Reincarnated as a Phoenix

"Still can't believe the dungeon is inside a pyramid"

The trip over to the pyramid was uneventful. Like with the usual, flying through the skies stops nearly any and all potential bandits or other enemies. I did hear a rumour in the capital about these lands being really aggressive and nasty but we're yet to come across any criminals.

The only thing that kept happening is those two whining about the heat, my stock of energy drinks is all gone so there was no way of shutting them up, especially Zeki. He is just as unbearable as usual.

During the trip towards the south, we did end up flying over some ruins halfway through that none of the other phoenixes had any clue why they were there, must have been an ancient civilization destroyed long ago. In the never-ending reaches of this desert, you tend to notice things like that.

"Yup orangey, this place is only thing even noticeable in this dumb desert. Feast your eyes on pure plagiarism! I'm unsure if this or the Earth ones came first though"

Travelling with this kid is very slowly starting to take its toll on us. Thankfully, this is only temporarily since the dungeon after this is in the elven continent next. I'll have to pick up my original party members and there's no chance these two will want to spend that long outside again.

Wait, should I inform my parents what's happening with the prince situation when we're heading back? It's basically on the same flight path, I'm conflicted though, they need to know about everything but I don't want another city to burn to the ground because of another emotional incident.

I'll decide later on, now it's time to focus on this upcoming dungeon.

We're all in human form walking towards the pyramid entrance, that clearly must be what that racoon lady was talking about, the other three of the party all seem to be in agreement also.

As for the pyramid itself, it literally looks like the spitting image of one of those on Earth, similar in a size to the largest and roughly the same wear and tear from age I reckon. Around it, a few small buildings can be seen and a huge square temple to the side of one of the corners of the pyramid as well as some large ruins around the outsides of it as well.

This place doesn't actually look all that populated except for a couple of beast people around the small entrance to the pyramid and the occasional person or persons that walk past us on the road. I wonder if the lack of water around here could be the reason, I haven't seen any bodies of water nearby so might be that.

That doesn't explain how they were able to build this thing in the first place but even with Earth, some people still question if building our pyramids was even possible. Best theory I've heard is that aliens helped because one of the shafts aim up perfectly to a well-known star and that might be where the alien visitors came from.

Who knows? I'm just remembering something really weird now so let's just move on.

We walk up to the entrance and before we have the chance to speak, two beastmen stop us from entering.

"No entrance for humans"

"Yeah, your kind isn't welcome in our temple"

Two beastmen 'greet' us as we go up the open entrance to the pyramid, they clearly have a strong dislike of humans. As for their races, I haven't got a clue but they both have different style ears and tails though.

Are we seriously being discriminated against because we're not beast races? Are you actually being serious? The people in that town seemed alright but then again, they might've just wanted rid of us.

Petra facepalms from the blatant racism but it seems she had an idea something like this would happen.

"This is why the beast continent is annoying, you can thank the empire for the hostility that's festered here for centuries. Ariza, would you mind doing your thing?"

"Do I have to Petra?"

"Would you rather Zeki kill them instead?"

I've only just noticed Zeki's anger now that Petra mentioned it, he looks like he's about to blow, his temper might be as bad as my father but he clearly still can hold it in as well. In all honesty, I'm not opposed to killing the racist beastmen but if there's another solution, then it might be better to choose it. Killing people for having free speech seems a little much but if they're racists, it sure is very tempting.

Ariza steps forward and puts her hand out towards the men.

I'm still unsure whether to use he or she for Ariza, they seem completely fine with either and that's why I'm confused. I guess I could use they more but I feel like it sounds a little disrespectful to call someone they or it. Ariza has said more than once that either is perfectly fine though so I'll just try sticking with one but I'm unsure which though.

"What are you doing blue hai-..."

"Hey! What hav-..."

Both start falling into into a trance of some sorts, almost as if they're half asleep.

"I'm sorry about this you two but you're more than happy to let us in, right?"

"Of course!"

"We won't stop you!"

Both beast men seem very happy in their responses, Ariza's system is definitely good for these types of situations then. Petra said she's a healer, I wonder how that works if she also has a mind-altering type of ability, I should ask about it anyway.

"You have mind control Ariza?"

