"For now… we are safe," Raphael sighed contentedly. The adrenaline from that brutal fight with the Venom Tail Vipers slowly subsided.

He stretched his massive legs, then looked around the clearing with satisfaction. The silence, broken only by the rustling leaves and distant screeches of fleeing serpents, it was music to his ears. He had survived another ordeal.

"I can't believe those fools really thought they could take me," he chuckled, then nudge Lu Jade with a hoof.

“Little Lu, those snake bastards are truly delusional aren’t they?"

“They had it coming Big Brother.”

But those victorious celebrations, the moment of brotherhood and that fleeting arrogance was shattered in an instant as…

Crack!

…a bolt of black lightning tore through the clearing, illuminating the bruised earth. And as those shadows from the fallen trees dance to this chaotic light display. It gracefully revealed something far more terrifying than those serpent bastards.

Hovering gracefully amidst the dissipating smoke was a slender yet powerful bird whose plumage glistened with shades of emerald and silver, and whose every movement radiated an aura of quiet authority.

She wore a resplendent suit of amethyst armor that reflected the lightning storm with flashes of purple, this hid most of her body, except those lethal looking wings. There was also a terrifying tail that resembled a mix of feathers and metal, and those claws that could easily crush their bones.

Her eyes, however, were concealed by an elaborate head-piece that resembled a golden bird with purple gems for pupils. And behind her slim waist, a mechanical harness secured two swords: one golden broadsword and a smaller, curved blade made of polished chrome steel.

They were weapons meant for silent and efficient killing, that much Raphael understood instinctively, moreover, those bronze scale armors his Shadow Bat army were sporting were as fragile as eggshells compared to those swords, that much those primal instincts were confirming, over, and over and over again as she approached with the arrogance of one accustomed to deference.

“You're lucky. That you survived." she spoke softly while hovering slowly.

Raphael stared fixedly ahead. It was unreal, after escaping one near-death experience with Lu Ignis and battling a hundred snakes, to be in the presence of something even more majestic? This was his lucky day, if it could be labeled as luck.

“Who are you? Are you with…” He managed to speak.

“Qi Fenwei,” she replied, cutting him off without a hint of respect or malice in her voice.

“That name…” Lu Jade felt a shiver crawling down his tiny body, which he dismissed as tiredness, before remembering a few terrifying details.

“Emperor Qi Hawk's… fifth daughter!” he hissed to Raphael in a trembling voice.

“Qi Hawk's daughter? That powerful bird from earlier that stop Lu Ignis?” Raphael’s massive head shifted slightly back towards the burning lands beyond Black Wind Ridge. “But why is she here?” Those hoof of his trembled uncontrollably, but now, not from fear, but uncertainty, “Is she here to… punish us? Did that old man send her?”

They waited anxiously for their judgement as their hearts beat a frantic, but rhythmic counterpoint to their fear.

Qi Fenwei didn't explain. She merely extended one wing before effortlessly gliding across the battlefield towards those trembling creatures with an elegant swiftness that stole their very breath.

"Halt! Do not come closer!”

Reacting to this threat with the instinctual devotion and blind loyalty those Shadows were blessed with. Bat General Kong launched himself forward.

He brandished his golden spear and pointed it towards Qi Fenwei’s face. The energy emanating from him felt capable of obliterating mountains in two, but alas, this new threat was on another level of power, one he'd not encounter before.

“I said halt! Or your feathers will be torn apart. Do not push me!”

“Hmph…” That arrogance wasn’t meant to intimidate Bat General Kong because as his warning rang those peaceful woodlands with tremors, she replied with an act that could shatter those Shadow Legion’s respect and unity.

Without a change in posture…

"Don’t you know its bad manners to point such a flimsy stick at those above your social and power class? Have you no respect, or perhaps your pathetic mind just couldn’t fathom…” She couldn’t finish those insulting remarks because those instincts she held dear couldn’t hold back anymore.

In a blink of an eye, she was no longer before them.

“She’s gone…” The moment Bat General Kong spoke those words, he realized their predicament. A sense of impending dread, and then... he saw it.

POOF!

His own form began to dissipate! He could feel those bones shattering. His Bronze Scale Armor, it was as fragile as ash and with it, went his ambitions and that mini-dragon that he so adored and was blessed with moments before. It would appear as though his death had become a lesson, a rather brutal and painful one.

"Maybe your next form will have better manners. Then again why bother?” Qi Fenwei was hovering before Raphael with one hand resting upon the hilt of her sword. She sighed with boredom after Bat General Kong completely vanish into thin air.

