Location: Grand Line – Ashflare Isle
"There are flames that burn to destroy...
...and those that burn to remind the world it can begin again."
— Kael
🔥 The Flame on the Horizon
The Oro Jackson sailed for three days across the chilling aftershock of Glacien Cradle. But then—heat. Sudden and wild.
A crimson plume spiraled into the sky like a flame seeking the heavens. In the center of the rising smoke was an island that looked like the cracked shell of an egg—volcanoes spilling rivers of glowing ember across blackened earth.
Toni's Mythblade pulsed—once.
But his Frostbrand didn't.
"This island... doesn't feel like death," Toni murmured.
"It feels like something's about to be born."
🔭 System Notification – Legendary Beast Detected
System Alert:
🔥 Ashflare Isle
🔹 Heat Hazard: Class III
🔹 Mythical Beast Signature Detected: Type – Phoenix (Rebirth-Class)
🔹 Trial Opportunity: "Embrace of the Ember Heart"
🧭 Optional Quest:
– Calm the Phoenix Flame
– Unlock Pact: "The Flame Reborn"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"A Phoenix… here?"
Rayleigh grinned.
"If it's real, it's not gonna be gentle."
Roger just laughed.
"Then let's see if fire likes kids who wield frozen swords."
🗺️ The Scorched Labyrinth
Ashflare Isle was nothing like the icy ruins of the last trial.
Flaming geysers. Cracked obsidian paths. Trees turned to charred bone. And in the distance, a temple rising from within a dormant volcano—its walls made of gold and sunstone.
Toni walked forward alone.
Inside the temple, a mural showed it all:
A Phoenix rising from flames.
A falling empire, bowing before its light.
And a child… holding both fire and ice in balance.
"You are the storm that binds dual natures," said a voice.
"The memory of ice. The will of flame."
Toni looked up.
And the Phoenix landed before him.
🕊️ The Phoenix's Challenge
Its feathers were blades of burning light. Its eyes were like twin suns. But it didn't attack. It only stared.
Then—words echoed in Toni's mind.
"I have been born a thousand times… and burned a thousand more."
"Prove your will can survive both."
Suddenly, the temple ignited.
Trial of the Ember Heart had begun.
⚔️ Toni vs. Flameborn Echoes
Spectral creatures formed from fire emerged—memories of beings who had once tried to tame the Phoenix.
Knights. Kings. Marines. Pirates.
Toni dashed forward, blades drawn.
"Form IX – Repeating Winds!"
Twin arcs of steel sliced the fire illusions apart. But the heat was too real. His skin burned. His breathing strained.
Then—he raised Frostbrand.
"Form XIV – Severed Winter!"
A pulse of time-slowing ice erupted. Fire and frost collided. For a moment, the world paused in a flash of white-blue light.
And when it faded… only Toni stood. Burnt. Kneeling. But undefeated.
🌟 Pact of the Phoenix
The Phoenix approached.
Its flames did not burn—but soothed.
It bowed its head.
"You carry two truths—cold memory, and the heat of change."
"So I offer you rebirth."
A blaze engulfed Toni—but this time, it healed.
When it cleared, a mark glowed across his chest: the sigil of the Ember Heart—a winged sun rising from frost.
📜 System Panel Update – Post-Trial
✅ Trial Completed: Embrace of the Ember Heart
🦅 New Pact Formed:
Pact Beast – Aravion, the Rebirth Flame (Phoenix)
– Skill Unlocked: Flame Pulse Regeneration
– Mythblade Elemental Affinity Balanced: +Fire
– Summon Skill: Ashstrike Descent (Phoenix Dive – Cooldown: 7 days)
🧊🔥 Dual Polarity Achieved:
– Unlock Form XV: Crimson Frostfall
🌅 Aftermath – A New Balance
Back on the Oro Jackson, Toni stood at the helm, a fiery glow under his skin now visible during deep focus.
Shanks approached with wide eyes.
"You… glow now."
Toni laughed.
"I think I just became a walking contradiction."
Roger looked to the sky.
"Not contradiction, kid. That's what a myth is made of."
From the sails, a whisper came—like a breeze made of breath.
"Void Century Eyes have turned your way."
"They remember you."