“R-Raven… where are we?” Pyra Noirix’s voice trembled as she blinked open her eyes. The first thing she saw was her older sister, Raven, cradling her, tears streaming down her face in an unfamiliar place.
Raven didn’t respond, her sobs quiet but persistent. The weight of their mother’s death and the horrifying memories clung to her, haunting her mind like an unshakable nightmare.
Noirix, still groggy and confused, tried to process the situation. Panic bubbled within her as she struggled to make sense of it all. “What… what happened? Where’s Mom? Where’s Father?”
But when she saw the way Raven’s lips trembled… she told everything to her sister… Noirix’s world crumbled. The truth hit her before Raven could even say a word. Her eyes dulled, lifeless as the realization settled in.
‘I did it?’ she thought but before she could delve deeper, Raven shouted, “You didn’t do anything!!” as she hugged her sister knowing what she was thinking.
“Mom… Dad… they’re…” Noirix whispered, her voice barely audible.
That was all it took for Noirix’s body to ignite. Heat surged through her veins, her crimson-slit eyes blazing with fury and anguish.
“SCRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”
A heart-wrenching scream tore from her throat, echoing across…. the Elysiumis Aurora Empire. The sheer power of her cry reverberated across the remaining four worlds, marking the first time the sound of the Phoenix was heard in eons.
A cry born from loss, pain, and the fury of a child robbed of her parents.
….
….
“Raven, you need to stay here,” Noirix said firmly, her eyes softening as she looked at her sister, “This place, the Sovereign Arcanum Academy—it’s the only sanctuary that can protect you from other dragons.”
Raven, still emotionally drained, gave a meek nod, offering a weak smile in response.
Noirix then turned her attention to a grey-haired little girl standing nearby, watching them curiously. “Stella, right?” Noirix asked.
The little girl nodded. “Yes, Ms. Noirix.”
Taking a deep breath, Noirix hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Please… take care of my sister while I’m gone.”
Stella’s eyes softened as she gave a gentle nod. “Of course. That’s what I was assigned to do.” She paused, her expression growing more slightly sad as her fingers flickered with a dim white light, “I’m not the best healer, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect her.”
Noirix gave Stella a quick look, sensing her sincerity, though there was something about the girl’s eagerness that felt odd. Regardless, she offered a small nod of relief before stepping away. “Thank you.”
As Noirix headed toward the academy’s towering entrance, she steeled herself.
This place was her chance—her only hope of gaining the power she needed.
Power to avenge what was taken!
Power to protect what remained!!
The thought fueled her, driving her forward, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Raven stayed behind in one of the orphanages associated with the academy, blending in with the other children.
“What are you doing, Ms. Raven?” Stella asked one day, finding her seated by the window, staring blankly at the sky.
There was no response. Raven’s mind was far away, lost in memories she wished she could forget.
Stella, undeterred, sat beside her, smiling softly continued to nag her, “You know, I’m not like the others. I’m not powerful or talented. I spend more time protecting people than fighting. Sometimes, I feel like I need someone to protect me,” she added with a small laugh. “But… I like this life.
It’s peaceful.” as she rambled.
At the word “peaceful,” Raven’s eyes darkened. Her fists clenched, trembling with suppressed rage.
“Peaceful?” Raven’s voice was low, edged with bitterness, as she spoke for the first time in days. “Peaceful? I had that life too. And it was destroyed… in an instant.”
Sensing the turmoil rising within Raven, Stella reached out, gently placing her hand on hers. “If you only focus on the pain, you’ll never find peace again. Believe me… everything that happens in life has a reason.”
“Reason?” Raven’s voice broke, anger lacing every word, “Are you telling me my parents died for a reason? So my little sister blames herself for this power and can spend the rest of her life seeking revenge?” Her words dripped with frustration and hurt.
Stella chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. “I don’t know all the details… but I believe everything has its purpose. Our Mother god used to say that the universe is always watching, always guiding us.”
