Stillness of Fire

Balin stroked little Basalin's grey mane, brushing her lips against his forehead, she carefully laid him on the bed.

"Finally!" Balin sighed in exhaustion.
It had been over half an hour with continuous humming and whispering lullabies.
His golden eyes, half-lidded with sleep, finally slid shut. His breathing steadied.

With a soft smile, Balin pulled the silk blanket over him and stepped away. Quietly, she slipped out of the room and down the hall toward the flower garden. A moment of peace.

The scent of roses and night-blooming lilies greeted her as she sat beneath the arching trellis. Cool evening air flowed by her face. She closed her eyes and exhaled.

***

Meanwhile,
Agatha was passing by the hallway. The soft glow of the evening sun came through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the walls.

Then the scent of smoke hit her nose. Faint at first.

Her heart skipped a bit and then pounded thoroughly. Her eyes widened as she saw a thin trail of smoke curled beneath the door ahead.

Her body moved on its own, rushing forward and shoving the door.
Heat ran through forcing her to move back and then pausing her on that frightful sight.
"BASALIIIN!!!"

***

The shout broke the silence.

Balin's eyes snapped open, the scream went through her ears, shivering her in an unknown fear. She hurried back to her room only to find out that a crowd had gathered, even the royal family was present.

No sooner had she seen inside the room than she fainted. Queen Rekya supported her and ordered some servants to bring water.

Flames flickered across the room, climbing up the curtains and scorching at the edges of the carved wooden furniture. And at the center of it all— Basalin, sleeping peacefully, flames covered him as if...
…he is the flame himself.

The knights tried to put out the fire, but it all turned into steam, making the room even hotter. No one was able to go near Basalin.
Even the king was standing still unable to do anything. "If only... If I still had Terris!", his desperate face expressed.

The flames became hotter.

The panic grew larger. Then—

A faint but bright glow appeared from the crowd.

All of a sudden...

Walls rose up from the floor surrounding Basalin. Solid and thick.

"It's the prince!" some of the servants yelled.

The prince stood nearby, his hands pressed the floor. He used Terris for the first time leaving everyone amazed.

It surely prevented the fire from spreading any further, but the fire didn't seem to extinguish anytime soon either.

In that panic, little me was still sleeping soundly. It was only darkness, I was falling into an endless abyss. I can never forget that feeling.

A blinding light cut through the flames.
The flames burnt the hottest and brightest... then, suddenly, it was gone.

And I woke up!

Agatha dashed and grabbed Basalin, crying. But to her utter relief he wasn't burned a bit.

The servants brought Balin back to her consciousness. She took Basalin to her arm and left a sigh of relief, her tears were shining, her face became bright. "Thank you God! Basalin, you are alright."

The fright was resolved. Everyone welcomed the warmth of the mother's love to her boy.

And, after that, flames never shone through me... I lost them at one-year and two-months.

***

I stood at the edge of the wide, duelling ground. My grey mane shifted slightly in the breeze, and my golden eyes sharpened as I gazed across the field.

It was my tenth year, marked not by a feast or celebration, but by tradition. A duel.
It's to show the crowd the capability of the heirs, that's why it only involved swordsmanship. The use of our Beast-Form was a red light here.

Our eyes met. Lumier Fenrahl, son of a Wolf-kin noble, Lysandre Fenrahl, stood before me. Lady Temina herself chose him as my duel-partner.

The King and Lady Temina graced the occasion by their presence. Though, due to his academics, brother could not attend. In his case, he won the duel within five minutes.
I wonder what I'll do?!

Lady Temina was a decent Healer. It explained why the friendly duel used real swords. I gripped my Hellframe tightly.

I am the second heir to the throne, the royal family would be shameful if I lost here. So that's out of option. Still I don't feel confident in my skills. No, no, no... it's not the time for this!

Lumier’s lips curled into a faint smirk. "Try not to embarrass yourself," He said softly, his crimson pupils' gaze narrowing.

I said nothing. My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword.

The bell rang!

He moved first, his body blurring as he lunged. His blade whistled through the air, the edge gleaming with deadly precision.

Fast.

I twisted my body, raising my sword just in time to block the strike. Metal growled against metal as sparks scattered between them. My feet slid back against the dirt, but I held my stance.

"Not bad," Lumier sneered. "Let’s see if you can keep up."

He pressed forward, his sword flashing in a blur of silver. I parried the first strike, then the second, but the third cut close enough that I felt the rush of wind across my cheek.

