Chapter Four: Scar of Fenghuang

Seven was still lying down on the bed, her temperature was slowly decreasing from the overheat. But, she was still stuck in the dream. The only one who stood next to her was Owen and Yuka as she held Seven's hand. Yuka could feel how flaming Seven's body was. But Dr. Yen was able to temporarily help the overheat.

As Dr. Yen rushed to her office, she opened one of her drawers that no one was able to open. Yet, in the drawer was a hairpin. A bright golden hairpin that had a red and white color faded feather, and a red and white phoenix. But without hesitation, she grabbed the hairpin. The hairpin slightly glowed bright, revealing itself as the Scar of Fenghuang.

Dr. Yen would rush back to Seven's room as she'd approach Seven. Owen and Yuka were forced to step away from Seven's body, as they knew Dr. Yen had found a solution to break Seven out of the Death Lotus.

"Owen."

"Huh?"

"Find Raijin and find the Death Lotus. The Death Lotus shouldn't be too far from here. The Death Lotus has a range limit."

"Got it."

Owen and Yuka would run out of the room, looking for Raijin before they went on their search to try to find and remove the Death Lotus. Meanwhile it was just Dr. Yen and Seven in the room. Dr. Yen sighed as she looked at the Scar of Fenghuang. It reminded her of her past, but she had to shake it off. She couldn't waste anymore time. Seven was falling for the Death Lotus. But the Scar of Fenghuang would have enough power to counter the Death Lotus and save Seven from the nightmare she never expected.

A bright golden aura would appear, surrounding Dr. Yen as Dr. Yen had used the Prana Mudra hand gesture. Soon, a bright, golden transparent yin yang appeared in front of Dr. Yen as she used the Scar of Fenghuang to draw a shape of a phoenix. As she finished, the drawing of her phoenix would fly towards Seven as the phoenix entered Seven's dream. Allowing Dr. Yen to also enter the dream.

As Dr. Yen entered Seven's dream, she appeared just outside of Azura's home. Without hesitation, she entered the house. As soon as Dr. Yen entered the house, she realized that Azura's home was very similar to Dr. Yen's home.

Dr. Yen looked at the Scar of Fenghuang, as each step Dr. Yen took, the hairpin would flash brighter. She was close. Close to finding Seven. So she continued walking. Dr. Yen could hear the gentle laughter of Yuka and Seven, but the hallways only became more intense and corrupted. Amaris knew Dr. Yen was here. So she rushed off into Yuka's room. But as she entered Yuka's room, she saw Seven and Yuka. Playing together. But she immediately knew the girl, Seven was playing with, wasn't Yuka.

"Seven!"

"Huh-?"

Dr. Yen would approach the two, seeing the confusion and pause in their faces.

"You need to wake up. The death lotus is slowly killing you!"

The room went silent. Seven didn't even react or snap out of it. But Dr. Yen could notice the disappointment and a spark of anger in Yuka. Dr. Yen knew that Yuka wasn't Yuka herself. But Amaris. Azura and Amaris had taken the figure of Yuka and were slowly luring Seven to the Death Lotus because of her easy guilt trip.

"Who…" Seven stuttered.

"Who are you?"

It was too late. Amaris was wiping Seven's memories of Dr. Yen. But she didn't give up. Dr. Yen looked at Yuka, but Yuka gave off an innocent smile. Behind that smile was demonic anger.

Amaris will get away with this if I don't do something. She thought.

Dr. Yen took out the Scar of Fenghuang. Yet, the hairpin shined bright as it almost purified Amaris even in disguise. The screams of Amaris could be heard, but not fear. Anger. She stepped back, revealing her true form. But it turns out, Azura and Amaris had both been merged as Amaris was fighting Azura to win the control of Azura's body.

Azura was originally just a peaceful goddess who didn't cause any troubles and wanted peace throughout her universe. But now, Azura was controlled and was trying hard to fight back in order to not let Amaris slaughter Seven. Dr. Yen had wasted no time as she approached Amaris and stabbed her forehead with the Scar of Fenghuang. But instead of angered screams, they were screams of pain. Amaris only used the Death Lotus to defend herself, yet Dr. Yen was pulled along as she was slowly being trapped by the Death Lotus.

She was wasting time, she only had one chance to snap Seven out of the Death Lotus.

"Seven! Wake up! You wanted to protect all of us didn't you-!?" Dr. Yen shouted.

