Isaac's consciousness faded as the shadows enveloped him, their grasp unrelenting. He struggled futilely against their binding hold, feeling the life drain from his limbs.
Panic surged through him, he raced after breath he couldn't seem to catch, and the darkness choked his cries into silence. Through blurred vision, he glimpsed Lysandra's cold indifference, a final, chilling image before the shadows consumed him completely.
In that moment, as he slipped into oblivion, Isaac felt a profound emptiness, a sensation of being swallowed whole by a cold and unfathomable abyss.
As the darkness closed around him, Isaac felt a stirring deep within his core. Amidst the suffocating grip of shadows, he sensed a flicker of warmth, a surge of fiery energy that seemed to defy the encroaching void.
As Isaac's consciousness flickered, teetering between darkness and a newfound radiance, a shimmering window materialized before his mind's eye, its edges lined with glowing runes. The familiar interface of his completed system sprang to life, revealing a single, haunting quest that had remained blank for all the years he could remember.
**********
[System Alert: Reward Notification]
[Congratulations, Isaac Hue!]
[Main Quest Completed: "Die"]
[Objectives]
[?] Die
[Calculating Rewards…]
**********
Isaac stared at the words, a mix of confusion and discontent stirring within him.
"After all this time, my system's last quest for me is just... to die? What a damn joke. Well, at least I completed it, right?" Isaac's voice echoed against the walls of his mind before the window updated.
**********
[ Ritual Completed: “Awaken and be reborn”]
[Transformation in Progress…]
**********
“Ritual? Just what the hell is going on… since when was dying so complicated?” Isaac muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief and a growing sense of unease.
**********
[ERROR]
**********
"Huh?" Frozen with utter shock, Isaac stared at the message. He didn’t know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that.
Suddenly, illuminating the void, the image of the brilliant Immortal Phoenix appeared before Isaac. Its massive form seemed to radiate with ancient power.
Without moving its beak, the Phoenix’s voice echoed through the entire expanse. “IGNORANT MORTAL! WHO ARE YOU TO DARE CALL UPON MY POWER?”
Shielding himself from a torrent of flames that stretched from horizon to horizon, Isaac stared at the mythical creature, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“What—” Isaac began, but his words were drowned out by the Phoenix’s resonating voice.
“OH, I SEE WHO YOU ARE NOW! YOUR SCARS AND MANGLED FLESH CANNOT HIDE THE TRUTH FROM ME! YOU ARE THE SPITTING IMAGE OF THAT MAN WHO SEALED ME SO LONG AGO… YOUR FATHER, Magnus HUE!”
The Phoenix’s screech reverberated in the void.
“DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE YOU DESERVE THE POWER YOU WIELD, ISAAC HUE? DO YOU THINK YOU CAN WITHSTAND MY MIGHT? WHAT AMBITION DRIVES YOU TO HARNESS MY POWER AND NOT BE CONSUMED?”
"My father!? I don’t understand, what’s happening? Why is this thing—" Isaac started, but he interrupted himself with a sudden realization. "That error message... the Phoenix Soul is judging me, seeing if I’m worthy to contain its power… This must be what my father meant by not letting his gift consume me!"
The Phoenix regarded Isaac with piercing eyes, its fiery presence flickering with ancient power.
"YOUR FATHER'S CAUTION SERVES YOU WELL, ISAAC HUE," it blared, the flames around it pulsing with each syllable. "BUT CAUTION ALONE DOES NOT SUFFICE. YOU STAND AT THE GATES OF IMMENSE POWER. NOW, ANSWER ME, MORTAL: WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SEEK CONTROL OVER THE IMMORTAL PHOENIX?"
Isaac steadied himself, meeting the Phoenix's gaze with newfound resolve. "That’s simple," he replied, his voice echoing with determination. "To honor my father, Magnus’, wish, to change what I don’t like about these worlds: To burn down the Kraken house and raise my own legacy atop its ashes."
The Phoenix's fiery aura softened slightly as if considering Isaac's words. "BOLD AMBITIONS," it murmured. "YET, AMBITION ALONE DOES NOT GUARANTEE MASTERY. POWER SUCH AS MINE DEMANDS RESPECT, BALANCE, AND SACRIFICE. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD, ISAAC HUE?"
"I am," Isaac affirmed, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling within him. "I will prove myself worthy, not just to wield your power, but to make it my own."
The Phoenix regarded him for a long moment, its ancient gaze seeming to peer into Isaac's very soul. Then, with a resounding echo that reverberated through the void, it spoke once more. "VERY WELL, ISAAC HUE. EMBRACE THE FLAMES WITHIN YOU. LET THE RISE OF THE FIRE EMPIRE BEGIN!”
