The two phoenixes didn't go towards Caricoun. Stronger Cari clans might have presence in there, but it wasn't where their home was.

Kaden was pretty sure they were taking him towards the phoenix home. A volcano on at around central Frika.

"I wonder how this is going to go", Kaden though to himself. Then he decided to try speaking with some excuse to get more information. "I assume we are going to the clan home? The direction is at least away from Caricoun."

"Correct", one of the phoenixes answered.

"As it happens, I have grew outside of Frika and I basically have just recently come here to learn more of Cari", Kaden started. "I am not aware of any customs and such. I would rather not offend anyone. Also, is it normal that the two you came for me? I would likely have accept any request to come."

It probably wasn't even a lie. Kaden felt deep connection to phoenixes. He might have put together some extra plans and such, but he would have probably agreed to come.

"Echee and I were handling a ... management tasks", the phoenix answered. "We merely heard that some earth mutt had dared to challenge one of our own kind and we came to see. Later we reported this and were asked to bring you back. As for any potential offenses. Merely keep your head down and perhaps you will be allowed to live. It is obvious to everyone that you are uncultured and dont understand things. Had you lived here, you would have been killed off for being small and weak."

"As Reenak says, we do not suffer weaklings or malformed weaklings", the other phoenix, Echee, told Kaden. "It your luck that you had the chance to grow up elsewhere on your own power. As far as I can tell, you have managed to grow beyond limits of your faulty birth. This will be seen as strength and likely will ensure your life at the very least."

Indeed, the phoenixes were prideful. They surely wouldn't allow any stain to their image to live. Kaden wondered for a moment the reason why Anuu did what she did. To give something so valuable as her birth flame to a weak dying human child? Did she see some potential in Kaden? Or was it simply the pride that would rather basically toss away her most prized treasure than let her enemies have it?

The matter of Kaden's rebirth would likely be a problem. He wondered what the reaction would be.

The way the meeting with the phoenix clan was going to happen was not how Kaden had planned to do it. He would have prefered to probe the reactions one way or another before making an appearance. That possiblity went out of the window at the moment he had been noticed by Echee and Reenak.

"As far as I can tell, Cari care basically only about strength", Kaden thought to himself. "I believe I have shown a lot of it. Anuu made her choice and they might respect that. I may also be able to tell them of my plans about making those that killed Anuu to pay for it. Even if they kick me out, I will show them that I have potential to be left alive."

Strength and potential was what mattered. Kaden felt he had no caused any sort of disgrace either.

That is, if the phoenixes didn't feel that Anuu's actions had been so horrifyingly blasphemous to even consider anything except annihilating the result instantly.

Eventually, at the distance, Kaden could see Cari style buildings on a side of a mountain, or rather, a volcano. There was one difference, though. Cari seemed to like functionality over looks. In this sense the buildings at the volcano seemed a bit more ... lavish. It seemed the phoenixes liked to show their power.

Once he got closer, Kaden even noticed extremely powerful formations around the entire area. These were some of the most powerful formations he had ever seen. Even with his senses growing after his evolution, he was still sure he was missing most of the formation structures, but he could sense the latent power in them, only waiting to be activated if need be. The resources spent must have been near incomprehensible.

Despite the extravagant appearance, the home of the phoenixes was a fortress.

"Phoenixes are a powerful Cari clan, but the actual number of phoenixes is very low", Kaden thought to himself. "That is the way with all the higher Cari clans, I believe. For example, the dragons should be at the top, but basically none have been seen by humans in hundreds of years. There are only handful of them and they stay deep in Cari territories. Whether it is phoenixes or dragons or other such similar Cari clans, they can gather enormous amount of resources and all of that is split among those few."

There was indeed a lot more wealth to spend.

"Come closer", Echee told Kaden. "We will be passing through the protective layers. We have items that allow us to pass, but you don't. We can invite you in by expanding the key mana signature on you."

Kaden did as requested. He had his misgivings about how eveyrything was happening, but there was no way he could alter the course of events now. There was no turning back. Kaden was certain the protection perimeter wouldn't let him out without such a key either. He would only come out if the phoenix clan let him.

"Not that I will have even the chance to run, if it comes to that", Kaden though to himself. It was likely that in the depths of this extravagant fortress there were at least some of the phoenix clan leaders, Higher Cari, who were equal to Archmagi. There would be no running. "The best plan is to stay calm and make my case as I planned earlier."

There were some odd looks from the passing phoenixes as they looked at Kaden. It was likely that they too saw him as small and weak, a mistake. Kaden was happy that Echee and Reenak had actually seen his fight with the Mountain Wolf. They were prideful, yes, but they didn't seem hostile. It was likely they would merely speak the truth, if Kaden's ability came to be questioned. That would be enough.

Yet, there were also different kinds of looks. Perhaps mere curiosity, but to Kaden it seemed a bit more. When he passed by a few phoenix speaking to each other, Kaden found the reason. He was new. Young.

