Phoenix "Why did you come here, Mr Moss Head? And what do you mean our agreement is cancelled.
Mr Moss Head smirks "Our strategy has changed a little. I'm sorry about this, Phoenix… but you will die here.
Phoenix growls "What did you say?
Mr Moss Head"I heard a rumor that you were planning to stage a coup d'état in this kingdom sooner or later. I couldn't allow that. It would've been much cheaper to deal with you now and save myself the money and effort.
And getting defeated a second time by some foreign kids well… you're certainly not worthy of being called the demon in the Lightning Kingdom.
The thugs laughed mockingly.
Seig thought "Is that the guy who hired Phoenix and Az to kill Iroh?… and why are there so many of them?
Phoenix "I see so you already know my intentions. Baka… I apologize, but our fight ends here. As long as my reason to take down Iroh is gone… there's no reason to fight you either."
Baka "Yeah… you're right.
Mr Moss Head walked up to Az's dead body lying by the side of the bridge.
Moss Head"Before I forget—I owed this boy something. He squeezed my arm until it broke."
He flogged Az's corpse with his cane—once, twice.
Moss Head"Aww… he's already dead."
Seig was furious "You bastard—what do you think you're doing?! And you why won't you say something, Phoenix? Wasn't he your comrade.
Phoenix "Shut up, brat. Az is already dead.
Seig "But he protected you—and you don't feel any remorse for him you don't feel any sympathy for using him as a tool all his life.
Phoenix "I was simply using Az the same way people used me, We magic knights are merely tools. What I wanted were Az's skills and his talent as a multi magic elemental user… not Az himself. That's why I took him in as my brother.
Seig began crying "Shut up! He really liked you! He looked up to you—admired you as a big brother! Ever since his parents died… you were a really special person to him! Even so—don't you feel anything at all? He didn't even fulfill his own dreams… and yet he was happy to die as a tool. That's too painful.
Phoenix's eyes glistened—the drop of tears he tried to hold back finally falling.
Phoenix "Kid... I know he was too kind. Too kind for this world. But the hardest choices demand the strongest will. And the trouble with loyalty to a cause is that one day, that cause will betray you. Take it as a lesson, Seig... from a rogue nobody like me.
Phoenix " Cloud magic Cloud Stream Phoenix said his magic technique as he took a deep breath and blew out this heavy mist towards Mr Moss Head and his thugs, Phoenix then gripped his broken blade and charged inside the mist.
Mr Moss Head "He's coming, Men get ready.
Thugs "But boss this thick fog around us is making it too hard to see anything.
Then suddenly screams were heard and the smell of fresh blood filled air.
As Phoenix—slashed and killed through half the 30 thugs with his blade. He broke through chasing Mr Moss Head who already ran out of the mist and then stabbed him in the stomach as his blood sprayed in the air.
Mr Moss Head (clutching his wound, in pain) "If you're so anxious to join your brother… go ahead alone.
He then pulled out a sword hidden in his cane and stabbed Phoenix through the heart.
As Phoenix spat out a huge amount of blood
Phoenix grinned weakly "Unfortunately… I don't intend on going to heaven with Az. Because you're going to hell with me. I look forward to it—because you're going to find out whether I'm a real demon or not… in hell.
Phoenix then threw Mr Moss impaled body off the bridge as he drowned in the ocean below. The remaining and still alive 15 henchmen dropped their weapons and ran away in fear.
Phoenix collapsed to his knees as he was losing blood fast. He then stood up on his feet and walked slowly to Az's body knelt down again and touched his face gently.
Phoenix "Thanks for everything… younger brother. I'm sorry for all the pain and trouble I caused you."
You're not a tool you were never a tool to me, you were my family.
Phoenix draws his last breath as his eyes close shut for the last time.
Seig was crying inside "If only the circumstances were different we could have been friends.
Baka "Painful as it is Life is nothing but a cruel world.
Meanwhile—
Aturia's eyes fluttered open faintly.
Athuria mumbled weakly "Did i die…? Am I… uhh… Miki— You saved me.
Miki gleamed a relieving smile "Aturia—you're awake, I've healed most of your injuries with my healing magic but you may still have minor internal injuries and slight nerve problems so you should take it easy.
Aturia sat up holding her ribs gently "I'm fine, where's Seig… and that masked kid Az?
Miki "Seig is fine… and the masked kid… he died."
Athuria "Died…? Did Seig kill him?"
Miki "I don't know much of the details… but he died protecting Phoenix.
Baka spotted Miki and Aturia at a distance "Aturia is alright… what a relief.
Iroh "So i guess it's finally over.
Then the scene ends with rain drizzling.
