JAREK LORCAN: The Forge Master

“How could Jarek do something as cruel as that?” “Since his mother died, his mind has been so wild and he feels untouchable.” “But that doesn't mean he should go rampant and destroy the flame core that we risked our lives to forge.” Those were the elites who had taken it upon themselves to make sure they were not plundered into eternal darkness which might lead to their death. But, while the accusations pointed directly at Jarek, the only biological son of Lord Lorcan. He disagreed by acknowledging that he knew nothing about tampering with the main flame core. The heavy door which was five times Jarek's height slammed shut behind him while two guards grabbed Jarek by the arms and forcefully dragged him across the floor. They released him when they were a few meters away from Lord Lorcan, the head of the house. "Get your hands off him!" Mira was seen shoving through the crowd and when she came into sight, she stood behind Jarek. “He is not behind it and you all know it!” Mira was the only one not blinded by rage. Most people thought that she was just trying to protect Jarek since his mother left him in her care. Lord Lorcan sat at the top seat of the hall with that same empty look on his face he always wore when he did not want to deal with something. And unfortunately for Jarek, he said nothing… Lady Seraphine stood beside him in her deep red gown. "Jarek Lorcan, you stand accused of tampering with the main Flame Core shipment a few hours ago. Three districts nearly fell into the dark because of your sabotage. If you think you can deny it, we have a few witnesses to prove you wrong.” Jarek couldn't believe he heard that; Because to him, he had helped stabilize those cores with his mother before she died. “That's not true.” Jarek frowned his face, staring at every person his eyes came across. “You all know I helped stabilize every core!” Just as he was about to continue defending himself, Dorian stepped forward. “Why would anyone believe you, Jarek?” He asked. “Why wouldn't they?” Jarek countered. “I'm telling the truth!” Dorian took another step forward. “You have been envious since my mother joined this house. Everyone saw how you argued with her about the forge schedules.” Jarek felt frustrated by what Dorian is spitting right now because the forge schedules are ridiculous. The Eternal Night is always spreading, so these schedules are life-or-death. If they are bad, whole districts lose light and people die. If they are good, the house makes money and stays powerful. But, the forge schedules got dangerous when forges ran at midnight with exhausted workers. Dorian’s lazy friends got easy high-pay shifts while experienced crews suffered dangerous nights with broken tools, old equipment, 18-hour shifts which caused accidents sometimes, and luxury items were prioritized over basic Flame Cores for the poor. “The forge schedules will spring us into the dark sooner than expected!” Jarek yelled in annoyance. “And that doesn't have anything to do with the stolen shipment.” “You are still lying to our faces or have you forgotten you blamed us for your mother's death and you swore to ruin us all?” “There was a witness who saw your pathetic mother poison mine!” He was about to continue talking when he got smashed in the face. Jarek spat out the blood in his mouth and the guard behind him forcefully let him kneel upright. “You and your mother set this up because you wanted the heir position to yourself. You'd rather govern over everyone's ashes than create a better environment for everyone.” “Shut up, you fool.” One of the guards whispered into my ear. The room went eerily quiet as nervous whispers passed between the elites along the walls. The guard loosened his grip on Jarek, then squeezed harder when Seraphine glanced his way. Seraphine laughter filled the whole room while everyone just looked, including Jarek. "Such bold words from a boy who never earned his place. Your mother was only a mid-tier Forge Master after all. Your mother died a natural death and the physician confirmed this, but that doesn't mean you should h****k a whole shipment of the forge." Lady Sansa, Jarek's mother had kept the family forges running for years. She had taught him how to listen to the metal and feel the essence inside the flame. And now, this woman lied she died a natural death while his father sat in his chair and did nothing. Jarek looked directly at him. "Father. Say something. You know I would never harm anything that has to do with the cores. The darkness is already spreading and we need every good forge master we have left." Lord Lorcan finally looked at his son, but his eyes were filled with untold fear. “Take the traitor out of my sight! House of Lorcan cannot afford weakness right now.” He yelled. Mira pushed past a guard and stood beside Jarek with her hands shaking at her sides. "My lord, this is madness. Lady Sansa gave everything to this family. Her son deserves better than exile in the middle of the Eternal Night." The Eternal Night was