41.) Goal in the Phoenix Empire.

The dust settles completely, and Silvio is put to sleep from the rampage of Rashomon. Which drained an abundance of essence and stamina from the young god. MorZick, Omochi, Dr. Yoltenhiem, Fong, Demetrius, and Scrâg speak on what happens next. 

MorZick: "I'll take the boy back to the castle. I have to scheme a way to somehow train the boy in time for the first study to enter Rashomon."

Demetrius: "Hmm… that's quite the difficult situation to get past. The boy is barely a 7 as is. Rashomon gave off the signal of a 27 when I fought him. He even showed off the ability of the level when he instantly affected a zone stretching further than our fair universe has grown here. And we all felt how far he got when he absorbed the cancerous essence and cancer he caused. He was equal to me and even went beyond."

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "You are indeed correct. So then it's obvious as to what must happen here."

MorZick: "We'll have to make sure Silvio can surpass Rashomon before he becomes whole again. It's also best we at least keep Silvio in the same league as Rasho as he grows. Agreed?"

Omochi Ma: "Yeah, Morzi, my man. This can also help us grow in strength as well."

Demetrius: "Agreed, let's get 'em up to speed."

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "I'll have to add that while we're doing this, we'll need to squeeze it into our normal duties. We are all of high importance to this clan. Even the young Phoenix Princess here. Her generation is next to be looked at, for a leader after Amiyama's generation of Phoenix. So we must be diligent, sirs. Are we clear?"

All: "But of course, Doctor!"

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "Good. Let's get the boy home and get some rest. I feel a bit uneasy on how this all occurred."

Demetrius: "I as well."

Omochi: "Hmph! (I wonder. Was it the two energies I felt zoom in a while back?)"

MorZick: "Mhmm, I'm guessing you're going to want to talk with me at the castle, huh?"

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "As your lead advisor, I must."

The group flashes back to the Senkozen-Keep to lay Silvio down after patching him up. While Fong is told the history of Rashomon from Omochi and Demetrius. MorZick and Doctor Yoltenhiem head out to the Keep's balcony at the very top of the Castle. 

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "Hmm. I don't have much to ask, but I must say this to start. Did you warn those two of the dangers of staring at the Moon Seal?"

MorZick: "Yes, I explained it thoroughly to the both of them upon their first day of school. And I've asked them what the forbidden rule is many times ever since then."

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "Hmm. So what could've enticed the young dragon to stare at the moon? Rashomon couldn't have convinced him since he can only speak to you once you activate the link by staring at the moon long enough."

 MorZick: "Hmm. It is peculiar, honestly. Young Silvio listens just as well as Fong and never disobeys our rules here. So what could've caused this?"

Demetrius: "Would you be willing to believe someone caused that?"

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "What would make you say that?"

MorZick: … 

Demetrius: "Well, you two have to remember we technically have a Key within our clan. I wouldn't be surprised if someone may have finally come for it. Especially if they know its true worth."

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "That's not something I ever really considered honestly. But Rashomon, within his perfect host, would be quite the distraction, honestly."

Demetrius: "Exactly. It's safe to say… Gahwardia's got some intruders within it."

MorZick: "Bleh! This has got to be some bad joke. It's safe to say a grand scheme is afoot, and we can't focus on it thanks to Rashomon." 

Demetrius: "Yeah… but every Key is well protected, so it'll be easy to say they will fail to retrieve it. Let us wait and see."

Dr. Yoltenhiem: "Most indubitably."

MorZick: "Alright then. I'll worry about getting these kids up to speed. We should start with Zenchi since it works against Rashomon's kind."

Demetrius: "Alright, I'll be helping every step of the way. Let's go!"

While MorZick and his companions discuss what comes next, Slith and Jabreeze enter the Zone owned by the Phoenix Empire.

Slith: "Sso, thiss iss the Phoenix Empir, huh?"

Jabreeze: "Yea, and the rumors seem to be true. It's probably impossible to enter without having permission or being recognized as actual natives."

