Warning: This chapter contains brutal scene that may not be recommended for sensitive readers. If you are one, please read at your own risk or better yet not read this at all. I don't want to cause any triggers. Thank you.

THE PHOENIX'S RESOLVE

THE air was getting hot as he got closer to Croissant's direction. Tatlong pigura ang nasa ere at nakapokus ang mga atake nito sa baba. Napapalibutan ng apoy ang buong paligid kaya hindi masiyadong makita ni Lis ang nangyayari sa ibaba.

'Cross!'

He gritted his teeth. Napunta ang atensyon ng dalawang Shadow sa kaniya matapos mapansin ang kaniyang pagdating. Isang lalaki at isang babae. Katulad ang mga kasuotan nito sa lalaking nakalaban nila kanina.

"Why is this man here?"

"That loser Roen must have acted all alone."

Bago pa niya mapuntahan ang kaibigan, sinugod kaagad siya ng babaeng may mahaba at berdeng buhok. When she got closer, he stopped the woman's punch by grabbing her arms. Mabilis nitong sinundan ang atake gamit ang isang kamay na may espada kaya buong puwersa niyang sinipa ang babae sa sikmura upang tumilapon ito palayo bago pa maibaon ang espada sa kaniyang tiyan.

"Attack Spell: Dagger!" Hindi na niya hinintay na makabawi pa ang babae at sinalubong ang lumilipad nitong katawan ng matulis na ugat mula sa likod.

Umubo ito ng dugo matapos bumaon ang mga matutulis na ugat sa tiyan at dibdib. Ngunit kahit na ganoon, nanatili pa ring buhay ang babae at pilit na nagpupumiglas.

Sampung metro ang layo sa pagitan nila, tinuon niya ang kamay sa direksyon nito. He snapped his hand, creating a silent rumble underground. Kasabay ng pag-angat ng kaniyang kamay, ang paglabas din ng mga ugat na doble pa sa laki ng pinalabas niya kanina.

"Sinister Roots," he breathed. He was ready to release his spell when he sensed something. Hair standing on his spine, he turned to face the one attempting him from the back. The ends of his cloak danced as he turned around, making his roots follow his movements, surrounding him and preventing him from getting the ball of electricity touched his back.

He immediately dispersed the roots that were hindering his vision and closed the distance between him and the man who appeared. The Shadow's reflexes were fast enough to avoid his right punch, moving to the left side, to the angle he wanted him to move. He smirked as he used the air to hop his right foot. Strength burned on his calf, he shifted his weight and released the blow to the enemy's neck with his left foot.

Bumagsak sa baba ang lalaki nang walang tunog. Ang nagliparang mga alikabok galing sa lupa ang nagsilbing indikasyon sa marahas nitong pagbagsak.

Habol-habol niya ang kaniyang paghinga nang makababa siya. Madilim ngunit parang umaga ang lugar dahil sa lumiliyab na apoy ni Cross. Tiningnan niya si Cross na abalang makipaglaban sa Shadow na isang water user.

He was clearly on the disadvantage. Hindi lang iyon ang nakakuha sa atensyon niya dahil nandoon din si Pahima, karga ito ni Cross sa likuran na walang malay.

"Oh, spells of the mighty broken tree!" He exclaimed in disbelief. "Cross!" tinawag niya ito upang kunin si Pahima ngunit napatigil siya sa bagay na dumaplis sa kaniyang braso.

It was the woman's sword.

"Where do you think you're going?" napapaubo nitong sabi habang hawak-hawak ang dumudugong tiyan.

"I see that you're tough."

"Of course. We are different from you after all, losers."

Napaangat naman ang gilid ng kaniyang labi. "Is that so?" Siya pa ang talunan? Kung titingnan nang maigi, hindi siya ang nag-aagaw buhay sa kanilang dalawa.

"Hoy! Gising!" Sinipa nito ang kasama na binagsak niya kanina. Dahan-dahan itong bumangon habang napapasapo sa dumudugo nitong noo.

Lumuhod naman siya gamit ang isang tuhod at inilapat ang kamay sa lupa. "I wonder how you muted this area. Is it a spell? Who cast it?"

"Shut up, S-gene. You are not on our level." A dark smoke formed on the woman's sword, coating its silver color into pitch black.

The smoke reminded him of Aryl. The woman might also be a black magician.

"Of course, we're not," he replied with a sly. A strong pull from underground signaled him; the life he absorbed had been channeled to the two Shadows.

"Attack Spell," as soon as he whispered, a pink light ignited below them with shape of a flower—pure and beautiful—befitting his image. "Corrupted Lotus."

The two attempted to jump but his vines had already caught their feet.

"What the hell is this?"

