690 Don't tell me you left Bia behind?
Bia was taken aback when all of a sudden, the branches of the massive tree above her began to sway and tried to encircle her. She swiftly flapped her wings and flew back to avoid the encroaching tree branches.
-"What the hell?!"
She wanted to unleash her flames to incinerate the green branches, but her eyes flickered with surprise as spiritual energy began to radiate from the branches.
It enveloped her body gently, as if attempting to calm her anger.
-"Huh?"
Bia blinked with a mix of confusion and caution as the warm and soothing spiritual energy pressed down on her body, trying to guide her to land on the ground.
The many elves gathered in the area were astounded by the sight as they witnessed the Tree of Fate engaging with the phoenix. They whispered to each other, not sure how to comprehend the unfolding situation.
"What's happening? The Tree of Fate is responding to that phoenix."
"I'm not sure, but if the Tree of Fate is showing interest in the phoenix, it means she is incredibly powerful and should be treated with respect!"
"That phoenix is truly captivating. I can sense it's a bonded beast, but which lucky person does it belong to?"
Bia touched down on the grassy terrain, a sense of drowsiness creeping over her due to the spiritual energy surrounding her. Her earlier anger faded away, and now she just wanted to know what was happening.
She surveyed the area and noticed the numerous elves present. Her ears perked up at the sound of their whispers. Instantly, a wave of satisfaction washed over her as she saw the elves looking at her with respect and admiration in their eyes.
-"These elves have got some serious insight. They just saw me, and they already recognize my majestic presence?"
Bia held her head high with a hint of pride. Wesley and Ronan exchanged tired glances and sighed simultaneously. At least the phoenix had calmed down!
Out of the blue, a large shadow loomed over Bia, and the phoenix glanced up, only to see Nox flying above in the sky. Everyone on the elven planet had seen the lynx before and knew who the beast belonged to, so they weren't surprised to see it. However, they were taken aback when Nox landed beside Bia and started circling her.
"Here you are! I was wondering why I didn't see you with Kyle last night!"
Bia's gaze narrowed at the mention of Kyle, but she was distracted when she noticed the lynx had grown more powerful.
She noticed the growing crowd around them and shifted into her smaller form before landing on Nox's back.
-"Take me to Kyle and the others."
Nox blinked but soared into the sky. His iridescent scales shimmered brightly as he swiftly left the area under the many eyes.
Wesley and Ronan didn't follow the two beasts since Bia had informed them that Kyle was on the elven planet. They decided to speak with the elven Queen first before determining their next steps.
Regardless, Ronan, who was called back from the war happening at the other end of the universe to safeguard the elves entering the Gladiator Arena, had completed his task and now had to go back to rejoin the war.
"I suppose I will talk with Kyle to see if he wants to come with me. If he agrees, I will also inform Old Hal about it."
Wesley and Ronan disappeared from the spot as well, leaving the murmuring crowd behind. Meanwhile, in the sky, Bia squinted at the enormous tree.
-"What an odd tree... Even though I didn't witness it, I just know Kyle got the fruit of fate from this tree. It appears to be fond of me, so can I also get a fruit of fate?"
Her eyes sparkled. She was eager to sweet-talk the tree to gather a few fruits of fate for herself to get stronger. But Nox dashed her hopes even before she could try.
"But I heard that the tree of fate can only yield one fruit after thousands of years. So, I don't think you can get one."
Bia glanced at the tree and tsked.
-"What a waste of space then. It's so massive but utterly useless."
She was angry that nobody but Nox had come to fetch her and decided inwardly to teach all of them a good lesson. But she was left speechless when she and Nox finally reached the area filled with wooden houses, only to find almost everyone fast asleep as if they would never wake up.
-"Now what's going on here..."
Nox shrank into his smaller form and climbed a branch, swaying around him.
"Last night, they all had a strong wine; I doubt they will wake up anytime soon."
