ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 158 THE HISTORY OF THE PHOENIX AND THE LEHAVOT

"Again!"

"Argh!!"

In the elusive residence of General Cao, both him and Guinevere could be seen as he watched Guinevere closely, his eyes narrowing as she strained, over and over, to control the raw, chaotic power of the Lehavot flame, but each attempt met with resistance. Finally, he stepped forward, his voice steady and filled with a gravity that immediately caught her attention.

"Guinevere," he said, "it seems like you struggle because you do not understand the Lehavot's history, its very nature." His gaze was distant, as if seeing a memory no one else could. "Let me tell you a tale. The Lehavot isn't just a flame. Long ago, it was the essence of a beast—one born from the very soul of fire itself."

'The history? I never knew the Lehavot has a history worth remember'

He paused, noting Guinevere's intense focus before he continued. "In the depths of ancient lands, a creature was born—a Phoenix, but no ordinary one. This Phoenix was born directly from the Lehavot, containing the purity and fury of all flame. At first, it was a beast of unmatched ferocity, one that roamed freely, untamed and unstoppable."

Guinevere's eyes widened, her interest piqued by the revelation. She had never heard this story before.

"But," General Cao continued, his voice lowering, "barely six months passed before this Phoenix underwent a transformation. It took human form, appearing as a young woman of otherworldly beauty, cloaked in an elegance that belied the fires within. She entered human lands, her intentions unknown."

General Cao laid a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. "Patience, Guinevere," he said, his tone calm yet commanding. "You've come closer than ever before. Keep practicing and honoring the flame's spirit. In time, you'll find what you need."

Though he didn't say it aloud, he knew exactly what was missing—the memory of her brother, the one person who had once shared her understanding of fire. The Fire Prince had been her mentor and protector, his mastery of flames unmatched by anyone in their family. If only she could draw on those memories, find inspiration in his teachings...then, perhaps, the Lehavot would become her own.

But he kept this knowledge to himself. He knew that forcing her to confront such painful memories before she was ready could be detrimental. Instead, he kept his tone encouraging. "The flames will reveal themselves to you in time," he added softly, "but only when you are truly ready."

Guinevere took a shaky breath and nodded, determination flickering in her gaze. "I'll keep trying, General," she promised, holding onto his words as a guide.

As Guinevere stood silently, her mind lost in the question of what kept her from mastering the Lehavot, General Cao's expression darkened. A memory he had long tried to bury surfaced—the last moments of her brother, the Fire Prince, on that fateful day at the battle convention. He could almost see it all over again: the fierce blaze of flames, the desperate fight, and the tragic end that had scarred the academy's history.

He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles whitening as he struggled to suppress the waves of guilt and anger that rose within him. In that moment, he made a silent vow, one charged with the weight of responsibility he carried. 'I was careless once,' he thought, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Guinevere. 'But I will not let history repeat itself. If I fail her, I am not fit to be a pillar of this academy.'

Clearing his throat, General Cao addressed her with renewed firmness, his gaze intense. "Guinevere, remember that true mastery isn't found through sheer force alone. Sometimes, it's the heart that gives us the greatest strength in battle."

Guinevere looked up, catching the steely resolve in his eyes, and nodded, though her mind still buzzed with uncertainty. For now, all she could do was trust in his words and continue her journey toward the Lehavot's true mastery. And General Cao, in his unwavering commitment, would ensure that her path to greatness would not be met with the same tragic fate as her brother's.