51 Supreme Fire Mages Awakening (1/2)
WHEN Kiho reached the top of the highest redwood in the forest, he finally got a closer look at the majestic flaming bird. But his forehead knotted in confusion when he realized that the Red Phoenix wasn't moving.
[Did someone shot it with a paralyzing bullet?]
He hated that he had to attack the red bird when it couldn't fight back. It felt worse to know that he was going to take advantage of other people's handiwork. But he wanted to win the Hunt. Honestly speaking, he was used to dirty tactics because of his assassination missions. But hunting a legendary beast like this was taking a jab on his pride.
He shook his head to get rid of those thoughts.
[Eyes on the prize, Kiho.]
He got down on one knee and prepared his rifle to hit the Red Phoenix in both eyes.
According to Duke Prescott, the Red Phoenix– albeit being a replica– would look for something important to it. Hence, it would ”wake up” agitated. To temporary stop its movement, he had to literally blind the red bird. Once it loses its sight, it would stop flying and would rest on top of anything tall enough to its liking. A giant tree or the castle's rooftop, for example.
But since the Red Phoenix had fast regeneration, he had to capture the flaming bird while it was still blind.
[I can't miss.]
When Kiho was sure that he would hit the target, he finally pulled the trigger.
But before the bullet could even reach the Red Phoenix, the majestic bird suddenly disappeared in thin air.
[What?!]
He was even more surprised to see Captain Sherwood floating in the air. He sliced the bullets that almost hit him. Ah, the Blue Dragon Knights captain was probably trying to catch the phoenix as well from the other side.
”Hey, careful,” Captain Sherwood complained when he saw him. ”You almost shot me, Captain Kiho.”
”Sorry,” Kiho said casually. ”I didn't expect that the Red Phoenix would suddenly disappear, Captain Sherwood.”
Just where did the majestic flaming bird disappear to?
***
TILLY didn't know if she was hallucinating or something.
But right now, she was looking at a beautiful flaming red bird in the sky. Its golden orbs were staring straight back at her as if it finally found the thing it was looking for. She could read it in its mesmerizing eyes.
”Come,” Tilly whispered, relieved to hear and feel the beat of her heart again. When her body finally felt light, she opened her arms to the red bird. ”Come to me.”
The Red Phoenix seemed to understand her because it suddenly started to come down to her in an alarming speed. But even though the giant bird was engulfed in red flame, she didn't feel scared. She could feel that it wouldn't hurt her.
When the Red Phoenix was a few meters away from her, her body started to float until she was standing in the air. She wrapped her arms around the red bird as it enclosed her in its soft and warm wings.
The dagger in her chest burned to ashes but her body and her clothes were fine.
”Can you feel my wrath, Red Phoenix?” Tilly asked the red bird while stroking its soft feathers. It moved its head as if it was nodding as a response to her question. Like she expected, the phoenix could understand her. ”Then, burn the b*tch Nia Moonchester for me.”
***
TILLY knew that wasn't herself at the moment.
The wrath in her chest was taking over and she couldn't stop it. Rather, she didn't want to. She was tired of Princess Nia messing up her life again and again. That b*tch would probably stop only when she was dead.
[I have to kill her this time before she hurts my family again.]
The power inside her was overflowing and that was where her confidence was coming from. She felt she could kill Princess Nia instantly. Well, the Red Phoenix would do the job for her.
[Please take care.]
She watched the Red Phoenix flying high up in the sky in its glory.
While she had to stay and deal with the shadow who stabbed her heart a while ago. It seemed like a robot that could only perform the job programmed in its ”head.” After all, the silhouette stopped moving as soon as it stabbed her.
[But I can't leave it alone. It might have a recording device that may have captured my moment with the Red Phoenix. I have to destroy it the shadow.]
As soon as she thought of destroying it, she heard a strange voice in her head. She couldn't tell if it was a male or a female. But for some reason, the voice was soothing to hear. Like she knew who it was but she couldn't just remember.
[Ring of Fire], the strange voice whispered. [Say the words, Supreme.]
”Ring of Fire,” Tilly said under her breath while looking at the unmoving shadow.
As soon as she said the ”magic words,” a literal ring of fire appeared around the silhouette and burned it to ashes. It only took three seconds!
She smiled at the outcome.
[It feels good to be this powerful.]
Tilly looked up at the sky. The Red Phoenix couldn't be seen anymore. She hoped that the princess was already being toasted alive. ”Please don't fail, Red Phoenix.”
***