by Dreagen
“You may think you’re clever,” she said in a hushed tone. “And maybe you are. But I’m far less fearful about the secrets my mother keeps than I am about yours.”
“Really?” he said, leaning in closer with a burning red glare. “And what might those be?”
With that, she turned on her heel and strode silently back inside, leaving the four of them on the balcony wondering how things had escalated so quickly.
“I’m sorry, Rex,” DiNiya said, stepping close to him and placing a hand on his arm. “She was out of line.”
“Doesn’t mean she’s wrong,” he replied in a lower tone before turning back towards the balcony and the scenic view below.
The four of them remained there for a time trying to reconcile the mood with talk of the upcoming festival and all the events they were looking forward to.
AnaSaya seemed beside herself with excitement as DiNiya and EeNox regaled her with stories of music, games, and even theatrical performances. Rex stood quietly, leaning against the railing and soaking in the excitement. At times he would close his eyes and listen only to the words being spoken. Words that spoke of endless fun, frolicking in the cool autumn night with the air filled with music and laughter. It was a beautiful image and one he could easily envision, almost as if he was recollecting a memory. But alas, he knew that could not be, for no sooner had he allowed himself to be swept away by tales of merriment than did LyCora’s venomous words come thundering back. Is it true? he wondered. Am I really the keeper of dark secrets that could endanger all the people I have come to care for? But what could they be? He had no doubt that it had something to do with what happened to him prior to his arrival in EeNara, but how could she know? He opened his eyes and saw that EeNox was still going on about the festival, waving his arms wildly in the air for dramatic effect while the two girls listened intently with enthusiastic smiles.
Rex found himself looking at DiNiya and wondering what in her past could have scared her so terribly and with such a lasting effect. He knew it was why LyCora was so on guard and distrusting of him. He was being condemned for the actions of another, something he had a great deal of experience with already. Guilty by association, he had once heard someone say about a similar incident from his past. But who was it? he wondered. He had managed to put back together most of his fragmented memories but could sense that there was still an important piece missing, one that would tie everything together and give him clarity at last. Or at least so he hoped. With a sigh, he decided to put the struggle on hold and just enjoy the moment. He was in good company and felt it a waste to ignore them. Tomorrow would come just as it always did, and he could start worrying anew then. For now, it was a beautiful night and there was no place else he would rather be.
Time moved on, as did life in KaNar. Before long, another whole cycle had gone by, much to Rex’s surprise; he was continuously amazed by how fast time seemed to fly. It felt like only yesterday he had awakened, frightened and alone, an alien in a lost world. Time and time again he would ponder these thoughts while strolling through the streets of KaNar, nodding his head in hello to those he passed as he absorbed the reality that this place was real, and that he was really here. He had also begun to notice that his life before was becoming more and more of a distant memory, like a dream fading as he awoke. It was this realization that scared him, for EeNara had given him a glimpse of himself that he had always sensed but never truly saw, and what he saw troubled him at times, for lurking deep within was the breath of something monstrous in nature. Something that he felt could rise up and overtake him at a moment’s notice, but instead it just stood by, biding its time. For what, though, he had no idea.
This morning brought with it a breeze that was far more frigid than any other he had come to know in this world. He took it as the autumn season now in full swing, and remembered what he had been taught. Focusing his flame, he brought it up to a low burn. It was invisible to the naked eye without relying on a SaVarian’s natural heat-sensitive vision, but noticeable to him just the same. He immediately felt the chill fade away as his body was warmed from within. It was this ability that allowed the people walking in the streets to still be wearing light clothing and sleeveless shirts.
Indeed, he had learned a great many new skills since his arrival, all thanks to the constant tutelage of EeNox, DiNiya, and now even AnaSaya. The shy healer had come out of her shell more and more, going as far as to participate in his training. Unlike EeNox, however, she focused on teaching him to commune with his flame, to listen to it almost like it had a voice, which according to her it did.
