and student, but between fate and the future.
Frey was a man of few answers¡ªand heavy burdens. Whenever Karlous tried asking him about his past, Frey would simply brush it aside. ¡°I¡¯m the last survivor of a fallen kingdom,¡± he once said, sharpening his blade by the campfire. ¡°And you¡¯re far too immature to handle the truth.¡± Karlous had pressed further, but Frey wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°You¡¯re not ready,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Some truths burn more than they teach.¡± So Karlous stopped asking. But the training? The training didn¡¯t stop. Frey was merciless. Each morning began with endless running¡ªuntil Karlous¡¯s legs collapsed beneath him. Then came the mana drills¡ªcontrolled breathing, channeling, compression¡ªover and over until his core ached and his vision blurred. And finally, the combat sessions. Every strike, every block, every form was drilled into him until his arms trembled and every inch of his body screamed in pain. Frey didn¡¯t hold back, nor did he offer praise. Only corrections. Constant, brutal corrections. ¡°Again.¡± ¡°Fix your stance.¡± ¡°Too slow. You die.¡± From sunrise to late evening, the cycle continued without mercy. When the sun dipped behind the trees, Frey finally called for rest. ¡°Sit. Meditate. Feel the flow, not the fatigue.¡± And Karlous, bruised and battered, sat under the same tree where he¡¯d been chosen. He meditated, teeth clenched through the pain, letting the whispers of nature cradle his broken limbs. Eventually, he dragged himself back home. The guards at the Phoenix estate stared. His clothes were torn. His arms and legs covered in bruises. He walked with a limp, his body trembling with every step, as if gravity itself wanted to bring him down. He barely acknowledged anyone. The grand hall loomed ahead, but Karlous didn¡¯t make it far. He spotted a velvet couch near the entryway. With a groan of surrender, he collapsed onto it. ¡°Coffee,¡± he mumbled to the startled maids nearby. ¡°Strong. Please. And sweet gods, don¡¯t make me move.¡± They rushed into action. Karlous shut his eyes. Every fiber in his being ached. But beneath the pain¡­ there was something else. A flicker. A fire. He was changing. And it had only just begun. Ripples Through the Flame The morning sun had barely touched the estate, and yet Karlous was already gone. Day after day, without fail, he vanished before the first light, slipping into the wilderness long before the estate stirred. It became a pattern no one could ignore. The Phoenix estate, once indifferent to his presence, now watched him with wary eyes. The servants whispered. The knights frowned. Even the haughty nobles within the family started to pay attention. But none dared approach him. It wasn¡¯t just the bruises or the limp. It was the way he walked now. With purpose. With grit. Still, curiosity brewed like a storm cloud. Lady Lilliana, ever suspicious, dispatched knights to follow him. Not once did they return with useful information. The reason? Frey. With his unmatched illusion magic, he cloaked both himself and Karlous in a veil even trained knights couldn¡¯t pierce. Karlous himself often grumbled, ¡°I swear if I learn that spell, I¡¯m vanishing for a week just for revenge.¡± Frey would laugh, that mysterious smirk never leaving his face. ¡°You¡¯ll earn it. In time.¡± The training only intensified. Frey pushed Karlous harder with every passing day. It wasn¡¯t enough to run¡ªhe had to run uphill, through mud, with weights strapped to his back. It wasn¡¯t enough to meditate¡ªhe had to sense the flow of mana in the leaves, the wind, even the insects. And the combat? Pure torment. Swords, spears, daggers. Barehanded. Weaponless. Every evening ended the same¡ªwith Karlous crawling home, his body a symphony of pain. Still, he never gave up. One particular evening, he returned home barely able to keep his eyes open. His uniform was shredded, one shoe missing, and his left arm hung limp at his side. He stumbled through the grand hall. Gasps echoed. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. He didn¡¯t care. All he could see was the velvet couch. He collapsed onto it face-first. ¡°Maid¡­¡± he groaned. ¡°Coffee. Strong. No questions.¡± The maids scurried into action. And once again, the house watched in silence. Even the troublesome duo¡ªKaren and Kaile¡ªhad fallen silent. Their usual snide remarks replaced by uneasy glances. But it wasn¡¯t long before Karen¡¯s voice returned, echoing through the corridors. ¡°He¡¯s just playing in the dirt. Watch¡ªhe¡¯ll break any day now.¡± Yet the knights knew better. So did the elders. And so did Sera. That night, while Karlous lay on the couch, utterly drained, she approached. No words. Just a slow, focused walk. She leaned down and poked his cheek. He flinched. ¡°Just¡­ five more minutes, please¡­¡± Sera¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Like hell. What in the name of the gods are you doing out there every day?¡± Karlous grunted. ¡°Training.¡± ¡°With who?¡± He didn¡¯t respond. Only exhaled and let sleep take him again. Sera stared at him. Long and hard. She could feel it¡ªthe subtle aura, the trace of spiritual mana around him. Whatever he was doing, it wasn¡¯t ordinary. And it wasn¡¯t over.
