Baka charged toward Phoenix, his katana going straight for the killing blow.
In a flash of lightning, Az appeared between them, shielding Phoenix with his own body.
Baka's blade drove straight through Az's chest.
Blood burst from the wound, spilling onto the ground and slowly forming a crimson pool beneath him.
Baka froze as he was surprised, he didn't expect that.
Sieg arrived by this moment as he looked at the scene. Trying to make sense of what happened.
Sieg "What the hell is going on here?!" He muttered to himself.
Baka: You bastard, calling your own younger brother to take the hit for you. You're nothing but just cruel.
Phoenix: Hey I'm not a bad person, I'm just ahead of the curve.
Miki: "That boy... he's already dead. I can't sense his energy signature anymore."
Phoenix grinned.
Phoenix: "You lived as a tool and you died a tool, you did great little brother."
Sieg "Phoenix that unbelievable scumbag"
Baka attention turned to Sieg as he heard his voice.
Baka: Sieg, Aturia thank goodness you both are okay.
Baka thought to himself
"I'm not feeling that tremendous magic energy i felt earlier which means Sieg must have taken back control."
Baka removed his sword from Az and he gently laid his dead body on the floor.
Sieg spotted Miki from afar and rushed forward to her.
Miki "Are you both alright?"
Sieg: "Yeah I'm fine no need to worry about me, it's Aturia that needs your help."
Miki: "Alright."
Sieg gently lowered Aturia's unconscious body on the ground as Miki activated her healing magic as a purple radiant glow shined from her hands healing all of Aturia's bruises and cuts.
Phoenix cackled.
Phoenix: "You can't afford to take your eyes off me, Baka!"
He charged forward, launching a barrage of punches. Baka calmly weaved through his attacks, countering with a powerful blow across Phoenix's face.
Phoenix staggered backward, gasping for breath. After several unsuccessful attempts, his frustration began to boil over.
Phoenix: "Why can't I keep up with you…?! Damn it!"
He took a step forward—
Then vanished.
Using Flash Step, Phoenix reappeared behind Baka, raising both arms for a devastating double axe-hand strike.
But Baka didn't even turn around.
With a swift motion, he rotated his katana behind him.
SPLAT!
Phoenix's arms were severed in an instant.
Blood poured from the wounds as his attack came to an abrupt halt.
Phoenix: Argh! Phoenix shouted in pain as he knelt down on one knee.
Baka "You can't possibly defeat me the way you are now. You still don't know what true strength means.
He tightened the katana grip.
Baka: "Goodbye, Demon."
Anxiety filled Phoenix's face as his life flashed before his eyes.
Then suddenly small footsteps echoed across the bridge.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
Mr Moss Head stepped into the chaos—suit pristine, walking cane in hand, monocle glinting.
Behind him were 30 ordinary human thugs all armed with weapons.
Mr Moss Head smirked
Mr Moss Head: "I think I've been generous and given you enough time to complete the mission but you siblings just keep disappointing me so it's time i take matters into my own hands and I'm terminating our contract agreement.
Phoenix: "Ughh, Is just that fat slimy Bastard."
Phoenix: "Why did you come here. And what do you mean our agreement is cancelled."
Mr Moss Head: "Our strategy has changed a little. I'm sorry Phoenix... But you will die here.
Phoenix: "In other words you were using me as a tool. The same way i used Az ironic isn't it.
Mr Moss Head: "And getting defeated a second time by some outsiders... you're certainly not worthy of being called the demon in the Lightning Kingdom.
The thugs laughed mockingly.
Sieg glanced toward Baka and Phoenix.
Sieg (thinking): Is that the guy who hired Phoenix and Az to kill Iroh?
Miki finished healing Aturia's injuries before looking up at Sieg.
Miki: "Sieg… is something wrong?"
Sieg: "That guy over there. He's the one who hired Phoenix and Az to kill Iroh."
Miki's expression stiffened.
Miki: "So… he's the one responsible for everything?"
They both glanced toward the ongoing battle.
Phoenix stood up on his feet.
Phoenix: " As long as my reason to kill Iroh has ended there's no reason to continue fighting you Baka."
Baka glanced at him for a bit and sheathed his katana.
Baka: "Yeah... I guess you're right.
Mr Moss Head walked up to Az dead body lying by the side of the bridge.
Mr Moss Head: Before i forget, I owe this boy something. He squeezed my arm until it almost broke, time for payback.
He stomped As head on the ground.
Sieg: "Hey! Stop it what do you think you're doing. And you Phoenix why won't you stop him he worked for you, he literally risked his life just for you. But you just treated him as a slave."
Phoenix: Why should i care? My brother is dead...so what! Nothing good will come out of it from feeling remorse.
Miki: "But you should care! That man is desecrating him."
Phoenix: Moss Head used me as i used Az. Don't forget that this world is nothing but cruel. I apologize for nothing."