Seven looked at Dr. Yen in confusion. But a small spark of realization was able to be seen. She had to continue to convince Seven. So with a deep sigh…

"Yes, I know everything Seven… you wanted to protect others and even us. But please, you'll lose one of them if you don't wake up!"

"Shut up!" Amaris screamed with her demonic voice.

The entire house began to shake as it began to collapse. Seven was lured back into the dream. Vines had turned dark, as they'd enter the house. The vines were rapidly covering the house up, including Dr. Yen and Seven. But all Dr. Yen could hear the devilish laughter from Amaris.

Dr. Yen looked at the Scar of Fenghuang. She had no choice. She would be glad to use the full power of the hairpin to save Seven. So she held tightly onto the hairpin and held it close to her. Yet, the aura from the Hairpin was soon shared to Dr. Yen.

"As dawn falls, the Selune Astra shall awaken her incandescent light. The rebirth of the Scar of Fenghuang." Dr. Yen mumbled.

But soon, the aura had become dust as it surrounded Dr. Yen at such speed. Dr. Yen's hair turned white as her eye contacts were burnt by the dust, revealing her heterochromia eyes she had hidden for such a long time. Yet, the incandescent flame would immediately burn the vines completely. Letting go of the house, Dr. Yen, and Seven.

Dr. Yen had rushed towards Amaris, who was holding the Death Lotus near Seven, and grabbed the Death Lotus with her own hands. Yet, Dr. Yen wasn't affected by the darkness and corruption it was filled with. She had used the Scar of Fenghuang to purify the corruption completely.

Amaris' eyes would widen in shock. Her plan was failing, but she never thought of a backup plan.

"How is this?- Wait a minute…"

Amaris laid her eyes on the hairpin. Right even when she got a glimpse of it, she knew exactly what had just overpowered the Death Lotus.

"Scar of Fenghuang, huh?"

"It was the best choice to stop you."

"Do you even realize how much time you have? Or even the costs?"

Dr. Yen paused. She knew the time limit and even the costs. But in her entire life, she lost a loved one because of the Death Lotus. But because it would be someone she cared about this time, she didn't want to happen again. Just not again. Dr. Yen had enough trying to move on. But, she wasn't afraid to use the Scar of Fenghuang. Just to save a child.

Dr. Yen went back into stance, which only angered Amaris. She wanted to knock Dr. Yen down so she wouldn't be able to stop her. But she had to try harder.

Amaris soon zoomed towards Dr. Yen, attempting to attack Dr. Yen, but she quickly stopped herself after Dr. Yen disappeared. She looked around, looking for any signs of Dr. Yen. But she truly wasn't there. Amaris looked to her left, only to see a golden flare smoothly and slowly moving towards her. The golden flare didn't harm Amaris, but it swirled around her.

She kept her eyes on the golden flare, only to look straight as…

Shing.

The quiet sound of a slash. Amaris placed her hand on her neck, feeling the extremely deep cut. But it wasn't just her that took the damage. As soon as she felt the sharp pain kicking in, the dream had shattered. The setting disappeared and became a white void. Just nothing, but a white void.

Although, Amaris was purified as Azura had gained control again. Instead of her floral dress, it was a plain long dress that covered her bare feet. Azura's golden flower crown was replaced with a bunch of Sumires. Azura's appearance had changed, revealing the result of the purification from the corruption Azura held onto.

But Seven woke up as she saw Azura and Dr. Yen. The two were standing just a few feet away from each other.

"What the… Dr. Yen?"

Azura looked at Dr. Yen with a smile. But the smile was soft and gentle. The smile had also shown a spark of gratitude. Soon, Azura held her hands together before lifting them up to her chin as she closed her eyes. A tear had soon come out of Azura's eye as it slowly made its way down her cheek.

"Thank you… for setting me free." she said with her soft spoken tone.

Soon, Azura would disappear. Leaving a trail of white sparkles and dust. Leaving Dr. Yen and Seven alone. But, Dr. Yen would cough up blood. Only to collapse onto the ground.

"Dr. Yen!" Seven shouted.

Li Yen woke up as she quickly realized she was in the fields she always went to when she was little. Although, she could hear the calm sound of a flute playing. So she got up and followed the sound.

Every step Li Yen took, she realized that she was turned back into her teenage years. But, she continued to follow the sound. Once she got close enough, she moved the tall grass to the side. But it wasn't so harsh so she wouldn't break the grass. The first thing she saw was Haoyu. Sitting down on a large log, playing the flute as the small puddle of water would slightly vibrate from the mystical sound.

"Haoyu-?"

