Chapter 240 – True Intent

https://i.ibb.co/y6q9RXT/First-Phoenix.jpg

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'It's… him, the fabled first phoenix. He's… less intimidating than you'd think. Phoenix cuteness problems, I guess'

For some reason, I was kinda expecting him to look like Asmodeus being big and muscular. However, he has a similar physique to us birds albeit slightly more masculine. I guess it makes sense considering we're all fluffy bundles of joy, but still. He doesn't seem all that joyful at all.

"What are you doing here?"

<It's simple really… Petra. Your partner, the last of phoenixes… Ikarus, shall possess that God's power one way or another. Clearly incentive wasn't enough so I can only apologize for not being persuasive>

It takes all but a moment for this guy to steal the show, power coursing through his veins and a conviction that can't be beat. The thing is, there is nothing to convince us on. We don't want to take the next step, it's that simple really. Ares, Hera and Zeus, those three are dead so we can finally have some peace… maybe away from Lesbos Islands though. Cultist reasons like usual.

"Yeah, I don't think that's happening dude. Cheer up, Zeus is now dead so we're finished"

Unlike with that usual demonic face, not a smile can be found anywhere. If anything, I'd say that face is of someone who wants a fight… oh shit.

A crippling aura suffocates this area flowing from the phoenix, forcing us to our knees. Same concept to the admin privileges dungeons possess, just even more powerful. And this time, injecting magic into that crystal doesn't do jack shit. I'm desperately trying it now but it isn't doing a thing.

Continuing on, all this guy does is flick his fingers, my storage is forcibly opened up and that demonic blade is tossed to my feet.

"I'm not using that! Scare us all you want, I'm not 'ascending' to a higher level or whatever that shit is!"

<After what I've given you, all I ask is for this one simple favour and you stubbornly refuse? What idiot turns down unlimited power?>

"Given me what!? A couple horns and a few abilities? Buzz off dude and understand no means no!"

<Ha! Clearly underappreciating of such gifts, there's more to that form than you know, ungrateful brat. You and your wife will find out soon enough…>

'There's more to this form than I understand? It still doesn't matter, just fuck off already!'

<…The thing is, I cannot force you by these two palms to wield that blade, it wouldn't count. can heavily encourage through other means though>

I know exactly where this is going when his eyes stare at Petra and he makes his way over to her. Just that sly look alone… I'll spend the rest of my life making sure this fucker suffers now.

"You keep your fucking hands off her!"

"Whatever happens Ikarus… do NOT listen to him!"

<Ha! You two really shouldn't fight, it's unattractive… oh. were able to break in here? Ha!>

Arriving only with an aura comparable to mother's, an absolutely furious Aesa teleports over to us and instantly goes for his guy's head…

"All Aesa can do is buy time Ikarus, help should be soo-, urgh!"

Literally being tossed aside like a bug, Aesa is thrown into the wall by a shake of the first phoenix's wrist. Like us, she's unable to recover once his power overrides all of us. Fuck primordial Gods, man! This shit isn't fair!

'Damn it! Is this under lockdown as well?'

[<Ha! System is currently being reserved for phoenixes that deserve it>]

'What the actual fuck!? He can even hack into this?'

Already angry enough, his hand lifts up Petra's chin making me fume even more. It doesn't help he's smiling that vile smile, I'm beginning to shake with rage while Petra continues to remain strong.

<Those blackened eyes really do scream of passion… willing to give me a taste that?>

"Heh… fuck you"

Smack! The phoenix actually has the audacity to strike my wife!?! That's our thing! Only when she wants it… oh, just shut up Ikarus. I need to kill this fucker!

Just one look in Petra's defiant eyes tells me one thing… I need to bear with it. Unfortunately, I just can't.

<Ha! Something tells me I could tear you apart and you'd still remain strong. Maybe something a little more intimate may turn your lover's mind askew?>

His dirty hands slowly slide down Petra's hair, as well as grazing her neck, reaching a point that causes me to explode with anger. I'm sorry but I'm mentally and physically weak, I can't witness him placing his hands even lower…

"I'm going to spill your fucking gu-… stop, stop! STOP!!!"

