Chapter 45

Steele looked at his brother as if whatever Hood had said wasn't normal. How the hell were they going to take vengeance against the gods?.

Every one knew that gods were unbeatable beings. Hell, was Hood asking for death?. Just because he was a Jade Being didn't mean he could match up with the strength and abilities of the gods.

Hood was simply going to start a war that they would never win. A war that they would never survive through. He was simply asking for death and Steele wasn't ready to die yet.

Yes, he had a lot of pain in his heart, actually, his heart had withered a long time ago due to the pain and he wanted to get rid of the pain even possible take vengeance on the gods but not now.

Now was not an appropriate time. They needed a well planned strategy, a powerful weapon to use or something else that they could use against the gods. They had none and he didn't want to involve himself in Hood's suicide mission.

The gods had really hurt them and talking about it now brought back the painful past that he had never wanted to bring up again. If he lived away totally alone and far from other supernatural creatures, then, he was still a broken soul and he didn't want anything associated with his past back in his life at the moment.

For now, living alone was good.

"Why do you look hesitant? Or are you troubled brother?". Hood asked.

"You're crazy!". Steele replied.

Hood snorted but then broke into laughter, throwing his head back while his laughter prolonged as if what Steele had said was a joke.

"These deceptive fantasies that you have running in your mind are making you go insane!". Steele exclaimed. His face contorted in horror as he looked at his brother.

'Hood had changed a ting bit. Just a tiny bit.' Steele decided.

Hood had clearly lost his mind. Who in his right mind would be plotting against the gods?.

Obviously, a crazy man like his brother.

Hood's laughter suddenly stopped. He became so serious as if he hadn't been laughing a minute ago. Steele sized him up with his eyes, the sooner he went back to his den, the better it would be.

He even regretted coming down from his den to listen to his brother's madness. His wings flapped a little due to the cold making him miss the warmth of his clouds. Perhaps, a few more minutes wouldn't hurt then he'd go back to the clouds and never return down here.

Ever again!.

"I'm insane? Yes I am. Who wouldn't after all the pain those gods caused us?. Do you know why I chose to become a Jade Being?". Hood slowly asked, his expression held disgust, hatred and bitterness.

Steele shook his head. He didn't know why Hood even became the Jade Being, or how he even managed to become one. He had no idea and he had never been interested in wanting to know but now, that Hood mentioned it, Steele couldn't help but be curious.

"By being Jade Being meant that I was the head of the supernatural council. It meant power, it meant immortality and superiority. Above all, it meant being close to the gods and knowing all their secrets". Hood explained, still whispering into his brother's ear.

Steele tilted his head a little to look at his brother. It seems that Hood had lost his mind long ago if he dared to sit on the Jade Being's position with such intentions. Moreover, his brother was always the daring one even when they were little kids thousands of years ago.

"We all think that the gods are the wisest of them all?. They are actually the nitwits. They have a lot of dirty and dark secrets that they have tried to cover up but I?. I have managed to know all of them even the ones that the council don't know of". Hood confessed.

Steele narrowed his eyes at his brother, like seriously, what were they going to do with secrets?. "So what if you know about their secrets? Everyone in this damn universe has secrets!".

Hood clicked his tongue in his mouth and exhaled sharply, "Tsk! tsk! tsk brother, brother, do I have to explain everything to you for you to get my point?".

"Stop beating about the bush and go straight to the point". Steele hissed.

Hood huffed a laugh, he was indeed in a good mood today particularly one of the reasons being because of seeing his brother, "We shall use those unknown secrets against the gods to gain what we want".

Steele huffed this time, "You must be kidding me, right?. First you send me some bloody candles now you're here telling me this nonsense about secrets?".

Hood's face contorted in shock. Didn't his brother know whose blood it was that was on the candles?. How come?. Had his plan failed just like that?.

Nonetheless, if his brother had no idea of whose blood it was, then, he'd tell him now as a surprise and perhaps Steele would let go of what happened years ago. Perhaps, Steele would even forgive him and join hands with him in their plan of vengeance.

Hood took in a deep breathe. "Steele, I have something else to tell you".

Steele sighed, "I'm exhausted and I don't want to listen to this kind of bullshit again".

He took a step back away from Hood and was about to turn and leave when the corner of his eyes caught something meters high above them.

Why hadn't he seen this before when he had come?. Ferlio was attacking someone behind the ice wall.

His brother was right, Ferlio was out. Ferlio meant danger and he needed to be loopholed.

His gaze snapped back to his brother who was staring back at him, "Who is he attacking?".

"Your new supposed student. Whose blood was on the candles. I tried to pass you the message but seems you didn't get it right". Hood explained. "Also, he's our key to vengeance Steele. Our weapon and what we shall use to get what we want".

"Stop joking Hood. What do you mean by my new student?".

Hood's smile crept back onto his lips, taking a measured step towards his brother and his hands still behind his back, he whispered, "The one behind the ice wall is none other than the one with the star of salvation aka the golden fiery red Phoenix".

Hood tried to emphasize on the words 'golden fiery red Phoenix' strongly than the rest of the other sentence.

Steele looked at him again as if right now, Hood had really lost his mind. Taking a step away and shaking his head in disagreement, he said, "No way. It can't be!".

"Yes way, it can be". Hood emphasized.

"What are you playing at Hood?. The last golden fiery red Phoenix was here five hundred years ago. Another golden fiery red phoenix is supposed to be here five hundred years later not now!". Steele exclaimed.

"I know. But have you ever heard of the cosmic energies? Of course you have!. Now you understand that his coming here was by chance. He is not like any other phoenix of his generation. His energy, speed, thinking abilities and strength are superb". Hood explained. "He's not like any other phoenix. He has a lot of capabilities if only you train him. If only you agree to this Steele, we shall have our vengeance through him".

"I don't believe you". Steele muttered.

"Years ago, you gave the first golden fiery red Phoenix a crossbow tube, right?". Hood questioned.

Steele nodded.

"He has it only that he doesn't know how to use it. He got it a few days back and we can't let Ferlio kill him. We need to help him out". Hood said.

"I won't take part in this Hood. Why did you e end have to choose him? Golden fiery red Phoenixes are stronger than common phoenixes but they are not strong enough to fight the gods". Steele protested. "Just stop with this madness Hood. Just stop it!".

"I won't stop. Do you know why I chose him? It's not because of his golden fiery red whatever!. He has the aspects of a white and dark phoenix. I've been watching him since birth Steele, I've watched his every move and I know everything about him. It is possible that he has three phoenixes in him or his golden Phoenix has the abilities of three phoenixes". Hood explained almost raising his voice.

"He's not a normal phoenix. Can't you see that? Why don't you want to believe me?". Hood questioned.

"I'm trying to believe you but don't blame me. I just can't".

"Brother!". Hood exclaimed. His mind felt exhausted and his soul disappointed. His brother and only hope did not believe him. He had planned this for so many years and he hadn't expected this to happen.

"I think you've lost your mind Hood. You're too depressed. The past is haunting you. Give this a rest and let it go but as for now, just leave me alone and don't send for me ever again". Steele paused. "Please don't".