Astrovoid Shower- Celestial University Book 2: A Bully Romance

Chapter 9: Phoenix Rescue, Presidential Confrontation

 Mako's blade slightly lowered.

"You promise honor, by smithing our father?"

"Xia's entire goal was to get rid of me because your families believe mine were part of a betrayal to succumb to power through the Voids she wants to conquer. Yet the Voids never showed up during the Gorgon incident or the Mightatholon."

The young prince of Shugoda looked at Sehki through the sharp reflection of the blade.

"There was no formal investigation or release of information, and immediately around that time, Ainsley's possession, Taylor's mutation, and Shugoda's Grim Reaper emerged one by one. Oh right, none of you know the behind the scenes, don't you? Doesn't anyone find that timing a bit suspicious?"

"And what does this have to do with Xia?"

"Xia almost killed me twice and the Voids still appeared even when I was unconscious for that goal, fighting me with the ferocity of a solider over information only the Planetary Presidents are accessed to. And instead of consoling her, you, the next generation of Fenghuang Saiban, prison your princess? How does that help your Voids?"

"You humiliated our family name in front of the world!"

"Don't you dare belittle her efforts like that! She saw herself as a champion of Terra to beat a monster you all fostered and left her to rot when she couldn't live up to the task. All of you placed your bets on these four to save the world and you disrespect them over a few losses? Do you think fighting the Voids is a game?! Or any of the pressure you placed on them?!"

Mako and the remaining members of the Rising Twelve present took a step back to consider that as the heirs reflected on those words.

"Even if those claims were true, you work with your tormentors to rescue the one who eliminated you? Why?"

"Oh trust me," turning back to the heirs and stepping away from the blade. "I will never forget what any of them have done. But we have a world to save, and I won't let your father stop her from achieving the dream you put her through. And if he refuses, you won't have to worry about me, he'll defeat me in your place, won't he?"

Mako snickered.

"You're either brave or foolish. If by some miracle you survive, you will answer for the sins of your family."

"I gave you trauma too?"

"Our mother's condition is also yours to blame."

That took him by surprise.

"Can I see her? My powers can counter the damage done to the Voids."

Mako's blade dissolved into feathers blocking his support, returning to their wielder.

"You've done enough. We'll settle this if you're lucky to survive."

The others around him questioned his word, but the look of Mako's bloodlust made Sehki's recoil into similar rage at his underlings.

"Stand back," Sehki blurted out, unveiling the scope of his own spirit and he became Victory Rider Shadow. "Or I'll kill you all."

Mako beamed with excitement at this sight.

"Let's see if you can save sister from her punishment," pointing feathers at the screen, where Ainsley and Rigal grew aghast at the site of the fight they were watching.

"Xia?"

"Fighting herself?"

Alarmed, Calypsa had everyone go for it and run, but her Perseus asked Mako to get those three better medical care. However, he turned back.

"Wait, what about Qian? And have you seen a blond pre-teen that doesn't speak much?"

"She's the light to cure your family's darkness plague on our world. Not recently."

Sehki's disdain made it clear they'd continue this conversation in the future.

Taylor grinned. "I can't believe you threatened to kill them. Now that's acting like a ruler."

Rigal nodded. "No matter how strong he is, you don't let any heir talk to you like that!"

That broke his focus as he reverted to normal. "Oh, so I'm one of you again?"

"That's not what I meant," they spoke in unison, much to his and Calypsa's amusement. They sucked their teeth, with Taylor admitting Sehki could've just made a lesson out of one of them.

"Taylor, if you want to make movies, you have to get subtext better," Calypsa teased.

"He didn't want us to waste time fighting Mako. If they let Jun know he attempted murderer, the blame will go to him while they tended to their other's wounds."

"That doesn't make sense. A hero doesn't back down until they beat the bad guy."

"Ahh Taylor, those who know they're not viewed as a hero tend to show that differently."

"Then he needs to change his style. Beauty, status, and goals are all you need."

"He's got his own way of expressing that," lightly fawning before shifting focus to the subject matter. "You're trying to find your brother, aren't you?"

"If he's willing to imprison Xia, he'd probably use him to get something out of me."

Calypsa looked down at her messages, including one that made her tone match his.

I hope this works. "Don't go overboard and forget it's a rescue mission. A fae's emotions can bring out their inner strength, but also their weaknesses."

"Be honest. At my current strength, do you think I can beat Mako?"

"No. But, you'd put up a good fight. When - if that time comes to pass, I'll help you be ready."

He almost smiled before they entered an area.

From afar, they watched Xia's father summon a ball of flames at the replicate Xia, who cracked and spun their head around, slowly resembling a hybrid of herself and her father. The copycat launched a giant wave of fire so wide Xia's fire spin could barely protect her.

Hits smacked her legs and arms, leaving her on the floor, fighting to get up.

Her replacement aimed a fire at her eyes.

His legs ran into place to stop her father from maiming her face.

He slashed the flames with darkness while she stared at the deadly light drowning in shadows.