The cold dread seized Sentheria as she rushed through the ancient facility. Her heart pounded with each step, a growing premonition of disaster. What she found confirmed her worst fears: the phoenix urn was gone from its pavilion. Shards of glass from its case lay scattered across the floor, glinting like broken promises—a testament to a forceful, calculated act of theft.

“When did it vanish?” Sentheria demanded, her voice tight with suppressed fury. Yet, in the silent corners of her mind, a name echoed with suspicion: Garith’s clan. She couldn’t shake the unsettling thought that they might be behind this brazen act, perhaps to prevent the confirmation of the ashes Perlend brought, to deny the very essence of the phoenix.

“The guards have investigated, but they still have no solid answers on who took the ashes,” a man replied, his tone measured. It was Romerg, a young man from the Vrupercan clan. His presence was a stark reminder of a different path, for he was once destined to marry Perlend, before she vanished without a trace.

“Perlend had a child, with the King of Thallerion. I’m happy to hear that,” Romerg added, a hint of genuine warmth in his voice.

“Yes, but because of that, Perlend awakened the curse,” Sentheria countered, her gaze sharp. “Why couldn’t you have just married Perlend?”

“Grandma Sentheria, there’s nothing we can do about that. It was Perlend’s decision, and I respect it,” Romerg calmly replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Maybe Xerxez is more handsome than me, that’s why Perlend left and chose him.”

“Tsk, what you’re saying is you don’t want to follow our clan’s rules,” Sentheria scoffed, her patience wearing thin.

“Grandma Sentheria, why are you so strict with our clan?” Romerg asked, shrugging playfully.

“Because I don’t want the Vrupercan clan to be wiped out by the Phoenix’s curse,” Sentheria declared, her voice resonating with ancient fear. “You should be afraid, but Perlend’s stubbornness… she deserves to experience that hardship and suffering.”

“But if it weren’t for Perlend, the phoenix wouldn’t return to our clan. The ashes she brought, I’m sure they came from the phoenix,” Romerg insisted, a spark of conviction in his eyes.

“Are you sure?” Sentheria pressed, a flicker of hope igniting within her.

“Yes, the ashes Perlend carried shimmered, as if fine diamonds were crushed and mixed into them,” Romerg described, his memory vivid.

“My eyes must be blurry, I didn’t notice that,” Sentheria murmured, her thoughts racing. Could it be true? Was Pyramus truly chosen by the Phoenix? “No doubt, this is the work of another clan.”

“It’s wrong to just point fingers and accuse a clan,” Romerg said, his brow furrowed with concern. “Let me investigate.”

“Aren’t you suspicious of Garith’s actions lately?” Sentheria questioned, her gaze piercing. “I know Garith has Elanthro blood, so there’s no doubt he’s trying to deny the truth of the phoenix’s return to Peronica.”

“On that matter, it’s better if we remain silent before jumping to conclusions,” he advised Sentheria, his voice a steady counterpoint to her urgency.

A palpable tension hung heavy in the air as the entire clan was swept into an uproar upon hearing the news of the missing phoenix ash. Whispers turned into clamor, with many speculating it was taken by someone from Elanthro, or perhaps opportunistic thieves who believed it to be brimming with diamonds, a valuable, long-preserved treasure of Peronica.

“Stop thinking about those ashes; they’re useless in our time now,” Garith sneered, his voice cutting through the rising tide of fear and speculation, addressing the gathered clan leaders with a dismissive wave. “Perhaps the phoenix entity has forgotten us, just like Orion in Thallerion.”

“What are you spreading, Garith?” Romerg’s voice boomed as he and Sentheria arrived, their presence commanding attention. “Listen, all clan leaders, we have confirmed the phoenix ash!” Romerg immediately declared, his words a beacon of hope.

“The phoenix ash is the same as the ash Perlend brought!” As these words hung in the air, the eyes of the clan members brightened with renewed vigor. But among the gathered leaders, Garith’s reaction was starkly different, a mask of shock replacing his earlier disdain.

