Born of Storm and Flame

Chapter Four

After a tense scouting mission, Silver, Ash, Elder Kali, and two scouts return to Silverfen. Silver rushes straight to the healer, Rae, her worry for Syk palpable. Rae greets her solemnly.

“He’s stable,” Rae says, “but he’s not healing like he should. I’ve done all I can.”

Silver’s voice wavers. “So, what does that mean?”

Rae hesitates before responding, “It means… he’s dying, Silver.”

The words echo in Silver’s mind as she walks to Syk’s room. She finds Ash already there, seated at his bedside. Syk looks worse. The light in his scarred eye has dimmed. Silver swallows hard, Rae’s words replaying.

Ash notices her and scoots over. “He’s been asleep mostly. Keeps twitching though. Like he’s fighting something in his dreams.”

Syk stirs, voice hoarse. “I’m not dreaming. I’m remembering.”

Ash and Silver lean in. Syk sighs, staring at the ceiling.

“I remember the night I got this scar.” He touches the mark down his face. “My mum gave it to me.”

They freeze.

“She wasn’t herself. Something was wrong. She looked… manic. Wild. Like something had taken over her.”

Silver whispers, “Syk…”

“I never told anyone. Didn’t want pity. Or fear. But that night... there was fire. It destroyed everything. I thought she was going to kill me, but something—something protected me.”

Ash asks quietly, “What do you mean, protected?”

Syk frowns. “I don’t know. I remember heat—like fire, but not burning me. And then everything went black.”

Silver sits down, grabbing his hand. “You should’ve told us.”

“I didn’t want to. But now? I keep seeing her in my dreams. I think… whatever scarred me that night is still tied to this magic.”

Ash looks at Silver. “We need to find out what attacked him. This is more than just rogue magic.”

Later that day, Alpha Avaric calls a pack meeting. Everyone is gathered. Ash, Silver, and even Syk—insisting despite his condition—are present.

Avaric’s voice carries authority. “There have been recent attacks. One of our own, Sykkuno, was injured by a force we still don’t fully understand. But I will not lie to you. The magic is ancient. It is not healing. Our healers are doing everything they can.”

A low murmur spreads through the crowd. Then he continues, “Some believe this is connected to the prophecy. That Ash’s presence, his powers, have drawn danger to us.”

Ash tenses but doesn’t flinch.

“But let me be clear,” Avaric says. “Ash is one of us. Our future Alpha. And Sykkuno is family. We protect our own.”

The pack responds with a howl—strong, united. Ash swallows hard. He hadn’t expected them to stand by him like this.

After the meeting, Syk leans on Ash and Silver as they walk him outside. The sky is darker than usual, and the air feels heavier.

“You’re stubborn,” Ash mutters, smirking. “You should’ve been resting.”

Syk shrugs weakly. “And miss all the drama?”

Silver adds, “We were going to carry you if you didn’t come willingly.”

Syk grins faintly. “Sounds fun. Shame I didn’t get to test that.”

Ash chuckles, but the worry in his eyes lingers.

As they sit outside, Syk winces, hand pressed to his side. “It’s starting again. The burning.”

Silver puts a hand on his shoulder. “We’re not letting you go through this alone.”

Ash nods. “We’ll figure it out, Syk. I promise.”

In the distance, Elder Kali watches them, her eyes narrowed in thought. Something about Syk’s injury and the timing unsettles her. She clutches the Book of Karta tighter. There’s something she’s missing.

And somewhere beyond the borders of Silverfen, ancient eyes watch. Waiting.

AUTHOR'S NOTE!!!

if anyone wants to read the full not summarised story, you can check it on my w*****d "Born of Storm and Flame by SallyBizi"

This writing platform doesn't allow me to write more than at 1600 words for now(idk) so... enjoy