As the Phoenix's image faded, leaving Isaac alone amidst the quiet emptiness, he felt a surge of newfound strength coursing through him. The path ahead was surely daunting, but with the Phoenix's power now within his grasp, Isaac knew that he had taken the first step towards fulfilling his destiny.
**********
[Resetting Levels To Zero]
[Reverting To Prime Body]
[Merging All Souls, Minds, and Bodies Available]
**********
"What... resetting levels? Reverting to prime body?" Isaac yelled.
**********
[New Skill Tree Unlocked]
[Level Cap Raised]
[Awakening Complete: New Beast Soul Awakened: Immortal Phoenix]
***********
Isaac blinked, absorbing the cascade of notifications. The realization dawned on him: despite the confusion and unsettling changes.
“Phoenix… Wait, am I being reborn?” Isaac questioned, and as if to answer him, the system sent one last notification.
**********
[System Alert: Transformation Complete]
[New Identity Confirmed: Isaac Hue, the Phoenix Reborn]
[Welcome to your new journey]
[Rebirthing At Last Known Death Site: 21 Years Ago]
**********
Isaac stared at the message, both awe and realization washing over him. The pieces fell into place—the quest to "Die," the ritual of rebirth, and now, his new identity as the Phoenix Reborn.
“Wait, 21 years ago, dad… did you…how did you—” Having so many questions he realized he couldn't get any answers for, Isaac tried and failed to calm himself and regained his composure.
As Isaac's consciousness once again flickered, the Immortal Phoenix Soul, dormant for so long, surged with sudden intensity.
It pulsed within him, a defiant beacon amidst the encroaching shadows. With each passing moment, its presence grew stronger, pushing against the suffocating despair that threatened to engulf him.
Isaac's mind, wavering on the edge, found strength in the radiant power coursing through him as the essence of the Phoenix Soul surged, its pride and fury resonating fiercely through his being.
In that darkest moment, as his form dissolved into shadow, Isaac felt himself be merged with the undying spirit of the Phoenix, refusing to be snuffed out.
Excitement surged through Isaac's veins, a sharp departure from the years of being led on countless missions and adventures within the endless expanse of the Ether.
Once, Isaac heard that a weak man’s value was determined by the strong man who led him, and for too long, he had believed it.
"So, this is it!" Isaac exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "A new beginning, with the power of the Immortal Phoenix. Let's see where this journey takes me!"
With a heart ablaze with anticipation and the limitless potential of the Phoenix within him, Isaac embraced his rebirth. Ready to forge his own path and wield the formidable power yet to be harnessed now coursing through his veins, he set forth into the unknown, eager to discover the true extent of his abilities and destiny.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
**********
[Now Entering Location: The Flower Gardens]
**********
Opening his eyes, Isaac awoke to find himself half-submerged in a thin stream of water, surrounded by a garden of brightly colored flowers tended to by various winged insects.
Struggling to move, he found his body felt so heavy that it took all his strength just to push himself up onto his knees. As he did, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water and noticed he had changed.
Intrigued, he stared at his reflection, marveling at the transformation. His once scarred and aged body was now completely revitalized. Isaac stood tall, his transformation evident in every aspect of his appearance.
His once ordinary hair now blazed like a living flame, each fiery curl dancing with the intensity of the Phoenix Soul within him. His eyes glowed with an amber hue, reflecting the inner fire that had awakened, giving him a fierce and determined expression.
Despite his awe, the fact he was now naked took away his intrigue as well as the struggle to stand being so taxing. The flowers beneath him, disturbed by his movements, shed their petals, which were quickly carried away by a gentle breeze that hovered close to the ground.
The petals traveled across the vibrant forest of flowers, dancing to the rhythm of the winds. They crossed vast streams, circled the few large oak trees in the area, and eventually overcame the winds, only to be jetted back into the bright sky.
Isaac's eyes widened in amazement as he saw a massive chain of floating islands above him.
"Unbelievable," he whispered, awe-struck by the breathtaking sight. “But where the fuck am I?”
Taking another look around him, Isaac could tell he was very much lost within the Ether’s expanse.
“I’ve never seen or heard of this place before. Am I even on the same continent?”
The vibrant scenery around him was unlike anything he had encountered in his previous journeys. The sky, a brilliant shade of azure, stretched endlessly, dotted with floating islands that defied all logic. The flora around him shimmered with an otherworldly glow, and the air was filled with the soft hum of mystical energies.
Isaac took a deep breath, feeling the Phoenix Soul's power resonating softly within him, lending him strength. His senses were sharper, his mind clearer. He felt more alive than ever before, as if every part of him was tuned to the magic of this strange new world. For the first time, he felt the flow of magic within his veins, a sensation so foreign yet exhilarating.
“Well, there’s no use just standing around,” he muttered to himself. “If this is my new beginning, I better start exploring exactly what's been changed.”