"Yup, brother is brilliant, his brainwashing can get through any simple-minded bigoted peasant like those two"

Ariza very quickly gets annoyed with Zeki after he finishes though.

"No! It's not like that, just shut it Zeki. What I just used is more of a mind blocker, it doesn't actually control minds, just helps people be a little more open minded to be convinced on things"

I feel like Ariza is trying to justify using an ability which is basically a type of mind control but I'm not going to call him out on it, he clearly dislikes having to use it.

It is strange how different those two personalities are like if they were raised by Petra but then again, we all have memories from Earth so it's not like we're all children. Well... I'm a little childish but I was always like that so being reborn didn't make an inch of difference to me.

I wonder, would Petra have raised me as well if my dragon parents weren't around? Actually, I don't like the sound of that, I would've ended up seeing her like a mother like figure and I'd rather not see Petra in that way if I'm being honest.

Anyway, we all walk past the dopey beastmen guards and walk into the pyramid, there's only one long corridor that seems to head straight into the middle of the triangle structure but it'll take a little time to get there.

"Ahh, it's so much better in the shade"

"Agreed Zeki"

Of course, it's those two who stop complaining. Okay, I can definitely see improvement from my side now, I used to be just as bad as them. Have I actually experienced some growth when it comes to moaning? I feel like I need to start moaning to make up for it now.

"Is everything alright Ikarus? You seem a little quieter these days"

While I'm turning stupid again, Petra seems to be concerned for me.

"You can blame Mr talkative ahead of us for that"

"Yeah, he is a little much to handle but I'm unsure if that's the case, you just seem a little less talkative in general"

She has got a point since Zeki isn't the only reason, he has made me realize just how obnoxious I can actually be. The other reason is that I'm still questioning things between us, stuff like what happens if I do say something and things don't work out, the awkwardness that'll happen between us. That's to say if she even holds the same feelings but I'm still pretty sure she does though,.

And what if it turns out I don't actually like her that much and it's just a little crush? Damn it, I hate thinking about this stuff.

"It's a little complic-"

(Zeki) "You two, hurry the hell up!"

(Ariza) "We've found something over here"

I get cut off by those two, good timing thinking about it. I do need to stop thinking about this now.

As we walk into the inner chamber of the pyramid, we come across a large triangle shaped room with close to a dozen or so beast people laying on the floor on mats looking half asleep, something doesn't seem right.

"It smells like burning opal leaves in here, that really was a happy time"

The other two of our party give a little sigh towards the happy looking Zeki, I'm unsure why though.

"Opal leaves, what are they?"

(Ariza) "Zeki used to smoke a lot back in the day"

(Petra) "Had to force him to quit, it used to stink the cave out"

Is that what all this fog in this room is then? Burning leaves?

Wait, are opal leaves supposed to be a type of narcotic? It would definitely explain all these people laying down out of their minds. Okay, I defo ain't doing anything like that. Alcohol is one thing, that is a completely different level of hell nah.

No issue with people who do that type of thing, it's just way too much for me, also had a very bad experience with something similar back on Earth so no chance of repeating that.

"They said the dungeon is here, this just looks like a drug den... wait, we don't have to smoke to enter?"

Of course, the red-haired kid has to answer first like usual.

"Why would you think such a thing orangey? Are you stu-..."

Zeki actually stops himself from calling me stupid this time, it turns out Petra's parenting can work on him even with just giving a glare, I guess it's still considered parenting.

"Doubt it Ikarus, never heard of such an entrance to a dungeon before"

"Haven't got a clue either"

Both Petra and Ariza are unsure how we're even supposed to enter such a place, have we been given false info?

"How did they know this place is a dungeon then? Have we just been lied to and sent to someplace random?"

"Hah, no need for such a worry orangey, found something over here"

Without us even paying attention, Zeki has found a secret doorway behind a bookshelf in the corner, how the hell did he spot that? That's not a question for right now though.

(Petra) "*Sigh*... Zeki, couldn't you have put that elsewhere?"

(Ariza) "You're literally crushing someone Zeki!"

He's getting complaints from the other phoenixes about where he's left the toppled bookshelf, the wooden piece of furniture is currently resting on top of one of the drugged out beastmen. Whether he put it there on purpose or not, it doesn't really matter.

