Page 126 of Hero of Havoc

“Hopefully for answers,” I whisper as the hooded frame directly in front of me tilts their head to the side.

“Why do you feel you need answers?” they ask, stroking a finger down my cheek, and I shiver.

“Because without answers, I can't ensure that we keep the peace among the people of the Fifth Kingdom.” I’m not sure where that reasoning comes from, but I like it. “With all the powers at play, my only alternative is to take a deal with Leonardo Corrigan and represent the Second Kingdom as their Champion,” I explain before silence engulfs us.

It drags so long I’m certain they’re a figment of my imagination before the Fate to my right speaks.

“What answers do you seek?”

“Whatever Leonardo Corrigan is trying to use against me to lure me into his side.”

“And what makes you feel we know that?”

“Know that.”

“Know that.”

They echo, threading my veins with ice.

“Because the dragons told me so,” I answer honestly, and they put their hands together, their elongated nails long and rigid.

“Ah, so you're familiar with the dragons.”

“I am.”

“And you're aware of the bond with the phoenixes.”

“The phoenixes.”

“The phoenixes.”

Nausea churns inside of me as they continue to echo each other’s words. “Somewhat, I guess,” I mutter.

“What makes you think we know exactly what he has to offer you in those relics?”

“The fact that I never mentioned it was from a relic,” I blurt before exhaling, the tension and nerves stiffening my spine easing as I roll my shoulders back.

“The original phoenix was Guinevere,” the Fate on my left states.

“She was created for the kingdom to send peace throughout,” the Fate on the right adds before the figure in the middle clears their throat.

“The peace offering was molded into a weapon, and our gift was used against us.”

“We hoped with our second phoenix that things would be different, but it seems the phoenixes we create have all desired the same thing: a sense of belonging, a desire for power, and a need for control,” they speak in sync, and I gulp.

Their statement feels somewhat similar to what my mother has spoken of before.

“Each phoenix has been created to change the course of the path that the world is taking,” the Fate on my right states, and I nod.

“Including me,” I add, and their hoods move slightly as they nod.

“Including you.”

“Including you.”

“Including you.”

Fear laces through my veins. “That doesn't sound very reassuring because I have no clue what is needed of me.”