Brimming with excitement, Isaac began to sit back down, each moment he felt himself growing steadier as he adjusted to the newfound strength and magical energy coursing through him. As he began to relax his gaze made its way through the garden, feeling the pulse of life all around him, every flower and insect a testament to the magic that filled this place.
As he crossed his legs, he couldn’t help but marvel at the surreal beauty of his surroundings. The vibrant flowers seemed to glow with an inner light, and the winged insects danced through the air with an elegance that was almost mesmerizing. The sound of water trickling from the stream added a serene melody to the scene.
“Does every mageborn feel like this, or is this a product of the Phoenix Soul?” Isaac questioned, a sense of wonder in his voice.
His mind raced with questions, but one thing was clear: he had been given a second chance, a new beginning with the power of the Immortal Phoenix, thanks to his father. This world held secrets and challenges, and he was ready to face them all.
“I guess this is it, then,” Isaac said to himself, a hint of excitement in his voice. “Time to find out what exactly my dad had in store for me.”
With the fire of the Phoenix Soul burning brightly within him, Isaac opened his state window, which felt as if he was stepping into the unknown.
**********
[Name]: Isaac Hue
[Beast Soul]: Immortal Phoenix
Health:100/100
Mana: 50/50
[Level]: 1
[Exp]: 0/1000
[Sp]: 0
[Gold]: 0
{Inventory} {Stats} {Skills} {Quests} {Beast Soul}
**********
Isaac's eyes lit up as he navigated through the menus, studying the new options available to him though he couldn’t help comment on his current level.
“Was it really needed to return me to level 1?” Isaac complained. “It was hard enough to get to level 5 and oh, that’s just great now I’m broke again!”
"But damn, this is incredible," he muttered, his fingers brushing over the menu options. "I've never had this many options before. Stats, skills, quests, inventory... even a separate section for my Beast Soul. Stats, inventory, I recognize… though I guess it’s no surprise since I was too weak before to even have basic skills!"
Opening the stats menu first, he was eager to see the details of his new form.
**********
[Stats]
[Str]: 0 (+7)
[Dex]: 0 (+7)
[Con]: 0 (+10)
[Int]: 0 (+8)
[Wis]: 0 (+5)
[Cha]: 0 (+6)
**********
"Damn they’re higher than when I was level 5, they’re more comparable to a level 8 or 9, must be a bonus from the Phoenix soul," he noted, nodding to himself. "That makes sense, but the arrangement seems all over the place…though I don’t know much about what exactly this Phoenix is like do I? Let's see the skills next.”
**********
[Skills]
{Fire Magic} [Mastery: 1%]
{Runic Enchantments} [Mastery: 1%]
{Beastial Attire} [Mastery: 1%]
**********
Confused at first, Isaac’s memory was soon jogged by the system mentioning a skill tree. He couldn’t contain his surprise and excitement at seeing not just one, but three distinct skill paths laid out before him.
“I want to say fire is obvious but what kind of flames does a phoenix possess? Runes I’m a little more familiar with, I used them before as compensation for not having any magic of my own, but Beastial Attire…what the hell are you.” Isaac muttered to himself as a smile stretched across his face before he clicked the Beastial Attire skill tree.
**********
[Beastial Attire]
{Claws} {Talons} {Fangs}
**********
“There’s three different paths for my Beastial Attire?” Isaac said with a mix of confusion and excitement before selecting the first of the three paths.
**********
[Claws Mastery]
[Master the use of the strength bestowed by your Beast Soul, enhancing both offense and defense with techniques focused on the upper body.]
[Abilities]
{Unselected} Razor Swipe: Unleash a swift and precise slash with enhanced cutting power using retractable claws. Requirements: 10 Mana Per Use.
[Locked] Fiery Claws: Temporarily enhances the user's hands with sharp, flaming claws. {Requirements}
[Locked] Flaming Talons - Hands transform into sharp, fiery talons for melee combat. {Requirements}
[Locked] Inferno Claws - Hands become engulfed in infernal flames, causing severe burns on contact. {Requirements}
….
*********
“This is... massive,” Isaac breathed, his eyes widening as he scrolled through the numerous options. “I knew the Phoenix Beast Soul would be powerful, but I never imagined it would come with so many abilities.”
He scanned through the different branches, noting the variety and depth of each skill path. The Claws Mastery alone had multiple tiers of abilities, each with its own unique enhancements and requirements.
“This isn’t just a few new moves,” Isaac said, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is an entire network of different skills and abilities.”
He navigated back to the main skill tree and glanced at the other paths—Talons and Fangs. Each path had its own intricate web of abilities, promising unparalleled versatility and power.
“I have three entire paths to explore in my Beastial Attire skill tree alone,” he muttered. “And each one seems just as detailed as the last.”