One week later—
After the bridge incident. Az and Phoenix bodies were buried under a grapefruit tree as Team M paid their respects under the evening sunset.
Seig broke the silence.
Seig "Captain Baka still i wonder were those two right on how a magic knight should be.
Baka "Well magic knights are not supposed to seek their reason to exist although harsh it's important they serve as a tool for their kingdom. It's the same in all the five kingdoms.
Seig clenched his fist in frustration "Do you believe that too?
Baka sighed "Well no not entirely but as magic knights we all live our lives with that ideal as it always disturbs us beneath the surface of our minds.
Seig "Well i don't like it so I've decided. Once we leave the Lightning Kingdom and get back home in Camelot… I'm going to pursue a new path of being a magic knight.
Aturia "I thought your dream was to become king of knights so that everyone could acknowledge you.
Seig looked down for a moment before smiling.
Seig "It was... but not anymore."
He looked ahead, his eyes filled with determination.
Seig "I've realized something.
People keep forcing their own dreams and destinies onto others.
You'll become this
You'll die for that
Being used as tools and being discriminated against.
I don't want a world like that, so I'm going to become strong... not so people will acknowledge me..."
"...but so everyone can be free to choose their own path.
"Free to dream.
"Free to fail
"Free to love.
"Free to choose.
Because a person's life belongs to them.
His flames ignited around him—not with rage, but with resolve.
And If the world stands in the way of that freedom..."
"...then I'll fight the world itself."
His voice screamed with determination and her let out a huge smile.
Baka and Miki let out a smile as well while Aturia had a moody face expression.
Two weeks later—
It was about time for Team M to leave the lightning kingdom as the bridge had already been completed, they packed their bags outside greeted by Iroh and his grandson Inari and a few citizens.
Iroh "Thanks to you all… the bridge was safely completed. But we will miss you very much.
Miki "Thank you all very much.
Seig "Don't worry—we'll come back to visit you guys one day.
Inari was on the brink of crying "Are you sure?"
Seig who was also on the brink of tears but putting a tough act "Inari… you're gonna miss us, aren't you? It's alright to cry. Go ahead and cry."
Inari "I won't cry… but it's alright if you cry, Seig.
A few seconds later they both cried at the same time.
Aturia was getting irritated "Stop being such a crybaby, Seig. Seriously—I'm surrounded by idiots.
They carried their bags and headed out walking as they waved them one final time.
One construction worker stepped up.
Worker "Anyway… now that the bridge is completed—we need to name it.
Iroh "Oh yeah—that's right. In that case… I have the perfect name for the bridge."
Inari "What is it, Grandpa?
Iroh "How about… The Team E Bridge.
Inari giggles "Are you sure about that?"
Iroh "This name is to wish that this bridge will never collapse… and someday it'll be the name of a very famous bridge. A team name heard around the world, That's truly what I hope.
Team E are already at the harbor booking a boat back to Camelot.
Seig "Alright first thing first before chasing my goal, I'll get back soon and have Auntie Lily treat me to an all-you-can-eat unlimited supply of meat sausages as the mission completion celebration!. What about you Miki what will you do.
Miki thought for a while "Then I guess… when we get back, I'll need to improve my healing magic. I need to get stronger so that i can fight beside both of you, Oh..and I promised my older brother Kawaki we'd train. Hey, Aturia—do you want to tag along?
Aturia "No I prefer to be alone, Anyway… I forgot to thank you for healing me if not for you i would have died, just don't let it get to your head.
Miki "it's no problem at all I'm just glad i could help a friend.
Seig interrupts "Forget about Aturia—I'll go with you if you want?" That way we can both train and get stronger together leaving ice dweeb in the dust.
Miki blushes pink and quickly hides her face in hoodie "No—it's alright. You need to rest… and I don't want to trouble you."
Seig thought to himself "Weird, why's Miki face all pink? Is there something on my face?
Aturia "And also—Baka Sensei, isn't that way too much beer you're carrying? How did you even get that?
Baka—carrying four crates on his muscular shoulders—acting innocent and smiling sheepishly like he'd won the lottery.
Baka "You only get to live once, kid also i heard rumors that this beer is the best in the lightning kingdom a tiny few sips won't hurt just for tasting.
Aturia sighs " So four crates is tasting, One minute you behave like a Captain and next minute you behave like a Clown.
Baka felt a sudden sting in his heart as he took the insult fairly well "You do know how to kill the joy of a young man with your cold personality don't you Aturia.
Aturia scoffs "whatever.
Team E booked a boat and headed back home to the Kingdom of Camelot. As a new adventure awaits them and thus ends the Lightning Kingdom arc.