“How did that happen?” Garith stammered, his surprise making him seem complicit in the ash’s disappearance. “I mean, how did you confirm that?” Sentheria’s gaze, sharp and assessing, narrowed on Garith, a silent accusation hanging between them.

“It seems you knew this would happen, didn’t you?” Sentheria challenged, her voice low and dangerous.

“Don’t stare at me as if you’re accusing me!” Garith retorted, his eyebrows arching defiantly.

“You’re right, that ash isn’t really important now, but your understanding that the phoenix entity has abandoned us is a big mistake,” Sentheria said, settling into her usual seat, her composure regained.

“Now, Old Sentheria, what’s your plan for the baby? Does Xerxez know about this?” asked another male clan leader, Arthen, head of the Aopudes clan, known for caring for bird-of-paradise. His sleeves, a riot of vibrant colors, seemed to pulse with life. Many Peronicans believed that not only the phoenix resided in their country, but also the Apus entity. Xerxez also knew that entities lived in Peronica because Perlend loved to tell stories about the origins of the Peronica clans.

“Now is not the right time to reveal the baby’s destiny.” Sentheria’s bracelets, inscribed with strange, intricate lines, seemed to pulse with a faint, unearthly glow.

“We understand, then,” Arthen agreed, his voice respectful.

“It’s a good thing Orion didn’t choose the baby,” Romerg observed, a small sigh of relief escaping him.

“Aren’t you hurt, Romerg, by the truth that you weren’t Perlend’s husband?” Garith prodded, a malicious glint in his eye. “Perlend wouldn’t be suffering now.”

“Why would I be hurt? Perlend and I were childhood friends, but only friends,” Romerg said seriously, his voice unwavering. “Let’s just respect Perlend’s decision.” He moved to stand near Sentheria, a silent gesture of support.

“Ahem,” Sentheria cleared her throat, the sound sharp, commanding the attention of everyone present. “Pyramus is still a baby; likely at this moment, the phoenix’s blessing is still dormant in his body. Therefore, I want you all to cooperate with the Vrupercan clan to fully awaken the phoenix within the child. To end the curse on the Vrupercan clan… and I, as the clan leader, promise all of you will receive benefits and protection.”

“We are ready to perform the ritual at the appointed time,” Arthen replied, his commitment firm. The Apus entity, which aids them in this sacred ritual, can summon dormant beings within a person’s soul through its ancient power. This entity also serves as a guardian of peace throughout Peronica.

“Thank you very much, Arthen, I can count on your help.” Sentheria’s chest lightened with relief, but her gaze caught Garith, whose lips were now set in a subtle pout.

“Aren’t you afraid that the intense clash of the two beings will happen again? The Thunderbird of Elanthro against our phoenix. Remember, according to historical accounts, many lives were lost due to the terrifying energy of the two.”

“We have nothing to fear. Their conflict is over. They have reconciled and promised each other not to fight again,” Romerg stated, his voice ringing with certainty.

“But they are still dangerous to mortals like us. Imagine, if the phoenix just steps on a mountaintop, the entire land could explode from the intense heat.” Some heads nodded in agreement, a ripple of unease spreading through the assembly, while others remained silent, deep in thought.

“That’s why we are here, to discuss how we can control the phoenix within the child. It is our obligation to understand the phoenix’s abilities in the child, so that these beings will not wreak tragedy again,” Sentheria declared, her voice firm.

“I know you also want to break the phoenix curse, but I don’t think this is a good idea,” Garith said, his tone laced with doubt.

“And why not?” All eyes turned to Garith, awaiting his explanation.

“The curse happened because our ancestors tried to control the phoenix,” he explained, his voice echoing with the weight of ancient mistakes. “What happened was, instead of granting us eternal life, we all became mortal… we will still age, except for those with pure phoenix blood whose faces will not age, but you cannot multiply like other clans.”

“This is the only way for the entire clan to regain the ability to live long without aging and to reincarnate again using the phoenix form. We are phoenixes, remember that!” Sentheria countered, her voice resonating with fierce conviction, a fiery spirit burning in her eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep