Chapter 26

Forgotten Phoenix

The Next Day

Opening my eyes to the early bird chirping. My arm was still held in the makeshift cloth cast I made for myself. I picked myself off the bed just as Flyresa entered with a faint smile.

"Hey there, are you alright?" She asked me as I yawned looking somewhat perplexed at her.

"What do you mean? I just woke up." I stated as she sat down on the chair from last night.

"I am not talking about now. Last night, you were tossing and turning. More than you have. Are you alright?" She asked as I remembered the words Blake spoke to me last night. The effects still haunting on my mind.

You are the reincarnation of the Ethereal Grimm, he is in your body and you will bring this planet to its knees. That is your fate.

"I'm fine Flyresa." I lied. It was my first of many to her. And it took all of my willpower not to do so.

"Are you sure Kyran? You know you can tell me anything." She said with a smile. I leaned in giving her a small kiss.

"I know, but I am fine. Just, nervous. This is the biggest task I could ever accomplish. I am not sure what the outcome will be in the end." I said as she placed her hand on my shoulder in confidence.

"We'll be fine. Besides, we have a lot of support for this. Yang, myself and even the White Fang. If we do this right. We'll be able to prove your innocence and end this once and for all." She said.

"Hey! You two love birds finished yet?" The blonde brawler peaked her head in as I sneered at her in pure rage.

"DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO KNOCK?!" I yelled as she giggled innocently.

"Sorry, there is someone here to see you. Thought I should let you know." She said casually as it hit me immediately.

"Who the hell is he?" I asked.

"I never said it was a he." She stated leaving the tent as I quickly got up from the bed to follow her. Flyresa in pursuit behind me as I ran out of the tent to a young silver short haired woman with an eyepatch over one eye and a very familiar compound bow of her's. Flyresa immediately recognized it as well, except with hostility.

"YOU BITCH!" She yelled expanding her collapsible staff. I quickly grabbed her wrist with my free arm. "Let go of me Kyran NOW!" She screamed as an arrow flew past her hair, just centimeters from her neck. Flyresa was frozen stiff in fear. The woman in silver hair chuckled softly.

"Are we done? I don't wish to cause hostilities between us. If you would let Kyran explain. Maybe we could talk?" She stated as Flyresa turned to me, still with a face full of rage.

"Yes Kyran, explain now." She said.

"That is my sister Arianna, otherwise known as the Masked Archer. She is the one who saved my life." I growled as Flyresa was shocked to hear such a thing.

"I thought your sister was dead Kyran?" She asked as I let go of her arm before taking a deep breath to relieve myself of the pain from the sudden stress.

"So did I." I said holding my damaged arm as Ari walked over with a coy smile on her face.

"The government denied my existence and claimed I was dead once they discovered I had defected to the White Fang. So naturally, I decided a little payback was in order. Speaking of which, been watching the news. You're causing quite a stir in the capital." She explained as Flyresa was still lost on the whole situation.

"Then, when you shot him with arrows, nearly killed him. What the hell was that?" She asked.

"To teach him a lesson and a point. He learned it. Believe you me." She spoke in high confidence as Flyresa's eye twitched in stupidity.

"What the fuck?" She asked as I spoke up finally.

"Aside from the hasty introductions. Why are you Ari? Aren't you supposed to be at Atlas right now?" I asked her.

"Oh that contract? Finished that a while ago. Then heard from Ms. Belladonna about this little plan to assassinate Mr. Schnee. I figured you might want these." She said opening a black handheld case to reveal two Ebony Black Pistols.

"I like the gesture, but I figured you didn't come all the way out here to give me pistols." I said as she laughed.

"If only Kyran, I'm actually going to join you in your assassination plot. If you don't mind that is?" She winked.

"Wait...WHY?" I demanded to know.

"I've always fantasized about putting an arrow in that dick." She laughed before clearing her throat and putting on a serious composure. "No, it's because you're my baby brother Kyran. Do you really think I'm going to let you do something this dangerous alone? No, I'll protect you even if you don't want me to. That is what older siblings are for." She said in confidence placing her hand on my shoulder before quickly embracing me before I grit my teeth in absolute pain.

"FUCK!" I screamed as she let me go quickly.

"What did you do Kyran?" She asked.

"I fell down a mountain and dislocated my arm. And yes, I set it. Just hurts like hell is all." I said before she gripped my arm and one loud pop later. An instant stream of pain and relief entered my body. "Son of a...Why did you do that?" I asked.