an endless, devouring darkness that swallowed light, warmth, and life itself. Seraphine waved a hand like she was clearing smoke from the air. "The servant can go with him if she wishes. It changes nothing. Pack what you can carry, Jarek, but the ring on your finger stays. Everything from your mother now belongs to the house." Jarek closed his fist around the simple silver ring his mother had given him on her last good day. "This is mine. You cannot take it." Dorian stepped close enough that Jarek could smell the expensive oil in his hair. "Try to keep it or we will take it by force. Be grateful we are letting you walk out alive." “I dare you to touch me.” Jarek threatened. But their little conversation was cut short by Lord Lorcan as he raised his hand. “Silence!” He said with his eyes widened in an emotion Jarek couldn't properly place. “He leaves with the ring and tomorrow we will announce the new forge master.” He stated. The guards pulled Jarek toward the side door and Mira followed close behind. As they passed the long table, the other nobles watched with careful blank faces. Not one of them said anything… Outside, the wind carried the faint smell of smoke up from the city forges. While the sky had already turned that deep bruised color that meant the night was pushing further in. Jarek stumbled on the steps… A guard jerked him upright. “Move! Thief!” Mira caught his elbow and steadied him. "Keep walking," she whispered. "Do not let them see you break. Your mother would not want that." The main gates groaned open and beyond them the road disappeared into the dark. One of the guards secretly pushed a small sack into Mira's hands without looking at her. "Food for two days. After that you are on your own." “Thank you Lancelot.” Mira held the sack and Jarek stared at the guard who just helped them. The gates started to close behind them until it gave that one final thud which signified they are on their own. Jarek looked back once… Dorian stood on the steps with that same smile while he watched him. “They will come for your body when you die!” He yelled. Jarek didn't respond, instead he gripped the ring tighter and suddenly something itched his throat making him cough. “Oops! I guess your countdown has already begun.” Dorian laughed and turned around until Jarek couldn't hear or see him. When he wiped his mouth, blood was on his palm… Mira saw it and turned around to meet his eyes. "We need to find shelter fast. Blackvein Mine is not far. It is abandoned but at least it has walls." Jarek straightened up and stopped walking. "No. We are not going there." Mira turned to him. "Why not? It is the closest safe place we have." He looked down the dark road, then back at her and replied even though his heart was loud in his mind. "Instincts." She studied his face for a long moment, then nodded once. "Then where?" He pointed in the opposite direction, toward the deeper wilds where an older and long-forgotten site sat waiting. "The Ruined Spire. It is farther, but something tells me we need to go there instead." Mira who had unquestionable loyalty and belief for Lady Sansa had to blindly trust Jarek's decision. Mira did not argue… They turned away from Blackvein Mine and started walking into the growing dark, the small sack of food swinging at her hip and Jarek slowly caressing the ring on his finger. They had not gone half a mile when another cough tore through him. Again, blood hit the ground, and some of it landed directly on the ring. The ring flared with sudden heat as it melted the blood into black. Then the cough came in rapidly and his heart couldn't keep up with the hurt. Jarek kept hitting his chest and running towards the Ruined Spire. “Let's rest a bit, you'll be out of air if we keep running like this.” Mira suggested, but it fell on deaf ears as Jarek kept running. Immediately he reached the entrance, he rolled himself in the dirt. Mira slid beside him, lifted his head and rested it on her chest. “Jarek,” She whimpered. “Don't die on me. Please.” Jarek knew he was losing his consciousness and very aware that in a matter of minutes he would die. He felt every organ of his body fail and he knew there was no hope to live. To feel less hurt, he recollected the memory of when his mom was still alive. He replayed all of his birthdays with his mom, he replayed when they went out to gather rare materials needed for forging better Flame Cores — things like special ores, energy crystals, eerie glowing substances, and shadow-infused stones. “Is this how I'll die?” Jarek asked himself. “My mother won't be so proud of me. How will I face her when I haven't attained my potential? I can't die like this…” After all he had been through… In the end… It didn't even matter… Slowly, he closed his eyes, hoping if there is another life waiting for him, it should be kinder. In the moment of utter darkness something flickered once like lightening — It flickered again — And again. Then… Total darkness and the last thing he heard was Mira calling his name and shaking him profusely.