Aetheris online: SSS rank talent faith weaver

Chapter 12: The Phoenix's Call

The quiet village was now a hub of frantic activity. Players swarmed in from all corners of the map, their eyes glinting with greed and ambition. The world announcement about the dire wolf had set the stage for chaos, and Reiji could feel the tension thickening with each passing moment.

The dire wolf stayed by his side, its glowing crimson eyes scanning the crowd with a calm that belied its destructive potential. Aeris hovered near Reiji, her palm-sized humanoid dragon form exuding an air of authority. Though invisible to everyone else, her sharp gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd.

"They're here for your wolf," Aeris said matter-of-factly.

Reiji smirked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the village gate. "Let them try. It's not like they're going to get far."

Aeris folded her arms, her golden eyes narrowing. "You're underestimating them. Greed makes people unpredictable. And as I've said before, the stronger your actions ripple through the world, the more attention you'll attract—from both players and the game's more... influential NPCs."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Influential NPCs? Like who?"

Before Aeris could respond, a gust of hot wind blew through the village. The air grew heavy, and the faint sound of beating wings echoed in the distance. The players paused, their conversations fading into uneasy silence.

"What's that?" someone whispered.

A blazing light appeared on the horizon, growing brighter and larger with each passing second. Reiji's eyes narrowed as he watched the phenomenon approach.

Aeris sighed, her expression grim. "You're about to find out."

The light descended into the village square, revealing a humanoid figure surrounded by flames. Her hair was a cascade of fiery red, and her golden eyes burned with an intensity that matched the sun. She wore ornate armor that shimmered like molten gold, and a pair of massive, fiery wings folded neatly behind her back.

The players stepped back instinctively, their awe-struck faces illuminated by the flames.

Reiji stared at the figure, his mind racing. "Who...?"

The figure's gaze locked onto Reiji, and a sly smile curved her lips. "So, you're the Fateweaver," she said, her voice smooth and commanding. "I must admit, I expected someone... different."

Reiji frowned. "And you are?"

The figure's smile widened as she stepped closer, the flames around her flickering with every movement. "I am Lyra, the leader of the Phoenix race."

Reiji blinked in surprise, glancing at Aeris. "Another race leader?"

Aeris rolled her eyes. "Yes, and she's as arrogant as ever."

Lyra's gaze flicked to Aeris, and her smile turned sharp. "Ah, Aeris. I see you've decided to shrink yourself down to size. How fitting for a dragon who's bound to a mere player."

Aeris crossed her arms, her golden eyes narrowing. "Still better than flaunting around like a glowing torch."

Reiji groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Seriously? Are you two really going to do this right now?"

Lyra ignored him, her attention returning to the dire wolf at Reiji's side. "So, this is the creature that caused the world announcement. Interesting. You've used your power to elevate it beyond its natural limits. A bold move."

Reiji's frown deepened. "What do you want?"

Lyra tilted her head, her fiery hair swaying. "I'm here because the balance of power in this world is shifting. Your actions have set events into motion, and I intend to ensure that the Phoenix race is not left behind."

Reiji crossed his arms, meeting her gaze. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Lyra smiled, her wings unfurling slightly. "Everything. You may not realize it yet, but your Fateweaver power is a rare and precious thing. It has the potential to reshape this world in ways no one else can. I intend to be part of that change."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Lyra's smile turned coy. "By binding myself to you, of course."

Aeris bristled, her tiny form radiating indignation. "You can't be serious!"

Lyra glanced at her, amused. "Why not? It's better than leaving him solely in your clutches, dragon."

Reiji sighed, rubbing his temples. "Great. Just what I needed—another powerful NPC trying to hitch a ride."

Lyra's expression softened slightly as she took a step closer. "This is not about servitude, Fateweaver. It's about partnership. Together, we can achieve things that neither of us could accomplish alone."

Reiji hesitated, his mind racing. He didn't fully trust Lyra—or Aeris, for that matter. But he couldn't deny the potential benefits of having another powerful ally, especially one as influential as the leader of the Phoenix race.

Before he could respond, Aeris floated up to his shoulder, her voice low and urgent. "Think carefully, Reiji. She's not doing this out of the goodness of her heart. The Phoenix race has always been opportunistic. If you bind her to you, she'll use every opportunity to manipulate your decisions."

Lyra smirked, clearly hearing Aeris' words. "And the dragons are any different?"

Reiji sighed, glancing between the two. "Alright, enough. If you two are going to be part of my life, we're going to need some ground rules."

Both Aeris and Lyra looked at him, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.

"First rule," Reiji said firmly, "no fighting—at least not while we're working together. I don't care what kind of ancient feud you two have; I'm not getting caught in the middle of it."

Lyra chuckled, folding her arms. "Fair enough."

Aeris muttered something under her breath but didn't argue.

"Second rule," Reiji continued, "I'm the one calling the shots. If either of you tries to undermine me or force my hand, the deal's off. Got it?"

Lyra inclined her head gracefully. "As you wish, Fateweaver."

Aeris sighed. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Reiji nodded, satisfied for now. "Good. Now let's figure out how to deal with this mess before it gets any worse."

As the sun set over the village, the three of them stood together, an uneasy alliance forged in the fires of ambition and necessity. The game world was changing, and Reiji knew that his journey was only just beginning.

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To be continued...