As the phoenix's chains dragged it back into its lava prison, the beast let out a screech that rivalled a god's death cry. Bound by some strange magic, it couldn't leave the forge, nor would it know how to do so, for throughout its life, it had lived in this prison, a prison meant only to incubate its egg before setting itself free into the oceanic desert. But the giants had trapped it underneath their mansion, bound by cursed chains forged by a man who'd passed long ago.
"Sorry, I didn't see you folks climbing down," hopping into the palm of her floating iron glove, Meimei moved closer to the end of the steps as Raven and his party finally came to the lava pit's base. "Had I known, I wouldn't have brought Kuruon out and risk getting any of you burned."
