In the middle of the night, under a sky that showed neither the sparkle of stars nor the light of the moon, a gusty wind raised sand and made dark and heavy clouds dance, which seemed to cover the entire world. A solitary figure emerged shakily, cutting through the wild scenery of that forest border. Suddenly, the silhouette hesitated and, with a loss of balance, collapsed on the ground.
A lightning bolt tore through the sky, revealing the features of the fallen man. The silver light reflected off his pale skin. He was in his thirties, completely bald as if baldness had devoured even the slightest of his hairs. However, his dense eyebrows framed narrow and intense red eyes, reminiscent of the enigmatic phoenix bird. A scar marked his face, starting from the corner of one eye and descending to his chin, giving him an even fiercer appearance.
With effort, the man tried to get up, with red marks running down and saturating his clothing. He leaned, wavering, against a sturdy tree and declared with a firm and sarcastic voice, "So, the Phoenix Group now prefers to hide and only show their intentions at the last moment?"
He had barely finished pronouncing these words when seven figures emerged from the shadows, forming a circle around him, like predators ready to slaughter their prey. The situation seemed hopeless.
An enigmatic voice, combining both masculine and feminine tones, echoed through the forest, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it: "Felix, stop resisting. You have made too many mistakes already."
Laughing bitterly, Felix retorted: "Stop? After everything that happened? You, better than anyone, know what was decided up there."
One of the shadows, who seemed to be the leader, spoke with a hint of compassion in her voice: "If you surrender now, Felix, I promise to intercede for you with our superiors."
But Felix, supporting himself against the tree, although he appeared weakened, exuded an imposing energy. "Please spare me your pity. If you think I'm simply going to give myself up, you're mistaken."
The leader, who went by the name Ariel, retorted in a more incisive tone: "Do you really intend to rise against an entire nation?"
Felix, with inflamed eyes, replied: "And what is wrong with seeking revenge for Little Fifteen? I took the life of that corrupt minister, so what? Little Fifteen gave everything for this nation, and what did she receive in return? I will not allow her sacrifice to be in vain." When invoking the name of Little Fifteen, a mixture of affection and anguish crosses Felix's gaze, revealing a story deeper than words could express.
Observing Felix, who displayed the fury and pain of a wounded wild creature, Ariel momentarily hesitated. Her hands trembled, and her lips tightened into a thin line. With determination, she made a move to advance against him.
Suddenly, the sky rumbled, announcing a storm that had been building for hours. The rain poured down, thickening the dramatic scene. The Phoenix Group was an organization shrouded in mystery, composed of members with exceptional abilities, including those who possessed supernatural gifts. Felix stood out among them. He mastered an ancient martial technique, becoming the most powerful member of the group. Under normal circumstances, Ariel and her six companions from the Dragon Group would never be able to overcome Felix. However, after being hunted for three months by both the Phoenix Group and assassins from a dark realm, and facing numerous battles, Felix was severely injured.
Felix faced the advancing group with resolute determination. Memories of the past began to pass through his mind. These seven individuals had been recruited by the organization as children. After undergoing arduous training, they became part of the Phoenix Group. Little Fifteen, the only woman in the group, was a master of assassination and computer techniques. Behind her delicate and graceful facade, hid a ruthless killer. Her tragic death in a mission in Avaí, due to an ambush resulting from leaked information, triggered Felix's wrath. In revenge, he massacred hundreds in Country C, including innocent civilians, almost instigating a war.
Resigned, Felix thought, "If the nation desires my end, I would rather meet death at the hands of my brothers. Little Fifteen, soon we will be together again." Facing the combined attack of the group, Felix, in a final gesture of resistance, allowed himself to be hit defenselessly.
The impact was violent. Felix was thrown into the air, his body spewing blood. Yet, on his face was a serene smile.
And then, an electrical discharge of monumental proportions descended from the charged clouds, striking Felix in mid-air. He was instantly vaporized, disappearing without a trace.
With a vacant gaze, Ariel picked up a piece of fabric slowly falling from the sky. It was impossible to discern whether the drops running down her face were tears or simply the inclement rain.