Let's Train Heroine

The once-beautiful Phoenix World lay in ruins. Charred remains of towering trees, scorched earth, and shattered rocks were all that remained of a place that had once radiated vibrant, divine energy. The sky, usually a vivid blue, was now a murky red, filled with swirling ash and smoke.

Pools of molten gold bubbled on the ground, remnants of the flames that had burned so intensely they had melted the very earth. The air, thick with the acrid scent of destruction, hung heavy over the land like a suffocating blanket.

Lucan, Maris, and Elysia stood in the center of the devastation, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief. The silence around them was deafening, punctuated only by the occasional crackle of embers from a half-burned tree.

Maris's normally radiant face was ashen, her light blue eyes wide with horror as she looked around. "How could this happen?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "We came as soon as we could… but we were too late."

Elysia's wings shimmered faintly, reflecting her emotional turmoil. The Light Fairy Queen's gaze swept across the ruined landscape, lingering on a twisted, broken pillar that had once been part of the Holy Phoenix's temple.

"Lilith," she breathed, her voice laced with sorrow and anger. "This destruction… this atrocity… it was all done by her."

Lucan remained silent, his black eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon. He felt the weight of the devastation around them, the energy of countless lives extinguished.

"Lucan-sama…" Maris reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing her hand on his arm. "What do we do now?"

"We need to find the Holy Phoenix," Lucan said, his voice steady and calm despite the chaos around them.

"Holy Phoenix is gone," Elysia interrupted softly, her gaze distant as if she were focusing on something only she could see. "I can feel it… The Evil Magician has taken her." She paused, her wings trembling. "There's no telling what the Evil Magician will do with that power."

"That's why we need to move quickly," Lucan said, his tone brooking no argument. "We can't waste any more time."

"But where do we even start?" Maris asked, frustration and helplessness edging her voice. "We have no idea where she's taken the Holy Phoenix."

"I have a suspicion," Lucan replied. He turned his gaze to the north, his eyes darkening as he stared into the distance. "The Evil Magician won't stop at just the Phoenix World. She's going to continue her campaign. The next target… will be the Ancient Ice Dragon."

Elysia's eyes widened in realization. "The Ancient Ice Dragon," she murmured. "If she gains that power too…"

"Then it's over," Lucan finished grimly. "The combined strength of the Holy Phoenix and the Ancient Ice Dragon would make her nearly invincible. Even with Maris's strength, we would be hard-pressed to defeat her."

"We need to get to the Dragon World before she does," Lucan continued. "The Ancient Ice Dragon is still in its egg state. If they forcefully hatch her, it'll be a disaster." Enjoy more content from empire

Just as they turned to leave, a voice rang out, sharp and clear despite the heavy air.

"Leaving so soon?"

Lucan spun around, eyes narrowing as he searched for the source of the voice. Emerging from the smoke and ash was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She walked towards them with a grace and elegance that seemed at odds with the destruction around her.

Her hair, a vivid scarlet red, fell in loose waves down to her waist, each strand shimmering like fire against the dreary backdrop of the ruined world. Her eyes, a brilliant gold, were piercing and fierce, glowing with an inner fire that seemed to challenge the world itself. Her skin was flawless, a warm white tone that highlighted her features.

She wore a form-fitting dress made of dark red silk, adorned with intricate patterns of gold embroidery that resembled flames licking up her sides. The dress clung to her curvaceous figure, accentuating her slender waist and wide hips. A slit on the right side revealed long, toned legs, and her arms were adorned with delicate bracelets of crimson gemstones that glinted faintly in the dim light.

Over her shoulders, a thin, transparent shawl of golden fabric draped elegantly, completing her regal appearance.

Lucan's eyes softened, and a faint smile touched his lips as he spoke, "Liora."

Maris's frown deepened, her gaze shifting between Lucan and the newcomer. "You know her, Lucan-sama?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Liora's golden eyes gleamed with amusement as she glanced at Maris. "We've met before," she said smoothly. "He was the one who saved me when I was injured and crashed on that isolated island." She smiled softly at Lucan. "It was thanks to him that I survived."

Maris's eyes widened in recognition, and her expression became guarded. "I remember you… You're the girl I saw once when I visited that island," she murmured. The only one who could rival me in beauty.

"Liora, can you tell us what exactly happened? Who did this?" Lucan asked.

