Jacob turned his attention to the pheonix in the cage and so he spoke to it, “Hello.” The flames emitted from the bird dimmed greatly for a moment before he heard its voice, “Who are you? I feel I should trust you, but I know your kind. I know you are all monsters!”

The flames returned burning with even greater intensity than they had before, this did not dissuade Jacob. “I am not like the other’s you have meet.” Its response was quick and sharp, “I’m sure that’s what they all say!” The light produced by the bird’s flames approached the brightness of the sun.

Jacob knew that only something great would sway this birds mind, so he stepped up to the bars of the bird’s cage. “I wouldn’t do that if I were…” Carthus was shocked speechless when Jacob squeezed between the bars into the cage of the Pheonix. As broad as his chest had grown, since he had come here, he was still a thin man.

The flames licked at Jacobs form and almost reflexively, the astral form of the great mother bear enveloped him. Shielding him from the flames. The great pheonix looked down upon him ready to burn him to ash. Behind him he could hear Carthus screaming, but he could not make out the words over the roar of the flames.

The pheonix looked upon him for a long moment, and Jacob too looked long into the eyes of the Pheonix. The flames died away, until all that was left in the cage was the pheonix and Jacob still cloaked by the spirit of the great mother bear.

“Are you like Master?” The question surprised him, but the more he thought about it the more it made sense. “Jacob your hurt!” Screamed the God Carthus. It was only now that Jacob took the time to look upon himself. His clothes were gone, and his skin was charred, yet he felt no pain.

‘Probably because of the protection of the great mother bear. I cannot waste time here.’ Jacob thought. He turned his attention back to Carthus for a moment, “I’m going to ask something of you in a moment, and you will do it.”

Carthus looked at him confused for a moment, he knew it was rude, but to get ahead he often did it. So, Carthus read the mind of Jacob and saw there in what he would ask him to do. He hardened his heart, for he intended to honor the request.

Turning back to the pheonix Jacob spoke, “Was your master a Totem Master like me?” “Yes, he found me as a newborn. My parents and sibling were no where to be seen. He told me that poachers had come, and that he had only the time to save one.” Jacob wondered, “Did your master attempt to add you to his totem without you having to die?”

The flames of the bird seemed to brighten at its joy in remembering its master, “Yes, he did so. He was a good friend through the long years, and our pact gave him many.” “What became of your master, why are you here?” The light seemed to dim in the eyes of the pheonix.

“One day a man came…” The bird’s flames grew brighter and brighter, as it turned to Carthus, “THAT MAN! HE BROKE THE PACT AND I WATCHED AS MY FRIEND DIED! HE TURNED TO DUST BEFORE ME!” The flames returned to an intensity that rivaled the sun. Jacob no longer feared the flames, for they seemed to give him a wide birth.

Jacob turned to Carthus, in his mind Carthus saw that he knew what he had done. Though his mouth did not move still he heard his voice in his mind, “I will explain, after. I own you and…him that much.” Carthus seemed to almost regretful for something. He suspected the death of that totem master was not intended.

Jacob turned back to the raging pheonix. He tread forth until he stood right in front of it. “Would you like to be free of this place? Will you come with me?” All at once the flames receded, the bird looked upon him and asked, “If you will have me.”

No sooner had he said it than it was done. The pheonix became flame itself, and like living water it flowed into him. When it was done, he felt the cloak of the great mother bears astral form dissipated.

Jacob felt all the pain that had been suppressed, he cried and screamed his heart out. Jacob felt as the third block of his totem pole was formed, the fire and the mana mingling, consolidating, forming substance where none had existed prior. He felt as the flame within him was bolstered, new knowledge filled his mind, and he knew the word to speak, “Regenerate!”

Totem of the Pheonix has been obtained…

Fire affinity has been increased...

Fire affinity...

ERROR...

Passive Skill: Fire Absorption has been obtained…

Passive Skill: Pain Tolerance (lvl 1) …

Pain Tolerance (Lvl 6) …

Pain Tolerance (Lvl 19) …

Jacob turned to Carthus one final time before passing out, and he thought, ‘Turns out I don’t need you to kill me.’ He held his swimming mind aloft just long enough to see Carthus nod and the darkness of sleep took him.