The throne room exploded in light.
Golden fire swept through marble and steel, ripping the air apart with a roar that drowned every scream.
Guards flew backward, armor lting. Curtains ignited. The floor cracked open beneath my feet.
"XANDERS!" Arven's voice cut through the chaos.
I barely heard him. The world was white and gold. My body burned, but the pain was distant — almost familiar. The pendant at my chest pulsed like a second heart.
The king stood amid the storm, his silver cloak whipping in the heat, his eyes locked on mine. "So it's true," he murmured. "The Ancient Fla awakens once more."
His calm enraged . "You tried to control !"
"You would've destroyed yourself without ," he replied, voice low but steady. "Now stop before you burn the capital to ashes."
"I can't!" I shouted. "It's not stopping!"
He raised his hand — and from his palm burst a surge of icy light that clashed with my fire. The temperature dropped instantly, flas hissing into steam.
"Enough!"
The shockwave threw against the wall. My vision blurred. I gasped for air as frost crept along the floor, sealing cracks of molten stone.
When the smoke cleared, the king still stood — unhard, but pale.
Arven rushed forward. "Your Majesty!"
The king waved him off, still staring at . "Take him to the Chamber of Seals. Now."
---
When I woke, I was chained again — this ti with runes carved into the tal. My cell glowed faint blue, sealing the air like glass.
My hands trembled. My veins still flickered gold beneath the skin.
"Still alive," a voice said from the corner.
It was Arven. His armor was scorched, his hair singed.
"What happened?" I croaked.
"You nearly destroyed half the Citadel," he said flatly. "The king contained it before it spread to the city."
I shut my eyes. "I didn't an to—"
"I know." His tone softened. "But power like yours has a will of its own. You must learn to master it before it masters you."
I looked up. "And the king?"
"He spared you. For now. He sees you as a weapon still worth forging."
"Then I'm just a tool to him."
"Maybe. But a tool can still choose how it's used."
He stood, unlocking the barrier with a rune key. "Co. The king wishes to see you."
---
The throne room had been rebuilt overnight — scorched marble replaced, banners restored. The king sat calmly as if nothing had happened.
"You look better," he said.
I glared. "You chained like a monster."
"I saved your life," he countered. "Your fla would've consud you. You can't control it yet."
"What even is it?" I demanded. "You said sothing about the Ancient Fire. Tell the truth."
He leaned back. "Long ago, before the kingdoms of n or elves, the gods forged the world from two forces: Eternal Fla and Endless Ice. One created life; the other preserved death. When the gods vanished, both powers scattered into mortal bloodlines. You, Xanders, are one of those remnants."
I felt the words pierce through like arrows. "Then… my parents—?"
"Were either blessed or cursed with the sa fire," he said quietly. "We don't know which."
Silence fell.
Then the king rose from his throne. "If you want answers, earn them. Join my Royal Guard. Train under General Arven. Learn to control your fla."
"And if I refuse?"
He smiled faintly. "You'll burn alone, and the world will call you a demon."
I clenched my fists. The choice wasn't a choice at all.
"Fine," I said. "I'll join. But I don't serve you. I serve the truth."
For a mont, I swore the king's eyes glimred with amusent. "We'll see."
---
Training began the next morning at the Sanctum of Blades, a massive courtyard filled with recruits — elves, humans, even dwarves. All wore the sigil of the crown.
Farel was there. When he saw , his face twisted with a mix of relief and disbelief.
"By the stars, you're alive!" He ran up, punching my shoulder. "I thought they'd— I don't know— feed you to the king's hounds or sothing!"
I laughed weakly. "Almost."
Arven appeared behind us, barking orders. "No talking. Today, you learn to survive."
The drills were brutal — sword to sword, magic against magic. Every ti I swung, I had to hold the fire back, afraid of another outburst.
"Focus," Arven said, circling . "You are not fighting with the fla. You are fighting through it."
"How do I do that?" I gasped.
"By rembering what you fight for."
His words echoed inside — Nenek Wilona's smile, Farel's loyalty, the night the demons ca. The fire inside stirred, but gentler this ti, like a heartbeat.
When I moved again, the fla followed — controlled, sharp, alive.
"Good," Arven said. "You're learning."
---
Days passed. Rumors spread through the city — that the boy with golden fire would lead the next war. So called a savior, others a curse.
Farel trained beside , stubborn as ever. "They can talk all they want. You'll prove them wrong."
"Maybe," I said. "If I can keep from burning down the barracks first."
He laughed. "No promises, huh?"
Our laughter faded when the alarm bells rang.
Arven strode into the courtyard, face grim. "Demons have breached the northern wall. Mobilize imdiately!"
We froze. The northern wall hadn't fallen in decades.
"Xanders," Arven said, turning to , "this is your trial. Control your power, or die trying."
---
The battlefield was chaos. The night sky glowed orange from burning towers. Screams echoed through the streets.
"Farel, stay close!" I shouted, cutting through the smoke.
We fought side by side, blades flashing. But the demons were endless — climbing walls, ripping through armor.
Arven's command echoed above the clash. "Archers! Hold the line!"
A massive demon burst through the gate, its claws the size of spears. It roared — and the shockwave shattered the ground.
Farel was thrown into a wall. I scread his na, running to him, but the beast swung again.
Without thinking, I raised my hands. Golden fire erupted, wrapping around like wings. The heat roared through my bones — but this ti, I controlled it.
"Co on," I whispered. "Let's see if gods still bleed."
I charged. The world slowed — dust, ash, and sparks swirling like stars. I leapt, driving my blade through the demon's throat.
The explosion split the sky.
When the light faded, the creature was gone — turned to molten dust.
Farel groaned, coughing. "Remind never to stand next to you again."
I laughed weakly, collapsing beside him. "Deal."
---
Arven arrived monts later, staring at the crater. "You did it."
"I didn't lose control," I said, half in disbelief.
"No," he replied quietly. "You commanded it."
He knelt beside , voice low. "The king was right. The fire chose you."
I looked up at the burning horizon — towers falling, banners torn. "Then maybe it's ti I choose what to do with it."
Ar
ven's eyes narrowed. "And what would that be?"
I turned to him, the pendant pulsing faintly under my shirt.
"To burn the truth out of this kingdom," I said. "Even if it kills ."
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