<Ha! Willing to be a little more open minded now?>

"Yes… just get those stinking paws off her!"

Now that I feel broken, the power holding me down recedes so I can finally move myself enough to pick up that cursed sword.

'Hmmm… his neck is looking awfully enticing'

[<Ha! You can try, infuriated little bird, it won't work. Just know anything you do to me; I'll be sure give the wife a taste>]

'Fuck you! You will regret this someday, dude. My memory and vengeance isn't short lived'

Knowing I've got no chance, I pick up the blade and slowly make my way back over to the bearded corpse, all the while looking at Petra who still has that fucking phoenix hanging over like a knife on a string. We all knew this guy was shady but to actually go this far? Why the hell is this so important to him?

Petra's hollowed eyes are filled with a mixture of happiness but also disappointment, even Aesa down by that wall has the same type of look. What am I to do, let him go even further? None of us have the power to defeat a primordial God. No… I'm going to kill him after.

"Can you at least explain to me what is the point of this is? Why get so forceful?"

<Everything will be known in fair time… Ikarus. If you must know the basic reasoning why, power dynamic up there needs shifting ever so slightly. Too many lazy beings that don't wish to see action…>

With the last of the phoenix's words, I sluggishly get closer to stealing Zeus's power… but then, darkness. Pure, unsaturated darkness. Zeus's entire palace disappears into a place of nothing.

Not even in the void nor a dungeon, I presume the four of us are sent to a place of pure nothingness. It's honestly freaky as hell, the thought of only existing as a consciousness without any sort of form. At least with the void, it feels like there's a physical surface to walk upon. I don't think I even have a body inside this place.

But then, a single orb lights up the lingering darkness alongside the shadow of a woman, also allowing our empty husks to garner a portion of our bodies back as well. The woman's figure looks similar to a busty Petra… so it has to be Nyx. Don't be looking at me like that! I know my woman's figure anywhere… or Nyx's apparently. It also would make sense considering the darkness around.

(Demon) <F-Fuck! >

(Orb of Fire) <Thank you for the information, Nyx. The others were of course not happy about this, but know sharing our power is needed>

(Nyx) <It had to be done. If left untreated, this would've caused a catastrophe even us beings couldn't handle>

(Orb of Fire) <We all know this and agree… although some will refuse to ever admit it>

In a twist befitting of irony itself, the demon is forced to his knees while me and Petra are now standing, I think? Right now, it feels like my body is half transparent, half real. If I weren't confused as fuck what's going on, I'd fully rip every part of this demon apart… still doubt I'd be able to.

(Ikarus) "Erm… guess speaking works. Do either of you care to explain what's happening?"

(Orb of Fire) <We're fanning the flames on a potential war. When one of us decides to upset balance things, too much is lost and chaos runs loose... not Chaos itself. Just forget that>

(Nyx) <Entire worlds fall to ruin; planets crumble and suns explode. Entire solar systems can be lost when the beings can't withstand their lust for power. The battle against Zeus was tiny compared what happen>

So that's what this is then. The first's phoenix's greed is so great, he wants to wage war on the other beings… in order to surpass them?

"But this doesn't make sense. Why are we needed to wage war on the other beings? We're weak as shit compared to you lot!"

(Nyx) <Abilities, Ikarus. You and Petra both possess brilliant potential. If you were to surpass the heavenly mantle, you'd gain unimaginable power>

(Orb of Fire) <One ability in particular, the one that burns levels away is what first phoenix wanted more than anything else. That ascended… can destroy and even absorb us>

'Furnace leveller? Know I've used it on Demeter and Zeus already, didn't realize how OP it can get'

Huh, guess my system really is the best then. It's just a huge shame I still don't desire any more power even with this knowledge. The thought of losing who I am just sounds scary really.

While this is going on, the phoenix, or now demon creator actually starts to sweat green goo from that grotesque form of his. He really wanted to use us as pawns against the other powers. What a stupid, moronic plan. After what he tried with Petra, as if I'd ever willingly side with him in some higher power fight. Guess he would've kept Petra hostage for as long as he needed… I hope these Gods fuck him up now.

