CHAPTER SIXTY-ONEThe words the old man said meant nothing to everyone around him, including his family who were so disappointed in him, and kept their eyes on him even while they were being taken away at the General’s command.“I am sorry.” Elder Enzo mouthed to his wife who shook her head as one of the soldiers dragged her away while she kept her eyes on him. His daughter was too ashamed to look at his face, and she was eager to leave the palace more than her mother.“You see what you have brought upon yourself, Elder Enzo. Now your family detests you for the evil you have done to the king, for the darkness you have brought upon the Empire . You sacrificed the peace and harmony of this Empire for the sake of something little, old man. You are unworthy of a second chance.”General Hector paused for a while, allowing the old men to reflect on his actions before he continued when he was convinced that he was regretful of his actions.“Elder Enzo?” He called out to him with a low but

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE Lucian stood like a rock, waiting for the creature to show itself, but even though he and his companions could hear and feel the sound of the heavy rumbling inside the dungeon which drew closer with every passing moment, they couldn’t see anything, not even a shadow.The light from the torches was bright enough to illumine the entire area, but their was no sign of any creature in the dungeon.“Why isn’t is showing itself?” Helen asked with a nervous voice, looking around in search of the creature while she shared the same anxiety with her companions. General Hector soon got tired of holding onto his heavy sword, and he slowly brought it down, sighing softly while he continued looking forward.“We have been waiting for so long, yet nothing. What could be the reason for this?” General Hector huffed at once, struggling with the thoughts that lingered inside his head while he continued listening to the sound that still made them soldiers with them fearful.Suddenly,

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVEEventually, just when Lucian was about to give in to the thought of going back into the dungeon to see his friends, he heard the sound of their footsteps approaching, and he had to stand still while he looked at the entrance of the dungeon, waiting for them to come to him.First was Helen, and then Dylan before General Hector who came out empty-handed, giving Lucian a little worry because he had handed over the head of the wyvern to him just before he got out of the dungeon.“I was almost about to come get you all. I was hoping that to had not found solace inside the dungeon.” He teased and they chuckled softly, wondering how he could have such a great sense of humor.“Where is the head of the creature?” He asked as soon as he realized that the only thing in the hand of the General was his sword while he clenched his left fist tightly as though he was trying to throw a punch.“General?” He said inquisitively just in case the General didn’t hear him the first time,

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVENLucian’s mind was still filled with a lot of uncertainty even when he made his choice, but he figured that he had already made his choice, and there was no going back.“Is that really what you choose, Lucian? Think again, there could be something else, something more…connecting.” The entity said with a voice a little above a whisper while Lucian took a glance at the objects quickly before returning his gaze to him.“Yes, go ahead. You have one more chance to make the right choice. I hope you get it right this time.” The entity said with a smile on his face Lucian returned his gaze to the objects while he struggled with his thoughts, trying to recall if there was something else that connected him with the other objects apart from the necklace.“Why can’t I remember anything? Nothing is coming to my mind.” Lucian sighed softly, but when he looked at the entity’s face which was still the same as his face, and saw the permanent smile plastered all over it, he fel

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINEThe entity chuckled softly while Lucian was still brooding over his inability to find the Phoenix on time.“I failed.” Lucian lamented again, faced with the reality of the situation while he struggled with the feeling that engulfed him. It felt so real that he almost thought that his body was back to him, but the strongest feeling was that of pain and disappointment.“Why is your face filled with a lot of despair, Lucian Gale? Have you suddenly lost hope in yourself after everything?” The entity said with a bright smile on his face, but when Lucian looked at the perfect image of him smiling, he lacked the words to reply and chose to remain silent while he continued brooding over his situation.“I have given you a part of me, yet you think so low it yourself, Lucian ” The entity smirked atLucian, giving him a reason to lift his face in wonder.“A part of you? What does that mean?” Lucian waited for a response, and in order to give him one, the entity lifte