Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1233: The Ancient Bird Must Bow

Golden pupils reflected the smirk of a man who entered her territory. She lowered her head as her eyes sharpened. Feathers occasionally unfurled, but the man still paid it no heed.

"What is that idiot doing?" said the giant before a sudden impact against the back of his head put him on the ground.

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

"What in the—?!" the giant’s eyes shrunk to a trembling pebble.

Graham’s ash hair flowed flawlessly as he crossed his arms. Brows furrowed like it could crush a rock in between. His breath was calm, like the sea before the storm. His eyes bore down to his soul as if he had just made an unacceptable, grievous sin.

"I mean you no harm," said Lyon as he entered the canyon with the calmness of a lake and the smile of a king. The quetzalcoatl that perched on the jagged spikes of rock screeched. Her screech echoed out, ringing the hearts of those who heard them. Yet, Lyon seemed unperturbed by the call in the slightest and kept going at the beast alone.

The air was thick with tension, the ground beneath him trembled slightly with each step he took. His companions watched from a distance, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and concern. Lyon’s confidence was palpable, his every movement exuding a quiet strength.

Meanwhile, Lyra, who was at the outskirts of the town, heard the cries as well. Her sharp ears picked up the distinct call of the quetzalcoatl. Without spending much time on the balcony, she jumped and flew toward the canyon with her instrument at hand, her heart pounding with a mixture of urgency and curiosity.

"Is he going to be okay..." asked Jugen, his voice tinged with worry. "Heh, who am I kidding? Of course he is going to be."

As Lyon advanced, another colorful head of the same beast peeked over the jagged spikes. Then another, and another. Four quetzalcoatl were ruling the canyon, their scales shimmering with a myriad of colors under the harsh sunlight. Each of them watched Lyon with keen, predatory eyes, their massive forms coiled and ready to strike.

The largest of the quetzalcoatls, her scales a brilliant amalgamation of emerald and sapphire, hissed, her tongue flicking out as she regarded Lyon with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Her eyes, ancient and wise, seemed to bore into his soul, seeking to understand the intruder before her.

"I come in peace," Lyon repeated, his gaze steady. "I seek the one known as Tiangou, the Meteor Dog. I have no quarrel with you or your kin."

The quetzalcoatl’s eyes narrowed slightly, her head tilting as if considering his words. The other three quetzalcoatls remained tense, their bodies coiled and ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation.

Just then, a soft melody began to weave through the air, delicate and enchanting.

"Huh?" Maria looked over as the others followed. Lyra was descending while playing her tune. The notes floated through the canyon, calming the quetzalcoatls and easing the tension that hung in the air.

Lyon glanced over, a smirk playing on his lips, before returning his focus toward the four quetzalcoatls.

Lyra landed gracefully beside Lyon, her instrument still playing. "Seems like I’ve arrived just in time," she said softly, her eyes meeting Lyon’s.

"Indeed," Lyon replied with a nod. "Thank you, Lyra."

The largest quetzalcoatl let out a low, rumbling growl that seemed to resonate through the canyon. Lyon took a step closer, his hand extended in a gesture of peace.

"Please, I only wish to speak with Tiangou," Lyon said, his voice gentle but firm. "I have come a long way to find him."

"Tiangou?" Lyra’s curiosity was evident as she glanced at Lyon.

Lyon nodded, his expression serious. "Let me pass into the center of the canyon in peace. I believe he is waiting for me."

The quetzalcoatls remained silent, but their previously aggressive stance visibly softened.

"I take that as a yes," Lyon said, signaling his group to follow him.

"Well, that was anticlimactic," Jugen remarked, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

Graham, with his usual stoic demeanor, lifted the giant effortlessly with one hand. The display of immense strength left the giant astounded, his eyes wide with shock. "Don’t invite the wrath of my master," Graham warned, his voice low and menacing, "or the four quetzalcoatls’ wrath will seem much more affordable in comparison."

"Y-Yes..." the giant stammered, instinctively nodding.

Graham’s grip tightened momentarily. "If you’re thinking of something stupid, like getting even, ask your clan head if he remembers the kid who cracked the Sigil of the Giants with his bare fist."

With that, he pushed the giant away, sending him scurrying off in fear.

Kesya, watching the exchange, smirked. "Ooo, it’s been a while since I watched that side of yours."

"Shut up," Graham replied gruffly.

Kesya’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Right, the Giant Clan is also in Third Heaven. Are you sure you don’t want to visit?"

Graham’s face hardened. "Master’s goal is more important than meeting the people who forsook me."

"I’m sure he would let you go back," Kesya said, her tone softening.

"I know," Graham said, taking a step forward to join the group. "But I will need flowers before then."

As they ventured deeper into the canyon, the air grew thicker with anticipation. The jagged walls seemed to close in, creating a sense of foreboding and mystery. Lyon led the way, his steps confident and unyielding. Behind him, his companions followed, their expressions a mix of curiosity and determination.

yra raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "You seem to know your way around the canyon, Lyon."

Lyon chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "And you seem to be joining my group just fine."