She stared at Raphael and spoke, “You should really train your shadow pets better. Obedience is paramount after all. Now then. Let’s move onto more important matters."

Lu Jade watched the encounter with a growing sense of dread as another revelation slammed him harder than those phantom hooves. “She… she defeated him without… without a single movement, not even a technique!” His inner voice was trembling. “B-but Bat General Kong’s essence was at the peak of Great Ordeal Stage.”

This was beyond his wildest comprehension. He’d never seen anyone defeated someone so fast, this speed it defied reality itself.

Raphael wasn't easily intimidated. He pawed the ground with those massive hooves. “You little bird! What do you want?! Don't make me use these hooves on your delicate little backside.” He challenged with an arrogant snort.

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Her cold gaze pierced his pride like an expert butcher preparing the main dish, "Don't flatter yourself, bull. You wouldn't last a second against me in combat. I'm here at my father's behest to extend an… invitation.”

Both serpent and bull were surprised. This unexpected proposition had Raphael almost wanting to release another fart from anxiety, he controlled it.

"Say what?!"

"My father wishes to speak with you both.” Her tone was devoid of any hostility and now even laced with a respectful lilt. "Follow me to the Imperial Wind Palace and I'll spare you both a few scars that my swords can easily give. You won't regret this encounter, I guarantee. And if you need time to heal, I’m more than willing to…"

"And what if… WE REFUSE?!"

Despite his growing uneasiness, Raphael couldn’t contain his arrogance entirely. The question slipped out with such audacity and bravado, but the moment he finished saying it…

Raphael saw it.

Her hand resting upon that broadsword’s hilt, and around her feet those vibrant grass withered instantly as if afraid of being trampled on by her grace, such raw and immense energy!

This wasn't a bluff!

His little companion Lu Jade understood all too well. “We’ll go. Take us to your father.” Lu Jade’s hiss sounded resigned.

Seeing this act of submission had her smirking before saying, "A wise decision," as her hand retracted from those swords behind her, then with another swift blink.

“This way then.” She vanished once more.

Lu Jade wasted no time. He quickly scrambled up Raphael’s mighty horns once again. "Follow her, Big Brother.”

“Oh… ok.” Raphael watched his companion's haste and quickly unfolded those enormous black wings.

This was bad, but not too bad because at least, they were alive to experience those bad decisions made earlier.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

In a matter of heartbeats they were airborne, chasing after that vanishing purple in those cloud laden skies.

…

WHOOSH!

The wind whipped past Raphael’s golden hide as he struggled to keep pace with Qi Fenwei, who was gliding effortlessly through the air. His massive wings beat powerfully, sent turbulent gusts rippling outwards, shattered trees below and kicked up small dust storms as those hooves searched desperately for something solid to land on, even for a moment, but the only thing he was granted was exhaustion.

It was like trying to chase a shooting star.

He was fast, no doubt.

But she was on another level. Her amethyst armor flashed as she shifted with such elegant grace and terrifying velocity. Even from this vantage, with those enhanced sense and terrifying speeds he was mastering… he was losing ground, little by little.

"I never knew… those skies… could get so blurry!" Lu Jade clung tightly to Raphael’s horn as the wind assaulted him.

Up ahead, he noticed those wings of hers didn’t flap.

Qi Fenwei simply moved through that dense atmosphere like water. Was this what those stories meant when talking about powerful beast evolving to use those natural laws of the land as their very will? Could this truly be real?

Raphael felt as if this entire encounter since his escape from that damned princess’ demands was just a very, very bad dream.

“What could the Black Wind Emperor want to speak about?”

This was a question that was repeating in his mind over, and over.

Lu Jade seemed to pick up his anxieties. He slithered along those ridges before looking ahead.

"I'm not sure, Big Brother. Perhaps we’ll get those answers soon. I have a terrible feeling it won't end well."

BOOM!

A large, thunderous cloud was coming into view, then, Raphael witnessed the skies parting in a mesmerizing fashion as multiple towering structures materialized upon a rocky plain. They circled a massive open-air platform suspended high above those dangerous forests below.

"That…"

"We've arrived.”

"Is this the Imperial Wind Palace? It looks… plain and desolate.”

Raphael was shock at how those structures were placed without much beauty or thought about their position and that it simply was rocks atop rocks with carvings that mirrored birds' tails and claws. No one else was even present here.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother Raphael. Thissss is just a shortcut.”

Even before he could grasp what this “shortcut” meant, Raphael felt a tingle all over those furs as energy resonated around that stone platform. Qi Fenwei stood at its center, emanating blue-white lights. Then…

WHOOSH!

