Chapter 43 - Thrones

The situation that Erix finds himself in was rather interesting where before him was ethereal flames brimming with life and death where he could feel the cosmic energy permeating from it's form. The sight of an enormous phoenix was nothing but his own thoughts and ideas given it a comprehensive form but in truth the form is far beyond it's true form.

He stared into abyssal light where his own "Craving" for power and conquest was apparent making the phoenix blast its energy at him but Erix was unfazed and surprised the Phoenix.

"To think someone beyond my power is to protect you. Cease your craving unless you are able to connect to the throne." The Phoenix spoke while Erix listened, perking up its last words.

"Throne?" He wondered what this throne was while the Phoenix laughed and said.

"Ahahah I forgot you're still an infant. No matter, you'll eventually find out even without my help. Regardless, tell me the truth, what is your intention behind helping my host? Speak truthfully or I won't hesitate to destroy you."

Erix felt the pressure coming from her; it made him feel like dust against the vast ocean of the universe. However, this only made his "Craving" churn in excitement and didn't back down denying his defeat against someone like the phoenix who was surprised to find him resisting her pressure.

She might be nothing more than an ember of her true self was still immensely more powerful than him and found that the stronger his opponent, the stronger he gets.

'Is he transcending the hierarchy of power? Fascinating.' Phoenix thought herself having seen everything from the beginning till the end but someone outside of her cosmology was able to remain firm and sane against her pressure.

"Reason? Well, if you don't know then it means you can't go through my past and future nor can you kill me. It means I'm stronger than you and you're weaker than me." Erix said confidently using his [ Lord of Deception, Lucifero ] to deny the truth and create his own. Phoenix scoffed and said.

"Don't be too arrogant, outsider. You may be outside My jurisdiction does not mean I can't harm you in other ways. Now tell me your reason!"

Phoenix felt belittled by a Demi-God who is nothing more than a mere fetus compared to cosmic gods and entities like herself. However, she can't deny that her power seems unable to peer through him even though his past, present and future was distorted while his existence had been specially articulated to be never truly destroyed. Whoever added it wanted him to remain safe.

"Tch, hold your jets granny. If you think I want to harm her then no, but if I have a hidden agenda then yes. I want her to be my woman and to be her lover. You know as I do what her future is heading."

The Phoenix fell silent since it is true that her host life would lead to dark paths and ruins because of her. Though, she is apathetic to the inner workings of the universe as she represents destruction and creation along with the rebirth tag being attached with no meaning. However, the existence known as Jean Grey had change her perspective as she is the only one who bonded with her in many variants that she held the most influence over her power and made her the perfect vessel and this made feel like a mother to her.

"You expect me to believe you, a demonic dragon? A Lizard with your weak power wants to be my host lover and protect her, is that it?" Phoenix looked down at him and Erix noticed that he was in his true dragon form most likely because one his soul being the one pulled.

"That is a promise. I shall embrace my lovers, stand beside my allies and lead my people while trample over my Enemies bringing Armageddon to their worlds. You know what I am and what I will represent." Erix had an understanding of his existence as someone who has divinity and Phoenix knows it too. She had met many who prove himself capable of challenging her but none had the audacity to completely ignore losing.

He permeated Armageddon and the overcoming of the end. Phoenix rebirth while the one before her held the craving conquest to live and bring forth a new. They were like the different sides of the same coin. His action while Phoenix is the spark.

This made her fascinated on what the young dragon has in store for her knowing that his ascension has yet to blossom and would eventually stand against even cosmic entities like herself.

"Fufufu you are an entertaining newborn, perhaps you'll eventually rise in Hierarchy of cosmic entities. You are only a A Demi-god within a confining space of a weak universe."

Erix can't deny how powerful the cosmology of the Marvel universe having been heavily restricted in movies when compared to comics where it essentially folds the logic in their will like how beyonder aware and even influence their writer to bring their pre-retcon version into existence.

"Yet you continue to expand because of your 'Craving' assisted by those two being within your soul. Very well, I shall observe and let my host decide if you are worth trouble but take heed, do not dare use that brainwashing of yours as it will not work."

He shrugged it off since he only used it because he viewed it as quickening up the pace without romance and drama nonsense. Erix gave on the idea and let them feel comfortable until they trusted him.

"You've mentioned Craving and Throne, can you explain that to me?" Phoenix at his question and turning into a humanoid woman acting rather seductive and said..

"I'd rather let you find out, oh young one. With your growth then I don't doubt it will take you a long time." Erix felt disappointed but didn't push it reverting into his true form since he didn't want to take his chances against the phoenix and said.

"Let's change our topic then, I want to know what to do with Jean after this? Will you kill the old baldy?"

"At first, I was planning to but considering why he did it then I somewhat understand. However, I won't let him go unpunished since he was the reason why my host only held an ember of my flames but thanks to you, it will eventually burn into blazing fire."

"Is that so. Have you talked to her?"

"Yes, I'm currently speaking with her as I am with you. She seems to have grown to like you based on the emotion that I sense. I'm currently assimilating with her at the moment."

"Oh alright then. Let me see her." The Phoenix watched as Erix folded the mindscape having adapted and learn using Arryn who have analyzed how everything was functioning and allowed him to warp reality arriving at the space in where Jean was.

"Jean?" Erix arrived to find Jean gray bare soul that was naked currently assimilating with the Phoenix when he suddenly heard the Phoenix shout.

"You fool!" In that moment, Phoenix tried to stop him but was too late and suddenly when Jean was assimilating with Jean had caused a problem and felt something clear between the two. Erix was confused and Jean Grey surprised that he appeared but then realized that she's naked blushing.

He suddenly felt a connection to Jean that confuses him, feeling as if he had known her all his life while Jean felt the same way having regained some composure then Erix was smacked by the Phoenix force turning into humanoid form.

"Oww! Why did you hit me!?"

"You idiot! I was in the process of assimilating with her and now you are connected to her! This means you two are bound with another and basically soulmates!" Jean Grey was shocked and said.

"W-What do you mean Soulmate!?"

"It means that you two are destined for one another and would not depart even in death. Because I represent rebirth then if you two die and live once again then you are bound to meet and become partners."

"What!?"

"Oh is that so?" Erix was unfazed finding the situation to be cliche but wasn't complaining while Jean was flustered asking if there is a way to change it.

"Am I not that good looking?" He teases Jean Grey who doesn't have a good romance experience at the moment.

"N-No, you're quite good looking but we don't know each other and now she's claiming that we are soul mates!"

"Then we can always get to know each other."

"Aren't you accepting this too easily? What about your wives?"

"I don't think they'll mind especially having a strong and beautiful woman like you to be part of our family."

Jean Grey blush when he saw his toothy grin that was cute in her eyes rather than intimidating. Phoenix shook her head while they try to discuss how to handle the situation.