Arabella scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to escape from Sandro. She stumbled over a stray branch and nearly fell but managed to regain her balance before he could lunge toward her, effectively blocking her path.In a sudden burst of aggression, Sandro grabbed her by the hair, yanking her back with such force that Arabella felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Gasping in pain, she staggered backward, her head spinning from the abrupt impact.Before she could fully gather her senses, Sandro thrust her against a nearby tree, her body colliding with its rough bark. The coarse surface scraped her skin, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.Sandro's hot breath prickled on Arabella's neck as he snarled. His fingers traced her cheek in a way that made her skin crawl."Why did you think you could escape me?" Sandro's voice dripped with cold menace; his eyes narrowed with fury.Her heart raced as she grasped the grim reality - she was trapped, and San
Sandro's eyes blazed with red-hot fury as he observed the Etas(soldiers) rushing forward with him to capture Arabella and Blaze. Immediately, Arabella and Blaze assumed offensive stances, poised to attack if anyone drew near. However, just as they were about to reach their targets, they were violently repelled by an invisible wall.Sandro's eyes widened, and his mouth hung agape as he stared in disbelief at his helpless soldiers, who were now recovering from the shock of their sudden halt."What's happening? Why can't you move?" he barked, attempting to approach Arabella. He recognized that he couldn't move closer either.His gaze shifted to Arabella, who was staring back at him, her expression one of disbelief. "You little witch, what have you done to my soldiers?" he hissed, his voice dripping with anger. "It's best you undo whatever you did because I can't promise to be kind to you in the next moment that's about to unfold. I've had enough of your nonsense!"Arabella shook her head
Arabella's eyes slowly fluttered open, and she squinted against the blinding sun overhead. The heat bore down oppressively, causing sweat to pool immediately beneath her shirt.The air around her was dry, hot, and arid — all signs pointed to her being in a desert. Panic ignited within her like a fire, and she frantically surveyed her surroundings for any hint of civilization but encountered nothing but endless sand.Her throat felt parched; her saliva was beginning to thicken. Soon, it seemed there wouldn't be enough moisture left for her to swallow."Shit!" She gritted her teeth, tapping her pocket. She slipped her hand into it, searching for only God knows what.Yet, she found nothing that could aid her. Arabella considered walking yet remained uncertain about the right direction.It wasn't until she stood up that she noticed the peculiar figure in the distance, resembling the silhouette of a familiar figure — Blaze."Blaze!" Her heart surged with hope, and she sprinted toward him,
Sandro's narrowed his eyes as he recognized what had transpired. The dimensions had shifted once again. Why did this always occur when he was on the point of reaching Arabella? It seemed the moon goddess was playing games with him. While he had always acknowledged her fickleness and unpredictability, this was an excessive torment. He gazed up at the sky with a glare."Why are you doing this?" he bellowed, his voice reverberating across the desolate landscape. "Do you derive joy from thwarting my plans and reveling in my suffering? No, you undoubtedly do, so why am I even surprised!"Yet, despite his rant, he waited for a retort, but silence prevailed. Only the rhythm of his breath and the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze reached his ears.Sandro's fists clenched. He was tired of this ceaseless game, exhausted by how the moon goddess trifled with his existence."Answer me!" he growled.Even though he recognized deep down that no response would be forthcoming and understood that
Blaze's eyes shot open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. His heart pounded so violently that he feared it might burst from his chest at any moment. His mind swirled in agitation as he struggled to comprehend the situation.Gradually, his eyes adapted to the dimly lit room, revealing Alessia and Janice standing a few feet away. Yet, upon closer inspection, he sensed an unsettling alteration about them. Something was off, but he struggled to identify precisely what.Janice's gaze sparkled with an intensity Blaze had never witnessed. Her features contorted into a fierce scowl as if regarding him with disdain, as if he were an enemy.Alessia, however, exuded an air of negativity and mistrust that prompted Blaze to retreat instinctively. It was as if she radiated hatred and anger directed squarely at him.Desperation compelled Blaze to approach the two women. However, before he could advance, Alessia's voice erupted—sharp and biting. "Don't you dare come any closer," she spat, her e
Alessia's words etched themselves deeply into Arabella's heart. Why would she wish for her death? They had just met for the first time; wasn't Alessia supposed to feel happiness upon seeing her? However, Arabella was abruptly pulled from her contemplations as she observed Alessia redirect her attention toward Blaze.Sporting a malicious grin, Alessia summoned one of her sinister dark wind balls and launched it at Blaze with all her might. The ball directly impacted, propelling him across the room and causing a violent collision with a nearby wall.Arabella let out a horrified gasp as Blaze's body met the wall with a sickening thud. Her heart shattered into countless fragments, mirroring the wreckage left in the wake of Blaze's impact."How could you, Alessia?!" Arabella's anguished cry resounded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she hastened to Blaze's lifeless form. A maelstrom of anger and sorrow swirled within her, grappling with the knowledge that the sister she had eagerly anti
"Blaze..." Arabella choked back a sob; her eyes fixated on Blaze's unmoving body. She didn't need words; the truth was discernable. Blaze lay dead before her, just as the prophecy had foretold.Consumed by overwhelming grief, Arabella let out an ear-splitting screech, her fingers clenching the bars of the now-visible cage. "Please, no," she whispered, shaking her head, tears streaming down her pale face. How could life continue without him? How could she possibly defeat Sandro without Blaze? How could she...?"You're cruel!" she yelled, her voice reverberating through the room. "So cruel for taking him away from me!" She cast her gaze around the dimly lit space, a desperate search for any god or goddess in charge of the phoenixes. Even for any of her predecessors but it was futile.They had witnessed Blaze's final moments as they had her father's. A fresh wave of grief coursed through her, and she shuddered, tears flowing until they couldn't anymore. Her sobs ebbed into quiet whimpers
Moments later, Arabella finally grasped the purpose behind the grueling flight training that Orga had imposed upon her. Striding toward Blaze, her magnificent red and golden wings beat powerfully behind her. As she lifted his lifeless body, a shiver ran through her; he felt cold, utterly still. The reality of his absence had yet to sink in fully.Tears streamed down Arabella's face as she cradled Blaze tenderly. Swiftly wiping them away, she sought to conceal any signs of vulnerability in front of Alessia. Her eyes smoldered with outrage and pain as she turned to confront Alessia."You will pay for this, Alessia," Arabella growled, her voice dripping with intensity. "I swear on my soul; I'll make you suffer for what you've done."With her wings fully spread behind her, Arabella's imposing presence intensified. Alessia tutted dismissively, refraining from the immediate response as Arabella continued her emotional tirade."Crossing me was a grave mistake, Alessia," Arabella snarled, her