Liora nodded,"It's worse than you think, Lucan," she said quietly, "All of this solely done by Dark Fairy Queen," Her voice shook slightly, and she clenched her fists. "She didn't just kill the King and Queen of Phoenix. She slaughtered more than fifty percent of the entire phoenix race. There's hardly anyone left."

Elysia's wings drooped, and her gaze turned hollow as she processed Liora's words. "Fifty percent… Lilith... It's impossible for her to survive now."

"Its true, now only children, weak and elder phoenix left," Liora continued, her voice fierce. "I barely managed to escape with my life. My best friend… she didn't make it." Her eyes flashed with pain and anger. "I want revenge. I want to fight back against the Dark Fairy Queen. That's why I'm asking you… Please, let me join you."

Lucan studied her for a long moment, his gaze unwavering. "You realize how dangerous this will be, don't you?" he asked quietly.

"I do," Liora replied firmly. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing. I have to do something. I have to avenge my friend and the Phoenix World."

Maris crossed her arms, her gaze assessing. "You're strong," she acknowledged reluctantly. "But you were injured, weren't you? How much strength do you have left?"

"Enough," Liora said simply. "I may be weaker now, but the injury I have will heal in no time and I can raise my strength at Kingdom Class temporary. I won't drag you down."

"Temporary huh? There must risk doing this."

"Yeah, but it's okay. All I want is to kill Dark Fairy Queen."

Elysia glanced at Lucan, then back at Liora. "Well, if You've become a Kingdom-class fighter then... Well even if it's only temporary… your power right now is on par with ours."

Liora nodded. "Yes. But I don't know how long it'll last. A few days, maybe less. After that…" She looked away, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I might lose all my power."

"If you're sure about this," Lucan said finally, "then we'll let you come with us."

Liora's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Lucan."

"But know this," Maris interjected, stepping forward. "The moment you become a liability, I won't hesitate to leave you behind."

Liora raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "I'd expect nothing less from you, Saint Maris."

The tension between the two women was palpable, but Lucan stepped between them, his presence calming.

"Enough," he said gently. "We don't have time to waste. If the Dark Fairy Queen is heading to the Dragon World, then we need to get there before she does."

He turned, his gaze distant as he looked to the north once more. "We've already lost too much time. Let's go."

With Liora now joining their ranks, the group set off.

---

Archpriest Kerum sat at his wooden desk, the only piece of furniture in his austere chamber. A single candle flickered, casting shadows across the stone walls, illuminating the delicate, precise movements of his quill. Each stroke was purposeful, inscribing sacred texts onto parchment.

The silence of the temple was broken only by the soft scratching of quill against parchment, and the gentle rustling of the thin pages.

But then, something shifted in the air.

Kerum paused mid-sentence, his quill hovering above the parchment. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and a chill ran down his spine, despite the warmth of the candlelight. He glanced around, searching for the source of the disturbance, but there was nothing—no sound, no movement. Yet, something was undeniably wrong.

Slowly, he set the quill down and rose from his seat. His blue robes swished around him as he moved, the fabric shimmering faintly with divine energy. His usually calm and composed expression hardened as he focused his senses outward, seeking the disturbance. The sensation grew stronger, like a low, persistent hum at the edge of his consciousness—a hum that spoke of danger.

Leaving his chamber, Kerum moved down the long, empty halls of the temple. As he reached the grand entrance, he pushed the heavy doors open with a single, fluid motion, stepping outside into the open courtyard. The courtyard, normally a place of serenity and peace, now felt… off. The night sky above was clear, yet there was an unnatural darkness looming on the horizon.

Kerum's eyes narrowed as he looked northward. Without hesitation, he lifted his hand, murmuring a spell under his breath. A soft, radiant light enveloped him, and then, with a gentle rustling sound, a pair of magnificent white wings emerged from his back. The wings, glowing with ethereal light, spread wide, and in a powerful beat, he launched himself into the air.

Higher and higher he ascended, until the temple below looked like a mere speck amidst the vast landscape. Kerum paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the distant northern horizon. The air felt heavy, thick with a foreboding presence that seemed to seep into his very being.

"There it is," he whispered to himself, a grave look crossing his face. With a final glance at the temple below, he turned his gaze forward, determination etched in his features.

He flew north, towards the source of the ominous presence, his wings cutting through the air with swift, sure strokes.