“A flame speaks to the person it burns within through feeling and instinct,” she had told him one afternoon while training in the fields under a sky filled with massive sepia-colored cumulonimbus clouds. “It’s like a language, one that we are born knowing. We just need to learn how to listen.”
The memory of that day brought a smile to his face as he rounded a corner and was immediately greeted by TarFor, who was riding atop TemBol, sitting just above his two massive horns.
“Why, good morning, Rex,” TarFor said, smiling broadly.
“Good morning to the both of you,” Rex replied, smiling back. “Good to see you up and about, TarFor—well, more or less.”
The big man laughed. “Yes, well, ‘up’ I may be, but it’s the ‘about’ part that still gives me a bit of trouble. Fortunately, my good friend here was kind enough to offer me his grand crested head as a means of transportation until I can get around better on my own two feet.”
“That’s awfully kind of you, TemBol.”
“Not at all,” TemBol replied dismissively. “It’s what any member of KaNar would do for their tribesmen. Besides, I know if I was in his position he would gladly do the same for me.” TarFor went wide-eyed while TemBol gave Rex a wink. “So where are you off to this morning? More training with EeNox?”
“And AnaSaya,” Rex explained.
“Ahh, so my niece is helping you as well,” TarFor said with enthusiasm.
Rex nodded. “She’s teaching me a lot of things I never knew I could do. Granted, I never really knew anything about this part of me, so I guess that’s really not saying much.”
“Quite the contrary! The power of the lavender flame is one that still holds many mysteries, and to have one as powerful as my niece is a very rare thing indeed.”
“That, and they are more adept at reading one’s flame and understanding its nature,” TemBol added.
“Indeed,” TarFor agreed, crossing his arms and nodding resolutely. “Consider yourself fortunate to find yourself under the tutelage of such a rare and glorious power. I have no doubt she can show you a great many things about your flame you never knew.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Rex replied. “Well, I’d better be on my way. EeNox gets bitchy when I’m late.”
“Well, then, we won’t keep you,” TemBol said with a slight bow of his head. “ Have fun, but do be careful. No sense in pushing yourself too hard. Remember, all things in due time.”
“I will, and thank you,” he replied before waving goodbye and parting ways with them.
He continued through the gates and out into the fields that had become a regular meeting spot for him, EeNox, DiNiya, and AnaSaya. This morning, though, two unexpected yet familiar faces joined them. Standing with them was ShinGaru, the boy genius, and even more unexpectedly, the ice queen herself, LyCora.
“Good morning, Rex,” DiNiya called over to him while waving.
“Good morning,” he replied as he quickly closed the distance between them.
“What took you so long getting ready this morning?” EeNox demanded, clearly not pleased that his pupil was the last to arrive again.
“Sorry, but I wanted to grab a second plate of breakfast, since I knew we would be out most of the morning again.”
“You were on your second when we left you.”
“Huh, really? Guess it must have been fifth then.”
EeNox sighed, irri
tated, while DiNiya giggled to herself.
“Good to see you again, Rex,” ShinGaru said, raising his forearm to him.
“Likewise,” Rex replied, mirroring the gesture. “So what brings you out here this morning?”
“Well, when I heard that these three were teaching you how to use your flame, I thought it’s not every day that you get to see a real-life red flame in action.”
“So in other words, you came to gawk at the freak show.”
“N-no,” the golden-eyed boy stammered in protest. “I assure you I meant nothing of the sort.”
Rex just laughed. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. Anyways, check this out.” He reared back, arching his head all the way back and up, and with a heavy exhalation, breathed a four-meter torrent of red fire straight up into the air. ShinGaru’s eyes went wide with surprise, while EeNox nodded with approval. Another five seconds and the vertical flaming stream abated. Rex turned to ShinGaru and grinned evilly. “Not bad, huh?”
