Solar Mage

Chapter 59: Primordial Phoenix

A screech, louder than all the others come from behind, bringing me back to face the biggest Phoenix of them all, who continues to stare curiously at me.

"CAAAAWWW!!!!"

Looking at the terrifying beast, my body stops its shaking, now completely still, my face completely pale, while my eyes stay completely locked onto the phoenix, unable to even blink.

Uhh... maybe it's friendly?

***

This phoenix had never moved its body since Arthur saw it, only moving its head and neck, as it wondered about the reactions of humans and the sense of familiarity it felt coming from the boy.

Unable to figure out the reason from just looking at the boy from afar, it decided it would be able to find out if it got closer. And so, the graceful Primordial Phoenix, began to move.

It spread its wings out, to signal to the small human, who seemed terrified, that it was not going to hurt him, slightly glancing over at the other human in full black clothes who seemed calm, so there was no need to assure him.

The Primordial Phoenix thought the small human in front of him understood what it meant by spreading its wings, and leaned in to finally figure out what was the cause for the sense of familiarity.

***

I stood still in fear, no longer being able to feel, or move any part of my body because of the beast's terrifying battle cry, when it spread out its giant wings, so wide that it completely blocked my line of sight.

What the hell was that? Was that battle cry and spreading out its wings the beast's way of declaring to all the other phoenixes that I was its prey? And now it's leaning in to eat me!!! Help me shadow! You said it was safe!!!

I try to look back at the shadow in order to signal for help, but only my eyeballs could move. My head would not turn no matter how hard I tried.

Move goddamnit!!!

Noticing the divine orange light start to get brighter, I knew the phoenix was approaching quickly, and moved my eyes back one last time, before I unwillingly close my eyes, a natural body response in order to brace myself, in a situation of danger.

NOO PLEASE DON'T EAT ME YOU TERRIFYING, GLORIOUS MONSTER!!!

–Wait what?

When the phoenix reaches me, the feeling of comforting warmth on my stomach is not what I expected.

Huh? What's this? Did the monster not go for my head? Did it go to eat my liver and intestines instead? How gruesome, though, this feeling of having my guts eaten out isn't exactly what I imagined. It feels kind of nice, actually, like my bed I slept in before all these events. I wonder if it can eat me whole so I can be this comfortable all over my body.

Seconds pass, and I soon feel my body frozen in fear, start to thaw, returning control to my body.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but doesn't death happen much quicker than this? Could it be that I'm still alive?

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Reluctantly, I slowly lift my eyelids and open my eyes, sparkling from the light coming from the phoenix.

It's snuggling me with its head like a pet bird!! Oh my god, the cuteness levels!! I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!

My body falls flat on the ground, as the giant phoenix follows after me, resting its head on my body.

This is truly the greatest feeling, it's like having five blankets on, while sleeping on a bed fit for a king after having no sleep for five days. Oh no... my mind is starting to drift off... I can't sleep yet... I still need to...

Arthur's eyes close in the warm comfort of the Primordial Phoenix's aura.

***

After basking in the faint energy exuding from the small boy, the Primordial Phoenix comes to a realization.

Yes! This is her energy! I haven't felt such a pure form of it for thousands of years, but I'm certain, this is the energy from mother's youngest daughter!! Does that mean that her bloodline continues? What a glorious day! With this boy here, mother's legacy may continue! This calls for a celebration!!!

The phoenix rises and shifts its attention to the silly man in dark clothes playing with the other phoenixes, throwing Firestones into their mouths and petting them.

Uhh... let's see, what was the language that humans spoke again? Was it Aegelan?

"Human, what do you know about this boy?"

The man turns away from the phoenix and in an instant, appears in front of the phoenix.

"Greetings, great Primordial Phoenix, I am one of Dustin's shadows. You remember him right? He was the young boy that came here about thirty years ago, when he became the commander of the Holy Knights."

The shadow takes a deep bow, showing great sincerity.

"Yes, I remember him. And you. Answer my question, Keeper. Why does the energy of Pyro come from this boy? He is no saintess appointed by that childish girl. Is he–"

The keeper interrupts the Primordial Phoenix like it wasn't even speaking. While he maintains his deep bow, without looking back up.

"He's not, you should give up on that dream of yours already, there is none of divine blood left in this mortal world. He is just her newly appointed apostle."

The Primordial Phoenix flaps its wings, a sea of flames appearing all over the ground, only a small circle untouched by the flames, centered around Arthur being left. The other phoenixes stay still, all cautiously watching the man in black from atop their tall pillars, the treasures under them, unharmed. The Primordial Phoenix leans down, looming over the calm man in black, who's still unfazed keeping his bow, as blazing fire erupts from the Primordial Phoenix's head.

"WHY WAS I NOT IMMEDIATELY TOLD ABOUT THIS? YOU WERE TO REPORT ANY OF THESE..."