(Orb of Fire) <On behalf of all the other creators, we are greatly disappointed with your betrayal… but not surprised. We think after last time you would've learnt to try this again>

(Demon) <Y-You're mistaken! My w-words were only meant to deceive the last phoenix, there was no ill intent!>

(Orb of Fire) <Your defence is noted but the words were spoken as fact. Since this affects us all, sentence quadrupled from what it was last time. Spend next millennium reflecting on your actions in void>

(Demon) <Blasted peaceful fools! Not this again…>

In the time it takes for a pin to drop, the demon is snapped from reality… or we're brought back to where we just were and he remains locked inside that place? I wish they'd just destroy him in some cruel and gory way, but I presume there is a reason why they can't do that. At least we'll have time to relax for the next thousand years, I guess.

Two absolutely stunning beauties join us in the palace once my eyes adjust to the golden light, one of which is the busty Goddess Nyx back in her human body with someone else as well. I guess this is what that orb of fire looks like when visiting our world.

While the first phoenix had an heir of phoenix cuteness to him, this person seems to shine beauty, so much I feel like my eyes are burning! I'm seriously not kidding on this, it's that same feeling when you sit too close to a fire.

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https://i.ibb.co/HHs5hV9/Nyx-Fire.jpg

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"Damn dude, are you trying to turn us straight or something? That… doesn't really work, does it?"

Thankfully, Petra chuckles at my awkward joke because she can see this person's beauty as well, not even sure if this prime has a gender. I'm kinda disappointed she didn't get jealous because that would've been funny to tease her on.

(Orb of Fire) <Compliment appreciated, but you two are yet to witness the others. The other half of me, Aether, or know as orb Light, physically blinds people with its beauty. Uninterested in this mundane talk>

You can say what you want about the other prime Gods but they definitely are professional and boring. That's a whole lot better than the demon though.

(Orb of Fire) <Now that our business has concluded, what comes next is your decision. All of us are in agreement we will not interfere if you wish to strike corpse>

"We've already said no, dude"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea… especially if Ikarus can destroy or absorb all of your powers"

Petra has a really good point. If the demon creator wanted to use me to do his bidding, then couldn't I just use furnace leveller on them myself? For all they know, we could cause their destruction without the need of a demonic dickhead behind the scenes.

(Orb of Fire) <All of us are equal in our ability to destroy each other, that's what makes judgement fair and just. Having power is no concern us, trying another we won't allow…>

'Ah, so it's like the nuclear treaty thing. Mutually assured destruction so no one can step out of line. This world's version seems to work more than the one back on Earth though'

(Orb of Fire) <…We urge you to reconsider but saying no doesn't matter all that much. In time, two may wish ascend and the option is always there if want it>

"Sure about that? Pretty certain Zeus's body will decay give it a few days or so"

Fun fact about bodies that have been sitting for a while, they start to stink pretty quickly. Give it five more minutes or so and Zeus's sphincter muscles will relax. Every person has an arse after all, just some prefer to act like one more than others.

(Nyx) "Time is locked inside this place, Ikarus. It has to be that way otherwise; Zeus may awaken someday. His body, nor the palace will decay so the offer they give you will always remain"

Yay! A real choice and not the fake semblance of choice which was nearly forced upon us. We can always come back and become all powerful at any time. Maybe in a hundred or a thousand year's time… we may look at this offer differently.

Both of us look to each other one last time and shake our heads in unison as wlel as chuckle. As if we're going to change our minds right now.

(Orb of Fire) <We'll be off now. Get designation number five to contact us if there's anything else speak about>

"Even though Aesa hates all of the power that be… target orb of Fire was the least annoying"

'Oh right, Aesa is still here with us'

(Orb of Fire) <Duly noted, designation number five. We'll may say hello in a hundred years or so, but the longer we leave things to repair, better…>

And so, the being related to fire slowly fades into nothingness. Is our journey finally over or am I forgetting something?

"So… what next?"

"There's just one more thing, Ikarus. Below here, I can detect signs of life. That aura can only be one person"

'Oh right, that prisoner Zeus was keeping. It's finally time to meet the fabled oracle…'