Raven scoffed, her expression turning cold, “Our Mother? If that Arcane bitch is behind all of this, then I hope she’s suffering wherever she is.”
Stella blinked at Raven’s outburst but simply smiled, giving her some space. She knew Raven’s heart was still broken, and she needed time.
As time passed, Noirix’s name began to rise within the academy. Her relentless dedication and hunger for power made her a force to be reckoned with. People started to whisper her name—some with awe, others with fear!!
One day, Noirix found Raven sitting in her usual spot, “What do you think?” she asked, plopping down beside her sister.
Raven glanced at her with an amused expression, “What, about you? Dangerous, cunning, ruthless… Honestly, I’ve lost count of all the flattering titles you’ve earned.”
Noirix grinned, enjoying the banter. “Jealous, my little sister?”
“Jealous? Of you?” Raven snorted. “Hell no, You little bratty!!” Unlike her Little sister, Raven didn’t have much power or even ever awakened her bloodline… she was rather weak!!
But Noirix’s smile faded, her expression turning serious. “Raven, listen… I’ve found a way to regain what we’ve lost.”
Raven froze, her eyes widening. “What do you mean?”
Noirix hesitated before continuing, “You remember what Mother used to say about the summit… and the throne?”
Raven’s face turned pale, “You can’t be serious. You mean that summit?” Her voice shook as old wounds reopened.
Noirix nodded determination in her eyes.
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“No,” Raven whispered, shaking her head furiously, “N-No, no, no, no, no…. I’m not losing you too. I’ve already lost them. I’m not about to lose my sister as well.”
Noirix bit her lip, knowing how much Raven was hurting. “Raven, I—”
“If you go, then kill me,” Raven interrupted, her voice cold, her gaze hollow. “If you’re so set on going, then you’ll have to kill me first.”
Noirix’s face fell, her heart aching at her sister’s words, “R-Raven, don’t say that. It’s not—”
“I said kill me!” Raven shouted, her eyes blazing with fury. “I won’t lose you, too.”
For a moment, Noirix simply stared at her, knowing how deeply Raven feared being alone. And yet, Noirix felt she had no choice…. The path ahead was one she had to take.
With a soft sigh, Noirix suddenly moved, her speed too fast for Raven to react. A quick, gentle strike to her neck, and Raven’s body slumped in her arms.
“H-How…?” Raven murmured weakly before losing consciousness.
“Hah” Noirix chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her sister’s face. “I’m the Arcane Queen, remember? Of course, I’m faster.”
She placed Raven gently onto the bed, covering her with a blanket. Her expression hardened as she whispered, “I’m sorry, sister. But this is the only way… the only way we can have a home again.”
As she turned to leave, she noticed Stella peeking from the doorway. Noirix sighed and called her over. “Stella.”
Stella approached cautiously, raising her hands in surrender. “I’m not going to tell anyone.”
Noirix smiled faintly. “Even if you did, it wouldn’t matter. But I need a favour from you.”
“A favour?”
Noirix glanced at her sleeping sister, “When she wakes up… calm her down. She’ll throw a tantrum when she realizes I’ve left.”
Stella shook her head, worried. “I don’t think she’ll listen to me.”
“She will,” Noirix replied softly. “She’s… more attached to you than she lets on. She’s just afraid of getting close….. Afraid of getting hurt again.”
Stella nodded slowly, as she watched Noirix walking away….
…
“She never came back,” Raven whispered, her voice trembling, “She promised me… she promised she’d return, but all I ever received was… ashes.”
Aether wrapped his arm around Raven’s waist, pulling her closer as his mind raced with questions, ‘Stella… So the Archpriestess is indeed Stella before? and Noirix… what truly happened to her?’ He wondered, before asking softly, “Why do you have that crimson eye, Raven?”
Raven’s expression darkened, “Because… her ashes awakened my Phoenix bloodline…. Partially!”