"Why should I give a shit about these racists?"

He picks the large bookshelf back up and puts it off the side while speaking anyway, it's mad that the guy who just had a heavy bookshelf on him is still out of it and hasn't had a reaction to basically being partially crushed but oh well.

(Ikarus) "Let's just get a move on"

As we all enter the secret doorway, none of us have a clue that one of those 'drugged' out people could've been faking it...

__________

(Zeki) "I feel like a huge boulder is going to start chasing us down one of these halls any second now"

Okay, this kid would get all my references, he's clearly on about the fedora wearing archaeologist teacher who carries a whip and is afraid of snakes, I wish I thought of saying that first. I'd love to have a full-blown chat about stuff like that with him but with his personality, I might blow a fuse. I'd probably get insulted for saying offline games are better than online or he'd say orangey's favourite movie is shit, insults seem to be part of his personality.

We're all walking down a winding pathway inside here, the hallways in this place seem to be similar to a maze but thankfully enough, it's a lot easier to explore than the labyrinth dungeon.

We've been in here for a little while now as well, this place is really dusty and slightly hard to breathe in though. However, we don't have to spend any longer searching around since we've come across something that immediately pisses me of.

"Damn it, it's another freaking fountain"

Looks like we've come across the next dungeon entrance and of course, it's another magical fountain. This was one of the biggest reasons for taking a break, what kind of shit are we going to experience in there?

"What are you on about orangey?"

(Ariza) "Yeah, what's wrong?"

At least Petra knows what this is, I have told her about the experience on that northern island with the confusion dungeon, sighhh.

"Ikarus has already come across a dungeon entrance like this before so she's got the most knowledge out of us here"

I guess Petra has never come across a fountain dungeon then, maybe she is more accustomed to fighting dungeons then?

"We now know this place is probably going to be shit, this dungeon is going to be exhausting if the last one is anything to go off. There might be fighting but expect a lot of irritation"

Ariza looks concerned from my moaning of the place we're about to enter but Zeki couldn't give two shits about anything like that.

"If orangey says it's shit, then it'll probably be fun. We just need to drink from it then, older sis?"

Is this kid brave or just stupid? He's already taken a sip from the damn thing as well.

"*Sigh*, You really don't think ahead do you Zeki?"

Petra even facepalms again, I feel like she regrets bringing him even more now. I'm starting to enjoy having him around, I like not being the stupidest in the group.

"Urgh... I feel tire-..."

"Zeki!"

Ariza runs up to Zeki and looks really concerned from her brother's collapse; I can't help but think how much quieter it's gotten since he's been out but we should probably join him.

"He'll be fine Ariza... probably. We should join him now though"

"Beforehand Ikarus, where was the first place you encountered inside there? What type of enemies or resistance are we to expect?"

I guess Petra wants to plan ahead before we go in but in honesty, we kinda need to get in there quickly seeing that Mr obnoxious is in there alone.

"It was a meadow and peaceful start but I doubt we'll be able to predict where we awaken in there, I can't see it bein-"

Before I even have the chance to finish, I stop speaking and notice Ariza has now also taken a sip from the fountain.

"Uh..."

Okay, she really cares about her brother then I guess, me and Petra need to join them quickly in their slumber now. Have no idea what type of havoc they could be wreaking in there so need to hurry it up.

"Should we join them then?"

(Petra) "Sure"

Me and Petra grab a handful of the water, take a sip and very quickly like the other two, we also lose consciousness.

__________

"Your royal majesty, you've gone silent all of a sudden"

All four of us find ourselves sitting on four thrones in a royal hall, the two moaners are on smaller thrones on the outside while me and Petra are in the middle on two fancy large thrones, this obviously must be a throne room then.

"It's about time you three woke up, I've been speaking to these idiots wearing your faces for quite some time now, they really had no personalities at all"

Of course, Mr obnoxious has to greet us in this royal looking palace. Wait, what is he wearing and what am I wearing? Damn, that's a heavy dress, I've even got heels on as well.

"Your majesty, would you like to reschedule this meeting later on?"

One of the royal advisors is speaking towards Petra, is she supposed to be the royal in charge here? Wait a second, does Petra have a male body in here as well!?

Once again, I hate these types of dungeons...