Mariska’s Journey

Chapter 3. Lightning Phoenix.

Lyra laughed with a frightening voice.

"Cute Mariska, it's useless for you to run away, your blood is destined to be mine."

"Aunt Lyra, please be conscious,”said Lyra while trying to stand up.

"Conscious?" I am always aware, and now give me your blood!"shouted Lyra while approaching.

Lyra's gaze this time was very sharp, hypnotizing Mariska, making it impossible for Mariska to move her legs to escape.

"Oh no!" Mariska screamed in fear while covering her eyes.

A lightning bolt suddenly shot out from the bird-shaped pendant on Mariska's necklace, striking Lyra's chest and causing her to be thrown back, kissing the snow.

From the bird-shaped pendant, lightning energy emerged, forming a Phoenix, specifically a Lightning Phoenix.

As Lyra struggled to rise, the Lightning Phoenix spread its radiant wings, emitting crackling energy. Its eyes blazed with fierce intensity, guarding Mariska.

Lyra snarled, summoning darkness. A hundred bats swirled, eclipsing the moon. The air thickened with malevolent energy.

The Lightning Phoenix unleashed a sonic scream, shattering the bats' formation. Lightning bolts danced across its feathers, illuminating the forest.

Mariska, freed from Lyra's hypnotic gaze, stumbled backward.

Lyra's face contorted, fangs bared. "You dare protect her, Phoenix?" she spat, wings unfolding.

The Lightning Phoenix charged, lightning coursing through its body. Lyra met it with a dark vortex.

Their clash ignited the sky. Thunder boomed. Lightning and darkness wrestled.

Mariska covered her ears, overwhelmed.

With a burst of lightning, the Phoenix sent Lyra crashing into the trees. The bats dispersed, vanishing into the night.

The forest fell silent, except for the Phoenix's gentle humming. It settled beside Mariska, wings spread protectively.

Mariska's gaze lingered on Lyra's motionless form. "Aunt Lyra?"

Lyra struggled up, her eyes burning. "Your blood will still be mine, Mariska!" she growled before disappearing into the night.

Phoenix the lightning kept a close eye on its surroundings. And his humming soothed Mariska, who was terrified.

Phoenix turned around to face Mariska.

"Hey, Julia. I've woken up, and we can both go on another journey. Wait…why do you look weak right now?"

Mariska was taken aback when she heard Phoenix' statements.

"This Phoenix can talk and knows my mother's name."

Mariska reflected on the fact that Mother had never discussed her relationship with Phoenix.

"Sorry, Mr. Phoenix, but I am not Julia..." Mariska responded, "Julia is my mother."

Phoenix fixed Mariska with a piercing glare before laughing.

"Forgive me, you look so much like Julia, then where is your mother? Why are you being pursued by a vampire?”

Hearing Phoenix's question, Mariska lowered her head.

She answered with a sad tone, "My mother passed away about six years ago, and three years later, my father followed." I ran away from my uncle's house because Count Alfred forced me to marry him, and the maid who helped me escape turned out to be a vampire.

"What?" Your mother passed away six years ago?! Tell me what caused your mother's death?“

"Mr. Phoenix, what I remember is that there was an outbreak of disease in the city of Britztham at that time, and my mother died because of that outbreak."

"It appears that something is strange...your mother is a descendent of the Phoenix and has a high resistance to diseases, but perhaps it was just fate."

Phoenix's voice was mournful and filled with sympathy.

"My mother is a descendant of the Phoenix?" Mariska murmured with a feeling of wonder and uncertainty.

"Yes, it seems like you don't believe it. Isn't it that when you are hurt, your wound heals quickly?

"Yes, that's right, Mr. Phoenix."

"Please, don't call me Mr. Phoenix, because I am actually a creation of your ancestor, meant to protect his descendants, and your ancestor named me Blitz. So just call me Blitz."

"Nice to meet you, Blitz, and my name is Mariska."

"Alright Mariska, I will take you to a place to train your abilities, so that you can awaken the Phoenix power within you."

"Alright, Blitz."

Not long after, Mariska was already flying in the sky sitting on Phoenix.

"Wow, it's cold!"shouted Mariska.

Blitz laughed, then he channeled the warm energy into Mariska's body.

"Thank you Blitz, you are so amazing."

"It's no problem, Mariska, I'm happy to help you."

Blitz flying in the sky passed over a group of horsemen below.

Mariska looked down, and her gaze met Count Alfred's gaze below.

"Blitz, fly away quickly! We just passed Count Alfred's entourage!" Mariska shouted in panic.

"Why should we be afraid of him?" grumbled Blitz, while speeding up his flight.

Below, Count Alfred ordered his subordinates to follow Blitz's flight direction.

The horses were urged to run as fast as they could, but the thick snow slowed them down, causing the distance between Mariska and Count Alfred to widen shortly thereafter.

Count Alfred immediately directed his fist towards Phoenix while reciting a spell.

From the skull-shaped ring, faint wisps of grayish-black smoke emerged.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix's body slowly began to disappear, starting from its back.

"This is impossible!" Blitz shouted in panic.

"What's wrong, Blitz?" asked Mariska, who was unaware of Phoenix's situation.

"Mariska, Count Alfred has dark magic that can block my power...my body will return to the pendant. Its power is very strange, but vaguely I also feel familiar with that power. I will slide down, and you must run immediately relying on your own abilities!"shouted Blitz.

The remnants of Blitz's body immediately descended, diving very quickly.

Mariska screamed in fear.

Blitz's body immediately crashed into several pine trees, then vanished back into the pendant.

(Thank you to the readers, this chapter 3 is assisted by AI, with approximately 20% generated by AI, in the part of the battle between Lyra and Phoenix.

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