Haoyu turned, looking at Li Yen. Although, he smiled. Welcoming her appearance. The smile on his face almost made Li Yen want to cry. It has been thousands of years, or maybe millions of years since she moved on from Haoyu's death. But here she was, standing right in front of Haoyu.

"Greetings Li Yen, how's your day?" He asked.

"Good… but how…" She mumbled.

Haoyu's smile only became bigger.

"You died, right? You got sent here, but you actually have a choice to stay here or go back!"

"Stay here.. Or go back?"

"Yep!"

Li Yen looked behind before looking at Haoyu. For so long, she'd thought that one day, she would be able to reunite with Haoyu. But she loved Yuka and the others. She cared for them and now, she would have to pick. She had the choice to stay and reunite with Haoyu… or return back to life and continue her life.

Li Yen wanted to stay. But knowing that she would somehow have to move on from Haoyu's death, it only made her feel guilty and grief. She couldn't hold all those emotions in anymore. Li Yen began to cry. She didn't want to leave the both, but she had to choose one. Haoyu noticed the grief in Li Yen. So he stood up and approached Li Yen.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I've always wanted to reunite with you, Haoyu. But I've always wanted to take care of the people I cared for the most. But… Now I have to choose." She replied.

Haoyu smiled, accepting her two only choices. But he had really watched over Li Yen all the time. Haoyu wished Li Yen could continue her life. After all, Haoyu was once the wielder of the Scar of Fenghuang. He knew he was targeted by the Death Lotus. But to keep Li Yen safe, he kept hidden. He didn't want her to worry about it. Haoyu knew that Li Yen was unordinary, and so was he. But he was never able to confess it to her, all because his life force was caught in the Death Lotus.

Haoyu would summon his flute away, as he would gently pat Li Yen on the head. She looked up, only to see the bright smile she first saw when she met him.

"Continue your journey, Li Yen. I wish for you to continue living. I apologize for not telling you sooner because I am unordinary like you. I've kept the Death Lotus hidden from you so then you wouldn't worry. In the fields where we first met, I wanted to be friends with you because of how powerful you could be. And I want you to continue that life."

Li Yen stared at Haoyu in slight shock. She never expected Haoyu to say something like that. With her life with Haoyu, he had acted very ordinary. He was able to fit in. But unlike her, she struggled to fit in. She tried hard to change herself, but it only caused trouble.

Li Yen smiled. She accepted Haoyu's wish. She turned around as she could feel the Scar of Fenghuang reviving her. Golden Dust would soon surround Li Yen as she began glowing brightly. She looked at Haoyu, as she waved goodbye.

Yen woke up, she found herself on her bed. But remembering she broke Seven out of the dream, she quickly looked around to see if anything changed. But nothing in her room had changed. Although, Yen would feel her hair as she could see the hairpin placed in her hair. Yen would hop out of bed as she walked out of her bedroom. She had to check if anything changed in her house, but as she looked around, there was nothing that had changed. She had woken up.

Yen could hear the sound of laughter and conversations outside, so she decided to follow it. As she walked outside, she could see Yuka and Owen playing in the lake. Meanwhile Raijin and Seven were watching the two. Although, Seven was able to sense Yen.

Seven turned around as she looked at Yen. Seven smiled. She was glad she was revived. Yet, Yen smiled back. But instead of watching, she ran towards Yuka and Owen. Joining the fun.

"She's alright, right?" Seven asked.

"Just let her have her fun. It's been a while." Raijin replied.

. . .

In a dark palace, the palace was full of broken dolls that were laid on the ground. The palace was a place of true cruelty and despair. Whoever entered inside of the palace, their sanity would slowly be taken. No one would enter the palace because there was one person who could surpass the corruption of the Palace.

On the throne, there was a short pale slimmed girl. White hair and blue eyes. She looked similar to Seven. But her legs and arms were like dolls. But her aura was different than everyone else's. An aura people wouldn't want to encounter or approach. Her dead expression could cause the world to shake. Her dull eyes could stare beyond a soul. If she talked, it made people run.

The girl looked at a doll, before she closed her eyes. Seeing Seven in her mind. After all, the girl had sent Amaris and Moriti to kill Seven. But because they had failed to kill Seven, she had to do the work herself. She wanted to be first to grab the key to the Beyond. Once she had Seven, she would be able to have such unobtainable abilities and she would be more than just omnipotent. The girl smiled. She was just a few steps closer to getting Seven.

"The key to the Beyond. I, Kotohina, will be the first to slaughter you."