Despite its size—only about a meter and a half—its presence made the Tree of Life itself seem small.
The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, a storm contained in a single being.
Zen studied it carefully.
Its gaze was sharp, calculating… intelligent.
Interesting.
He smiled slightly under his scales.
So this creature is powerful, but can it match me?
Zen froze, coiled along the branch, watching the Phoenix circle above the fruit.
Heat poured from its electric-blue feathers, turning the air into rippling glass.
The creature tilted its head. Sapphire eyes locked onto him.
Its voice echoed directly inside his mind.
"Who dares enter my domain?"
Zen did not lower his head.
"I am the one who first drank from the Tree. The one who emerged from the fruit. I am Zen."
"Zen…? That dragon?" Amusement laced its tone.
Zen narrowed his eyes. "How did you know I was a dragon? I don't remember telling you."
The Phoenix stared at him like he had said something foolish.
"Did you not meet the Creator?"
Zen's thoughts flickered.
The System…?
The air suddenly grew heavier.
The Phoenix's tone sharpened.
"And I have not forgotten what you attempted. You dared to take what is mine."
Flames gathered in its beak.
Zen's eyes became emotionless.
Then—
He smiled.
I wonder… if my dragon breath can contest that flame.
He inhaled deeply.
The Phoenix struck first.
A torrent of blue fire erupted forward.
Zen unleashed his breath in response.
Gold met blue.
The collision shook the branch.
An explosion burst between them, sending waves of heat and force outward.
The Phoenix slid back a few steps.
Zen did not move.
He stood like an immovable pillar.
But his body trembled slightly.
A laugh escaped his throat.
Deep. Excited.
"Amusing."
The Phoenix's eyes sharpened.
Without warning, Zen spun.
His massive golden tail whipped through the air like a divine spear.
Too fast.
The Phoenix had no time to dodge. It crossed its wings, blue flame-feathers hardening like shields.
Impact.
The Phoenix was blasted backward, thrown hundreds of meters through the air.
Zen didn't stop.
He launched himself forward, body undulating with terrifying speed, appearing above the Phoenix in a heartbeat, claws ready to tear down.
But the Phoenix was already reacting.
Feathers fell from its wings—
And froze mid-air.
Ten of them.
They hardened, sharpening into glowing blue blades.
They shot upward.
Zen had no time to dodge.
The blades struck his body—
And exploded on contact.
A violent shockwave threw him backward.
With a thunderous crash, Zen slammed into a branch of the Tree of Life.
The entire branch trembled from the impact.