A profound silence enveloped the temple, broken only by the distant clamor of Ezmelral's sword echoing beyond the stone walls. Libinea's gaze fell upon the infant resting serenely in her lap. Little Faye's chest rose and fell gently with each breath, her tiny fingers grasping the edge of the feathered cloak made by Raiking.
What path will you choose?
This question hovered, heavy with the weight of a future already glimpsed, yet Libinea's mind was anchored in the present and the reverberations of the past. She contemplated deeply the meaning of living perpetually in the shadow of a God.
Libinea was acutely aware that Raiking, a deity, required no equals. In realms of immense power, divine grandeur, or cosmic insight, a mortal's transient life could only rise so far before facing the daunting truth of the insurmountable heights needed to even glimpse a deity's essence. No one understood this reality more profoundly than Libinea.
For a time, she wrestled in silence with the knowledge that her fragile heart was all she could offer him. To complicate matters, Raiking's first love was the Goddess of Creation herself—a legacy that would cast any mortal woman into deep inadequacy.
Yet, Raiking never drew comparisons. He never judged, never demanded more than she could give, and never expected less. He accepted her for who she truly was, choosing to embrace her without reservation.
Despite the peace that unconditional love should have bestowed upon her, Libinea remained, at her core, an ordinary mortal. Who among us does not yearn to be flawless in the eyes of their beloved? Even with the understanding that perfection is an elusive goal, mortals persist in pursuing it relentlessly.
Haunted by her perceived inadequacies, Libinea teetered on the edge of despair, nearly convincing herself that she could never offer anything of genuine, cosmic significance to a God.
That was until Nirvana answered her call.
When she prayed for a way to give Raiking her heart, she never anticipated that Nirvana would fulfill her wish in such a binding, transactional manner. In hindsight, she couldn't blame the ancient spirit; its true loyalty lay not with any single Queen but with the survival of the entire Phoenix Clan. Naturally, it would do everything in its power to maximize benefits for both sides.
Nirvana knew too well that ascending to the Demigod Realm within nine short years was an almost insurmountable feat, even for someone as gifted as Libinea. Yet, this volcanic island, dense with primordial spiritual energy, was the one place in the mortal realm where she could harness both the sun and the magma—two of the most formidable sources of flame magic—to rapidly elevate her cultivation to new heights.
However, before she could utilize this unparalleled training ground, the Phoenix Kin had to reclaim their homeland once and for all. This was a monumental task that the Clan had long abandoned, a sense of hopelessness that Nirvana must have felt deeply.
That was until she—the mightiest Phoenix to have ever existed—received the ultimate, urgent drive to make it happen.
It was a brilliantly strategic and cunning move by Nirvana.
Libinea knew all too well the harsh reality she was facing. If she agreed to these terms, she would embark on a grueling nine-year journey of secluded cultivation, missing out on the critical years of Faye's life. Her dreams of sharing small, meaningful adventures with Raiking, like gathering baby essentials, would vanish into thin air.
Yet, for Libinea, the sacrifice was worthwhile if it meant Raiking could enjoy a few more cherished moments with his daughter. Even though the eventual parting would be excruciating, she was certain Raiking would accept such a destiny if it offered him even a fleeting taste of happiness. In the vastness of the universe, only she held the power to grant him this brief, invaluable joy.
During the festival, I had vowed to help him overcome the challenges posed by Faye's condition, no matter the personal cost. If that meant surrendering my own liberty and joy for his sake, I was prepared to do so.
Once she had untangled the emotions within her heart, agreeing to Nirvana's proposal became a clear and straightforward choice.
"I accept your terms," Libinea declared, her golden eyes steeling with resolve. "I will don the crown. I will restore the Phoenix Clan to its former glory within nine years. But mark my words: after that, the Phoenix Kin and I will sever all ties."
Libinea was not acting on impulse. She had come to understand that when one is burdened with immense responsibilities beyond the Guild, true allegiance cannot be wholly dedicated to one's family.
"Alright, the pact is sealed," Nirvana declared, as the temple's heat surged in a triumphant blaze. "But before you begin your rule, there's something urgent you need to know."
"What is it?"
"The Azure Phoenix Clan is in grave danger."
Libinea's eyes narrowed. "Who would dare to act so recklessly?"