Bia closed her eyes to take a deep breath. She needed to stay calm.
-"What about Kyle?"
Nox pointed behind Bia with his paw to a spot where Yue, Iva, and Kyle were seated at a table outside the wooden house. They were enjoying a good breakfast.
"There. Can't you sense him?"
Bia's eyes narrowed as she glanced back.
-"I can, I just wanted to make sure that bastard is really behind me."
10:04
In the distance, Kyle suddenly felt an angry glare on his back. He stopped eating when he sensed a familiar presence approaching him and let out a dry chuckle.
Both Yue and Iva were surprised when they saw him suddenly wiping his forehead even though he wasn't sweating at all.
Yue looked at him with concern. He hadn't shared with her yet why his hair had turned dark, so she was worried that something might be wrong with his body.
"Are you okay?"
Kyle let out a chuckle.
"I'm okay, but unsure about the future."
His words had just finished when Bia landed on his head with angry eyes. Yue glanced at the little phoenix, and a sudden realization struck her. She hadn't seen the phoenix with Kyle last night.
"Don't tell me you left Bia behind?"
She stifled a chuckle when Bia started tugging Kyle's hair. The phoenix even tried to ignite a fire on his head, but fortunately, before she could, Kyle swiftly grabbed her, only to have his fingers bitten.
Kyle glanced at the amber-eyed elven woman laughing at him silently.
"You do know it's your fault I'm suffering."
Yue shrugged her shoulders and motioned towards Bia with a smile on her lips.
"Concentrate on Bia; I doubt she will calm down anytime soon. Try your best."
Iva was also amused by the scene unfolding before her. She never imagined she would see Kyle being tormented by his bonded beast, given his personality. But perhaps he only showed this side of himself to those he held dear.
Kyle let out a sigh. It took him a while to soothe Bia after enticing her with many treasures and beautiful jewelry.
Bia hurrmped and left his side. She landed on the table to eat but her gaze stopped on the lynx, who was eating on the other side silently. She swiftly moved towards Nox and ruthlessly kicked him off the table.
Kyle and everyone around were stunned and rendered speechless upon hearing Bia's explanation for kicking Nox off the table.
-"He is getting fat and needs to eat less!"
Nox's eyebrow twitched furiously at her words as he quickly maintained his balance mid-air. He so badly wanted to ask why she was directing Kyle's anger at him, but he held back, aware that he would be the one to face the phoenix's wrath in the end!
'No one's taking my side either!'
Yue and Kyle were busy trying to cheer up Bia, leaving him feeling excluded. The lynx grumbled inwardly and climbed a nearby tree branch to rest for a while.
'I will take my revenge one day! Enjoy it while you can, Bia!'
Kyle caught sight of two familiar figures heading towards the table – Nine and Elli. The duo joined them at the table. Iva got up to make something good for them too, and since Kyle and Yue had finished eating, they went to assist her.
After a while, the others also began to emerge from their designated wooden houses, albeit looking a bit worse for wear. It was to be expected since they indulged in wine a bit too much last night. After everyone had gathered under the Tree of Fate, Kyle suddenly cleared his throat and dropped a bombshell on them.
"Yue and I are getting married."
Jian spat out the water he had just sipped and coughed loudly. He looked at Kyle with a blank expression.
"Why so soon!? I haven't even found a partner, and you're getting married!"
Asher, Sinon, and Regius shared the red-haired man's sentiment. However, the old people were just surprised when they saw the rare delight in Kyle's eyes. It seemed the human was genuinely happy.
Yue was shocked by the sudden announcement. Kyle hadn't discussed anything with her yet! What a jerk!
The trio, Alec, Nine, and Carcel, quickly exchanged thoughtful glances. The idea wasn't bad... if Kyle was going to tie the knot on the elven planet, then they could consider it too... However, their partners seemed to have read their minds and shot them disapproving looks, halting their fanciful thoughts.