Lyra smiled, a lighthearted yet serious tone in her voice. "You jest, but we have the same goal after all. Well, the same destination, I would say."

"Perhaps," Lyon shrugged, his demeanor relaxed but focused.

"You are going to meet Tiangou," Lyra continued. "Is he the one responsible for the frequent tremors?"

"I don’t know," Lyon admitted. "I hope not. I hope he is fine."

Lyra’s gaze softened, her curiosity piqued. "So, what’s the deal with you visiting Ardentia?"

Lyon grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I just capitalized on my chances. It was meant to be your welcome, but I got there first."

Lyra laughed softly, shaking her head. "Typical."

As they continued their journey deeper into the canyon, the air grew denser with anticipation. The ground beneath their feet felt alive, pulsating with the latent energy of the place. The jagged rock formations loomed overhead, casting long shadows that danced in the fading light.

Maria, walking beside them, couldn’t contain her excitement. "This place is incredible," she said, her eyes wide with wonder. "It’s like stepping into another world."

"It is," Lyon agreed. "The canyon holds many secrets, and not all of them are pleasant."

Jugen, following closely, felt a shiver run down his spine. "I hope we’re ready for whatever we find here."

"We are," Karina reassured him. "Together, we can handle anything."

Lyra, her instrument still in hand, played a soft, soothing melody. The notes seemed to calm the very air around them, creating a peaceful bubble amidst the tension.

Meanwhile, the giant returned to his clan in haste.

"Hey, you’re bac—" a fellow giant started to greet him.

"No time!" he passed by his friend without stopping, his massive strides shaking the ground as he rushed toward the clan head’s abode. He burst through the entrance and saw an old giant, Patriarch Trom, who was sitting and enjoying the serene scenery, suddenly surprised by the intrusion.

"Jour, I think that your shift is not over yet, no?" asked the old giant, his voice calm and measured despite the unexpected interruption.

"Patriarch Trom, I saw one of the young masters of Sixth Heaven calming down four quetzalcoatls with her instrument. I believe she is Lyra from the Harmonia Clan," Jour reported, his voice urgent.

"Hmm, I did hear one of them is coming," Patriarch Trom mused, turning his gaze back to the scenery. "Amazing, isn’t it, how each generation brings new surprises."

"But I encountered a half-giant as well," Jour continued, his tone filled with awe and apprehension.

"Oh?" Trom’s interest piqued, he looked back at Jour with a curious expression.

"He slapped the back of my head and put me down in an instant," Jour admitted, his pride slightly wounded. "Though... I don’t think he meant any harm."

"What a powerful fellow. Is he Lyra’s entourage?" Trom inquired, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Jour shook his head, "No, well, truth to be told..." He began to recount the entire story, from the unexpected encounter to the giant’s swift defeat at the hands of the half-giant, and the ominous warning about the boy who cracked the Sigil of Giant with his bare fist.

As Jour finished his story, Patriarch Trom, who had lived through countless ages and seen many incredible things, trembled slightly. "The boy who cracked the Sigil of Giant..." Trom whispered, his eyes wide with shock and a touch of fear. "Could it really be him?"

Jour shook his head, "Yes, Patriarch. Graham, he called him. And this Graham spoke of a master, a master who left such an impression that even the quetzalcoatls showed deference."

Jour shook his head, his expression filled with a mix of admiration and frustration. "It’s a shame that his master is a human. With that potential, he would be very suitable for the Giant Art."

Patriarch Trom sighed deeply, his eyes reflecting the weight of many years of wisdom and experience. "Jour, you misunderstand the gravity of the situation. The quetzalcoatls are fiercely territorial creatures. One step into their domain, and they attack without hesitation." He paused, taking a deep breath. "If that man could enter their domain without any aggression, it’s not because of mere respect. It’s because of fear."

Jour’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What... did you say?"

"Lyra’s melody was to ease the fear, not the aggression," Trom explained, his voice calm but grave. "The beasts were the ones hoping that the man didn’t go aggressive. The four appeared out in the open not to fight but in preparation to flee."

Jour’s face paled as he processed the patriarch’s words. "You mean to say that those quetzalcoatls were terrified of him?"

Trom nodded slowly. "Yes, they feared him. Lyra’s presence and music provided a semblance of calm, but the true power was in that man’s presence. It takes an extraordinary individual to inspire such fear in beings as powerful and proud as the quetzalcoatls."

"Return to your duties and don’t bother them," said Trom as he woke him up from stupor.

As Patriarch Trom watched Jour leave to carry out his orders, he stared at the cracked sigil in his hand, its once brilliant glow now reduced to a faint shimmer. The sigil held a significance that ran deep within the annals of the Giant Clan’s history. It had been a symbol of their strength, a testament to their power, until it was shattered by a mere child with his bare fist.

"Graham and... your master..." Trom muttered, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Hmm... how odd, why can’t I remember his name."

He leaned back in his chair, the weight of forgotten memories pressing down on him. It was as if a veil had been drawn over that part of his mind, obscuring the identity of the one who had left such an indelible mark on their clan. The fragmented recollections were frustrating, yet the power and presence of that individual lingered like a shadow over his thoughts.