The vacation days were drawing to a close. Karlous had mentioned it casually during one of their training sessions, but Frey had clearly taken it seriously. Everything changed. ¡°Enough with dodging. Enough with drills. It¡¯s time for you to learn something real,¡± Frey declared one morning, his voice steely. He introduced Karlous to mana compression breathing. It wasn¡¯t flashy. It wasn¡¯t explosive. But it was deadly¡ªif done wrong. ¡°The concept is simple,¡± Frey explained. ¡°You breathe in mana, compress it inside your core, and store it like coiled energy. When released, it becomes ten times more efficient. But one misstep¡ªjust one¡ªand your core will explode like an overinflated balloon.¡± Karlous blinked. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ comforting.¡± Frey smirked. ¡°You¡¯ll live. Maybe.¡± Training began. Hour after hour of breathing exercises. Visualizing his mana core. Feeling the intake. Compressing it in his gut. Holding it. Controlling it. Most people would take years to even touch the fundamentals. But Karlous¡ªthanks to the pendant around his neck¡ªmanaged to reach the basics in mere days. The spirit¡¯s quiet guidance, almost whispering in his subconscious, made a subtle but powerful difference. On the final day, he sat beneath the same tree where it had all begun. He had sweat pouring from his body, his breathing ragged¡ªbut the mana in his core was stable, condensed, and glowing faintly. Frey stood nearby, arms crossed. ¡°You¡¯ve only grasped the surface,¡± he said. ¡°But that alone puts you above most first-years.¡± Karlous nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll keep practicing.¡± Frey stepped forward, reaching into his satchel. ¡°This was my first sword. I used it when I had nothing but grit and rage to carry me. It¡¯s rusty now, looks like trash¡ªbut it never broke. Not once.¡± He handed the sword to Karlous. Karlous held it carefully. It was heavy, worn, but it felt¡­ right. ¡°It¡¯s ugly,¡± Karlous admitted. Frey smirked. ¡°So were you, two weeks ago.¡± They both laughed.
And with that, Frey turned and walked off into the trees, leaving Karlous alone¡ªwith a sword in hand, a new flame in his heart, and a future yet unwritten.
The vacation had ended.
But Karlous¡¯s journey had only just begun.