“Most impressive,” ShinGaru responded, sounding more than a little bewildered. “Please don’t mind my asking, but what made you want to learn how to expel flame from your mouth?”
“Honestly, it just sort of happened,” Rex explained casually. “EeNox here was teaching me how to focus and direct it, when out of my mouth it suddenly came.”
“Nearly set my whole head on fire when it did,” EeNox added, recalling the close call everything above his neck had that day.
Rex’s gaze shifted slightly to the left of ShinGaru to where LyCora was standing with her arms crossed beneath her cloak, averting her gaze. When she noticed he was staring at her, she blew a strand of fur out of her face and explained dryly, “I’m not here to help or watch your silly little stage act, if that’s what you’re wondering. My mother made me come—plain and simple.”
“And you’re not the type to disobey Mother, now, are you?” EeNox chided.
“Though some of us would have no problem if you decided to,” DiNiya added in a less-than-kind tone.
“Well, then, since you’re here, maybe I’ll aim my little stage act lower next time,” Rex said, fixing LyCora with a predatory stare.
LyCora dropped her arms and gave him a furious look before making a motion that suggested she wanted to walk away, but refrained.
“Go ahead,” Rex said. “Run away like you always do when someone doesn’t just stand there and take your bullying. It won’t be a shock to any of us.”
“You’re the bully, you barbaric brute,” she exclaimed. “Yes, I do want to leave, but that’s because you scare me! That’s what you want to hear, isn’t it?” Rex gave her a curious look, clearly taken off guard by her comment. “Ever since you’ve started growing in strength, you’ve become more forceful and aggressive.”
“If you call defending myself forceful and aggressive, then I suppose you’re right,” he said simply.
“Say what you will about how I talk to you, but I’ve never tried to harm you without provocation! Not once! You, on the other hand, have tried to blow me into pieces and continue to threaten me! So I ask you, who’s the real bully here?”
Rex felt unnerved. All his life he had been on the receiving end of tormenting behavior, an easy target due to his appearance. Now he had the kind of power he had always dreamt of. The kind that could silence would-be adversaries before they even opened their mouths. He had been enjoying the feeling of superior physical prowess since his strength had begun to grow, but he now felt it had been turning him into the very thing he had wanted to use it against. With his head slightly lowered, he turned away from LyCora. “Let’s get started,” he said in the same low gravelly voice he always spoke with when he was feeling unhappy.
EeNox nodded silently as he took his place next to him. “All right,” he said, trying to sound encouraging. “Just like before. Start with a low burn.”
Everyone watched the two of them ignite their flames as they practiced raising and lowering their intensity. Everyone had been feeling more than a little nervous when LyCora had started in on Rex, half expecting him to lose control and burn half the surrounding area to smoldering cinders. Much to their great relief, though, he simply walked away from a fight, something they had already discovered was highly uncharacteristic of him.
DiNiya was unsure if this was a good thing, or a sign that something else was wrong, something that signified that Rex was more than just an angry person but a wounded one as well. Still, an animal is often most dangerous when hurt. She regarded him solemnly as he went through the motions with her brother effortlessly, speaking only when spoken to directly and otherwise avoiding all eye contact with anyone.
Four more days went by, and Rex was now pushing his flame faster and harder. So immense was the outpouring of raw energy from it that it became difficult for any of them to stand in close proximity to him while he had it ignited—something that would prompt EeNox to call for a break frequently, claiming that he did not want Rex to overdo it. But DiNiya suspected Rex knew the truth and was simply choosing to say nothing out of respect.
During these periods, AnaSaya would sit with Rex and work on his ability to commune. “Breathe deeply,” she said as they sat across from one another with their legs crossed and their eyes closed. “Allow all your burdens and stress to fall away, leaving only you and the fire burning within.”
DiNiya took note that he always seemed to have difficulty with this portion of the training. Whereas the aggressive combat nature of his flame seemed to come naturally to him, the more peaceful and tranquil side seemed to elude him. In fact, on more than one occasion, his face would contort into one that almost looked like he was in pain, or desperately trying to grasp hold of something that was always just out of his reach. She could sympathize with him in that regard.
