P45 - The Branded and the Bonded

Even fire, when betrayed, will burn away the lie and leave only the truth behind.

Location: Flamme University - Cafeteria:

The university cafeteria was dead silent. The moonlight filtered in through tall, arching windows, casting pale reflections across cold tiles. All the tables had been pushed aside. At the center, lit by one flickering lamp...

Brant sat tied to a metal chair.

His wrists were bound in thick rope, tight enough to cut into his skin. His head drooped, hair shadowing his face. His breathing was soft--until he stirred.

Eyes opened.

And he saw her.

Solira, standing just ahead, flanked by the two guys from the park--the ones who ambushed him.

She stepped forward slowly, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Her voice cut the silence like a knife:

"Finally awake, scum? You take too long to wake up too, you... failure."

Brant blinked, confused at first.
Then came the real sting.

Solira turned to the others with a smirk--too forced.

"This one really thought he was special. I told you, he was just a toy."

Brant's throat went dry.

"What...?"

The guys laughed. One tossed a metal branding rod between his hands, the other mocked Brant with a fake pout.

"Aww, did you actually fall for the Genius, tough guy?"

Hours passed like crawling flames. Brant sat in silence, his head lowered, tears dripping onto the floor beneath him.

Solira stood in front of him again. She reached down and gently lifted his chin.

"You were just... so easy. You should see your face right now, it's just so cute!"

Her voice stayed sharp, but her eyes shimmered, betraying a flicker of something else. Something she tried to hide from them--but Brant saw. Even through the pain... he saw her tears.

The others didn't notice. One of them approached with the red-hot branding rod, glowing with the Aurae sigil, ready to scorch it onto Brant's arm.

The other restrained Brant's shoulder.

Solira quickly looked toward the hallway, then blurted:

"Wait--I think I hear someone coming!"

The guy holding Brant scoffed.

"I don't hear anyone. Quit stalling."

The hot rod neared Brant's skin--

FWOOSH.

A tiny fireball shot out from under the cafeteria table, smacking the rod out of the guy's hand, sending it skidding across the floor.
Solira stepped back, eyes wide.

"S-Sorry! I-I saw a bug...!"

One of the guys grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her close.

"You're lying again!" as he grunts.

The other picked up the branding rod, now pointing it toward Solira.

"Maybe we start with you then."

She shook her head violently, tears rolling down her face.

"Please... don't... Brant--Brant, help me... please!"

The two guys laughed.

"He can't save you now. You made your choice and you chose wrong, miss."

Then--

Snap.

The ropes binding Brant ignited, vaporized in an instant.

He stood slowly, eyes narrowed, posture burning with silent fury. His skin glowed faintly red.

He raised a hand.

The air warped.

BOOM.

One of the guys went flying into the cafeteria wall, collapsing into a heap of chairs.

The other turned with the branding rod and holding onto Solira, only to stop as a weapon forged from living fire hovered above Brant's outstretched palm. It pulsed--black metal, red runes, searing heat.

The Flamebound Blade had formed.

Brant stepped forward, flames dancing in his wake.
His presence was made of pure ignited divinity.

Pyrelux... had awakened.

Solira, still held tightly by the second guy, trembled.

"Why would you... protect me... after everything? I betrayed you..."

Brant's blade vanished into embers as he approached.

He reached out, taking her hand gently.

"Remember what you whispered into my ear that night?"

Her eyes widened.

"Well... I haven't forgotten, and I vowed to protect you."

He took a breath.

"And... I love you... too."

Solira broke.

Her knees buckled as she collapsed into him, arms wrapping tight around his chest.

The cafeteria lit with the warmth of fire--not of destruction, but of redemption, and the vow of an oath.

And somewhere deep in the magical planes...

Pyrelux's name was etched into the Pantheon of Flame.