"It is rare for new phoenix to be born", Kaden realized. "It is likely most of the entire phoenix clan knows each other. It requires great effort to have hatclings to be born. Even Anuu took great risk, which eventually cost her life, to enable her to do so and I do not know anything of the process. I do wonder, how long time there is on average between births of new phoenixes. It must be a very long time."

Kaden realized that gave a very good reason why he was being brough in. Someone had born somewhere and no one had noticed it? How did that happen? It was probably nearly inconceivable.

Due to this, it seemed everything was already ready. A new clan member was one thing, but suddenly appearing one was even more significant.

Kaden was led to a great opening. It seemed like a meeting place, but it was unusually open when comparing to human meeting areas. It made sense since phoenixes were birds and could come simply by flying in. To begin with, not everything was connected by land in the clan home so it made sense that public areas or important areas were open when everyone would fly anyway. Some inner structures seemed to have only land access, though. Those were probably for the most important members of the phoenix clan.

Indeed, while there were a few phoenixes waiting in the area, a few more just flew in. Eventually someone stronger came too. As far as Kaden could tell this latest phoenix was at True Cari level, equal to a True Magus. This was also one of the few phoenixes Kaden had spotted wearing anything. That is, if wearing means all sorts of jewerly on around ones legs and on the beak. In fact, it seemed like these were more like sign of rank.

Kaden assumed this phoenix was perhaps some kind of an official? Maybe one who dealt with internal matters? A judge perhaps?

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Elder Coorok has come", another phoenix announced. "Does anyone object to starting this questioning?"

Everyone calmly waited in silence for a moment. It seemed this was some sort of custom Kaden didn't really understand. Sure his appearance was important for the phoenixes, but everything seemed rather formal that, as Kaden had noted during his most recent travels, was rather nonexistend among Cari. Perhaps since it was internal matter? Kaden also wondered, if objecting to this meant, if one was strong enough one could push aside all sorts of things. That at least would be very Cari like. For sure, if he had the strength, he would have pushed this questioning a bit further.

"Echee, Reenak", the powerful phoenix, Coorok started. "You found this child and reported it. He appears small just as you said. Should we suffer such malformed one to live?"

Reenak and Echee were standing in front of Kaden. It seemed his turn to speak wasn't yet and he wasn't going to do anything unless asked. Yet, it seemed the first question was indeed very important to Kaden's well being. He wondered for a moment whether he would even be given a chance to speak.

"Elder Coorok", Reenak started. "He at least has not been disgrace. He effortlessly defeated opponent in arena who dared to mock him. The task was later finished too and he feasted upon his slain opponent."

"He may be small, but he can cast spells that are faster and stronger than usual", Echee added in. "It seems to allow him be strong with his lesser body."

"In other words, you believe he can be allowed to live", Coorok said with a few nods. Then he looked at Kaden. "Who are you? Who are your parents? Why has no one known of you before? Answer these first."

There was some heavy feeling of presure. Kaden hadn't ran into True Magi or True Cari too many times. Even the few times he had seen one, he had not been at the center of their attention with exception to the one in the great remant, but that one was merely having fun as he planned to watch him die.

What Coorok asked were more demands than questions. He was making it known very clearly. Kaden knew he had to answer.

"My name is Kaden", Kaden started. "As for rest of the questions, it is more difficult to answer. If I have to name a ..."

"Why are you speaking with intent?" One phoenix watching on the side asked. Indeed, it was clearly frowned upon and seen as weakness.

"I fought with some humans", Kaden replied. This was a good chance to show his strength and mentality. "One of them, a stronger member of Sacronan's church, managed to injure me. I expected it to heal faster, but as it is, its been slow."

"Did you at least kill that human?" Yet another phoenix questioned. It wasn't quite derision, but there was something in the tone that made Kaden to realize he had to show more than a few kills. After all, he had been injured against a human. Phoenixes surely saw themselves higher than them.

"Of course", Kaden replied and pulled out Vengeance. There were some frowns, including from Coorok. "I killed him and consumed him." Then he projected the blade's interior.

Both souls, Marwen and Juren, were still screaming as they were being torn apart and reformed constantly by some vengeful shadows.

"This one", Kaden said and pointed at Marwen.

There were both approving looks, but also a few questioning looks. Kaden had basically just shown them that he was probably quite deranged. Kaden had never really cared. There were probably some who wondered why did Kaden have vengeance against some humans? It was probably somewhat rare. Also why had Kaden made a human weapon like a blade to be this weapon of vengeance? Some might think of that oddity too.

Kaden wanted these ideas to come up. He didn't want to unload all the revelations in a single breath.

"Check his injury", Coorok said. His voice didn't point to what he was thinking. Kaden assumed this was good. As long as he didn't have negative views, all was good.

One of the phoenixes on the side came to check Kaden. This one was powerful too, but more like Echee and Reenak, at the top of Lower Cari stage. This was probably where most adult phoenixes were.

"This is indeed mana blessed by human gods", the phoenix said. "Warrior priests use this. Its mixture of life, fire, light and such mana types. These some of these even happen to match well with our mana affinities so it causes greater disruption. In fact, seeing how the healing process has progressed, I'm surprised he lived. The original injuries seem to have been near fatal."

