Submerged: The Earth's Remains

Chapter 6

The First Straw

Phoenix's POV

"Whatever you're doing is meaningless." Phoenix affirms, unbothered by the whole thing. Everyone starts to surround Phoenix and the student council, whispering to each other about their drama.

Suddenly, the door to the left of Phoenix slams open.

"Why is everyone so loud? It's so annoying..." Half asleep, Ares rubs his head in annoyance. He leans on a nearby locker, watching the fight with the best view.

"Oh, it's the prince brat." Serena comments, grinning.

"I'd prefer Tyrant Prince." Ares smirks back with a smug face. He crosses his arms and heads closer to the president.

"This isn't your concern. I'd suggest you leave." With a serious and annoyed expression, Aluna commands but twists her words, making it seem like a request.

"Or else what." With a dark demeanor, Ares asks glaring at Aluna with his red eyes.

"I'll use my authority to kick you out of the school." She threatens him.

"Must we remind you how you got accepted in the school? Don't forget, you aren't supposed to be here." Xyphia threatens him with a calm and collected expression.

"Sometimes I wonder why the worst types of students in the school are a part of the student council." He scoffs, placing his hands behind his head and walks off.

"Exactly." Phoenix glares at Aluna, agreeing with Ares.

"Y-You better silence your mouth!" Obviously offended, Aluna shouts without holding back the emotion in her voice.

"Do you really think you're at the position to order me? That's funny." Phoenix fakes a laugh, covering her mouth, letting her expression change slightly.

"So you're really testing my patience Phoenix? Serena, bring her out." Aluna grins eerily. No one in the school has seen her grin like she has now.

Chills go down people's spine around them. Amethyst grabs Phoenix's arm in fear. Phoenix looks back at Amethyst to reassure her that she has the situation under control.

"Ooh this is gonna be fun!" Xyra claps her hands excitedly with a big smile of amusement.

Without hesitation, Serena shoves Oasis onto the cold floor. Phoenix notices Oasis's hands tied with ropes and the fact that her clothes are cut and ripped apart.

What the hell?

Despite her tattered appearance, Oasis stands strong, keeping a brave face.
Serena is disgusted by Oasis's look.

"What's the point of this?" With anger and disappointment in the student council, Phoenix demands for an answer, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists.

"I want you to leave the Academy. You and your team." Aluna places a hand at the side of her waist, waiting for Phoenix's reply.

"No! Phoenix, don't comply with what she says. Her request is absurd. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine!" Oasis shouts, trying to escape from the ropes binding her down. Serena glares at Oasis and threatens her to stay down with her eyes.

"I wouldn't anyway. We worked our asses off to get here." Phoenix replies, determined to win the heated argument.

Aluna sighs.
"Serena, do it."

"Good. I wanted to wipe that smug off her face anyways." Serena chuckles creepily. Quickly, Serena snaps her fingers earning a loud scream afterwards. Oasis's eyes contract as she stares at her finger. Her finger is mutilated and broken.

"I can do more than that!" Serena whispers in ecstasy, getting off of the pain from others.

"So what's your decision?" Aluna taunts Phoenix by grinning as she is amused.

Phoenix hesitates to answer. But her silence only results in another finger being mutilated on Oasis's hand.
The bawls of Oasis only fill the hallways, making some people even more afraid than before.

Suddenly, the people around Phoenix start being shoved by an unknown presence at the very back. With rage surrounding him, he emerges to the middle of the crowd with his jian sword, enhanced with ice. Lucian follows beside Jian with visible rage in his eyes.

"Let her go." With a dark tone, Jian commands, holding his sword up to Aluna's throat along with Lucian holding up his water scalibur. But instead of cowering in fear, she merely smiles, almost chuckling.

"Are you sure you want to do that? After all, Serena can mutilate EVERY part of Oasis's body. The fingers are just child's play." Sadistically, Aluna taunts Jian making him hesitate on killing her.

"Stop." Everyone turns to look at Phoenix, turning their attention away from the fight.

"Oh? Do you comply now?" Aluna smiles.

"No. But I'd like to make a deal. Instead of torturing the whole team, you should just do it onto me. I'll stay by myself.  In return, I'll act how a coward would act during the battles instead of leaving." Phoenix tries to negotiate, earning an angry look from Amethyst.

I've never seen her this angry at me. But it's only expected.

"Hm... you sure know how to use your words," Aluna moves the sword aimed at her throat away from her as she stares solely at Phoenix. Not at Oasis, not at her comrades and not at Jian, the one staring daggers.

"Very well." Aluna agrees to her negotiation, ambling towards Phoenix.

Serena harshly removes the ropes tied on Oasis and shoves her to the floor after being set free. Oasis's tears pile up onto the ground. Lucian rushes to comfort Oasis who is crying while Jian stands, with his sword, spacing out by gazing at the floor.

"You better keep your word, Phoenix." Right beside Phoenix's ear, Aluna whispers.