“Continue to breathe,” AnaSaya went on. “Feel your mind willing your flame to move with you, like a dance.”
Rex began to squirm as thick beads of sweat ran down his face. He could sense his flame perfectly fine, but despite her instruction, he could not make it bend to his will. “I can’t,” he growled. “It won’t…do what I try to make it.”
“Don’t try to dominate it. Rather allow it to flow from you, like an extension of your will.”
Rex knew what she was asking but also knew that his flame was not only his to wield, for lurking in the shadows was something else. Something that would lend him the power of the red flame within him but was still always keeping control out of his hands.
As everyone continued to watch in silence, they saw small red sparks begin shooting off Rex, and he was noticeably struggling. Sensing a surge of power quickly growing in him, AnaSaya opened her eyes and leapt to her feet, backing away quickly, just as a Rex inadvertently unleashed a red pulse that scorched everything around him in a meter-wide radius.
“Are you all right?” ShinGaru asked AnaSaya as he came running up alongside her.
“Yes,” she replied, nodding, before turning back to Rex, who sat hunched over with his hands flat against the blackened soil, holding himself up as he breathed heavily. “Rex…are you—?”
“All right?” he cut her off. “You tell me.” He slowly rose to his feet, his fur down in front of his eyes. “You people are the experts, right?”
“Rex, please,” DiNiya insisted, moving towards him.
“Please what?” he snapped, causing her to stop abruptly. “What am I doing wrong here? Every time I feel like I’m getting close to getting a handle on this, it gets away from me and literally blows up in my face!”
“Rex, it takes time,” DiNiya insisted.
“She’s right,” EeNox agreed. “You haven’t been at this for very long, and you’ve already come a long way in the short time we’ve been at it.”
“But it’s still not good enough! I still can’t control it when I need to the most, which means I’m still dangerous.”
“Rex, I know this is difficult for you,” DiNiya said as she moved towards him. “I wish there was a way I coul
d make this easier on you.”
“Stay away from me,” he bellowed, much to her surprise and everybody else’s.
“Just…stay back. I can’t risk it, do you understand? When I get like this…upset, I mean…I feel it slipping away.”
“Feel what slipping away?”
“Control!”
“That’s because it’s not control,” LyCora suddenly spoke up, prompting all of them to look at her. “Only the illusion of it.”
“And, I suppose, just like with everything else, you know more about it than anyone, right?” Rex replied condescendingly.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Rex snorted flame from his nostrils, unimpressed by what he considered yet another one of her many declarations of superiority. Reading the look on his face loud and clear, she tried a different approach. “Tell me, Rex, you’ve learned the basics of the five flame types by now, am I right?”
“I suppose.”
“Tell me what they are.”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“Tell me!”
Rex sighed. “Green is strength, gold is elemental, lavender is healing, and blue is…” he stopped as it suddenly hit him.
“Yes?” she urged with a raised eyebrow.
“The power to control the flame of another living thing,” he finished begrudgingly.
“Precisely. Control. It’s the basis for everything and anything the blue flame does.”
“All right, I get it, you’ve made your point. But I still fail to see how that helps you help me.”
“When I take hold of another flame with mine, it is imperative that I do not relinquish my hold on it even for a moment or they could break free and strike back at me.”
“I see where you’re going with this, but it’s still different for you. The end result is different.”
“Perhaps, but it’s still a negative consequence just the same. For me it’s a matter of not giving my quarry a chance to get the upper hand, while for you it’s all about holding on to your power so it doesn’t get away from you.” Rex thought for a moment before finally nodding in concession. “Now despite what you might think, you’ve actually done well under EeNox here.” The other boy perked up, smiling proudly. “But that’s probably only because the nature of the red flame is more similar to the green than it is any other.”