Page 105 of Dance of the Phoenix

Not in Esheer, the Realm of Fire, where it belonged.

But here.

And it had taken over Aileen’s body.

“Fuck,” Ragnor growled, the tiny hairs on the nape of his neck rising. “It’s ...”

“A level-five threat to the Realm of the Living,” Eliza murmured, and this time, Ragnor turned to look at her. He saw her right eye fixed on the Phoenix, and her left, under the eye patch, glowing green.

The situation had just turned from the worst to an utter disaster.

“Eliza,” Ragnor said, jumping down from the railing back to the gallery, grabbing her stiff body. “Fight it. Fightthem.”

She didn’t respond.

When the audience collectively gasped, Ragnor whirled around to look back at the Phoenix, and he saw a scene out of the depths of hell.

The Phoenix danced.

It spread its left wing, and flames took over Atalon’s left arm, cutting it off from the rest of his body.

It spread its right wing, and flames took over Atalon’s right arm, burning it to ashes, which then wrapped around his crotch.

Then the Phoenix raised its head, and as if that was the command, the ashes severed Atalon’s penis.

Atalon screamed.

And continued to scream as the Phoenix continued its horrible dance.

Atalon’s left foot was soon burned to a crisp.

Then his right foot twisted in an unnatural way and was severed by the Phoenix’s command.

Bit by bit, the Phoenix cut Atalon into literal pieces, but did not sever the head. As if it was enjoying the torture. As if it was intent on making his death as painful as possible.

Then the Phoenix bowed, finished its dance, and a sickening sound sliced through the air as Atalon’s screams were cut off by his final beheading.

And with his limbs spread all over the floor, while others were burned to ashes or disfigured beyond recognition, Lord Orion Atalon died.

But Ragnor was not able to feel any sense of relief. For the Phoenix was here, and next to him, Eliza was about to be taken over by as frightening a being, if not more so, as the Phoenix.

That’s when the Phoenix burst into flames, its horrible croak reverberating through the arena, and burned, revealing Aileen beyond the ashes, naked and full of burns.

This time, Ragnor didn’t think twice; he released Eliza and jumped into the arena, laser focused on his Alara Morreh.

The moment he reached her, he pulled her into his arms, cradling her, making sure she was alive, that despite her injuries she was well.

Her heavy breaths told him she was asleep.

As if she hadn’t just summoned the Phoenix, one of the three major catastrophes that were forbidden from setting foot in the Realm of the Living.

As if she hadn’t just cemented Eliza as her enemy with no way to turn back.

As if she hadn’t almost stolen herself from him forever.

Chapter 56

Aileen