The enormity of the task ahead was daunting, but Isaac felt overjoyed at the challenge. He was use to feeling energized by his limitations. He reveled in every obstacle that stood in his way. If one truth had remained after his rebirth it was this. However, now things had changed, it wasn’t limitations that stood in his way, but a seemingly endless well of possibility and power.
“Alright let’s try these skills out!” shouted Isaac.
Smiling from excitement as he focused on the Razor Swipe ability, the first skill he’d ever owned, Isaac centered his thoughts on his hand, concentrating on summoning the claws of the Phoenix through his fingernails.
Taking a deep breath, he visualized the power of the Immortal Phoenix coursing through his veins. His fingers began to tingle as a warm, fiery sensation spread from his core to his hand. He watched in awe as his fingernails transformed, elongating into sharp, gleaming claws that radiated a faint, fiery glow.
"Oh, fuck yes," he whispered, feeling the energy pulse through the newly formed claws.
With a swift motion, he slashed through the air. The claws cut with precision and power, leaving a trail of shimmering sparks in their wake. The attack felt natural, almost instinctual, as if the Phoenix's strength had always been a part of him.
Isaac marveled at the claws, flexing his fingers and watching the retractable blades respond to his will.
"This... this is incredible," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face. The potential of his newfound abilities was exhilarating, and he was eager to see how much stronger he could become.
"Wait, if these are my skill menus... then what exactly is in the Beast Soul menu?" Isaac wondered.
With a final look at the sprawling skill tree, Isaac closed the menu, his curiosity now focused on the mysterious Beast Soul menu. He navigated to the new option and opened it, anticipation building.
The Beast Soul menu revealed an entirely different set of information and options. A detailed image of a majestic, flaming phoenix dominated the screen, its wings outstretched and eyes burning with ancient power.
**********
[Soul Name: Immortal Phoenix]
[Type: Fire Elemental: ????? | Mystic: ?????]
[Rank: S+]
[Description]: An ancient soul of the immortal phoenix, embodying eternal life, intense fire, and regeneration.
[Passive Abilities]
[Phoenix Rebirth]: Revives the user instantly upon defeat, once per battle in a 24 hour cycle.
[Healing Flames]: Generate brilliant flames with incredible healing properties that can heal injuries rapidly. These flames do not burn but rather heal the user and others.
[Luck Skill]
Level: 5
[Description]: Grants fortune in battles and exploration, significantly enhancing critical hits, loot quality, and encounter rates.
Effects:
Increased Critical Hit Chance
Superior Loot Quality
High Encounter Rates with Rare Creatures & Field Bosses
**********
Isaac's eyes widened as he took in the details. "An S+ rank... this Phoenix soul is really powerful…I wonder just how did my dad capture and seal this thing?"
He scanned through the passive abilities, marveling at their power. "Phoenix Rebirth... I can come back from the brink of death once every 24 hours. And Healing Flames... not only can I heal myself, but I can also heal others with these flames."
The Luck Skill caught his attention next. "Level 5 luck... This will give me a huge advantage in battles and exploration. Higher critical hit chances, better loot, and more encounters with rare creatures and field bosses…wait does that mean I’ll be fighting… oh shit.”
Isaac's mind raced as he considered the implications. While the increased luck would undoubtedly bring him more powerful rewards and opportunities, it also meant he would face more frequent and formidable opponents.
The thought of constantly encountering rare creatures and field bosses sent a shiver down his spine.
"Great, just what I needed," he muttered with both excitement and apprehension in his voice. "More powerful enemies to deal with. But if I can handle them, the rewards will be worth it."
Steeling his nerves, Isaac shot up onto his feet feeling excited at the challenges ahead of him.
"Well, there's no point in just sitting around," he declared, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm no longer capped at level 5. My level cap has been raised, and with this soul, there's no telling how powerful I can become!"
He clenched his fists. The challenges ahead were daunting, but Isaac was ready to face them head-on. The potential for growth and mastery were limitless, and he was eager to see just how far he could go.
However, one problem presented itself as a cold wind passed by.
"I'm still naked…" he realized, glancing down at himself. “Might as well check my inventory and see if the world was kind enough to let me cover my ass.”
**********
[Inventory]
Cotton Shirt x1 {Equip}
Denim Pants x1 {Equip}
Basic Sneakers x1 {Equip}
**********
A wave of relief washed over him as he saw the items. "Thank the gods," he muttered, quickly selecting the items and equipping them.
As the clothes materialized on his body, Isaac felt a surge of gratitude. "At least I'm not starting this new adventure completely naked," he said with a chuckle, feeling much more prepared to face whatever lay ahead. He looked around once more, the vibrant garden still a marvel to his eyes.
"Alright, let's do this," he said, his voice overfilled with joy. "Time to have some fun."
