Bab 55: Allies in Troubl
The furious Ice Phoenix launched another devastating beam of icy light from its eyes, aimed at Grayson and his cornered companions. In the nick of time, Grayson stepped forward, raising the Ice Tail Feather in front of them as a shield.The beam struck the elongated feather, and, to everyone's surprise, was reflected back, striking the Ice Phoenix itself.
"Insolent thieves!" The Ice Phoenix stumbled backward, screeching in rage.
"I always knew that only a mighty force could turn the tide against the mighty!" Grayson proclaimed, holding the feather triumphantly.
Suddenly, the sky outside the cave dazzled with a brilliant light, causing the Ice Phoenix to turn. A golden object approached, followed by numerous flying shapes.
"More uninvited guests!" the Phoenix prepared to meet the new threat, only to hear a voice from within the light shout, "Great Phoenix, please hold your wrath, we are not your enemies!"
Suspicious, the Phoenix watched as a griffin descended onto the snowy ground before it.
A knight in golden armor dismounted and approached, hands raised to show no threat. "I am Andros, the Grandmaster of the Silver Dragon Wing Knights, under the jurisdiction of the Holy Empire of Fariel. Great Phoenix, grant me your audience!"
The knight glanced at Grayson and the others poking their heads out from the cave and continued to address the Ice Phoenix, "Summoned by His Holiness, Emperor Valerius II, our Order has come to the Isle of Frost to investigate the theft of a sacred relic used to seal the Vampire King. We are currently in pursuit of the fugitive dark wizard, 'Bloodhand' Wystan!"
"And what does that have to do with me?" the Ice Phoenix asked, hostility still present in its voice.
"We tracked the wizard here, learning from the Titans about the attack. We suspect Wystan is behind it, aiming to incite a war between you and the Titans for his unspeakable goals!"
Andros's words didn't immediately ease the Phoenix's mistrust. It glanced back at Grayson and his group, inquiring, "And are those three his accomplices?"
"No, they are pursuers of the wizard as well!" Andros turned briefly to look at them, catching Grayson subtly gesturing to him.
"But they dared to steal my Ice Tail Feather, outright thieves!" the Phoenix accused furiously.
"Allow me to clarify this misunderstanding," Andros walked towards Grayson under the watchful gaze of the Phoenix. Upon reaching them, he grumbled, "You three really know how to stir up trouble."
"I always thought 'trouble' was just your middle name, Andros. I didn't realize the bird was a relative; you both share the family name!" Grayson retorted with a sarcastic undertone.
Andros glared at him, but before he could speak, Grayson suddenly whispered in his ear, "He's nearby, I can smell his decay. You have to help me catch him!"
"Are you certain?" Andros asked skeptically.
"Absolutely. I don't have time for jokes; Elyra's life is at stake," Grayson affirmed.
"How shall we proceed?" Andros inquired in a low voice.
After hearing Grayson's plan, Andros nodded and declared loudly, "Come, let's explain everything to the Great Phoenix!" Leading Grayson back to the Ice Phoenix, Andros presented their case.
"How do you intend to explain yourselves?" the Phoenix demanded as they approached.
"He merely wished to save his companion, a little owl accidentally encased in ice," Andros gestured to Grayson.
Before the Phoenix could respond, Grayson suddenly drew his silver pistol, swiftly turning and firing three shots towards the left rear of the cliff.
Simultaneously, Andros's golden spear materialized, bursting forth with holy light that joined Grayson's silver bullets. Together, they revealed a figure enshrouded in a black magical shield—'Bloodhand' Wystan himself.
"'Bloodhand' Wystan, you reveal yourself at last!" Andros bellowed, pointing at the apparition as the knights circled, trapping the wizard.
"Ha! Even the Holy Order consorts with fugitives. I wonder what the Emperor would think of this," Wystan sneered, deflecting bullets and light with his dark magics.
"There are times when even officials must align with rogues. After all, you're the one who's currently enemy number one," Grayson aimed the pistol directly at Wystan's brow, his gaze unwavering. Katheren and Morven joined him, weapons ready.
"Wystan, you killed the Grandmaster Constant, stole the sacred Archangel statue, and now you've stirred strife between the Ice Phoenix and the Titans. What is your ultimate scheme?" Andros pressed, his voice booming as he continued to exert divine pressure.
"No, no, I plot nothing. I am but a mere executor," Wystan's laugh emanated from beneath his hood. "You're eager to meet my master, but unfortunately, he does not wish to be known to you yet."
As Andros prepared to respond, the Ice Phoenix was already seething with fury. "You cunning devil, no matter your hidden agenda, you will not leave this place alive today!"
With one swift leap, the Phoenix took to the air, its wings stirring up a chaotic blizzard that dispersed the griffins. Its eyes emitted twin beams of freezing light, the wizard's shield failing, leaving him instantly encased in a massive block of ice on the mountainside.
Andros attempted to calm the Phoenix, but the knights were abuzz with the sight of Wystan dissolving from within the ice. "That damned ghost!" Grayson grumbled, lowering his pistol.
Grayson closed his eyes, searching the air for Wystan's scent. Moments later, he reopened them and assured Andros, "He's gone, but he won't stray far. He won't leave us easy prey until he achieves his goal."
Turning to the Ice Phoenix, the knight grandmaster said, "Great Phoenix, we'll capture the villain, but we also seek your permission to take the Ice Tail Feather to save those frozen by frost."
The Ice Phoenix beckoned, looking intently at Grayson. "I will allow you to take the feather, but first, I want to know your name."
"Me?" Grayson glanced around at his companions and then back at the Ice Phoenix. "I'm the empire's most wanted, 'Lone Wolf' Grayson. If you ever feel like taking out your frustrations, come find me—if you can, that is!"
The Ice Phoenix roared with laughter, "A fine most wanted indeed. I'll remember you, and..." The Phoenix bent, bringing its face close to Grayson's own, its eyes holding a knowing depth, "I know who you are, and you know what I'm talking about, right?"
Grayson met the Phoenix's gaze calmly, a knowing smile on his lips. The Phoenix stood tall again, addressing Andros, "Go now, Grandmaster. May your journey be fraught with success and your return with victory."
After thanking the Ice Phoenix, they mounted the knights' griffins and left the Frost Cliff, flying back to the Titan outpost.
Upon landing, an anxious Seraphine hurried to greet them. Grayson, surrounded by the group, placed the Ice Tail Feather atop the block of ice imprisoning Elyra by the roaring bonfire.
In moments, a puddle of meltwater formed. They lifted the feather to find Elyra lying drenched, motionless, her tiny claws curled, her eyes closed.
Grayson gently touched her cold body, a chill seeping into his heart. "Elyra..." he called softly, but there was no response, and the hope in the onlookers' eyes turned into despair. Tears glinted in Seraphine and Katheren's eyes as Grayson leaned down to leave a tender kiss on the wet body of the little owl...
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone