Let's Train Heroine

The cavern, hidden deep within the volcanic mountains, was filled with an otherworldly stillness. Fiery embers danced in the air, casting shadows along the rocky walls, while a faint, rhythmic thrum echoed through the chamber. At the heart of the cavern lay a single, pulsating object—a crimson heart, beating steadily amidst the swirling inferno of flames.

Slowly, the flames around the heart intensified, swirling and coalescing as if drawn by an invisible force. The fire began to twist and contort, taking on the form of a majestic bird. Feathers of radiant white sprouted from the growing mass of fire, wings stretched wide as if grasping for the sky above.

With each beat of the heart, the figure solidified further, gaining substance and form, until a brilliant, resplendent bird—tall, regal, and shimmering with holy light—stood within the cavern.

Iris, the Phoenix, had returned.

She stood still for several moments, her wings folded neatly against her sides. Her eyes, burning with a fierce, golden light, stared blankly ahead. A part of her still couldn't believe she was alive. She remembered vividly how close she had been to death—reduced to nothing but her heart. All because of her… the Saint.

"Maris…" Iris whispered, the name escaping her beak like a hiss.

The Saint had been a mere human, a sixteen-year-old girl, yet she had wielded enough power to nearly extinguish the life of a creature as ancient and formidable as a Holy Phoenix. How? The question echoed in Iris's mind, filling her with a sense of disbelief and apprehension. It wasn't just that Maris had been able to harm her—she had almost obliterated her entire being.

Her wings shuddered involuntarily. Even now, after her regeneration, Iris could feel the lingering effects of Maris's holy magic. It wasn't that she hadn't fully regained her strength—no, this form was still mighty. She could incinerate armies, purify darkness, and cleanse entire lands with a mere flap of her wings. Yet she was not at her full power, and this wasn't her strongest form.

The thought of the Saint being capable of nearly killing her while not even using her full strength left Iris stunned.

"The Saint… she's dangerous," Iris murmured softly, her gaze narrowing. But there was something more. Iris had felt it in that clash, a hidden depth of power within Maris that seemed to slumber just beneath the surface. And it wasn't just about raw strength—the girl was young, far younger than Iris had imagined for someone wielding such overwhelming abilities.

Sixteen. She was just sixteen years old.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"How strong will she become?" Iris mused quietly. "If I don't reach my full power soon, she'll surpass me completely…"

The Phoenix's thoughts were interrupted by a soft, amused laugh that reverberated through the chamber. Iris turned her gaze sharply towards the entrance of the cavern, where a dark, ethereal figure stood—Lilith Nocturna, the Dark Fairy Queen.

"Welcome back to the realm of the living, Iris," Lilith said, her voice a playful lilt as she stepped forward. Her presence radiated a faint, ominous aura, the shadows around her seeming to ripple in response to her mood. "I must say, I wasn't entirely certain you'd make it."

Iris tilted her head, a faint glimmer of irritation flashing in her eyes. "Is that so, Lilith? I thought you had more faith in me."

Lilith chuckled, her gaze sliding over Iris's newly regenerated form with a keen, assessing look. "Faith? Oh, I have plenty of that. But I also know what you were up against." Her smile widened, a glint of excitement sparking in her gaze. "The Saint, wasn't it? To think a mere human could nearly destroy a Holy Phoenix… I'm quite impressed."

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Iris's beak clicked softly as she considered Lilith's words. "She's not just a mere human," Iris murmured. "She's… something else. A force of nature in her own right."

"Which is exactly why I'm excited," Lilith replied, her voice brimming with anticipation. "A foe like her… it's been so long since I've faced anyone who could challenge me. I want to fight her."

"Fight her?" Iris repeated, staring at the Dark Fairy Queen incredulously. "You're not strong enough, Lilith. Not yet. If you go now—"

"I know, I know," Lilith interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "But I won't be foolish. I have a plan." She turned away from Iris, her wings spreading slightly as she gazed out into the fiery depths of the cavern. "I'm going to train."

"Train?" Iris echoed, blinking. "You… train?"

Lilith glanced back at her, a mischievous grin on her lips. "Why do you sound so surprised? Do you think I don't have the patience for it?"

"It's not that," Iris murmured, shaking her head slowly. "It's just… you've never trained before. You were always… just strong." Iris alive for centuries, and she knew what Lilith was before she got sealed.

"Exactly," Lilith agreed, her grin widening. "I've never needed to train. But this time… this time is different. The Saint is different." Her eyes gleamed with a wild light. "I want to see how far I can go. What heights I can reach if I push myself."

Iris remained silent, watching the Dark Fairy Queen thoughtfully. Lilith's desire for battle was nothing new, but this was the first time she'd ever spoken about training. It was both exhilarating and unsettling.

"Well, then," Iris said finally, inclining her head. "Good luck, Lilith. I'll look forward to seeing what you achieve."

"Oh, you will," Lilith murmured softly, her gaze turning inward. "You will."

Without another word, Lilith turned and began to walk away, her silhouette melting into the shadows. She paused only once, glancing over her shoulder at Iris.

"Goodbye for now, Iris. When I return… it'll be time to face the Saint."

And then she was gone, leaving Iris alone once more.

---

Far to the north, where icy winds howled through towering mountains, another figure stirred. The Ancient Ice Dragon, Bing, lay coiled in a vast, frozen cavern, her massive body radiating an aura of frigid power. Her breaths were slow and deep, each exhalation sending a swirl of snowflakes into the air.

If only power alone were considered, Bing would have been the strongest among them—stronger even than their leader, Nyx. But she was still young, barely hatched from her icy shell, and her true strength lay dormant within her. Yet as she slumbered, that power was awakening, growing steadily with each passing day.

Bing's tail twitched, a low rumble vibrating through the ice beneath her. Soon, she would awaken fully. And when she did, she would ascend to the peak of her power.

---

Meanwhile, atop a crumbling tower overlooking a vast, desolate wasteland, Nyx, the leader of their group, stood gazing up at the darkened sky. The wind whipped around her, carrying the faint scent of snow and ash, but she paid it no mind.

Her thoughts were elsewhere—on the Saint.

Nyx's expression twisted with a mix of disgust and rage. The very thought of the Saint filled her with a visceral hatred, a gnawing need to destroy her.

"Why…?" Nyx murmured softly, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. "Why do I hate her so much? Why was I born to kill her?"

The questions swirled in her mind, unanswered and maddening. But she knew one thing—this hatred was ingrained in her very being. It was a part of her. To deny it would be to deny her own existence.

"It doesn't matter," Nyx whispered, her eyes narrowing. "I'll kill her. That's all I need to do."

But it wasn't just the Saint she loathed. Humans… weak, pitiful creatures… She detested them too. The urge to eradicate them was just as strong, just as compelling.

"Soon," Nyx murmured, a dark smile curving her lips. "In a few days… I'll start my rampage. And when I do…"

She glanced to the side, where the faint silhouette of Lucan lingered in her memory. "I'll kill them all. Saint, human… I'll destroy everything."