"You didn't set it properly. In fact, you set it like shit. Remind me to teach you first aid sometime. Should heal up by tonight. Now go rest up, I'll see you at dusk." She said walking off as I removed the sling off my arm, rubbing it to remove any and all stiffness.

"I don't even know what to say Kyran, your sister is a whole new level of different. And I'm sorry about earlier." Flyresa apologized as I chuckled.

"It's okay, she is someone you get used to after a while." I said walking back to the tent.

"So what are you going to do now?" She asked as I entered the tent, pulling out a small bag. I went through it for a short time before pulling a black glove with red phoenix markings on the back of the hand.

"Kyran, is that what I think it is." She asked, knowing the full potential of what it could do.

"Yea, it's Edana's Ignition Gloves, well one of them anyway." I said softly.

"Why the hell do you have it?" She questioned.

"She was the first kill, my first love. I took it from her as a memento. But tonight, it might be more." I stated.

"You can't use that Kyran. Without aura, that thing is just a bomb in the form of a glove. It'll scorch your hand and even your arm if you use it." She cried out in terror.

"I am aware, hopefully I won't even need to use it. But if I do, it'll be as a last resort. Which I hope to god it doesn't come to that." I said as she gripped my arm tightly in fear.

"Then don't bring it. Please Kyran, I'm begging you. Don't even put it on. Because even if it doesn't kill you. It'll scar your arm permanently, you might even lose it." Her powerful grip turned into an embrace from behind as she held her head in my back.

"And what if Sil is there? What if I no choice and I have to use this? Tell me Flyresa, what then?" I asked, just barely holding back tears. Her grip in the hug became even tighter as she started to cry.

"No, you don't have to worry, because I'll be by your side the whole time. If he is there, we'll defeat him together. And end this nightmare, tonight." She said as she let me go before I turned around to see the young lancer. She was broken down in tears, streaming down the face. I may have had one charge left in the glove, but she was right. If I used it, it would blow up and losing my arm could be a very real possibility. I wasn't Edana, I was no Huntsmen with aura. Just a soldier who fell in love with one. And now, the woman standing before me was begging me with every part of her soul for me not to use it. Because if I did, the damage to her wouldn't be physical. It would emotionally scar her for life. I couldn't do that to her. I wasn't that heartless, in fact I loved her with all my soul. I lifted a small smile and kissed her on the lips. Flyresa was in shock at the sudden revelation but quickly gave in as she held me tight before we broke the kiss.

"I won't bring it Flyresa, I promise you." I said holding her tightly as she chuckled softly through the crying.

"T-Thank you...thank you so much." She cried softly.

"Flyresa...I have a favor to ask you." I said with a slight blush. She looked up with tears now drying up.

"What is it?" She asked.

"W-Would...you stay with me tonight?" I asked in embarrassment as she quickly picked up on the idea and blushed from embarrassment herself. Hiding her face in shame before swallowing her pride and putting a face of confidence.

"I'll stay with you." She stated as she hid her face again before I chuckled softly, rubbing her hair.

"Thank you Flyresa." I said giving her another kiss.

Schnee Corporate Headquarters

"You wanted to see me sir." I asked as the older man turned to face me in his chair.

"Yes Sil, please close the door. What I needed to talk to you about needs to be discussed in private." He said as I shut the massive oak door before walking to his desk.

"What is it sir?" I asked.

"Have you heard any word from Ms. Michaelson?" He questioned.

"No sir, I fear that she may be dead." I said in a saddened tone.

"Shame, to lose such a beautiful soldier to this monster. Which brings me to my second point. The Black Lightning, he'll be here tonight." He said as I let words sink in.

"You are acting unnaturally calm about his appearance tonight. You knew didn't you?" I asked.

"Quite indeed Mr. Jaeger, which is why this will stay between us. Let this rouge have his idea of surprise. For I special request from you." He said with serenity.

"And that is sir?"

"I want you to bring him to me, make him suffer and then. When all hope in his life is lost, I want you to kill him. And every single one of his companions tonight. Do so, and you'll be rewarded with whatever you so desire Sil." He stated.

"I already know what I want." I called out.

"Oh do you Sil? That was quick." He commented.

"I want my wife back you son of a bitch." I growled at him as he chuckled.

"Now now Sil, no need to call me such names. You'll get back Serine, as soon as I get what I want. Do we understand each other perfectly?" He stated as I gripped my teeth in anger before taking a deep breath.

"Yes sir, we do." I said.

"Good, you are dismissed. Rest up tonight. Serine's life depends on how your actions go." He said as I left quickly, slamming the door in anger.