Free Web NovelChapter 40: Third Ally: Tessa, The Fallen Phoenix
[Title Accepted.]
The window shone before his eyes.
Nox immediately felt that familiar energy surge through his body.
It was exactly the same sensation he had experienced with Audrey and Misty.
As if something enormous had awakened inside him.
As if his bones were vibrating.
The energy burst from his eyes.
Misty watched the scene in surprise.
Audrey lowered her bow slightly.
All of that energy left Nox’s body and shot directly toward Tessa.
The inquisitor remained motionless on the snow.
Covered in blood.
Without arms or legs.
On the brink of death.
Then the flames appeared.
At first they were small.
But an instant later they began to grow.
A gigantic pillar of fire completely engulfed Tessa’s body.
The heat became so intense that the snow around her started to melt.
The stone bridge was soon covered in steam.
"What the hell...?" Audrey muttered.
Misty widened her eyes.
"This didn’t happen when I transformed."
Inside the flames, a golden energy glowed like a miniature sun.
Then something even stranger happened.
Tessa’s body began to fall apart.
Her skin turned into ashes.
The remains of her body were consumed by the flames.
And little by little...
She disappeared completely.
Audrey swallowed.
"Did you just kill her?"
"I don’t think so."
The ashes began to move.
They swirled inside the pillar of fire.
Dancing as if they were alive.
Slowly gathering together to form a human silhouette.
Legs.
Arms.
Torso.
Hair.
Everything began rebuilding itself.
The flames roared.
Two enormous wings of fire appeared behind the figure.
Between them, a black spear materialized, adorned with golden patterns running along its entire surface.
Finally, the flames began to fade.
Tessa slowly descended.
Her new feet touched the stone bridge.
The wings vanished.
The spear rested casually against her shoulder.
And when she opened her eyes...
Her gaze was completely different.
More confident.
More composed.
More certain.
The inquisitor looked down at her new hands.
Then her legs.
Finally, she raised her head toward Nox.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you very much."
Nox scratched the back of his neck.
"Honestly... I didn’t think I was actually going to do it."
Tessa let out a quiet laugh.
"Then that makes two of us."
Nox smiled.
"I still don’t completely understand why."
He looked at her.
"But I trust you."
Tessa’s smile widened.
"I’ll make sure you don’t regret it."
A new window appeared before Nox.
[Third Ally Acquired.]
[Tessa: The Fallen Phoenix.]
[Evolution Completed.]
The next instant, the demon’s body changed once again.
The muscles in his arms tightened.
Pain spread through him.
That familiar sensation of growth returned.
’Again...’
’This is starting to get scary.’
A new window appeared.
[Select a Skill.]
[Phoenix Regeneration]
[Phoenix Flight]
[Phoenix Flash]
Nox quickly began reading.
’Phoenix Flight...’
It allowed him to create wings of fire on his back and fly.
’Sounds incredible.’
Then he read the next option.
’Phoenix Flash.’
He could envelop his body in flames so bright they would blind anyone nearby.
’That sounds useful too.’
But then he read the first skill.
’Phoenix Regeneration.’
The ability to heal wounds through the sacred flames of the phoenix.
Nox fell into thought.
"Flying would be interesting."
Misty nodded.
"Definitely."
"But I already have too many ways to move around."
He looked at his mask.
"And I can teleport."
Audrey crossed her arms.
"You’d probably get motion sickness anyway."
"Probably."
He read the options one more time before smiling.
"Regeneration seems much more useful."
He selected the skill.
The window shone brightly.
[Phoenix Regeneration Selected.]
[Fallen Genesis Completed.] freewёbnoνel.com
Tessa seemed far too distracted to notice.
She was busy jumping around.
Moving her arms.
Testing every muscle in her body.
Throwing punches into the air.
Like a child who had just received a brand-new toy.
Misty burst out laughing.
"I can’t imagine living without legs."
Tessa smiled.
"Now neither can I."
Nox walked over to Claws.
The enormous bear still lay beside the bridge railing.
Breathing heavily.
His fur was covered in wounds.
The demon crouched down and patted his head.
"Hey there, fluffy friend."
Claws opened one eye.
"You did well."
The bear let out a weak growl.
"I’m here now."
Nox raised a hand.
Golden flames appeared above his fingers.
Even he looked surprised.
’So this is how it works.’
The flames descended over the bear’s wounds.
Claws tensed.
But the pain quickly faded.
The wounds began to close.
Cuts healed.
Bruises disappeared.
Only a few seconds later, the enormous bear stood up again.
He shook his entire body as if nothing had happened.
"That is ridiculously useful."
Audrey walked over.
"That man escaped purely through luck."
She stored her bow.
"But thanks to my Hunter’s Mark, my arrow will reach him sooner or later."
Nox decided it was best not to ask how exactly that worked.
Then they heard a noise.
The cat girl was running toward the carriage.
"Felix!"
She desperately tried to open the doors.
But they were locked.
Audrey sighed.
"Move."
The hunter raised her leg and kicked.
Both carriage doors were torn off instantly.
The interior was exposed.
Everyone stared.
Animals filled the entire carriage.
Dogs.
Cats.
Squirrels.
Rabbits.
All tied up.
All injured.
All terrified.
"Felix!"
The girl rushed inside.
"Felix!"
A small voice answered.
"Catherine?"
The girl turned.
A small yellow cat raised his head.
Catherine’s eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Felix!"
She ran to him.
Lifted him into her arms.
Tried to tear apart the ropes restraining him.
But her claws weren’t enough.
Audrey appeared beside her.
She pulled out a knife and cut the ropes immediately.
The little cat was free.
"Thank you."
"You’re welcome."
Audrey watched the scene and frowned.
"Wait."
She looked at Catherine.
"Did you just understand what he said?"
The girl looked confused.
"Of course."
"Of course?"
"He’s my brother."
Audrey blinked several times.
"That doesn’t explain anything."
Felix hugged Catherine.
"Are our siblings okay?"
The girl’s expression broke.
Tears returned immediately.
"Only the two of us are left."
The little cat began crying as well.
Audrey stared at the scene in complete confusion.
"I don’t understand anything."
Nox approached the carriage.
He looked at all the injured animals.
All the creatures that merchant had captured.
And sighed. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Then he looked at Tessa.
"If you’re really that grateful..."
The inquisitor raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"Help me."
He pointed inside the carriage.
"Let’s heal them."
Tessa smiled.
"Gladly."
Both raised their hands.
Phoenix flames appeared.
A rain of golden fire descended over the animals.
Wounds began closing.
Broken bones shifted back into place.
The whimpers faded away.
Little by little, every creature recovered.
Catherine watched with amazement.
When it was over, she approached Nox.
The Marauder’s Mask dissolved into ashes.
For the first time, she could see his face.
And his awkward smile.
"Thank you very much."
Nox shrugged.
"It was nothing."
But in reality, it wasn’t.
Because he wasn’t used to people thanking him.
Catherine lowered her head.
"If you help Felix..."
She looked up.
"I’ll do whatever you want."
Nox thought for a moment.
Then Misty appeared beside him, smiling.
"Do you know the Capital?"
Catherine nodded.
"I live there."
"Perfect."
Misty pointed at Nox.
"He’ll help Felix."
Then she pointed at Catherine.
"And you’ll be our guide."
The girl didn’t hesitate.
"I accept."
Nox sighed.
’This woman really knows how to take advantage of opportunities.’
Misty smiled proudly.
Meanwhile, Felix was trying to act strong, but his injuries were still obvious.
Nox approached and placed a hand on the small yellow cat.
The phoenix flames appeared once more.
And he began healing the strange little animal.
