“Put him down. He agreed to help you so there is no need for you to take him.” Avery said as her wings emerged.

“We need him to see the Storm Wall.” Lua said.

“Then wait for him to wake up.” Avery retorted.

“No harm will come to him, I promise.” Lyra stated.

“I don’t want your promises, this is the last time I’ll say anything.” Steam began to rise from Avery as the Phoenix Heart became active.

The three Valkyries raised their weapons and moved toward her in a semi-circle.

“Do not hurt her.” Lyra said. “We aren’t here to gain his hostility.”

Ustia nodded as she moved toward Avery.

Suddenly, lightning struck nearby before thunder crackled shortly after it. Rhys appeared in the arena, emanating sparks of electricity. There was a silent fury in her eyes as she watched them attempt to take Ira away.

Kevser stepped forward, “Interesting, a human with a natural attunement to lightning. Unfortunately, I also happen to be at my best during storms.” Thick water vapor gathered around Kevser and began to condense rapidly becoming dense enough to enter a near solid state.

Rhys kept her eyes on him as she moved to Avery’s side she gave a meaningful nod before turning her attention back to everyone else.

“What is your relation to him?” Myr asked. If Rhys was someone minor then there would be no problem with killing her, in Myr’s eyes.

Rhys, of course, couldn’t respond and her notepad was essentially useless when it rained. Ustia took her silence as some form of expression of contempt and unwillingly assumed she held a close relation.

“A separate lover perhaps?” Lua taunted.

“We wish to avoid a conflict, but we are taking him no matter what.” Lyra said before nodding to Gicae. He quickly lifted Ira and took him through the doorway.

Avery charged forward but was intercepted by the three Valkyries. They traded blows, but against Valkyries who were more skilled in swordsmanship, they easily blocked each of her attacks. Rhys swung her rapier and a bolt of lightning fell from the sky before flying toward one of the Valkyries. Ustia received the lightning with her wings before she continued to block Avery. Rhys tossed her rapier and attempted to call more lightning but was swept away by a wave that appeared from nowhere.

Avery continued to push forward relentlessly and since the Valkyries wanted to avoid injuring her, they could only block or dodge which helped her gain ground. Lyra and Thessia entered the portal, leaving Kesver and the Valkyries.

Avery moved with a sense of urgency as pillars of flame rose from the ground, but they were quickly snuffed out by huge blankets of water.

“Rhys!” Avery shouted as she looked at Kesver moving toward the portal.

Rhys stood up and began to run toward him leaving a trail of electricity with each step. Once she got dozens of lightning bolts fell toward him. Water vapor covered Kesver and condensed into ice, stopping the lightning in its tracks. He raised his arms and submerged Rhys in a block made of water.

“Let’s go.” Kesver said as he stood in front of the portal, Ustia nodded before she and the other Valkyries flew backward.

Avery’s wings went ablaze and she flew toward them, but as soon as all four entered the portal it disappeared. Avery was met with air as she stopped where the portal was last. She stood there silently for a few seconds before flames erupted from her eyes and she lashed out in anger. The burning visage of a Phoenix briefly appeared behind her along with an eerily high pitched cry. Thousands of flaming bolts rained down on the empty stands causing far more damage than before.

From outside the Colosseum, panic finally erupted upon seeing and hearing the Phoenix appear in the sky before it poured fire into the Colosseum.

The flames coming from Avery’s eyes and wings began to die down as she retained her calmness. She closed her eyes and let the rain cool her body which allowed her to gather her thoughts. Since she was a little girl the idea of maintaining a calm state was ingrained in her. It was the first time in her life that she grew so angry and acted out in a wild manner. There were a few benefits from it as her Phoenix Heart had grown, but Avery didn’t pay any attention to it.

She sheathed her saber before walking over to Rhys and offering her hand. Rhys, who was still in shock from Avery’s abilities, woke up and grabbed her arm before standing up.

Avery took a deep breath as she moved the wet hair stuck to her face. She looked around at the destruction she caused in the Colosseum before she spoke, “All we can do is wait.”

