Chapter 200 The Phoenix stone

BACK TO PARADISE HIGH

The sanctuary was eerily silent, the weight of discovery settling over Ava like a thick fog. She stood frozen, staring at her brother—no, at the creature he had become. The realization sent a shudder down her spine. Rowan was a siren.

What did that mean for her?

"Ava, come on. Let's get this over with. We have the school to save," Slyvia urged, her tone sharp and impatient. She hadn't noticed Ava's changed demeanor—at least, not yet.

Ava swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "Slyvia… my brother is a siren. What does that mean for me? Am I one too?"

A cold fear wrapped around her heart. The thought of becoming one of those malicious creatures made her stomach churn. She couldn't even imagine it. Her hands trembled, and her breathing became uneven.

For a brief moment, Slyvia was at a loss for words. She had never once considered Ava as a close friend, and now here they were, entangled in something far beyond their understanding. But Rowan… Rowan being a siren? That revelation struck Slyvia harder than she would admit.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Ava, we need answers, and the Oak Tree has them. We're just a few leagues away from the host. I won't pretend to understand what you're feeling, but please—bear with me. We need to stop this terror before it's too late."

Ava didn't respond. She was drowning in her own thoughts, her mind spiraling in a thousand different directions.

Then, in the midst of their argument, Ava's hand brushed against an antique structure within the sanctuary.

The ground beneath them trembled violently.

Slyvia, still blind, tensed at the sudden shift in energy. "What's happening?"

Ava's eyes widened as she caught sight of something glimmering in the dim light—a suit of armor, forged from high silver plates, standing tall and imposing. It emitted a strange glow, its radiance pulsating like a heartbeat. But it wasn't just light that surrounded it. There was something else. Something darker.

Ava's stomach lurched at the ominous energy radiating from the armor.

"Slyvia… there's something here. A suit of armor, and it's… it's not normal. The darkness coming from it… it's deadly."

Slyvia tilted her head, deep in thought. "A silver armor…?"

Without hesitation, she reached out, stepping closer to Ava.

"Take me to it," Slyvia instructed.

Ava hesitated. She wasn't sure if getting closer was a good idea. And yet, her hands found Slyvia's, guiding her through the sanctuary. With every step, Ava's heart pounded harder. Her thoughts were still tangled with the image of her brother, with the painful way they had parted. Would Rowan ever forgive her? Could she ever forgive him?

As they neared the armor, Ava whispered, "Are you sure this is safe?"

Slyvia didn't waver. "I've come too far to stop now."

Then, as soon as Slyvia's fingers brushed against the armor—

The ground erupted.

A powerful black light surged from the suit, wrapping around Slyvia like a living entity. She gasped, a scream ripping from her throat as her eyes burned with unbearable agony.

Blood.

Thick, crimson streams poured from Slyvia's eyes as she collapsed to the ground, writhing in torment.

Ava screamed, rushing to her side, but before she could reach her, the black energy lashed out, hurling her backward. She crashed into the armor, toppling it over completely.

And then—

The ground gave way.

They plummeted into darkness.

The Underground Chamber

Ava groaned, pushing herself up from the cold stone floor. Pain throbbed in every part of her body. As her vision adjusted to the dim glow of flickering torches, her eyes landed on Slyvia.

She was still crying, blood streaming from her eyes.

Then—

Slyvia gasped. "I can see…"

Ava froze.

"What?"

Slyvia's voice trembled with disbelief. "Ava, I can see now."

The blood was gone. Her eyes, once lifeless, were now clear and vibrant.

Ava stumbled forward, embracing her as if they had been lifelong friends. But their moment of joy was short-lived.

Slyvia's gaze swept across the chamber, her breath hitching.

"Where are we?" Ava asked, stepping beside her.

Slyvia's attention locked onto something in the distance. A row of statues lined the walls. Among them, a figure stood tall, clutching a staff and a glowing stone.

Her father.

And he was holding the Phoenix Stone.

Before either of them could react, a hissing sound echoed behind them.

Ava stiffened.

Slowly, she turned—

A monstrous serpent, as large as a tree, loomed before them. Its scales pulsed with dark energy, the same eerie aura that had radiated from the armor above.

"Who dares trespass into my territory?"

Its voice was a low growl, vibrating through the air.

Slyvia's lips parted in shock.

The snake slithered closer. "The Phoenix Stone is a weapon of great power. Yes, it will lead you to the Oak Tree… but it also harbors the abominable creature sealed away from the human world 500 years ago. And worse—if used improperly, it can summon the Dead Witches and plunge the world into chaos. You cannot have it."

Slyvia stepped forward. "I am Slyvia Emerson, daughter of the last King of Witches. I swear on my life, I will protect the stone. Please, I need it—to save my friends, to stop this darkness."

Ava stood frozen, an uneasy feeling creeping over her.

The serpent's golden eyes narrowed. "If the stone leaves this chamber… humanity will fall."

Before another word could be spoken, the air cracked apart—

And from the shadows, a figure emerged.

Ares.

His glowing eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Well, well… I finally found it."

The chamber shook as he raised his hands. Fire erupted from the ground, consuming everything in its path.

The snake lunged at Ares, but with a flick of his fingers, an orange light shot forward—obliterating the creature in an instant.

Slyvia barely had time to react before—

Pain.

A blade pierced through her back.

She gasped, turning her head in disbelief.

Harlan.

He leaned close, whispering, "I'm sorry… but it was the only way to save you."

Ava stood paralyzed as the orange light shot toward her.

But something happened.

Instinctively, she raised her hands—and the wave of destruction stopped.

Ares' expression faltered. He studied Ava, his smirk vanishing.

Who was this girl?

His attention snapped to Harlan. "Do something."

But Ava only grinned darkly, lifting a glowing object into the air.

"Looking for this?"

The Phoenix Stone.

Ares' smile fell.

"Come catch me," Ava taunted.

Then—

A massive creature burst into the chamber, its body a twisted fusion of bird and lizard. With a screech, it launched itself toward Ava.

She bolted, the monstrous beast on her heels.

The chase had begun.