"Your death." As soon as he removed his hand from the ground, the giant lotus closed its petals, swallowing the two and imprisoned them inside. He watched as his beautiful lotus went smaller and smaller, squeezing the prey inside, and ingested them.

The Corrupted Lotus, one of his attack spells, was a man-eating lotus he deviced when he was a kid. The appearance from outside was hauntingly beautiful, but the inside was filled with deceit. Once it got a hold of its prey, the acidic juices hidden from its petals would melt their skin down to their bones, until none would be left from their bodies.

The shouts from inside, the struggle to get out, and the slashes to sever his flower echoed as he turned his back. That wouldn't be enough to break the spell. They should hit it from the outside for it was the only thing vulnerable.

"My bad." That wasn't his problem anymore. Although he was quite bothered at something, he shrugged the thought and focused for now.

Tinungo na niya ang direksyon ni Cross upang kunin si Pahima sa likuran nito.

Nakuha niya ang atensiyon ng kalaban ni Cross.

"Damn S-gene!" Mabilis siyang napaatras nang pinaulanan siya ng mga palaso nitong gawa sa tubig. It was sharp that it left tiny holes on the ground.

Ito na lang ang natitirang Shadow.

"Why don't you surrender?" He muttered as he surrounded the flying Shadow with his Sinister Roots.

"Crimson, don't!" pigil ni Cross sa kaniya ngunit huli na.

Ipinulupot niya ito nang mahigpit sa katawan ng Shadow sa pagtatangkang baliin ang mga buto nito ngunit napasinghap na lang siya nang may kumalabog sa kaniyang katawan. Parang may sumabog sa loob-loob niya dahilan para mapaluhod siya at mapahawak sa tiyan dahil sa pananakit.

"Crimson!"

He coughed blood. Sweat were flowing down his face. "What just happened?"

"Crimson." Isang kamay ang lumapat sa braso niya kaya napaangat siya ng tingin. It was Cross.

"Don't touch him with your spell. He's able to fucking deflect the damage to the user's body." Nasa harapan niya ito at nakatalikod sa kaniya habang nagsasalita. "He's different from the two."

"I see."

That was what bothering him. If the Shadows were beings that could be easily defeated just like he and Aster did with the others, there was no way they lasted for years. How could they call themselves special when they couldn't even surpass them?

The Shadows might have a ranking. From the weakest to the strongest. The ones they just defeated just now might have belong to the weakest group.

"I'll leave Pahima to you. Do not fucking interfere with my fight." Binigay nito si Pahima sa kaniya. Hindi na siya hinintay pa nitong sumagot at sinugod na sa ere ang kalaban.

Nagpalitan ng kamao ang dalawa, gumagawa ng guhit sa ere sa tuwing nagtatama ang kanilang mga kamao. Mabilis ang mga galaw nila at kahit na may iniindang lason si Cross, nagawa pa rin nitong sumabay at paulunan ng sipa ang Shadow.

Binaling niya ang tingin sa babaeng walang malay. Naupo siya sa lupa at inayos ang pagkakahiga ng ulo nito sa kaniyang braso. Nanginginig ito. Duguan ang noo ng dalaga at putok din ang mga labi nito. The Shadows might have caught her and brought her here.

Inalis niya ang mga luha sa gilid ng mga mata nito. "Pahima." Sinubukan niya itong gisingin.

Marahan niyang tinapik ang namamaga nitong pisngi at paulit-ulit na tinawag ang pangalan. Ilang minuto pa ay nagising ito.

"L-Lis?"

He smiled.

Kumunot ang noo nito ngunit kaagad ding napabangon. "The Shadows—ah!" Nasapo nito ang noo.

"Calm down." Tinuro niya ang itaas kung saan naroroon ang naglalaban na si Cross at ang Shadow. "Siya na lang ang natitira."

Tumingin naman doon si Pahima. Akala niya'y matutuwa ito ngunit mas dumoble pa ang panginginig nito. Paulit-ulit na umiling, nilingon siya at hinawakan ang kaniyang braso.

"Lis, you need to help him. Y-you need to—we need to get out of here now." Umagos ang luha nito habang binibitiwan ang mga kataga.

Nagtaka naman siya. "Yeah, but first, I need you to stay away from this area and hide."

"No. No. No." Niyugyog nito ang kaniyang braso. Ang mga labi nitong singputi ng sibuyas ay 'di na mapantayan ang putla ng kaniyang balat. "We need to leave. Maling kinalaban natin sila. Maling-mali!"

Nabalot ng pagtataka ang kaniyang isipan dahil sa inasta ng babae. "Pahima, what's going on?"

"They're coming." Bigla itong tumayo at nilibot ang paningin sa paligid. "Lis, they're coming!"

"Who?"

Kaagad siyang na napatayo nang makaramdam ng kakaibang mga enerhiya na papunta sa direksyon nila. Higit na mas malakas ito sa naramdaman niya kanina. At mas marami.