There were more approving gazes. Kaden was happy to see this good turn of events. As for fatal injury? Marwen had truly tried hard and the injuries were great, but Kaden had been able to heal most of it rather easily?

"How soon will it heal?" Coorok asked. "To continue speak with intent it shameful."

"The mana is being slowly purged and once that happens, it should heal entirely", the phoenix answered. "As for speeding it up? That would likely cause flesh to tear apart as the mana is pulled out forcibly and cause more problems, but it can be done slowly. Its still weeks."

"Fine, we shall then listen to the weaker speech", Coorok replied. "Now returning to my questions. Speak."

"Ah yes... I owe my everything to Anuu", Kaden replied.

"Anuu? You are one of her children then?" Coorok said with a surprise. "Your age matches, but she died before she could return with proper birth flames."

"Could it be that she carried one of her eggs along?" Another phoenix added in. "Perhaps his weaker body is a sign that she didn't manage to maintain the egg properly? Could it be possible to move eggs from their proper environment after all?"

"No", Coorok said. "That has been attempted. One cannot maintain eggs while birth flames are being produced nor take them away from suitable mana source. Child, explain."

"I was not always as I am now", Kaden said. This was it. Would they kill him for having his origins on the human side? "By a coincidence Anuu and I happened to meet. She was already injured and had basically no strength left to fight. As for myself, I was a weakling human child dying in cave."

There were gasps and almost everyone were extremely agitated. There were screeches and questioning shouts and such. Yet, Coorok had not yet annihilated Kaden. Coorok had stood up and stared intently at Kaden, though.

"I do not know why she did what she did", Kaden continued. "Considering me back then. Broken child with no future. Surely she couldn't see any potential. No, I think she merely would waste the birth flame on me before she intended to go fight her last fight. Ensure that her enemies would get as little as possible from her. Indeed, she used the birth flame on me the same way she would infuse it to her own children." Kaden was quiet for a while and extended his wings in a showy way. He lit up his plume. "The result is me even if this form took a few evolutions."

Coorok still stared at Kaden quietly, but raised his front talon and everyone silenced their screeches and roars. Yet, he did not say anything. He likely wanted Kaden continue.

"All had abandoned me", Kaden continued. "My family dead. Everyone dead. Betrayed by my people. Gods silent as I begged their help. There was no one else than Anuu. Someone who had no reason to help me at all would aid me. Whatever reason it was, she was the only one who deigned to help me. I owe her everything. She gave me the chance to have my vengeance. I also promised her that I would take vengeance upon those that wronged her." Kaden looked around at everyone. "I don't care if you think I am some disgusting... thing. If you cannot give me any respect, then don't, but give respect to Anuu and her decisions. Allow me to grow. I have grown and I will keep growing. I will destroy the ones who laid their hands on Anuu. Their souls will one day scream in this blade until they are unmade and erased from existence. Allow me to live. Allow me to repay the kindness Anuu showed me."

There was silence.

"This is unprecedented!" One of the phoenixes near Coorok shouted and broke the silence. "Can this be allowed?! That is is even possible? Even in such situation to commit such an act?! Is this a blasphemy against our god? To give such blessing to a human that should belong only to us!"

This ignited the screeching again.

Kaden didn't really care. He was still alive! Basically only one still quiet was Coorok who still continued staring at him? There was no way for Kaden to tell what he was thinking. There were no signs of anything negative nor positive.

One of the phoenixes leaped at Kaden, but landed only next to him. It was the one who had restarted the screeching again. Coorok still didn't say anything, but the turned to look at the one who approached Kaden. Perhaps it was to stop any attacks. Coorok had not yet clearly decided. Perhaps it wasn't even his decision to truly make. Therefore no one else would be allowed to decide the matter before him.

The phoenix only started glowing a fiery light after nodding to Coorok.

Suddenly Kaden felt a *pop*.

*buzzz*

"So thats what this was!" Kaden thougth and sneered in his mind. "I want to see how this goes."

A shock appeared in the eyes of the phoenix who had clearly tried to examine any godly influence. Last time he had noticed this effect was when Weils had tried to look for any heresy. It seemed like the black fragments worked against those who worshipped beast gods too. In this case the phoenix god.

"Not a heresy?" The phoenix said. "I can sense normal amounts of our god's influence on him! Has he been accepted as one her children?"

Kaden wondered how he would explain if they demanded to know more. Was there some specific way one would worship the phoenix god. Kaden didnt even know its name.

Finally even Coorok frowned. Despite the little revelation, the screeching continued. They had never had to deal with something like this. Kaden wondered how long all of it would continue and just how high the question of his fate would go until decision would be reached.

As it happens, it didn't take that long.

Suddenly a voice was heard from somewhere. It seemed to come from every direction as an enormous presure covered the entire area. It was even greater than what Kaden had felt from Coorok while being directly under his gaze.

"Toss the child into Kranor's residence", the voice told everyone. "If he lives, we accept him as one of ours. If he dies, we will toss whatever remains into the volcano and have the formations rip him apart and return to us what is ours."

The presure disapeared and everyone had finally silenced. Even Coorok was in shock.