They vanished.

And a short while later, Raphael’s blurry vision settled.

They’d landed within Nestoria – a Marble World.

Standing upon yet another rock platform, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Raphael couldn’t contain his awestruck gasps. This truly was magnificence of a different color, a flavor that didn’t smell of smoke or charred remains.

"Amazing.” He couldn’t hold it. This realm, its splendor. It far exceeded what he expected. He saw floating carriages with unique designs. And below, rainbow-colored winds whisked them through an ever-changing landscape.

The refreshing scent in that world touched Raphael's very soul. Those energies seemed so different than his golden flames and those dark sparks. This realm felt magical.

He glanced down and realized something even more wondrous. He was looking down upon massive gardens where ancient trees whispered secrets amongst babbling brooks. And throughout this enchanted expanse, hundreds of anthropomorphic bird creatures with colorful plumages and attire walked the pathways. They carried themselves with an elegance that was as mesmerizing as their environment.

The structures throughout this heavenly space were colossal, made from polished jade, ivory, and ruby. Towers pierced those cloudless azure skies as colorful banners with symbols he’d never witnessed before danced to that peaceful rhythm.

His earlier fears faded with every gentle breeze that bounced on his hide and cleansed those anxieties he’d carried for so long. This place was safe. Or perhaps it simply appeared safe.

Very soon they started following their escort through the very heart of those dazzling clouds and magical energies.

Raphael noticed a radiant shimmer that surrounded every creature, beast, tree, and stone in this place.

“Little Lu… What is it that’s making this place feel so alive? It's as if my body’s wants to fall into a meditative stance.”

Lu Jade hissed back, “Those essence Big Brother? It’s those winds of Qi Hawk’s Imperial Glory, it permeates this entire space, his legacy. Only the Black Wind Emperor’s direct family, and those few he considers allies has access. To those of us fortunate enough to soak it in, our very cores resonate with gratitude and desires to please the Emperor, that's how strong it is.”

After this, they didn’t speak until they reach a landing space made of white jade and golden carvings. It had multiple steps with those rainbow winds guarding its every inch.

Those impossibly large black doors that were twice as tall as himself, awaited patiently with two armed guards standing before them in imposing Silver Hawk Armor. They radiated potent essences which rivaled that of the Bronze Serpent bullies from earlier. Such was the power of being close to the heart of their empire.

Qi Fenwei approach with a casual wave, those guards bowed and allowed entry without questions. It was obvious who was in command.

“Hm. This power, to be acknowledged without speaking…” He would have to inquire later.

The imposing black doors swung open and revealed another spectacle he wasn't prepared for, the palace’s vastness. There were countless balconies and hallways that disappeared into emerald, amber, and indigo hallways adorned with precious carvings and delicate incense that was burning peacefully.

“Wow, this place looks amazing. Feels much better than being in the Bloodthorne Empire’s basement.”

“What did you say, Big Brother?” Lu Jade thought he heard utterance of the Bloodthorne Empire and wanted clarity, but before his question could be answered…

Their hostess and guide, Qi Fenwei hovered a few feet from them and gracefully dipped her head with those majestic wings folding neatly, for the sight of who sat ahead was one that had many beasts shivering with devotion and fear. The title "Emperor Calamity", was whispered in reverence for a reason.

"Father, I've brought them, as requested."

“Hmm.”

The Emperor directed his keen gaze towards the bull.

"Fenwei, leave us for now."

She bowed again, however, reluctance was clear in her eyes. "Father, are you certain… this creature… I…"

Before those concerns for her beloved father's safety could take shape, the chamber began to rumble.

The Emperor unleashed his true Solar Essence. And for a terrifying instant, the very air within that throne room crackled with enough potent energies that Lu Jade fell semi-unconscious with his scales turning pale.

Raphael cowered in abject horror and utter defeat for he finally understood why those lesser Calamity submitted so easily.

This crushing force lasted for a few more seconds before silence descended and the pressure faded.

"I am Qi Hawk, Emperor Calamity of this domain and those beyond it. What need I fear daughter?”

Even the strongest amongst them all needed reassurance from within. That vulnerability had Raphael questioning himself. Was this bird Emperor truly arrogant, or was it a facade like those he was building as well? He had no answers and would probably never know.

Qi Fenwei recovered quickly and glanced at Raphael with a look of contempt that was quickly replaced by dread as she bowed again to her mighty father.

"As you wish, Father.”

“Hmph!”

She turned and stalked from the chamber.