Napamura siya sa isipan.

"Stay here."

Lilipad na sana siya para puntahan si Cross ngunit kaagad silang napalibutan ng sampung mga pigura na dumating.

They had arrived.

"Kill the traitor first." Isang lalaki na may itim na buhok ang nagsalita.

Mabilis na tinago ni Lis si Pahima sa kaniyang likuran at sinangga gamit ang mga ugat ang atake na palapit sa kanila. Kaagad itong nasundan ng isa, at isa pa, at isa pang atake dahilan para madaplisan ang kaniyang braso ng isang stone user.

"Stay close to me," bulong niya kay Pahima na nasa likuran.

"I c-can fight too."

Napangiti naman siya. "That will make our situation better."

Nagsimula na silang gumanti. While observing their enemies' movements, green lights floated around Lis that soon turned into thorns. He created a hundred—thousands of them. Doubt it would be enough to kill the Shadows, but at least it would inflict some damage.

"Attack Spell: Rain of Thorns!" As he snapped his fingers, thorns started to target with speed at the five Shadows in front of him.

"Death Liqour!" Abala ring makipaglaban si Pahima sa lima pang Shadow na nasa likuran niya.

Sabay nilang nilabanan at nakipagsabayan sa sampung Shadows. Lumipad siya sa himpapawid habang si Pahima naman ay nanatili sa baba. Water, wind, earth, ice, and stone were the attributes that these Shadows had. May iba pa silang attribute at hindi maipaliwanag ni Lis kung ano ang mga iyon.

Sunod-sunod ang mga natanggap niyang pinsala at sunod-sunod din ang paggamit niya ng mga spell. Pabilis nang pabilis ang tibok ng kaniyang puso sa bawat spell na binibitawan niya. Limot na rin niya kung ilang oras na silang nakikipagsabayan sa kanila. Namumuo na ang pawis sa kaniyang noo habang pilit na iniiwasan ang mga atake ng kalaban.

They were truly on another level. Different from the two he defeated. Their senses were more heightened, and their reflexes were quicker.

'If only I had my Dragon Stone!'

Walang problema kay Lis ang makipagsabayan sa kanila ngunit ang enerhiya na kayang tanggapin ng kaniyang katawan ay may limitasyon.

A Shadow appeared in front of him, and he was ready to use his Attack Spell: Thorns, but it didn't appear. It left him surprised and lowered his guard, failing to avoid the enemy's blow on his stomach. The Shadows hand was hard as rock that some of his organs dislocated.

"What a weakling."

Nag-init ang kaniyang dugo matapos iyong marinig. He was ready to cast another spell, but just like what happened earlier, no roots had sprouted.

Napamura siya sa inis. Wala siyang ibang nagawa kundi sanggain ang bawat mabibigat na suntok ng Shadow na kaharap niya.

"Ah!" Isang hiyaw ang narinig niya mula sa baba. It was Pahima! Nawala siya sa pokus dahilan para mataaman ang kaniyang mukha ng kamao nito. Tumalipon siya. Bumangga ang kaniyang likuran sa matigas na bagay.

"The fuck!" It was Cross.

"Don't cuss at me," inis niyang sabi. Handa na siyang lumipad pababa ngunit natigilan siya sa binulong ni Cross sa kaniya.

Muli siyang nawala sa pokus. Hindi niya napansin ang kamay na humawak sa kaniyang buhok at marahas siyang hinagis na parang bola pababa.

Bumagsak ang buo niyang katawan sa matigas na lupa. Kaagad siyang napadaing dahil sa sakit. Ramdam niya rin ang likidong tumulo sa kaniyang ilong at ang naninikip na sakit sa kaniyang tiyan.

Muli siyang natigilan.

Bakit humina ang katawan niya? Malala pa ang naranasan niya dati pero bakit ramdam na ramdam niya ang pananakit ng buo niyang katawan na parang bang unti-unti siyang binabasag? Sanay na dapat ang katawan niyang masaktan ng ganito ngunit bakit hindi na siya makatayo nang matuwid? Dahil ba wala sa kaniya ang Dragon Stone? Dahil ba ang kaniyang katawan ang tumatanggap sa enerhiya ng bawat spell na binibitiwan niya?

He looked at the surrounding and his vision was blur. Ilang beses siyang umiling upang tanggalin ang kaniyang pagkahilo. Bumaon na sa lupa ang kaniyang mga kuko. Nanginig siya sa inis dahil sa kaniyang sinapit.

Since when was the last time he became this helpless? Wala pa siyang napatutumba kahit isa sa sampu ngunit nanghihina na siya.

Cross had to fight with a poison and Pahima was trying hard as well. He needed to stand up now. He needed to help them.

