They had moved fast. Azura had kept pushing Killian and Zahair to keep moving and they had complied with her. The two days hadn't even fully passed and they were close to the borders of the blue-eyed territory. After she had returned to the car and voiced her wishes, Killian had undressed and shifted. Azura had watched in bewilderment as Zahair folded his clothes and placed them in a strange-looking backpack and fastened it around Killian's snow leopard form. One strap looped around the neck of the snow leopard while another was fastened around the chest. Zahair then connected both the straps together between the chest and neck with a third one which kept everything secure and fit. He had then urged her to shift as well which she had done and Zahair had placed her belongings in the pack as well before undressing himself and stuffing his clothes in there before shifting.

There had been three snow leopard standing were there once three people and one of them carried the strangest looking backpack filled to the brim with personal belongings. Azura had yelped at both of them and they had set off straight away. Either Killian or Zahair was leading and it was clear they knew the route well. Azura spurred them on by either voicing herself in growls or yelps or even nipping at their heels when she wanted them to keep moving.

The terrain they crossed would normally be something she loved to admire and watch up close. It was rough, rocky and covered in snow or ice. The perfect terrain for creatures like them but now she only had one goal and did everything she could to reach it. They had gone higher and higher until they reached the point where no trees grew and where it would be almost impossible for any human to roam. They had only stopped to get some sleep or hunt and Azura had made sure those breaks were as short as possible. She didn't care what they thought of her all she cared about was the fire that raged inside. The urge to spill blood. 

Azura stared at the mountain where Scire was almost completely hidden. They had come from a completely different angle than the first time she had arrived. Her tail anxiously moved from side to side while the tip twitched nervously every time the tail would change direction. Next to her Zahair had already shifted and had taken his clothes and had removed the backpack from Killian's back. Despite wearing thick warm clothing, Zahair was still shivering and his breath formed small clouds in the freezing air. He rubbed his arms trying to warm himself up and Azura was convinced he was much more comfortable as a snow leopard. Killian shifted next and Azura averted her eyes away from them as he got dressed. She followed soon after and turned to watch the village trying to piece together how she would approach the situation. Part of her just wanted to barge in and show everyone who was in charge. 

"Don't just barge in there and go for the kill, Azura," As if Killian could read her mind he spoke up. "He might not be expecting you, but Marric is smart and will turn the rest of the village against you. Be patient, listen to him, use it to your advantage. Let him slip up." 

"All I need to hear is about a way to cure Lucas." She kept her eyes on the village as she spoke. "If Marric tells me that, there's no need to kill him." 

Despite her resolute answer, she knew the chances of that happening were slim to none. Marric wouldn't just roll over and surrender to her and she also knew Killian was right. She couldn't just barge in and kill Marric without angering the village. They would turn on her as Marric had created a flawless leader image for himself to them. Most of the people living here probably had no clue what was going on and what Marric's true intentions were. Despite that, she didn't feel nervous or scared about confronting him. With the newfound power of the Phoenix behind her and the need to get Lucas back, she felt more in control than ever.

"Let's go. See if we can wipe that filthy smirk off his face." 

Zahair and Killian just nodded and followed Azura as she carefully made her way down the rocks and snow towards Scire. She curled her hands together tight and inhaled deeply to calm herself down as much as possible. She felt the presence of the Phoenix deep inside her, soothing her and giving her exactly the confidence she needed. 

It wasn't long until they reached the pathways towards the village and their presence was noticed. Azura kept her head up high and fixed straight forward as she proceeded to walk in a fast, strong pace towards the center. She was certain their presence would already be noticed by Marric and she wasn't wrong. Marric was waiting for her in the center with two men standing next to him. Around them, many curious people had gathered and more were flocking to them to see what would happen. Azura doubted many even knew her name, but they knew Killian and Zahair alright, and they probably were considered traitors for leaving and disobeying Marric. 

"Azura, Killian, Zahair," Marric's cold and calculating voice silenced the whole area. Azura felt the hairs on her body stand up as he spoke her name and brushed the odd feeling off as soon as she could. She would not allow him to intimidate her. No, if there was one thing that would happen was her intimidating him. At that thought, she felt the flames roar inside her and a small smirk appeared on her face. 

"Why won't we go inside and have a talk," Marric gestured to the building behind him with a smile faker than anything she had seen before.

"No thank you. We can talk just fine out here," she replied. It worked, for a moment she saw noticed a slight flash of insecurity in his eyes as she studied Marric closely. Killian was right, he would slip eventually.

Marric coughed two times and glanced over at his guards which also had assembled behind him before looking back at the three of them before him. "Alright. Whatever you wish. But I have demands as well," With two fingers, he gestured towards some of his guards. "Guards, Detain the two traitors. They have committed treason and should not be allowed to stand here freely."

As soon as he was done speaking four guards lunched towards Killian and Zahair and grabbed them, dragging them back and forcing them to their knees next to Marric. They remained silent after and complied after they had looked at Azura for reassurance. She gave them a quick nod and turned her attention back to Marric.

