Chapter 24 – The Spark Within
Morning in the palace training grounds was always beautiful — unless you were the one who had to train there.
The sun was high over Arcania's endless horizon, casting warm light over the polished stone arena. Phoenix stood in the center, wooden sword in hand, wings folded tight. His joints ached from yesterday, but his mother's promise rang in his head like a challenge he had to meet.
Valeria stood opposite him, looking as terrifyingly perfect as ever. Her silver hair shimmered, her crimson eyes locked on him like a hawk eyeing prey.
"Are you ready, little brother?" she asked, tilting her head.
Phoenix swallowed hard. "No. But let's do it anyway."
---
Round One: Immediate Disaster
Valeria moved first. She didn't run at him — she glided, her steps so fast they blurred. Phoenix barely raised his sword before she tapped his wrist, sending his weapon flying.
"Too slow," she said, almost bored.
He growled and dove to grab the sword again, but her foot was already pressing lightly against it. "And predictable."
"I hate training with you," he muttered.
From the stands, Lyra laughed loudly. "You're doing great, baby brother! You've almost survived ten seconds this time!"
"Not helping!" Phoenix snapped.
Valeria stepped back just enough for him to snatch his sword. "Again," she ordered.
---
The Struggle
They clashed over and over. Or rather — Valeria attacked, and Phoenix survived for brief bursts before being knocked flat. His breathing grew ragged, sweat dripping into his eyes.
Every time he thought he'd gotten faster, Valeria was already behind him. Every time he tried to block, her strikes slipped past. His hands were starting to blister again.
Finally, he collapsed onto one knee. "I… can't…" he panted.
Valeria didn't move to help him. Her eyes were sharp. "Then stay down. Weaklings shouldn't stand in a warrior's place."
Something in Phoenix's chest snapped.
---
The Spark
Heat flared in his veins — not the comfortable warmth of sunlight, but something primal. His heart pounded louder than the sound of the crowd. His vision sharpened, colors deepening, and for a second, he swore he could hear Valeria's heartbeat.
Then it happened.
His wings unfurled in a sudden, explosive motion, but they weren't the soft, scaled wings he'd inherited from his father. Shadows licked at the edges, and a faint crimson glow pulsed along the veins of the membrane.
Valeria's eyes widened. "Oh…?"
Phoenix lunged. He didn't think — he moved. Faster than he had ever gone before. His sword caught Valeria's blade in mid-swing, and for the first time, she had to brace herself.
---
A Glimpse of Power
The force rattled her stance, and the sound of the clash echoed across the arena.
From the stands, Lyra sat up straighter. "Whoa… did he just—"
Isolde cut her off, eyes narrowing. "Yes. And that wasn't normal speed."
Phoenix pressed forward, strike after strike landing with surprising strength. He didn't feel tired anymore — he felt alive. Each swing was sharper, faster, heavier, as if his body had been waiting for this moment.
For three heartbeats, Valeria looked almost impressed.
---
The Burnout
And then… it faded.
The heat in his veins cooled abruptly, his breath coming in harsh gasps. His arms felt like they'd been filled with lead. The shadowy glow on his wings flickered out, leaving them heavy and ordinary again.
Valeria stepped back, lowering her sword. She didn't smile, but there was a glimmer in her eyes. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Phoenix groaned and collapsed onto his back. "I… hate… training…"
Valeria crouched beside him. "That, little brother, was your bloodline stirring. Vampire and dragon, fused in a way even I've never seen. But you can't hold it yet."
He cracked one eye open. "So what you're saying is… I'm amazing?"
She smirked. "I'm saying you have potential. Which means I'm going to make training even harder."
Phoenix let out a weak whimper. "Why do I open my mouth…"
---
The Audience's Verdict
Lyra was grinning ear to ear as the sisters gathered around. "I take it back, Phoenix. You might not need a rattle after all."
Isolde's tone was more serious. "If he can tap into that again — and control it — he won't just be strong. He'll be terrifying."
From the shadows of the stands, Rose's eyes gleamed with quiet pride. She didn't say anything — but Phoenix caught her faint nod before she disappeared back into the palace.
---
The Ending Note
As he lay in the grass after training, Phoenix stared up at the sky, chest still heaving. He'd caught a glimpse of something inside himself — something wild, something powerful, something that made his sisters' teasing feel a little less sharp.
He didn't know when it would happen again. But when it did…
Valeria wouldn't be the one smirking.