Chapter 39

The mist clung to the ancient, towering trees like a white shroud, dampening the sound of their footsteps. As Maya and Melty stepped into the massive clearing, the air grew incredibly heavy. It was a suffocating, dense magical pressure that felt terrifyingly similar to the aura Glass had radiated.

The mist parted.

Dozens of Filolials-massive, brightly colored avian beasts-turned their heads to look at the intruders. But they weren't the threat.

In the center of the flock stood a bird of breathtaking, impossible proportions. Her feathers were a pristine, glowing white, and she stood taller than a three-story building. Her eyes, ancient and entirely intelligent, locked onto Maya.

This was Fitoria, the Filolial Queen, the mythical guardian of the world.

Melty gasped, her hands flying to her mouth, tears of sheer awe welling in her eyes. "She… she is magnificent. The legends didn't do her justice." Melty took a hesitant, trembling step forward, her diplomatic instincts taking over. "Oh great Queen of the-"

Maya stepped in front of Melty, gently but firmly pressing a hand to the Princess's chest to stop her.

"Stay behind me, Melty," Maya said softly, her dark eyes entirely focused on the giant beast. "She hasn't lived for centuries by listening to polite speeches. Ancient guardians don't respect diplomats. They respect power."

Fitoria lowered her massive beak, letting out a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through the ground. It was a challenge.

Maya didn't flinch.

**[Equipping: Meteoric-Iron Gauntlet]**

The heavy, dark metal slammed onto her forearms. Maya rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck, and stepped directly into the center of the clearing.

"I am Maya Lin, the Gauntlet Hero," Maya declared, her voice ringing out clear and commanding. She raised her fists into a flawless Muay Thai guard. "I don't have time to answer riddles, and I know you don't care about my title. If you want to know if I'm worthy of your time, test me."

Fitoria's ancient eyes narrowed. The giant bird didn't squawk or screech. She simply flapped her massive wings once.

*BOOM.*

A concentrated blade of wind, sharp enough to cleave a mountain in half, erupted from the wings and hurtled directly toward Maya.

"Maya!" Melty screamed, raising her wand to cast a shield.

"Don't interfere!" Maya barked.

Maya planted her iron-clad boots into the dirt. She didn't try to dodge. She needed to prove she wasn't a fragile, cowardly child like the Sword, Spear, and Bow. She pulled her right fist back, the Meteoric Iron glowing white-hot with friction, and threw a devastating punch directly into the center of the wind blade.

The magical-nullification properties of the Meteoric Iron clashed violently with Fitoria's ancient magic. The resulting shockwave tore the mist apart, uprooting the smaller trees around the clearing. Maya was pushed back five feet, her boots digging deep trenches into the soil, but she held her ground. The wind blade shattered into a harmless breeze.

Fitoria tilted her head, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her avian features.

The giant bird suddenly began to glow with a blinding white light. The massive silhouette shrank rapidly, condensing into a humanoid form.

When the light faded, standing in the center of the clearing was a small girl with silver-white hair, wearing a gothic dress adorned with feathers. But despite her fragile appearance, the suffocating magical pressure she emitted was entirely unchanged.

"You did not break," Fitoria spoke, her voice flat, monotone, and entirely ancient. "The other Heroes of this generation are weak. They squabble over politics and fight like children. You… your fists carry the weight of a true protector."

Maya lowered her guard, her Gauntlet returning to its sleek silver form. She let out a slow, controlled breath, hiding the fact that her right arm was completely numb from the impact.

"I know how to take a hit," Maya said calmly. "And I know we are going to lose the war against the Waves if we don't change our tactics. I came here for answers, Fitoria."

Fitoria stared at Maya for a long, silent moment. She then looked past Maya, her gaze softening slightly as it rested on Melty.

"The child with the water magic. She possesses a pure affinity for my kin," Fitoria noted.

"I am Melty, Queen Fitoria!" Melty squeaked, bowing so deeply she almost hit the dirt, completely star-struck. "It is the greatest honor of my life to stand before you!"

"You travel with a good companion, Gauntlet Hero," Fitoria said, turning her attention back to Maya. "Very well. Fitoria will speak with you. But the truth of the Waves is a heavy burden. It requires a promise."

Fitoria raised a small, pale hand. The air around them shimmered, and the forest completely vanished, replaced by a sprawling, ancient, magically preserved ruin suspended in a pocket dimension. It was Fitoria's sanctuary.

"The Heroes must cooperate," Fitoria stated, her voice echoing in the ruins. "If the Sword, Spear, Bow, Shield, and Gauntlet do not unite, this world will be destroyed. Fitoria has watched generation after generation fall to pride."

Fitoria's eyes turned completely cold, a terrifying promise lingering in her gaze.

"If you cannot force the other Heroes to fight together, Fitoria will kill you all herself, and summon a new batch of Heroes who will."

Maya's jaw clenched. The ultimatum was absolute. Fitoria wasn't a benevolent goddess; she was a ruthless pragmatist tasked with saving the world, even if it meant slaughtering the current players to reset the board.

"They are arrogant, paranoid, and poisoned by the King's politics," Maya said bluntly. "But I have already begun dismantling their egos. I will force them into a united front, Fitoria. You have my word."

"Good," Fitoria nodded. She gestured to a large stone table in the center of the ruins. "Then sit, Maya Lin. And Fitoria will tell you how to unlock the true potential of the Cardinal Weapons, and who the woman with the fans truly serves."