Phoenix's peak

Oasis was shocked to hear Aya's identity as a Volacris from Phoenix's Peak, the very place Azura had told him about, saying his family originated there.

"What's wrong, big brother?" Aya asked, noticing his thoughtful expression.

"Nothing, Aya," Oasis replied, trying to stay calm.

"I'm not surprised. You've heard about my great family, right? No one messes with Phoenix Peak," Aya boasted nodding her head.

"Big brother, what should I call you?" she asked.

"I'm Oasis," he said.

"Just Oasis?" Aya questioned.

"Ahh, Oasis Volacris," he said, testing her reaction.

"Haha, big brother can joke," Aya laughed.

"I'm kidding. I'm Oasis Bluemoon, from the Bluemoon family in Verdantia," he clarified, regaining his composure.

"Good thing she thought I was joking. Better to keep it this way," Oasis thought, recalling Azura's words:

"Do not return to Avaloria until you get stronger."

He realized it was better not to disclose his true identity.

Aya might tell her family, revealing his whereabouts, and he was unsure of the current state of Phoenix Peak.

They could be either allies or enemies.

"Aya, let's get moving," Oasis said.

"This girl is younger than me. She's not my sister; maybe my cousin or my niece," Oasis pondered.

"Meaning she was right calling me uncle, I guess," he thought as they walked along a narrow path, Oasis occasionally glancing at Aya.

"I've never seen her fight. I've been the one fighting all this time. Maybe I should see how she fights," Oasis thought.

"So, Aya, are you a mage or a martial artist?" he asked after some time.

"My father says I'm a battlemage," Aya replied, biting her nails.

"A battlemage, huh? So is your father also a mage or a martial artist?" Oasis inquired.

"I don't know much, but he's been teaching me, so I guess he's a battlemage too," she said.

"But my uncle is a martial artist, and he's awesome," Aya added proudly.

"Oh, I see," Oasis said.

"So, big brother Oasis, what are you?" Aya asked.

"I am a martialmage," Oasis replied.

"Oh, my father told me that my great-grandfather was a martialmage, and he was super strong," Aya said excitedly.

"Big brother Oasis is so cool!"

"If her great-grandfather is my grandfather, then she's my niece, isn't she?" Oasis thought.

"Does it mean she has a phoenix divine spirit?"

"So, Aya, can you tell me about Phoenix Peaks?" Oasis asked.

"Big brother Oasis, everyone knows about our Phoenix Peaks," Aya said, slapping her forehead slightly.

Aya began explaining the general aspects of Phoenix Peak.

As Azura had mentioned, Phoenix Peak had three major families: the Volacris, Aureleo, and Cineris families.

The current leader was from the Cineris family.

These families were pillars of Phoenix Peak, which had been around for thousands of years, boasting a great heritage.

Aya explained that these family names were derived from their ancestors, three brothers: Volacris, Aureleo, and Cineris.

They were once a renowned clan known for their fire magic and techniques.

Volacris made a friend from the phoenix clan, a phoenix divine spirit that had gained sentiment.

This phoenix could transform between a phoenix and a human.

With Volacris's aid, the phoenix clan was reestablished since they were declining.

Volacris and his brothers married phoenixes who had gained sentiment, and other phoenix divine spirits who had not yet gained sentiment chose the other brothers as their companions.

This led to the reformation of the phoenix clan, and Phoenix Peak was established.

A pact was made that would last for eternity, binding the three brothers and their divine phoenix spirits.

Their descendants were born with pure phoenix blood.

Every newborn in the major families was given a guardian phoenix divine spirit.

Phoenix Peak became so powerful that it could destroy entire kingdoms, though it chose not to involve itself in kingdom affairs, despite being in Avaloria.

They could only be rivaled by the Dragonkin clan in Ironheart Kingdom.

There are other clans and families in Phoenix Peak besides the three major families.

Oasis listened intently, absorbing the rich history of his lineage.

"Is the friend from the phoenix clan she's talking about Azura?" Oasis thought.

"Meaning my grandfather merged with his friend who is Azura and also married into the phoenix clan."

"Since the phoenix clan was in decline and there were other phoenixes who had gained sentiment and were female, why didn't they reproduce since Azura was male?" he wondered.

"It means my grandfather and his brothers were strong, merging with divine spirits and becoming a pure bloodline from that divine spirit," Oasis thought.

"The old man Fenris said I have a dragon bloodline," Oasis recalled.

"How does that even work? My father was Volacris who had a pure phoenix bloodline. Does it mean my mother was from the dragonkin family?"

"Wait, wait... if they were that strong and came from strong clans, how did they end up in Verdantia and get easily killed?" Oasis pondered.

"What's going on? It doesn't make sense. And since they were pure bloodlines of a dragon and a phoenix... what happened to their bodies?"

Oasis was lost in thought as they continued moving with Aya.

Instead of clarifying his family's history, Aya's story created more questions for Oasis.

They reached a clearing filled with snow blossom trees.

The area was white from the leaves of the trees, creating a breathtaking view.

!!!

Aya was surprised by the beauty, her eyes wide with wonder.

She talked excitedly to Oasis, but he didn't hear a thing, lost in his thoughts.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

About ten people appeared from the trees, walking on top of the fallen leaves, making sounds.

Aya stopped, tugging on Oasis's clothing strongly.

"Big brother!" Aya raised her voice a little.

"Huh! Aya, what's wrong?" Oasis came to his senses.

"Oh!" he exclaimed as he saw the company.

The people in front of them were evidently older than Aya and Oasis.

A woman, wearing clothing that was far too revealing, greeted them.

She seemed to be the leader and was one of the people called upfront by the boss of the Abyss Hounds in the cave.

"Hello, children," she said with a sly smile.

Oasis stepped in front of Aya protectively.

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone firm.