Eztli watched as the qi mist disappeared into Kael.

No. This is impossible. Eztli thought. He shouldn't be able to refine his blood this fast. Even Eztli had only managed to finish his own refinement—not ten days before—and that was only because he had years of experience. Not to mention he had less blood than a human. But Kael, it was his first time being exposed to it and he had already surpassed all logic.

Kael's body turned red, his blood vessels bulged and pulsed—blood and qi flowing through them. Slowly, he floated into the air, only making the impossible true.

He really did refine it. Eztli thought in wonder as he continued watching Kael. His red hair moved wildly—following the qi flow—and grew several inches. The bandages on his wounded leg burned away—revealing the pristine and perfect flesh beneath. Kael gave another roar as he descended. Once he touched the floor, he jumped repeatedly.

"I did it" he said. "I finished refining it. My leg is cured." He then smiled and stepped towards Eztli.

Eztli froze. N-no...he thought, his body trembling. Wes. He no longer saw Rhett overlapping with the boy. Just Wes. The wild red hair, determined eyes and the incredible talent. The betrayal surfaced in Eztli’s mind, filling him with fear for a slight moment before it all turned into fury.

"Wes!" Eztli screamed. His aura changed and pure killing intent seeped out of his whole being causing Kael to crumble onto the floor—gasping for air. "You have the nerve to appear in front of me again. I will kill you for betraying me and placing me in this body."

Stirring his blood qi, Eztli started his Blood Spike Art. Runes formed in the air as tentacles of blood escaped from his eyes and mouth. They twisted and spiraled into a needle. Not enough. Eztli thought. I need more. He screamed and poured every bit of his blood qi along with a massive dose of blood—managing to form four blood spikes.

Gasping for breath, Eztli slumped to the ground and smiled wickedly. You will die. He thought as he willed the spikes forward.

"S-stop Eztli!" Kael said, barely managing to open his eyes.

Eztli laughed. "You won't escape. This is your end."

"Dammit Eztli. Snap out of it."

Eztli felt his soul shake and pained filled him causing his concentration to falter. The blood spikes melted, coating the floor with red, and his vision cleared up. What the fuck happened? He asked himself, looking at the trembling Kael. It hit him hard. Kael had sent him a command that helped him come back into reality. Damn it. It was another of those relapses. He's not Wes. Even if he mastered blood refinement faster than him, he is not a threat. He can't go against me. He doesn't even know the Blood Binding Art. Eztli took a deep breath and looked at Kael.

"What the hell happened?" Kael asked. "Why did you go crazy all of a sudden?"

"Your attitude, boy." Eztli lied. "It sickened me. All happy just because you successfully refined yourself and healed your blood."

"You almost killed me just because I was happy? I don't believe you. What happened? Was it another frenzy thing like last time?"

"Bah, think what you want, boy. I don't have to answer anything.” Eztli said, shifting his vision away from Kael. “Your leg is healed and my debt is payed. I will be leaving tomorrow."

"But you’re wounded."

"This?" Eztli said, laughing as he struggled to sit. "I'll be fine by morning. Perfect time as I will finally be able to leave this prison you got us in."

"You can't leave yet. You have to help me pass my test."

"Boy, I said I would teach you and leave. I never promised to help you in any other way."

Kael hesitated, distress clear in his eyes then he smiled. "I'll give you the rewards I get from test. If I get first place they will reward me with a Rare Qi Stone and some rare herbs. You need those don’t you?"

Qi stone? Eztli thought, looking at the kneeling Kael and hesitated. If it can hold enough qi…then I could use that to break past this bodies limit…

"Please. Just one more day. Then you can leave. I can’t fail this test. I made a promise to my father."

"Fine." Eztli finally said. "One day. After tomorrow, I'm leaving for good."

##

Dean sat on a stone desk studying the ancient text Isaac had handed him. To his left, Theo did the same. Albeit, he had even more books to study. It had been their routine for the past few weeks. They hadn’t left the chamber at all, or even changed their robes.

Shaking his head, Dean tried to concentrate on the text, but he found himself peeking sideways. I can’t study. He thought, sighing. Everything feels like a dream. I’m not even sure this is real. This secret…it’s too…crazy. He focused on the center of the chamber.

The chamber was hidden deep underground and built inside a massive underground cavern. Seven massive spires, made of black stone, held the ceiling up and surrounded it. Their surface was littered with runes, unlike any Dean had seen—and he was considered a master at formations. Isaac had mentioned that the Founder had been the one to set the formations. They kept the chamber and it hidden. He focused on the red glowing sphere in the center of the seven spires.

