The Heir of Rejection

While the story of Baila Rosa known to the world as Match from Brimstone started to unfold, another tale was beginning to unravel simultaneously and was setting course for a crash collision with the now captive heroine.

Atta Coleman, eldest son and rightful heir to the Coleman group, one of the four families that made up the pinnacle. The Coleman’s founded and continue to manage the mines and all their staff, they are feared for their brutal and parsimonious ways, quickly “trimming the fat” as they would say. The current leader was 58 year old Maximillian “Mill” Coleman who has held his rank as President of the Coleman group for 37 years. In that time frame he has become a living legend within the elite class of Perilous Falls, for single handedly revving up mining productivity by 300% thus putting the city on the map and becoming economically competitive with the likes of the kingdom of Rey, although the methods to reach such achievements were quite grim and unethical as the wealth gap between the pinnacle and everyone else living in Perilous mines also grew 300%.

The Coleman’s have a famous anecdote: “The reason why the poor stay poor and the rich stay rich is liken to the reason why a dragon must shed its skin. The poor crave perpetual things and unchanging ways while the rich desire growth and transformation. Like old skin, the poor try to contain the rich and hold its shape but the rich in their determined ways succeed in outgrowing and shedding off those who only exist to hold them back. But also like a dragon, it consumes its skins to nourish itself and foster even greater growth.” In other words the Pinnacle has created a vile view of its own workers, the people who it relies on to staff the very operations that make them successful. With this mentality drilled into the minds of all Coleman’s it was a surprise to everyone that the eldest son of Mill Coleman turned out to be a walking contradiction to the Coleman way.

Atta was in fact a highly educated, handsome young man who certainly appeared regal with his well groomed dark hair that was combed back in a way that made it almost look like a simple but elegant black crown. His eyes even darker demanded respect and yet his voice was soft and gentle, and his personality was meek and juxtaposed to what is normally expected of a Coleman. Furthermore, Atta had the misfortune of being born without the Coleman gift, a special ability genetically passed down to almost all blood related members of the family that allows them to varying degrees the ability to manipulate metals with their mind. Some could only manage to move small objects, others could use weapons without needing to lift a finger, and even less could pull off spectacular magical feats such as conjuring great beasts made of iron. Atta, on the other hand despite looking like a Coleman, did not behave like a Coleman, and he could not even achieve to lift a fork without having to use his hand, and so to all his family with the partial exception of his mother, viewed him as a disappointment.

Atta’s younger brother Cashes on the other hand was exceptionally brutal and powerful too. At the age of 9 he used his powers to thrash a whole squadron of guards because he saw they snuck extra food from the dining hall. While Atta spent his time desiring to learn about the world and dreaming of how someone like him could bring positive change to Perilous Mines, his brother Cashes plotted on how he would eventually usurp Atta and claim his rightful place as heir and drive the Coleman group to even greater heights than their father did.

One night Atta dreamt that he was the head of the Coleman family and instead of living in Perilous Mines, he lived somewhere he had never seen before and was talking to strange people he did not recognize, when suddenly he heard a woman’s voice that was unfamiliar yet something about it made his chest go hot and with much anticipation he turned to see the woman, but he woke up.

There was a knock at his door, and his mother, Aria Coleman entered. She appeared concerned as she simply paced the room before stopping to face Atta and exclaimed, “well boy are you going to get up already!?”

Atta stood and muttered “mother, please do I really need to go on 5 dates with strange women? I really doubt this is going to solve my problems with the family.”  Aria let out a sharp exhale exuding rejection of Atta’s excuses. “ Now listen boy, you know well that if you have an heir of your own by rules established by the family forefathers, you rightfully solidify your claim as the next in line. You just need a woman who can produce that for you, and you must realize that the alternative is to do nothing and watch your brother cause calamity. Even by our own Coleman standards, that one is an absolute disaster waiting to unleash itself at the first chance it gets. So no more wasting time, get ready for your first date, by the end of day we will have a path to victory.”

Atta then solemnly asked “how’s father by the way?” In a stoic voice, Aria said, “well your father…. My husband is going to die soon and there is nothing we can do other than prepare. So please darling, get it together, it has been tiring to see you be the punching bag for everyone, there is little time to mourn .”

Dissatisfied with the answer but not feeling the desire to press the matter, Atta simply concedes and prepares for his date. 

Atta had 5 dates scheduled with 5 different bachelorettes. Breakfast with Nina from 9 to 10:30, A stroll in the park with Lucia from 11:30- 1. Lunch with Kara from 1:45-3. Dance lessons with Lana from 3:30-5. And dinner at the opera with Kelani from 6-8. At each of those dates in one way or another, Atta somehow fell short and failed to secure a single second date, let alone a potential bride. Too awkward, pretty mopey, boring, weak, and unrealistic. Atta collected the criticisms like badges of shame and returned home anticipating further disappointment from his mother whom was the only family he had that treated him decently. 

Aria welcomed him inside the family estate, “so my dear, be honest, any potential brides?” Atta shortly replied “no.” Looking at her son with sincere care in her eyes she said, “worry not, I figured they would all be prudes, so I went ahead and arranged an emergency back up plan…… time is of the essence!” Slightly panicked Atta replied, “what do you mean!? What did you do?” With a smug grin on her face she placed her hands on her hips and let out a triumphant “hmph!”. “I’m pleased to announce I have found you a bride and she will be arriving tomorrow morning, you will court her, and propose by the end of the month and then make your heir my boy.”

Atta’s face was bewildered. “How in the world do you manage that? Is this woman someone I even know, do you know what she looks like or more importantly what she is like!?” 

“Please don’t underestimate me dear, I have my ways, simply be open minded and trust your mother as I am the only one who truly loves you…… for now at least.” 

“Mother, I am grateful to you but if this woman happens to be a slave or some sort of hired woman of the night, I cannot in good conscience proceed with this plan!” Aria glanced at the rings on her fingers and then batted her eyes at her son who stood there distraught and clearly emotionally tired. “Please Atta, get some rest, I’m sure it’s been a difficult day for you, and trust me, I know I am a Coleman, but I hope you realize your mother is not as deviant as the rest of the family………. as I said before, keep an open mind.”

Atta, feeling terribly low of himself at that moment simply grunted in response before slowly trudging to his room and collapsing on his bed. 

He laid down, reviewing his day until his memories bled into actual dreams as exhaustion finally lulled him into a slumber. That night he dreamt of that woman’s voice, and it said “Atta, there are many things that many different people want me to be, but right now….. all I want to be is your wife.” Even though it was a dream, the words of this woman struck his heart and he began to shed tears in his sleep.