FIRE STATER
870 Words
Thunder shook the city as silence filled the ruined walkway.
Nobody spoke after Orion revealed the truth.
Or at least what sounded like truth.
Kai stared at him in disbelief while rainwater dripped steadily through the shattered ceiling above them.
“The Eternal King?” Kai repeated slowly. You seriously expect me to believe I’m related to some ancient magic king?
Orion didn’t answer immediately.
Which somehow made everything worse.
Jax rubbed both hands over his face dramatically. Okay, I need everyone to stop talking like we’re inside a fantasy movie.
You saw the monsters, Orion replied calmly.
Fair point.
Kai paced a few steps away, trying to think clearly despite the storm raging inside his head.
Nothing made sense anymore.
Magic?
Ancient wars?
Kings?
It was impossible.
Yet lightning had literally exploded from his body minutes earlier.
And Lyra healed his injuries with glowing silver light.
So maybe impossible wasn’t impossible anymore.
Kai stopped near one of the shattered windows overlooking the city.
Emergency vehicles crowded the streets below while terrified civilians pointed toward the cracked crimson moon hanging in the sky.
The entire city looked afraid.
Like everyone could feel something terrible approaching.
What happens now? Elena asked quietly.
Orion’s expression darkened.
Now the Voidborn know the heirs have awakened.
Jax frowned. The heirs?
Orion looked toward the group carefully.
You five are not random magic users.
The hallway suddenly felt colder.
The powers you carry belonged to ancient bloodlines once connected to the Eternals themselves.
Kai stared at him.
Lightning.
Moonlight.
Fire.
Ice.
Shadows.
Orion continued speaking.
The Storm Bloodline. The Moon Guardians. The Frost Clan. The Shadow Veil. The Infernal Flame.
Jax blinked. Wait, infernal sounds concerning.
It is.
Almost immediately, flames burst violently from Jax’s hands again.
AH!
Everyone jumped backward.
The fire spiraled wildly around his arms, brighter and hotter than before. Unlike earlier, Jax couldn’t seem to control it this time.
Okay not funny NOT FUNNY!
The flames surged higher.
Lockers nearby began melting from the heat.
Jax panicked harder. WHY IS IT GETTING BIGGER?!
Calm down! Elena shouted.
I AM CALM!
A burst of fire exploded outward behind him.
BOOM!
Part of the hallway wall blackened instantly.
Kai grabbed Jax’s shoulder. Dude, breathe!
DON’T TOUCH ME!
Another violent explosion of flames burst from Jax’s body.
Kai was forced backward.
The fire looked wrong now.
Darker.
More violent.
Hints of black mixed within the orange flames while strange symbols briefly appeared across Jax’s skin.
Orion’s face changed instantly.
That’s not good.
What does THAT mean?! Jax yelled.
The Infernal Flame is reacting to fear.
Well maybe fear is reacting to THIS!
Jax stumbled backward as fire consumed both his arms completely now.
The temperature inside the hallway became unbearable.
Smoke filled the air.
Somewhere downstairs, frightened students screamed again after seeing flames spreading through the building.
Jax looked terrified.
Kai!
For the first time since all this started, his voice sounded genuinely afraid.
I can’t stop it.
Kai immediately stepped toward him again despite the heat.
We’ll figure it out.
No! Orion barked sharply.
Everyone froze.
Orion’s golden blade appeared instantly in his hand again.
If the Infernal Flame fully awakens before he controls it, he could destroy this entire building.
Jax’s eyes widened. WHAT?!
The fire exploded outward again.
Windows shattered nearby from the heat.
Kai stepped protectively in front of Jax.
You’re not killing him.
Orion’s expression hardened. You don’t understand what that power is.
Then explain it!
The Infernal Flame was created during the ancient war, Orion said coldly. “It burns stronger through anger, fear, hatred, pain
So basically emotions, Jax muttered nervously while actively on fire.
Yes. And if it consumes its host completely
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Lyra stepped forward carefully.
There has to be another way.
Jax clenched his fists painfully while flames roared around him.
It hurts
Kai could see it now.
The fire wasn’t just around Jax.
It was inside him.
The glowing black cracks spreading slowly across his arms looked almost alive.
Elena suddenly moved beside Jax despite the heat.
What are you doing? Kai asked.
Elena ignored him.
She closed her eyes.
Cold air spread through the hallway instantly.
Frost climbed across the floor rapidly before surrounding Jax’s feet.
Then Elena raised both hands.
Ice exploded outward.
Craccccck!
Massive frozen chains wrapped around Jax’s burning arms, suppressing the flames enough for him to breathe again.
Steam filled the hallway violently.
Jax collapsed onto his knees coughing.
The fire finally weakened.
Everyone exhaled in relief.
Elena staggered slightly from exhaustion but stayed standing.
Jax looked up at her weakly.
You’re officially my favorite person.
Elena smirked faintly. Obviously.
Kai helped Jax stand carefully.
The flames around him were mostly gone now, though faint smoke still rose from his skin.
Orion slowly lowered his blade.
For now, he said quietly, the flame sleeps again.
Jax blinked. Again?
Orion looked directly at him.
The Infernal Flame always wakes eventually.
Before anyone could respond
A loud scream echoed from outside the school.
Then another.
Kai rushed toward the shattered window.
His blood ran cold instantly.
Dark creatures were crawling through the streets below.
Hundreds of them.
The city was under attack.
- Writer
