The air grew cold, but the Phoenix didn't stop until they were deep within a dark, ancient forest far away from the civilization of the Temple.
With a sudden dive, the Phoenix descended into a clearing surrounded by giant, glowing trees. It landed heavily, its massive silver claws finally releasing Yue Yue onto a bed of soft moss.
Yue Yue scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in short gasps. She looked up at the towering bird.
The Phoenix's feathers were no longer pure silver; they were stained with a sickly dark red light that pulsed like a heartbeat. Its eyes were vacant, filled with nothing but wild, animalistic hunger and pain.
"Feng Yanshen! Stop this! Look at me!" Yue Yue cried out, her voice trembling.
She tried to step closer, her hands outstretched. She didn't care about the danger; she just wanted to bring the man back.