"Are you that afraid of them you want them on their knees? They won't hurt you, Marric." Every bit of insecurity that might have been hiding in her body was gone as she felt herself getting riled up.

"They committed treason of the highest order, Azura. My people need to see them getting punished as they know I won't tolerate such things. Since you are not a part of our village, I can't do the same with you." He crossed his arms and widened his stance to appear more regal.

"So what will you do to me? Kill me? Order me to be killed? Again?!" Azura made sure to speak loud enough so the people that had gathered could also hear her. "Do these people even know who I am?! Have you told them who my mother is and how she actually died, Marric?! I for one, would love to hear that story from you!"

She observed the small grimace that flashed across his face, she noticed the nervous scraping of his throat, almost heard his heartbeat speeding up just a little bit as she honed in on him with all her senses. His face seemed to pale just a tad but all those signs showed themselves for less than a second before he composed himself again. 

"Eliora lost her mind, just as you've seen to have lost yours. Overcome by grief for the loss of her beloved and her only daughter, she only saw one way to end the suffering. I've told you this before." Marric took a small break and looked down before he looked back up again, his cold piercing blue eyes meeting hers head-on making the hairs on her back stand up straight. "Don't tell me you're headed down that same path of insanity. That would be a shame."

"Would it? Wouldn't it give you a new chance to obtain your precious ancient soul?" She sneered at him. Gasps could be heard around them as her words hit the people around them. "You tried killing me once already to obtain it and you failed. You knew from the moment I shifted for the first time and my mother also knew. She did what she had to do to protect me from you and when she returned you led everyone to believe she had lost her mind. Yet she hadn't. You placed her in your lab and in a desperate attempt to find me, you made her the first test subject for that fucked up drug to control people!"

Azura had clenched her fists so tight her nails were digging into the palm of her hands almost drawing blood. Her voice was getting louder and louder and she had started speaking faster with every sentence as her rage started growing. She couldn't care anymore about informing the villagers, it was like she had stepped into a tunnel and the only thing at the end was Marric. Her vision had narrowed down to him, and him alone. The Phoenix was with her even though it was silent, she could feel its reassurance and its understanding she wanted full control now.

"You're rambling, Azura!" His voice was shaking, small beads of sweat started to form on his forehead. Azura observed her target closer and closer, trying to drive him in a corner. "You're here, how could you be here if you had died? That doesn't make sense. I tried to help you but instead, you attacked my guards and killed four of them. Do you see them here? No! That's because they're dead and the dead don't return."

"Don't they? What about those with nine lives?" As she spoke an idea popped in her head. The only way to prove she was speaking the truth. "All I want is a way to reverse what you have done to Lucas, Marric. That's all. Give it to me and I'll leave you alone." 

"Lucas saw your insanity. He came to me for help and I tried giving you that help and instead of accepting it, you killed people, Azura." Despite his physical give-aways, Marric was still keeping his cool.

"Enough with the lies, Marric!" She spat at him. "You brainwashed him! Had him kill me! You knew I would not hurt him so you turned him against me!"

Azura had stepped closer to Marric and his guards. Her vision slowly opened up, seeing Killian and Zahair staring at her with their eyes wide open, knives to their throats. She saw and felt the confusement of the people around them, knew they were still on Marric's side despite her attempts to show them otherwise. If she were to attack Marric now, the guards would kill Killian and Zahair and everyone would turn on her. The only outcome would be a bloodbath and no answer on how to reverse Lucas's condition. Azura carefully weighed her options and her thoughts raked across that one option again. 

'How fast can you bring me back?'  Her words resonated in her mind as she directed her thoughts to the Phoenix.

Depends on the injuries and on your own consciousness. Fight, allow the rage to guide you, let me show you the way and rise at the moment you need.

The voice in her head was calm and cool as always. Azura embraced it as she embraced the anger. Saliva started pooling in her mouth as the Phoenix started pushing to the front more. Azura licked her teeth and a sickening smile formed on her lips. Her head twitched to the left side as her right arm spasmed for a moment. She could feel all eyes burn into her as people witnessed her strange behavior. They would understand soon, but for now, she realized, it would only add points to Marric's story.

"I'm an ancient soul, Marric! I was killed by your doing even though it might have not been your hand and I've got only one way to prove it. I might just be a tad insane yes." 

Azura turned around to the people watching them and let out all the power she had inside herself free. She could see the immediate effects on everyone around as her dominance and power washed over them just as it had once challenged Alpha Andreas. When she got everyone's attention, she moved with a speed she didn't even know she possessed herself. Azura lunged towards one of the guards who seemed the least on his toes and grabbed the knife hanging by his belt. She heard Killian shout out to her, heard the surprised gasps from the people around them as they watched her stab the knife into her own chest, right where her heart resided.

As her skin parted for the knife, a moment of doubt etched in her mind if she would be able to recover from a deadly wound straight in her heart. She did not have long to wonder as she felt darkness envelop her as it had done before. The pain of the self-inflicted stab wound never even registered in her head before she blacked out and saw the black flames of the Phoenix engulf her.