When the Sky Burns Gold The morning air was calm. Too calm. Karlous stood at the edge of the wilderness, preparing to say his goodbyes. His body, though battered and bruised from Frey''s brutal training, felt stronger¡ªsharper. The once-aimless son of the Phoenix family now stood with the poise of someone reborn. Frey stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the sky. His golden hair shimmered slightly in the breeze. Neither spoke much. Their bond didn¡¯t need words. "So, this is it?" Karlous asked, trying to keep his tone light. "For now," Frey replied. "Empress University awaits. Your journey begins anew." But then¡ª The ground shook. A low rumble echoed across the Phoenix estate. Birds scattered. The sky dimmed¡ªnot with clouds, but with something more majestic. A burning light. A streak of gold and crimson flames danced above them in the sky. "No way¡­" Frey muttered, eyes widening. Karlous instinctively turned his gaze upward¡ªand his breath caught in his throat. Isundra¡ªthe Phoenix of Rebirth. A divine beast of myth. A creature whose appearance alone could tilt the balance of realms. Towering wings lit with holy fire. Feathers that shimmered with hues no human palette could name. Its eyes were pools of endless wisdom and sorrow. And it was flying directly above Phoenix territory. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. "He¡¯s not attacking," Frey said, his voice almost reverent. "He¡¯s headed toward¡­ Karmajhvan." Karlous blinked. ¡°Karmajhvan?¡± "The Forest of Eternal Echoes. An ancient land, older than the empire. They say even gods sleep beneath its roots." Driven by pure instinct, Karlous dashed toward the tallest tree in the area¡ªan ancient skybirch with twisted silver bark and a canopy that touched the clouds. Frey followed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Reckless, but worth it.¡± As they climbed, branch by branch, the world opened up beneath them. Meanwhile, back at the Phoenix estate¡­ Nox¡ªKarlous''s elder brother, the untouchable prodigy¡ªstood atop the castle¡¯s terrace. For the first time in years, the stoic swordsman looked like a child, awe-struck, eyes glinting with childlike wonder. All across the estate, nobles, knights, servants¡ªeven the maids¡ªrushed outside. They stood marveling at the divine sight in a mix of awe and fear. In the capital, alarms rang out, signaling the appearance of a divine-class entity. In the Empress¡¯ castle, a high council meeting was abruptly interrupted as one of the palace kings barged in, kneeling before the throne. ¡°Your Majesty! Divine beast Isundra has been sighted flying over Phoenix territory!¡± Gasps filled the royal hall. The Empress, usually composed, rose from her seat, her eyes narrowing with concern. ¡°Are you certain?¡± ¡°It has already reached the ears of all twelve noble households. The news is spreading like wildfire. Even the neighboring kingdoms are dispatching scouts.¡± The Empress¡¯s fingers tightened around the armrest of her throne. ¡°The Phoenix bloodline¡­ it may no longer be idle.¡± Back in the Phoenix estate¡­ For up above, on the highest branch of the skybirch, Isundra looked directly at Karlous. A long moment passed. No words. No sound. Just the wind¡­ and that divine gaze. Then, a single feather¡ªwreathed in golden-red flames¡ªdrifted down. Karlous instinctively held out his hand. The feather landed softly, unharmed by the winds or the heat, glowing faintly with divine energy. It pulsed. Like it had a heartbeat. Frey stared at the feather in silence, then looked at Karlous. "Well... looks like you''re no ordinary trash after all." Karlous couldn¡¯t answer. His voice was lost. His hands trembled, not from fear¡ªbut from awe. In that moment, as the divine beast vanished into the distant horizon toward the ancient forest of Karmajhvan, Karlous understood. Something had changed. Not just within him. But in the world.
And the world¡­ had started to watch.
The Feather, the Pendant, and the Panic Karlous and Frey stood silently at the top of the skybirch, the wind brushing their faces as the last glimmer of Isundra vanished into the horizon. In Karlous¡¯s hand, the divine feather still glowed faintly¡ªwarm, light, and pulsing like it was alive. Karlous blinked, then turned to Frey, wide-eyed and absolutely overwhelmed. "What the hell just happened!?" Frey, arms crossed and unfazed, gave a lazy shrug. "You just got acknowledged by a divine beast. Pretty standard stuff for a Phoenix, no?" "PRETTY STANDARD!? That¡¯s Isundra! That feather¡¯s hotter than my reputation at home¡ªand trust me, that¡¯s saying something!" Still staring at the feather like a prized treasure, Karlous began fantasizing how he''d march into the family hall, drop the divine feather on the table and watch jaws hit the floor.