She had just unveiled her True Divinity to the world. Spies were everywhere. Even if they didn't fear her overwhelming power, they should have paused, knowing that Raiking—the God who had aided a Phoenix ascension—was not someone to provoke lightly. Especially now, with his formidable presence dominating the Western Region.
"I can't identify the attackers. But I can confirm that many of your finest warriors' souls have been forcibly drawn into my realm in the past few hours."
"Then I must return."
Libinea carefully stood, moving with measured elegance so as not to disturb the peacefully sleeping Faye cradled in her arms. She turned and began her determined stride toward the towering main doors, ready to face whatever awaited her.
---
Beyond the massive temple doors, a gruesome scene unfolded. The courtyard bore witness to the utter might of a Demigod, littered with the blood and dismembered limbs of the elite Dragon Guards. Ezmelral, triumphant in her slaughter, stood at its heart, a stark contrast to the whimsical, erratic spirit her Guild knew her to be. Bathed in dragon blood, she embodied the very essence of the God of War.
Her fierce demeanor softened the moment the heavy stone doors of the Ancestral Temple creaked open. Her cold, detached expression transformed into a warm, victorious smile as she turned to face Libinea, convinced that the Phoenix had succeeded in their abdication mission.
However, her smile vanished abruptly.
As soon as Ezmelral's gaze fell upon the glowing Azure Queen Crest on Libinea's chest, she became a blur of motion.
In a heartbeat, before the heavens could comprehend the speed of her movement, Ezmelral was back in her original spot. But this time, instead of her bloodied sword, she cradled the sleeping Faye.
"What is the meaning of this—"
"That's exactly what I should be asking you," Ezmelral interjected, her voice as chilling as the void.
A tense silence enveloped the courtyard, the metallic tang of fresh blood hanging in the air. Finally, Libinea shattered the silence with unwavering resolve. "I have my reasons."
Suddenly, an overwhelming, apocalyptic aura of murderous intent erupted into the air, engulfing not just Phoenix Island but causing the entire Skyward Region to tremble under the oppressive force unleashed by the wrathful Demigod. The spiritual pressure was so intense that even Libinea, a Peak True Divinity, felt the excruciating urge to buckle under its weight. She had to push her core to its limits just to remain standing.
"If... if I don't do this, then Faye—"
"I don't want to hear your empty excuses!" Ezmelral snapped, her eyes blazing with centuries of repressed sorrow. "Meryal had her reasons, too! As did the Goddess of Creation! But tell me, Libinea... who suffered the most because of their decisions?!"
Ezmelral had stood by Raiking longer than anyone. Even at his weakest, she was there. Even when the shadow of true death loomed over them, she remained steadfast at his side. As they journeyed across the frozen cosmos as relentless enforcers, her loyalty never wavered.
So why was it that no one else seemed to grasp what Raiking truly desired? Whether it was the Goddess, Meryal, and now Libinea... why couldn't any of them understand that all Raiking ever wanted was to stay by their side? Even to the bitter, apocalyptic end.
Just as a blinding rage threatened to overtake her, Ezmelral felt a familiar hand gently rest on her trembling shoulder.
It was Raiking.
His abyssal gaze was fixed firmly on Libinea. Though his sculpted face revealed absolutely no outward turmoil, Ezmelral—through her deep, foundational connection as his bonded Sword Spirit—felt the exact, soul-crushing devastation she had so desperately hoped to prevent.
To make the tragedy even worse, the words Raiking uttered next were exactly what she had dreaded.
"Go," he commanded softly, his voice devoid of anger. "Your people need you."
Though the words were simple, Libinea could feel the agonizing, deeper meaning layered beneath them. It was the quiet, unspoken farewell of a man who believed he was being left behind once again.
It tore at her soul, but she couldn't stop to explain herself now. Without the Azure Phoenix Clan, there would be no Queen's Pearl. To save his daughter tomorrow, she had to save her people today.
In that heartbreaking moment, only one path remained.
Fighting back tears, Libinea ignited her True Divinity. In a blinding burst of holy fire, she transformed into a majestic Azure Phoenix, soaring into the night sky toward the burning village below. She prayed fervently that Raiking would one day understand her heart, just as Nirvana had promised.