ARC III – Phoenix & Dragon
Chapter 1 – Morning Banter, Hidden Fears
The forge's air was thick with the metallic scent of molten iron and lingering ash. Strom's rhythmic hammer strikes rang out, each blow sparking tiny embers that danced in the dim morning light. Sweat dripped down his brow, mingling with the grime caked on his skin. Across the room, Wraith sat silently on a wooden stool, her cobalt-blue scales dimmed under a heavy hood, silently nibbling on a crust of bread.
Sam lounged carelessly on a nearby crate, eyes flicking between the two. His grin spread wide as he teased, "You two look like a couple already."
Wraith's cheeks flushed a faint purple—a rare break in her usual cold demeanor. Strom scowled and growled in unison, "Shut up, Sam."
Sam laughed, unfazed. "Whoa, perfect harmony. Cute love birds."
Strom exhaled sharply. "Go buy your stuff before I throw you into the furnace."
"Alright, alright, I'm going," Sam chuckled, hopping off the crate.
Strom grabbed his worn leather coat, slinging it over his shoulder. "I'll tag along." He glanced back at Wraith. "Stay inside. I won't be long."
"Tch… fine," Wraith muttered, though the tremor in her voice betrayed a deeper worry.
As the door closed behind them, she whispered under her breath, "…don't take too long, idiot."
Chapter 2 – The Waiting
Wraith paced restlessly by the window, claws tapping nervously on the wooden sill. Outside, the village stirred, but her eyes remained fixed on the winding path that led toward the volcano.
"Any moment now…" she murmured, voice barely audible.
Minutes dragged on, stretching into an hour. No sign of Strom.
"Alright… one more minute…" she whispered, heart tightening.
Finally, unable to stand the waiting, she yanked her cloak tighter and stormed out the door, determination set in every step.
"That's it. I'm coming, idiot."
Chapter 3 – Sam's Panic
Sam returned to the forge only to find it empty—no sign of Strom or Wraith.
"Strom? Wraith?" His voice cracked with unease.
He dashed through the village streets, asking neighbors, peering into dark alleys, and even climbing the ancient clocktower to scan the horizon.
"Where the hell are you two…?" he muttered, dread rising like poison in his chest.
Sam, the fearless rogue, rarely felt fear. But the thought of losing them again—just like last time—made his breath catch.
"No… not again…"
He broke into a sprint, vanishing into the wild lands beyond the village.
Chapter 4 – The Golden Feather
Wraith traced Strom's usual path toward the base of the volcano. The only clue left behind was a golden feather, warm and almost alive in her palm.
"Golden Phoenix…" she whispered, memories flashing of Strom risking everything to save the mythical creature.
Her eyes narrowed, fierce determination burning. "If it's nesting nearby, he's close to the volcano… damn it, Strom."
Chapter 5 – The Inner Voice
As she climbed higher, the blue ring embedded in her wrist pulsed, a cold, mocking voice echoing in her mind.
"Why risk your life for a human? Caring makes you weak."
"Shut up," she hissed. "You made me a monster. He… made me feel alive."
The voice sneered, "And you'll die because of it."
"Maybe I will," she whispered back, eyes blazing with defiance.
Chapter 6 – The Burning Death
Inside the volcanic cave, the heat was suffocating, a brutal wall of fire crushing against her lungs and skin. Her throat burned with every breath, and blood dripped from her cracked lips. —Her kind of demons have a weakness, they can't survive much heat
Each step forward was agony, muscles screaming in protest. Her blue scales, once shimmering, dulled beneath layers of ash and sweat.
"Strom… please… be here," she whispered, tears mixing with the grime on her face.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed, crawling the last few painful meters toward the faint light at the cave's mouth.
Sunlight kissed her battered face before darkness claimed her.
"Idiot… look what you made me do," she muttered, unconscious.
Chapter 7 – The Phoenix's Judgment
When consciousness returned, a curious pig sniffed at her face, grunting in confusion.