Slith: "Hmm. Well, it'sss not possible we'll be invited in, but I can bet there'ss guardss around the parameter of thiss massive flaming barrier."

Jabreeze: "There's plenty of 'em, but what could they possibly do for us in this matter?"

Slith: "Tss ss ssss! I'll show right now, seeing as there's some guards right there. All we'll need is one."

Jabreeze: "Hmm?"

Slith vanishes into the darkness of deep space and approaches an unsuspecting guard below his own stature. 

Phoenix Guard: (Man… I wonder if my wife will let me get a few strokes in after my shift is over.)

Slith: (Allowing my dominating essence to enter his body will let me dominate the bastard altogether. His body will become mine to manipulate.)

After a few minutes of seeping his essence into the guard. His body runs stiff as it's being controlled by Slith, who began using Mental Zenchi to make it easier to use his thoughts for the control. 

Phoenix Guard: "N-Ngh! (My body won't respond to me any longer! What the hell is going on!?)"

(Slith: Ah it'ss nothing special. We'll be using your body to enter thiss, here empire.) 

Slith: "Jabreeze, resonate with my essence so that it's easier to shrink us both down and enter his head while we stroll straight through."

Jabreeze: "Already done. I caught on the second you took control." 

Slith: "Alright then. (This'll be a bit straining honestly.) Hmmm… Dominate!... MANIPULATE!"

The space around them was completely under Slith's rule. He cancels the laws of shape and size and shrink them to the size of germs. They warp into the guard's ear and begin moving through the wall of cosmic fire before them.

Slith: "My damn nose iss bleeding from straining my Mental Zenchi, but we're in now. And without notice." 

Jabreeze: "Yeah. I've put up some fire barriers with Physical Zenchi wrapped around it. We should be fine now."

Slith: "Now we have to find the damn Key and retrieve it unnoticed." Can you use your control of fire and heat to link it to your Mental Zenchi and locate the Key?" 

Jabreeze: "We're seeping through the gate as is so I'll give it a try real fast. *Inhale* Hmmm. (Let's see if the Key gives off a different signal. Mental Pyros Zenchi!) HMPH!" *SHEEN* 

Jabreeze looks as far as a 5 universe' worth of range and space. He peeks in on all the happenings in the empire. To his surprise, there were many powerful royals in rural areas, making sure all is well. The empire had flaming bridges connecting planets to planets and solar systems to one another. Galaxy to galaxy and even universe to universe. It was a complete system of harmony within a ball of flames. And this was only a small corner of the entire empire. 

Jabreeze: "Tch: "My damn eyes are strained from that, but there wasn't anything of worth to see. We'd probably have to get to the capital to tell."

Slith: "So we'll have to hide within your flamess and slowly make our way there, huh?"

Jabreeze : "Yeah, but it should all be simple from here. Just have to be patient. What will you do with the guard?"

Slith: "Well, since we're in. I'll just crush hiss heart." *Squeeze* 

The Guard's heart explodes and is obliterated at the very edge of the Empire's outskirts. They exit his ears and regain their normal size. Both are wrapped in fire as they dash forward and start their journey for the capital. 

Jabreeze: "This is gonna be quite the venture, but the capital is easily… that huge source of pyro essence I sense within the distance."

Slith: "Then let uss go there then." 

The two travel further into the realm of Phoenix gods. Further south of the Gahwardian clan, within quadrant 1 was Shii entering the Dragon Clan's Territory.

Shiishii: "I'm still quite curious as to what that was that suddenly appeared at home. I'm pretty sure I'll find out once I'm back home. I should focus on this since I'm already here."

Shii flies deeper into the clan, finding his way towards the capital to talk to Zo'Elgor II.. Receiving warm welcomes from everyone who knows of his person. 

Shiishii: "Hehe! What a warm welcome from the dragons. I love it!"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Ah, it seems as though Shiishii has arrived. Great! It's time to get down to business."

Slith and Jabreeze successfully got into the Phoenix Empire in pursuit of one of the legendary keys. As strife expands, so do their plans. The both beginning of a new arc takes way!

Next Chapter: It's about Strife!