He’s fast. But not fast enough.

I stepped into his guard, twisting my wrist as my sword slammed against his hilt. The impact forced him to stagger back.

"Careless," I said quietly. My hard-work all this year won't go in vain.
Brother, if you were watching this what would you think?

I dashed when he was still struggling to keep his ground, to end it there! But...

Lumier’s crimson eyes flashed. His smirk darkened. "Oh? You managed to hit me. Let’s change that, shall we?"

The air thickened. A faint breeze stirred around his body. His sword trembled as currents of wind curled around the blade.

What's with this pressure? Wait, is he! He’s—

A sudden burst of wind erupted from Lumier’s feet. Dust spiralled into the air as his body began to glow faintly.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, leaving everyone stunned.

"He’s summoning a spirit?"

Yelling echoed from the guests. "How can a lowly brat like him, have a spirit? What is going on?"

Father's face darkened. He stepped forward, his voice sharp with urgency. "Stop this duel, brother! Basalin can’t keep up with this!"

Mother left her seat, stood up, her face was pale, her hands trembling, eyes wide with terror.

The king's jaw tightened. His gaze turned toward Temina, dissatisfaction flickering in him. "You knew about this?"

Lady Temina’s face remained unreadable, her silver eyes sharp as ice.

"Aneamph! Time for some violence!" Lumier's smile darkened.

My golden eyes narrowed. A spirit?

His eyes gleamed with bloodlust. "Now," He tilted his head, laughing. "Try to survive."

He vanished.

Pain exploded in my side as his sword slammed on Hellframe, while I protected my ribs from a severe damage. I skidded across the ground, breath ripping from my lungs.

Blood dripped from the corner of my mouth. Slowly, I pushed myself up.

Lumier’s figure blurred as he appeared above me, his sword descending in an arc of cutting air.

I twisted aside just in time, feeling the blade’s edge rubbed my shoulder. A sharp sting followed by blood. I tightened my jaw and raised my sword to parry the next strike.

Too fast.

Lumier’s sword hammered against mine. My knees buckled under the force. My arms trembled as he pushed me back. Wind lashed at my face, cutting across my skin like invisible blades.

"You’re slowing down," he said, his smile cold.

I forced my sword up, breaking the position-lock. He swept wide in the midair. I stepped forward and slashed toward his ribs.

Wind exploded beneath his feet. He twisted midair and landed behind me.

My eyes widened. He’s faster than before.

I turned, but too late. His sword struck my blade, sending a jolt through my arm. I stumbled back...

...but he was already there. His sword flashed toward my throat.

I won't let you win this easily.

I barely dodged. The wind followed his blade, carving a thin line through my cheek. Blood dribbled down my jaw.

I countered with a horizontal strike. He parried with total ease. His blade slipped under mine, cutting toward my exposed side.

No choice.

I dropped my weight, falling low to the ground. His sword passed inches over my head, cutting a bit of my mane. I twisted and kicked toward his right leg.

He jumped, but not fast enough. My foot clipped his ankle. Lumier drifted midair, his balance shifting.

I lunged upward.

A surge of wind crashed into my chest, sending me flying backward. I slammed on the walls nearby, the impact knocking the air from my lungs.
Only if... I could summon Vulcan...

In the audience—
Mother's legs gave out, she collapsed, crying. "Stop it! It is enough! Stop it please! He's gonna die!"
"Brother, don't let it happen! The duel is finished! Please brother! Please!" Father supported her, looking worried, at the brink of crying.

Gasp scattered through the crowd,
"He’s losing… he can’t keep up."
"Shouldn’t they call it off? This isn’t a duel anymore—it’s a slaughter."
Some of the beast-kin nobles looked away, unable to stomach the sight.

"The duel has finished!" The king's voice carried through the chaos. "Both of you can stop now!"

But Lumier’s sword didn’t lower.

"Wait! It is not over!" The walls supported me, I laid there, coughing blood, my ears ringing. "I can still fight."
I can't lose yet. Not in front of everyone. I have to win!

Silence fell like a shroud.

Then someone whispered, "The boy… he’s not giving up."

Even Lumier’s father, Lysandre, narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. Maybe that mixed-blood pup has some bite after all."

Lumier’s shadow loomed over me. His sword hovered near my throat, clearly announcing, he can finish me anytime.

"That’s it?" his smile sharpened. "I expected more from you, son of General!"

I exhaled shakily. My fingers curled around the hilt of my sword. My vision blurred.