Wraith groaned weakly, rolling over.
A deafening roar shattered the silence—a colossal Golden Phoenix, its molten-gold wings casting flickering shadows.
It landed with regal grace, clutching its golden feather, eyes piercing into Wraith's soul.
Without hesitation, she tossed the feather aside.
"Here… take it," she whispered, voice ragged.
The phoenix studied her, then surprisingly stepped back, sparing her life.
It took to the sky and vanished into the ash-laden air.
"Mercy, huh? Guess I'm not the only one changing…"
Chapter 8 – Weakness & Recovery
Dragging herself to a nearby stream, Wraith plunged her face into the icy water, drinking deeply.
Cold rushed through her veins, soothing burns and bruises, though weakness lingered.
She shivered violently, trembling as exhaustion threatened to consume her.
"Night… I need moonlight," she whispered.
She rested on the riverbank, gathering strength under the cold stars.
Chapter 9 – The Moonlight Climb
Under the silver glow of the moon, Wraith resumed her ascent.
Her fingers bled, claws cracked against jagged rocks. Sweat and tears streamed down her face.
"You better be alive, Strom," she gasped, choking back sobs.
A horrible vision flashed—Strom dead, cold.
She shook her head fiercely. "No… don't you dare die on me, idiot."
Chapter 10 – The Chains & Tears
At the volcano's peak, Wraith's heart stopped.
There, chained and bloodied, lay Strom—unconscious and vulnerable.
"Idiot… you…" she whispered, kneeling beside him, trembling hands hovering.
"You can't… do this to me…"
Silent tears streamed down her cheeks, but she swallowed her sobs, wiping her face fiercely.
"No… no crying. I don't cry…"
Chapter 11 – Volkthane & Phoenix
A dark shadow emerged from the swirling volcanic mist.
Volkthane, the towering lava demon, molten veins glowing like rivers of fire, brandished a sword thick as a tree trunk.
Behind him, the Golden Phoenix returned, flames licking its majestic wings.
"Blue demon protecting a human? Pathetic," Volkthane sneered.
Wraith, despite her weakened state, lunged forward.
Volkthane swatted her aside like a ragdoll.
"Stay down, little girl. When the moon hits, I'll kill him, take his Dragon Aura, and be unstoppable."
Chapter 12 – Execution
Moonlight bathed Strom's chained form.
Volkthane raised his massive blade, eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction.
"Any last wish?"
Strom coughed up blood, a weak smirk playing on his lips.
"Yeah… regret instantly."
Volkthane growled, "Cocky even at death. Fine."
He swung—
Chapter 13 – Dravyss Awakens
A burst of blue light exploded from Strom's pendant, shaking the volcano's core.
"Stay away from my son."
Dravyss emerged—a colossal mother dragon, scales shimmering with sapphire fire, eyes deep as the cosmos.
The Phoenix attacked fiercely, but Dravyss tore it apart mid-flight.
"He saved you once, and you betray him? Die, ungrateful."
Volkthane froze in terror.
Dravyss turned, glaring with cosmic fury.
"One bite."
Volkthane vanished.
Chapter 14 – The Aftermath
Dravyss lowered her great head to Strom.
"Only when you face true death or call me will I come. Live, my son."
She glanced at Wraith.
"Protect him, little blue one."
With a flash of celestial light, she vanished.
Chapter 15 – Sam's Relief
By dawn, Sam burst onto the scene, breathless.
"I looked everywhere! I thought… you two were dead!"
Wraith snorted.
"We're fine… just nearly burned alive, fought a lava demon, and met his dragon mom."
Sam froze.
"His what?!"
Strom groaned, "Long story."
Chapter 16 – A Quiet Moment
Under a blanket of stars, Strom touched his pendant.
"Thanks… mom."
Wraith sat beside him, arms crossed.
"Don't make me climb a volcano for you again, idiot."
Strom smirked.
"Did you cry?"
"Shut up," Wraith muttered, looking away, ears burning.