Ian…he thought. This is what you searched for so many years…you were right, it was here. Anger bubbled in him. It pained him to think that they let him die and to admit it, but… They were right. It would have consumed you and everything else. The Phoenix’s power isn’t something anyone can wield. Only one chosen by the Founder and given the sliver of will would be able to control it.

Dean paced towards the red crystal. Upon reaching it, he placed his right hand on its surface causing its misty surface to became clear and revealed the creature beneath it. It was beautiful. Its wings curled around itself, hiding its body from view. The wings were enough, however, to see the power that was held by the creature. They radiated with warmth like that of a dying ember, yet it burned with the intensity of a great fire.

I can’t believe this is only half of its power. Dean thought. Shit. I can’t even believe it’s still alive after so long. The text described that thousands of years ago, the Founder along with the Phoenix fought against a great evil that woke from its slumber. It had been hidden deep within the continent for countless years and had finally broken free.

According to the Ylos, the Phoenix, his kind was the overseer of the world; in essence, its gods. They held a power so great that they could create life; and they themselves were immortal. Unless, they were killed. On the other hand, Keres was the embodiment of Evil and destruction. Ylos’ parents managed to wound it and seal him away with the hopes of letting Ylos grow powerful enough to destroy him. And he had.

After millennia of reincarnating—the process in which a phoenix would turn back into an infant essentially, used to live forever—and searching, Ylos finally found a soul so pure that it would remain uncorrupted by Keres. Ior. The Founder of the Reigned Phoenix Sect.

Ylos had started the bond with him and gifted him astonishing knowledge and power—that only which a divine being could possess. Once Keres awoke, they fought for years in the depths of the continent. In the end, they managed to defeat Keres, but in the process, Ylos became tainted by shards of Keres’ evil.

In order to save him, Ior travelled the continent and placed seven purifying and sealing formations that would restrict Ylos’ power and help eradicate Keres’ influence. After that, he burned his soul and fused it with Ylos’ soul. Ior managed to successfully expel and break the tainted power into seven parts whilst the greater part stayed to help Ylos’ survive. However, Ior knew that the seven parts would one day need to be brought back in order for Ylos to awaken.

So, he created the Reigned Phoenix Sect and left records and formations that would help his three loyal friends find the successor. Still not sure if that was enough, he made them brand their bodies with an Oath—that would kill them if disobeyed—that they would do everything in their power to save Ylos. And thus, the first members of the Council came into being.

Dean sighed as he felt a tug within his core. The red tinted part to be exact. Ian…you found one of the seven parts, but it was too much. Dean understood why Ian had created the formation within others. If I’m not wrong he passed down the power—that was consuming him—to Kael and me. Dean bit his lip as he thought of Kael. I hope his leg is all right. I haven’t even checked on him once.

Dean felt bad for that, but what he had been doing was more important. The crystal grew warmer sending a wave of energy through him, reminding him of Ian’s formation. Ian. He thought. Kael wants to follow your footsteps. I can’t really stop him. That boy won’t listen. He’s just like you. But at the same time, I can’t let him. Not after knowing what will happen to the person who awakens Ylos. He w-woul-

“Dean, we should get out of here and get some rest.” Theo said, placing a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “tomorrow’s the aptitude test.”

“But I still haven’t read through it all…”

“Neither have I. With so much information it would take us years to go through it all. Besides, we can return once it’s over. Don’t you want to see how Kael does?”

“Y-you’re right.” Dean said, exhaustion spreading through him. I’ve really pushed myself too hard these past days. He thought, sighing. I should get rest and see Kael succeed tomorrow. “I’ll be taking my leave now. You should too.”

“I will. In a while.”

With that Dean walked towards the set of stairs and began his climb.

##

Theo stared at the massive crystal as he ran his hand through his hair. Is this really okay? He thought. Is the Council really upholding justice and fairness? After reading and learning about the true purpose of the Council, his doubt grew. It was building up in him and he felt like he was being choked. Will I really be able to fulfill my duty?

That was the only thought in his mind. He didn’t know if doing everything to awaken the slumbering Phoenix—at whatever cost—was the right thing. Even if the creature was divine or god. Would all the sacrifice be worth it? He shook his head and repressed the doubt, locking it deep within him. No. Theo thought as he turned to the pile of books. There has to be another way written somewhere here. Something others missed.

Justice. Fairness. He told himself, tightening his fist. They have to exist without the need for sacrifice. He walked to the table and sat, opening one of the old texts. Searching for a way that would awaken the Phoenix.

A way that wouldn’t betray what he believed in.