…

No one spoke in the booth used by the leaders. Since most of the leading figures of each country were ordinary, they couldn’t help but feel fear at the figure of the giant Phoenix.

Finally, an Elf spoke, “...I thought it was a legend.” He was similar to Sylun in the way that he had lived to witness some of the effects that occurred after the Collapse. There were many legends and stories passed around about the time before the Collapse and the Phoenix was one of them.

“...This is why we cannot act rashly when dealing with them.” King Windsor said as he wiped away sweat from his brow. Avery especially scared him due to the fact that no records mentioned the Valkyries having abilities such as hers.

“...The Keeper.” Sylun looked distressed, she didn’t even have time to react when they took Ira away. Even if she did, the other countries would attempt to restrain the Dark Elves as to avoid the possible retaliation of the Higher Races pouring over to them.

“I have faith in him.” Saren said as he made the motion to pray.

“I have faith in him.”

“I have faith in him.”

“I have faith in him.”

Those aligned to the Dark Elves echoed Saren’s words.

Sylun nodded before she spoke, “I have faith in him.”

After a few hushed discussions, each country thought it best to skip the banquet and prepare for departure. They hoped to find out where the Higher Races stood on the matters that concerned the continent. As for Avery Thynne, they chose not to disturb her, the feeling she gave off during the banquet was amplified tenfold. She would kill any sycophant or opportunist who approached her.

Oswald was at a loss in regards to the Colosseum damages, the repairs would be costly, but it wasn’t enough to lighten the amount of money the Merchant’s Circle had.

The booth emptied leaving the Dark Elves who moved to the Colosseum floor. Sylun was followed by several others as she arrived in the arena. She moved to stand in front of Avery and bowed deeply.

“Forgive us...Forgive me for not acting fast enough. I was irresponsible and careless...I should’ve known that they would take him. So I ask you to forgive me.” Sylun spoke with complete sincerity.

“I believe you, but there was nothing that would’ve changed if you did help. You probably would’ve been killed instead...If you truly want to help Ira I’ll show you the way, but it will have to wait.” Avery spoke with a cold serenity. Her armor had long since reverted back to its cloak form and covered her as rain continued to pour.

Upon hearing her response, Sylun rose and then move to sit in the stands. She decided that she would also wait there until Ira came back. Anything less would mean that her faith in him was false and only for show. When dealing with Ira she had long since discarded her status as a Queen in front of him. There was no need for her to stand equal with someone she saw as a holy figure. It had to be said that Sylun would give all of her authority to the Empire over to Ira if he were to ask.

…

“Shit.” Ira cursed as he regained consciousness at a small conference table. None of his senses were working which told him one thing…

“It’s been a long time, Ira.” The small boy appeared once again, sitting across from Ira. “You’ve exceeded my expectations after our last talk, so congratulations.” His eyes continued to shift from red to yellow in a mysterious rhythm.

“Also…” The boy waved his hand and a plate appeared on the table. On top of it was a large chunk of scaled flesh.

“You’re quite crafty. The Dragon’s flesh should be enough to increase your strength” The boy complimented.

“So are you going to undo the last sigil?” Ira waved his hand.

“No, the increase isn’t enough to warrant that.” The boy replied curtly. “...It’s on for your own good anyway.”

“How is it doing me any good in this current situation?” Ira asked.

“It has nothing to do with what’s currently happening, but once it’s removed you’ll have to create your own shortly after.” The boy said.

“Why the hell would I do that?” Ira asked.

“If you become too powerful you’ll be thrown out of this world and into the Divine Realm. Now, most people can’t fight it, but the sigil will prevent it from happening to you. So when you gain enough power to remove don’t forget to create a new one.” The boy explained.

“I’ll try to remember, but if you aren’t removing it then why did you appear this time?” Ira asked.

“...Your wife is very devoted to you, I mean her attempt to get you back was admirable.” The boy said with a smile.

Ira appeared in front of the boy and gripped his neck before lifting him into the air. “What happened to Avery?”