Phoenix chuckles. "Yep. Blaze told me that Dexter once tried to make spaghetti and somehow ended up with noodles stuck to the ceiling. And there was the infamous chili incident, where he didn't realize the importance of balancing spices. The result was so fiery, even Blaze couldn't handle it."Astrid covered her mouth, laughing. "I can't imagine Dexter admitting to any of that.""Well, he doesn't. He loves to pretend he's always been perfect in the kitchen. But whenever he gets too smug, Blaze and I remind him of his 'learning phase.' It usually shuts him up pretty quick."Astrid giggles, picturing Dexter's embarrassed reaction. "I bet it does.""And it's a good reminder that everyone starts somewhere. Even Dexter had to go through his share of burnt dishes and culinary catastrophes to get where he is now.""It sounds like you all have countless great memories together, even if they involve a few kitchen disasters."Phoenix beams, his eyes reflecting the fondness he felt for his frien
"What about your own weirdness, Phoenix?" she asks, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "You can't be surrounded by all that and not have a few quirks of your own." Phoenix paused, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I've got my fair share of weirdness, believe me," he admits. "For one, I have this bizarre habit of sleep-cooking. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and start making elaborate meals. It's not unusual for Dexter or Blaze to find me in the kitchen at 3 a.m., halfway through a soufflé." "Once, I made a five-layer cake at 3 AM. Didn't even remember doing it until I found the kitchen covered in flour the next morning." Astrid laughs, eyes wide with surprise. "Sleep-cooking? That's next level! What do you do with all the food you make?" "Usually, Blaze and Dexter eat it. When they are not around, I just give it to Titan and Ember and the others," Phoenix says, laughing. "They've learned to expect midnight snacks. Though, Dexter once found me trying to make s
"You mentioned that you nearly faced death twice before your ascension. How did that happen?" Astrid questions, her eyes wide with curiosity.Phoenix hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with the memories of those perilous times. The room seemed to grow quieter, as if the very air held its breath, waiting for his story."It's alright if you would rather not tell me about it," Astrid adds gently, sensing his reluctance."No, I do want to tell you," Phoenix answers, his voice steadying. "After all, it's an integral part of my journey, a testament to the trials that shaped me.""The first time was just an hour after Blaze and Dexter had rescued me. I was still reeling from the initial shock of being saved, and getting to know my new companions better, when danger struck again.""Apparently, Cade had anticipated the possibility of my survival and had devised a contingency plan for such an eventuality. It seemed he had considered every angle, preparing for the off chance that I migh
"Glad to have you back, Phoenix," Dexter exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine relief and joy. Phoenix blinked in surprise, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How is this possible? I feel completely fine. A healer wouldn't be able to completely heal damage that extensive.""I'm no ordinary healer," Blaze said simply. Overcome with euphoria and gratitude, Phoenix moved to hug Blaze tightly. "Thank you so much, Blaze." Blaze stiffened slightly at the unexpected embrace, a flood of mixed feelings washing over him. As Phoenix held on, Blaze instinctively raised his hand to pat his back, but stopped just before making contact, his fingers hovering awkwardly.Feigning discomfort, Blaze grunted, "Careful, Phoenix. You're pressing on my wound."Phoenix immediately pulled back, worry etched across his face. "I'm sorry, Blaze! I didn't mean to—"Blaze chuckled, shaking his head. "Don’t worry about it. Just glad you’re okay," he said, a rare softness in his eyes betraying the tough exterior he
Blaze's gaze turned sharp as he appraised Phoenix from head to toe. "You've got little to no muscle mass," he began, his tone blunt and unapologetic. "If you want to earn a place under my wings, you're going to have to build those muscles. "Your martial arts skills are decent, but they're far from exceptional. I don't accept weaklings, you have to be as tough as forged steel. My sisters, for instance, are absolute badasses. I'm confident they could knock you out without breaking a sweat.""Is he always this brutally honest?" Phoenix mused aloud, the corners of his lips twitching with a wry smile. "It stings a bit, I won't lie, but I suppose there's a certain respectability in his unfiltered candor."Dexter, who had been watching the exchange with a smirk, nodded. "Yes, he always says what's on his mind. But that's how you know he's being honest with you.""You've barely scratched the surface of what it means to be under my tutelage," Blaze remarked, his tone a blend of authority and
The warriors approached him. They brought out a set of silver, thorny handcuffs, their sharp edges glinting ominously in the light. With a harsh click, they snapped the cuffs onto Phoenix's wrists. As the cold metal pressed into his skin, the thorns pierced deeply, causing blood to gush from the wounds. Phoenix winced, feeling the searing pain radiate up his arms, but he remained silent, his gaze unflinching. Bound and bleeding, Phoenix was led through the grand halls of the palace, his head held high despite the throbbing pain in his wrists. The air was thick with tension as they reached the throne room. There, seated with an aura of authority and anger, was his father, King Alaric Decker. His expression was a storm of fury and disappointment as Phoenix was forced to kneel before him. The King's eyes blazed with anger, his voice shaking the walls. "How could you murder your own brother? I know you two were not on good terms, but I never expected you to be this heartless." Phoe
The crowd watched in stunned silence as they watched the exchange between the two. Blaze stood tall and resolute, a living embodiment of power and grace, as he faced the elders and the gathered spectators. Phoenix, free from his bonds, rose to his feet, ready to confront whatever came next. Meanwhile, Alaric looked on his expression a mix of fear and helplessness. He had tried to intervene, but his efforts had been futile. Now, seeing his son freed, a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes. The elder's face twisted with rage as he saw Blaze and the guards. "This is an outrage! Arrest them all!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with fury. The guards around Blaze tensed, ready for a fight. The crowd's murmurs grew louder, a mix of confusion and excitement. Blaze raised a hand, signaling his men to hold their ground. "We're not here to start a war," Blaze uttered calmly, his voice carrying over the restless crowd. "But we won't stand by and watch an innocent man be executed." "Innocent?"
Yet, amidst the carnage, a few of the elite fighters still clung to life, their breaths ragged, their movements sluggish. Desperation etched across their faces, two of the badly wounded warriors attempted to crawl away from the devastation, hoping to escape the wrath of Blaze. The first warrior, his legs shattered and his body trembling with pain, dragged himself inch by agonizing inch. His eyes were wide with terror, darting around in search of any path to safety. But before he could make any significant progress, a shadow loomed over him. Blaze, moving with a predator's grace, reached down, grabbed the warrior by the hair, and with a brutal motion, tore his head from his body. The sound of snapping bones and ripping flesh echoed through the courtyard, and the lifeless body slumped to the ground, blood pooling around it. The second warrior, his arm broken and face covered in blood, tried to crawl faster, a futile attempt to outrun his fate. Blaze's cold eyes locked onto him, and w