Chapter 125: 2.2 Phoenixes and Dragons (1)
"It’s been a few years brother. It’s good to see you like this again." Ignis said as he hugged Indra. "Anything new since I’ve left?"
"No. Azazel returned to steal the currency but other than that, I haven’t been able to find anything. Granted, I haven’t gone out much. We never know who is watching."
"What do you mean, Indra? We know the souls of Paradise and gods of Limbo watch, but who else? I thought the Underworld was stripped of that ability."
"I sensed things when I flew through Ignis when Azazel tried to kill him. There is another god or goddess in an unknown location watching on behalf of Hades and the fallen. Hopefully Chronos can find out who and where he is."
"Wouldnt that be one of Chronos’ top priorities?" Bishop asked.
"Yes, but could you imagine seeing every time line of every universe every single moment of your life? It’d be like finding a single Phoenix feather across an infinite number of locations. He cannot see everything."
"My brother makes an excellent point," Ignis said and briefly paused.
"Indra, the gods I told you to pray to are currently in Paradise helping Athena track down the traitors amongst them. Hopefully we will have a lead when they return."
"How would they be of any assistance?"
"Their child has the ability to see people’s lifeforce and emotions. He could look at a god or goddess and secretly know." Bishop explained. "I’m sure Athena will keep this information to herself."
"Well how can you possibly help us when we know someone is watching? I’m sorry if I sound rude, I don’t interact with people," Indra said with a forced smile.
"It’s ok buddy we understand. Also, we have elves in our party. They gave us these," Julius said with a big grin as he held out 6 masking capsules.
"These capsules contain the Fang masking magic. For 12 hours, we will be completely untraceable. I’d suggest we wait until tomorrow and give this planet a full search to see if we can find any hints."
"Elven magic. More mythicals? How many do you have amongst you brother?" Indra asked curiously.
"The Original Vampire’s son, Rissa and Sasha are daughters of the Valencia originals, Lucious gave birth to a demon vampire hybrid with mythical blood as he is also the son of an Original vampire. 4 gods, a dragon, an ancient companion, two elves and a Nyx werewolf." Bishop said calmly. "May Luna Nyx’s soul rest in peace. She sacrificed herself to save Brie."
"Wait, wait, wait. Who is the fourth god? Celeste? I thought she was Uthra?" Julius asked.
"Oops. Sorry, yes. I thought everyone figured that out by now. Apologies," Bishop said with a grin.
"That’s a good amount. Have you searched other planets for more?" Indra asked.
"When Sora returns, I’m sure he’ll be much more knowledgeable on this subject. He can locate them from Paradise. Whether or not they choose to join us or the fallen, like the titans have, well, that is an answer for another day." Ignis said. "Let us rest. Tomorrow we should head out. It was good talking to you like this Indra."
Indra hugged his brother. "Thank you for bringing company and aid. This planet’s life is delicate right now. Our parents’ flame still burns brilliantly, but for how long with no one other than me to donate to it?"
Ignis nodded and transformed. He flew and perched in the ancient fire as the others watched. Leila also gathered the courage to walk inside the flame.
"I don’t think I can stay very long, but I can give some of my energy!" Leila said proudly.
Ignis hid her with his wings. "Thank you my love. You have done enough. Please rest. I can sleep here."
"You’re welcome. Sleep well." She said as she kissed his beak.
Everyone walked into the cave again, surprised to see Indra asleep in his Phoenix form.
"Well, I wish we had beds but this will do." Julius said as he cleared a spot for Rissa and himself.
"I think I can help with that, I’ll be right back!" Leila said as she ran outside, jumped off the cliff, turning into her dragon form. She returned to the cave and allowed the others to sleep on her.
"Thanks Leila! This is much better!" Rissa said as they drifted off to sleep.
*****
The masked god stood in his realm observing different planets but mainly focused on Exteria.
"Something’s not right. I just can’t put my finger on it." He muttered to himself.
He continued to scan Exteria and noticed the party split up into different areas. Even Celeste was out and about.
"Well, if Celeste is out, it would make sense the other gods would stay hidden in the mansion. Why do I get the feeling they aren’t there?" He asked himself, waiting for an answer.
His eyes slowly went over each planet, one by one, slowly looking for anything he could be missing.
"Well those idiots sure are taking their time with the last planet. Hydras are powerful, though. Two years are up next month." He whispered.
His eyes continued to scan until he arrived at Solstice.
"Why is the phoenix in the flame? He just slept there the other day and only does so once or twice a month." He said curiously.
"I’ll have to keep an eye out there. That’s definitely not normal."
*****
Ignis was the first to wake. He flew into the cave in his Phoenix form and transformed.
’I suppose I can let them sleep. It’s always strange hearing mother and fathers voices. What did they mean about finding peace in solitude? I hate riddles.’
Ignis sat to mediate and envisioned the battle on his planet. ’Why would they create unnatural rain when they knew it wouldn’t affect our power much and they would win easily? What were they hiding’
Indra woke up and flew over to his brother, using his claws to gently rest on his shoulders.
’Ah, hello brother. Yes. I know. This is confusing. You’ve been struggling with the riddles as well?’ Indra thought. When they were connected, they could hear each other’s thoughts and speak to one another.
’When the child returns as an adult, he will be able to spot it easily.’
’The flame may be out in 16 days even with the both of us powering it. We need to discover this secret quickly.’
Everyone else woke up and Leila transformed into her human form.
"I had the strangest dream. Do you happen to have a waypoint to the ancient dragon ruins on this planet?"
Ignis and Indra looked shocked and confused.
"Not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"
"In my dream I saw one on Solstice. I just don’t know where." She said as she shrugged.
"Curious." Bishop said. "If there’s a portal, why didn’t they assist when the demons attacked the dragons?"
"I’m going to the fire again. I’ll try to see if I can sense anything." Indra told his brother before going to the flame.
*****
"Why does he keep going back there?" The masked god asked himself. "Could he really be close to unlocking his parents’ secrets? There’s no way..."