¡°Oh this? Just a divine acknowledgment. Casual Tuesday.¡±
But before he could even take a step down the tree¡ª WHOOSH. The pendant on his neck pulsed once, then inhaled the feather with a gentle flash of light. Karlous froze. "W-What¡­ WHAT!?" He started patting his chest and frantically poking the now-glowing pendant. "You little thief! Give it back! That was supposed to be my one moment of glory!" He shook the pendant. Frey burst out laughing. "That spirit¡¯s got taste. She knows you¡¯ll misuse that feather. Probably didn¡¯t want you to try bartering it for snacks." "I was going to flaunt it! Not eat it! Ughh¡­ Kaile and Karen are going to say I made the whole thing up." Karlous collapsed dramatically onto the grass beneath the tree. The pendant shimmered again¡ªonly this time, it wasn¡¯t just green. Flashes of golden-red danced along its surface. Frey''s amusement faded slightly. He watched in silence. "Looks like she¡¯s evolving," he murmured. "Or adapting to you. Either way, that feather wasn¡¯t wasted." Karlous looked up at the sky and let out a sigh. ¡°Great. First time I get divine recognition and I can¡¯t even brag about it. Typical.¡±
Meanwhile, far across the empire¡­ The land of Jvalagadh, known widely as the Kingdom of Swords and Shields, stirred with sudden activity. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Renowned for producing the finest swordmasters and battle mages across all continents, the kingdom''s elite stood on high alert. In the heart of the capital stood the towering spires of the Red Magic Tower, a faction feared and respected for its experimental combat magic and war spells. Inside, at the tower¡¯s observation chamber, a young mage sprinted toward a woman clad in crimson robes, her short, fiery hair trailing behind like a comet¡¯s flame. "Vice Master Akara! We¡¯ve confirmed the sighting! Isundra has appeared¡ªwithin Phoenix Territory!" The woman¡¯s eyes flared with burning excitement. "Prepare the teleportation altar! I¡¯ll see this with my own eyes." Before the mages could even respond, Akara was halfway to the launch hall, her mana already swirling. "Vice Master¡ªplease wait!" shouted her aide, a nervous man named Verrin. "That territory is heavily warded, and unannounced trespassing¡ª" "You think I care? It¡¯s Isundra, Verrin! The Phoenix of Rebirth! This is history!" Verrin sighed, pushing up his spectacles. "History is not worth incineration. Especially not when it''s Phoenix land." Akara stopped, clicked her tongue, and turned sharply. "Fine. We observe. But if she circles back toward Jvalagadh¡­ you will prepare the altar." Verrin bowed. ¡°Understood, Mistress Flamebrand.¡±
A Glimpse Into the Larger World¡­ The appearance of Isundra had not only shaken Phoenix Territory but sent ripples across the world of Aryavratra, a land born of myth, legacy, and uncharted power. Isundra¡ªThe Phoenix of Rebirth¡ªwas one of four divine beasts who transcended species, belief, and kingdom. Legends speak of them as the protectors of balance: Meanwhile, across the darker realms of Aryavratra lie the Seven Demon Kingdoms, each ruled by terrifying sovereigns aligned to a Demon House:
  1. Mal¡¯Zareth ¨C Lords of Mind, Illusion, and Fear.
  2. Vorenthul ¨C Berserkers of Wrath, Fire, and Blood.
  3. Drexion ¨C Masters of Poison and Corruption.
  4. Xal¡¯Zahir ¨C Wielders of Shadows, Soul Leech, and Silent Death.
  5. Nargassai ¨C Devourers of Beasts and Evolutionary Mutation.
  6. Veyl¡¯Ruin ¨C Scholars of Forbidden Knowledge and Soul Craft.
  7. Zephyrox ¨C Keepers of Storm, Pride, and the Anti-Divine Aura.
And in the wilderness beyond all maps, lie the Four Uncharted Forests, believed to guard secrets older than empires: Some say each forest guards a divine relic or even one of the sleeping god-beasts. As the world stirred in curiosity and fear, it became clear¡ªKarlous''s fate was not just tied to family or pride. His presence was awakening more than memories. It was stirring a world long asleep.
Back in Phoenix territory, Karlous sat quietly beneath the tree, fingers resting lightly on the glowing pendant. He wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. Not with sarcasm, at least. ¡°Guess this isn¡¯t just about proving them wrong anymore,¡± he whispered.
And somewhere beyond the sky, the gods stirred.
The feather may have vanished¡­ but the flame had been lit.