The Phoenix stares down at Arthur's unconscious body, its flames getting more intense, and redder.

"FALSE APOSTLES TO ME IMMEDIATELY SO WE DID NOT REPEAT THAT BLASPHEMOUS SITUATION EVER AGAIN! THAT WAS THE DEAL I MADE TO YOU, THAT'S WHY YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE!!!"

The man in black remains calm, still avoiding the Phoenix's eyes, as he moves down to Arthur, taking off his black cloak and placing over Arthur's sweating body. While the Primordial Phoenix watches the man's actions carefully and patiently to explain himself.

"Calm down, Great Primordial Phoenix, this boy is the real Apostle."

"WHAT?! KEEPER, YOU MUST HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!! THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS REAL APOSTLES! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU FELL FOR THE ONE THING I PREPARED YOU TO NOT FALL FOR!!"

The man in black finally looks up at the phoenix.

"He has the mark."

"BAH, THEY ALL HAVE A BLESSING, THAT IMMATURE GIRL IS TOO GENEROUS AND TOO MERCIFUL TO TAKE ACTION."

The keeper's calm and patient demeanor turns serious.

"He has Meridal's eye."

"WHAT?!?!"

The Primordial Phoenix screamed out. Not in anger, or of impatience, but of surprise. After it's loud exclamation, the phoenix looks at the man, thinking intensely and for a long time.

"I trust that even if you may have lost your mind, you would not dare to spout lies in my face just to save a mortal."

The man in black returns back to his calm manner, taking another bow.

"I will make sure not to betray that trust of yours, Great Primordial Phoenix."

"Hmph, now speak, what is the reason why you have come? Are you just here to take some of my treasures and leave, or did you come here for a more respectable purpose?"

"I'm sure you know the answer to that already, Great Primordial Phoenix."

"Fine, just take a feather and go. Make sure to tell the boy when he wakes up, to see me when he gets the chance. I'll be waiting."

With a single flap of its wing, the Primordial Phoenix disperses the flames all around the room. After the flames disperse, the Great Phoenix outstretches its magnificent wings, and begins to get ready to take off, before the puny human says one last thing.

"Wait, great Primordial Phoenix, what if you didn't have to wait to see him again? We needed a fast ride back to Dustin anyway."

"Are you trying to coax me into acting as your pet mount, human? I will not fall for such petty tricks."

The keeper begins to act super friendly to the Primordial Phoenix, slyly smiling, acting like an inexperienced merchant trying to kiss ass.

"Oh, how could I ever trick you into doing something you wouldn't want to do? You can see the future for crying out loud! All I can do is to remind you of what you know what you will have to do. I'm sure you saw that as well."

"Kgh..."

***

Ugh what happened? I want to know, but I don't want to open my eyes and leave this comfort... oh, I'm recalling my memories again! Yes, I recognize this feeling, it's the feeling of that phoenix! Did it eat me? Oh well, that's fine too. I can regret it later, but why waste this comfort if I will regret this later and die, either way?

"Mmph, it's so warm, it feels like a Wildebear is embracing me in its fur."

From the edge of my ears, I hear a faint sound, almost like someone is saying something, but their voice is being muffled by the large air resistance?

Wait, this sound–

I activate my heightened senses, which increase the sensitivity of my skin as well as my other senses, basking in the warm feeling for a little longer.

This voice is that of Shadow's!

Regrettably, I abruptly lift my head out of the little cloud of comfort, and open my eyes.

Woah, we're in the sky!! And I'm not falling anymore,nor do I have to fly while using my own mana!

Hmm... it seems like the sun is still up, so we haven't been gone for too long. If I had to say, it's been about an hour since we entered the temple–

Just–shut up. Just let me enjoy this moment for a little longer.

I look down from the beautiful view of the sky, as I notice a light shining almost as brightly as the sun, coming from under me.

Hmm?

"WHAAAAT?!?!?!"

I'm on top of a phoenix? Does that mean I tamed it? Oh my god!!! That means I'm a tamer now! And I didn't just tame any monster, but a divine beast! Other than a mage, my second goal as a child was to become a Beast Tamer, a Legendary Beast Tamer, if you will.

I plop down on the flaming orange feathers of the phoenix and start waving my limbs around, trying to pet the massive phoenix in the only way I know how.

In a muffled voice I cry out.

"You're such a good boy!!!"

The phoenix somehow manages to hear this cry of mine and responds.

"CAAW!!"

It's screech, unbelievably loud, cutting through the air resistance as it can be heard just as loud and clear as it was back in the vault.

"Hahahaha!! That's really loud. This must be how normal people with pets, who don't have to train all day, feel. How amazing! I should take breaks like this more often! Maybe once a year."

Ahh, this is great, now we have all the ingredients to save Dustin! Just hold on for a little longer, I'll get you out of that case soon!