Page 23 of Rage of the Fallen

Aurora, resplendent in her newly restored form, perched regally on a rock next to Lisa. The sight of the mythical creature seemed to have a profound effect on the witch. She wore the biggest smile I’d seen in a long time. The tension etched into her features for so long appeared to have melted away, replaced by wonder and relief.

As I watched them, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. We had done it. We had rescued Aurora, and in doing so, we’d given Lisa back a piece of herself.

Yet our moment of triumph was short-lived. Brody approached, his face set in lines of concern. He stopped beside Lisa, scanning our surroundings warily.

“There’s something not quite right,” he claimed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at his words. Brody’s instincts had saved us more than once. If he sensed trouble, we’d be fools to ignore it.

He faced us with a grave expression. “We need to move to our next task and retrieve the harp.”

Zara gestured toward the backpack Damon held in his hand. “We have to charge these first. Especially the hourglass.”

Lisa moved away from the rock and gestured toward the grass. “Put them down, and Aurora will charge them.”

I took the backpack from Damon and laid out the five artifacts, including the phoenix feather, the phoenix grass, the scales, the hourglass, and the crown. Justice knelt and set the mirror beside the others.

The phoenix glided gracefully toward them, her iridescent feathers shimmering in the light. As she drew closer, I noticed her eyes brimming with pearly tears. The sight was both beautiful and unsettling.

I turned to Lisa, my voice hushed with awe and concern. “Why is she crying? Is something wrong?”

Lisa’s expression was calm, even reverent, as she gently stroked Aurora’s feathers. Her hand moved in long, soothing motions along the phoenix’s back. “The phoenix’s tears are more powerful than you can imagine. They’re not a sign of sadness but of magic. Watch closely,” she whispered.

As if on cue, Aurora tilted her head, angling it precisely over the artifacts. Time seemed to slow as the first teardrop fell. It splashed onto the nearest object, and the effect was immediate and mesmerizing.

The artifact shimmered as if lit from within by an otherworldly fire. Its surface rippled with color, first turning a deep, passionate red that reminded me of embers in a dying fire. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the red shifted, blooming into a vibrant orange that pulsed with energy.

I held my breath, transfixed by the transformation. The colors began to fade, retreating like the tide. Within moments, the artifact had returned to its original appearance. Or so it seemed at first glance.

“Look closer,” Lisa murmured, noticing my puzzled expression.

I leaned in and realized the artifact wasn’t quite the same. There was a subtle glow to it now, a hint of power that hadn’t been there before.

One by one, Aurora’s tears fell on each artifact, and each underwent the same spectacular metamorphosis.

“What…what happened?” I asked in wonder.

Lisa smiled. “The phoenix’s tears have awakened these artifacts, unlocking their true potential. They’ve been imbued with a fraction of Aurora’s power. The power of rebirth, renewal, and purification. These aren’t mere relics anymore. They’re vessels of phoenix magic.”

I looked at Aurora, who was watching us with what I could swear was a look of satisfaction. “Will they always glow like this?”

“No,” Lisa replied. “The visible effects will fade, but the power remains. These artifacts are now more than they appear. Much like Aurora herself.”

As if to confirm Lisa’s words, Aurora released a soft, melodious trill. The sound seemed to hang in the air, filled with promise and ancient secrets.

I smiled at Justice. He gave me a handsome grin that warmed my heart. For once, the sun was shining our way, its rays blessing this moment of peace and hope.

However, our respite was short-lived. A chill ran down my spine as a dark shadow suddenly rose behind Justice. An ominous voice, dripping with malice, shattered our brief happiness.

“Did you really think it would be this easy?”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Oh, shit. It was Rage. As usual, he had on a three-piece suit, but this time, he wore a white rose with splashes of what looked like blood on his lapel. I wasn’t sure why, but it had to have some significance. He stepped around Justice, his movements fluid and predatory. His black eyes didn’t reflect the rising sun. It was as if they were the pits of hell themselves.

“Stay behind me.” Justice immediately stretched out his arm, pushing me back.

Rage grinned and gestured toward the rose. “Would you like to know why I’m wearing this?”

Before Justice could respond, Damon stepped forward, positioning himself in front of us. “Well, well, if it isn’t the demon world’s answer to the Joker,” he drawled. “Let me guess, you’re here to audition for ‘Hellspawn’s Got Talent’?”

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