Puno ng alikabok ang paligid dulot ng labanan ngunit hindi niya iyon pinansin at kahit na nanginginig, pilit niyang itinayo ang sarili.

He was stronger than this. He knew it himself.

Huminga siya nang malalim.

The frustration was starting to build up on Lis' mind and before it could take control over him, he rushed towards where Pahima was. Nang makita niya itong nakahandusay, mabilis niyang pinalibutan ng kaniyang barrier spell ang babae.

He was barely able to cast it, and before he could complete the spell, it had started to perish.

Piniga sa sakit ang kaniyang dibdib ngunit hindi niya iyon pinansin. Hindi niya pinansin ang dugong pilit na lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig habang buong lakas niyang pinapatibay ang barrier.

He landed a kick on the Shadow's face who attempted to slice his roots. Quickly, he dispersed his spell and carried Pahima on his arms.

"L-Lis."

"You've done enough."

"Si Croissant." Napahawak ito sa manggas ng kaniyang balabal.

Hindi siya sumagot at lumipad pataas. Kahit na ayaw niya itong gawin wala siyang ibang magawa.

Today, he was helpless. With his weak state, there was no way they could defeat the Shadows. He knew it. Cross was well aware too.

"Lis, si Croissant!" Hindi niya pinansin ang babae at nagtuloy-tuloy lang sa paglipad. Pataas pa siya nang pataas. Hindi siya tumingin sa ibaba hanggang sa hindi niya nasisigurado ang distansya.

"Lis!" Puno ng panginginig ang sigaw ni Pahima.

Humigpit ang hawak niya kay Pahima nang tumingin siya sa baba. Walang mga Shadow na sumunod sa kanila. Hindi niya na rin nakita dahil sa malaking bola ng apoy na nilikha ni Cross.

Cross trapped the Shadows inside, including himself.

"Pahima." Napakagat siya sa kaniyang labi at pilit na pinigilan ang panginginig. "Stay here with me."

"Lis, what is he doing? W-what is he trying to do?"

Imbes na sagutin ang tanong. Nilapit niya ang mukha nito sa kaniyang dibdib upang takpan ang mga mata nitong masaksihan ang gagawin ni Cross. "Close your eyes."

Huminga siya nang malalim at inipon lahat ng kakailanganin niyang enerhiya.

"Please, I know you don't have your Dragon stone, but please, do this for me and survive. The magicians, you and Pahima. This will be the last time I'll order you, Lis." Cross words echoed in his mind.

He wasn't sure if he could survive, but rest assured, Pahima and the other magicians would live. He would make sure of that.

Kahit na nahihirapan siya. Kahit hindi na siya makahinga nang maayos at kahit umiiyak na ang katawan niya sa sakit, pinilit niya ang sarili. With a heart almost bursting, he absorbed every life he could get from the plants around, in the entire mainland of Faegika. He needed more. A lot more to cast the strongest defense spell.

An extreme spell.

'I'm sorry. Please, lend me your life, Flora.'

A galaxy of green dust surrounded the sky of Faegika, and all of them went inside his body. Muli siyang huminga nang malalim, kumakawala ang ibang enerhiya dahil hindi kayang tanggapin ng kaniyang katawan ang lahat. Lalo siyang nagpokus at kahit mawasak man ang loob-loob niya, pinilit niya pa rin ito.

It wasn't stable and he could only hold it on his body for a second, so he didn't think twice and cast it immediately.

"Ultimate Spell: Shade of the Deathless Tree."

He couldn't feel the shaking from the ground, but the giant roots had started to creep on every road and building of Faegika, covering every corner to protect the clueless magicians inside. The roots were different from the ones he casted on his attack spell for the roots in his defense were made mainly for protection. It was tough and hard enough to withstand any extreme spells.

Including the self-destruction spell.

"Let me go!" Pilit na kumakalas si Pahima. Pinagsusuntok nito ang kaniyang dibdib pati na ang mukha ngunit hindi niya ito binitiwan.

"Cross, it's ready."

As he relayed the message from his Dissemination spell, the ball of fire became bigger, rounder and fiercer, turning its shade into the color of the sky, the hottest fire a Phoenix could cast. The engulfing fire none could ever withstand that even at a distance, he was sweating from the heat.

In less than a second, the blue flame burst. The sound was delayed but after a few seconds, a huge blast stung his ear as the mainland turned into a land of burning fire.

Kasabay nang pagsabog ang malakas din na sigaw mula kay Pahima.

Napaiwas siya ng tingin at pinigilan ang mga luhang pilit na kumakawala sa kaniyang mga mata.

Every S-gene possessed the ability to end their life by self-destructing, and what they had just witnessed was the self-destruction spell of a Phoenix.

And he couldn't do anything to stop it.