6 - Mortimer's Flame

Orion was cold. His stomach was rumbling louder than the distant thunder that followed the leaden clouds covering the sky. He kept stealing glances at Lyra, who was playfully flipping the single coin they had earned. The cold had turned her cheeks a rosy hue that matched her fiery spirit.

"I bet I could buy a whole chicken with this," she declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Orion, if you could have anything right now, what would it be?"

Orion's mind immediately went to the warmth of Seraphim Manor, to a time before all of this. But he just shrugged, "Right now? A full stomach."

Lyra laughed. It was a genuine sound that cut through the desolation around them. "Oh, you and your belly, Orion!"

Their laughter echoed in the emptiness when the sound of hooves and wheels on the frost-hardened road caught their attention. A carriage had just swept past them, dust and cold air swirling in its wake. It slowed down some way ahead of them and stopped. A small spark of hope ignited in Lyra's eyes, and before Orion could stop her, she declared, "I'm going to see if I can make some more money."

Orion felt a surge of fear. "Lyra, wait. We don't know who's inside."

She shot him a playful glance, "Scaredy-cat," she chided, heading towards the carriage.

Ignoring Orion's protests, Lyra approached the carriage. A man stepped out, well-groomed and dressed in fine, yet travel-worn clothes. A sense of authority hung around him, as tangible as the winter's chill. His smile was as slick as ice, causing Orion's unease to skyrocket.

"Greetings, miss. My name is Mortimer," he said, his voice as smooth as the finest silk. "I was enchanted by the melody of your music as I approached. Would you mind joining me for a ride? I'd love to hear more."

Lyra tilted her head, considering. Orion felt his heart lurch as he shouted, "Lyra, no!"

She looked back at him, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come off it, Orion. It's just a ride. Besides, he might pay for a song or two."

Orion felt a desperate plea rise in his throat, but Lyra had already turned back to Mortimer. "Is there room for my friend?" she asked, her eyes flicking to the carriage.

Mortimer's smile didn't waver. "I'm afraid not, dear. Only enough for one, I assure you."

Lyra arched an eyebrow. "I find that hard to believe."

"Well, by all means," Mortimer said, extending his hand towards the open door of the carriage. "Check for yourself."

Lyra moved closer, leaning in to get a better look. Orion watched helplessly as Mortimer took advantage of the moment, pushing Lyra into the carriage before jumping in himself. As the carriage jolted into motion, Lyra's coin dropped onto the ground, spinning for a moment before coming to a rest, glinting ominously under the dim sunlight.

The world became a blur for Orion as the carriage containing Lyra disappeared into the distance. His heart pounded in his chest like a wild drum, each beat a frantic call to action. He ran after the carriage, his shoes kicking up dust, but it was no use – the carriage was too fast.

"No!" he shouted, his voice strained and desperate. He watched, helplessly, as the carriage receded, Lyra's frightened eyes still etched into his mind.

In the midst of his panic, a thought sparked in his mind – magic. His father had given him rudimentary lessons in the magical arts, lessons he had struggled with, but perhaps now they could be of use.

Huffing and puffing, Orion skidded to a halt, extending his hand towards the retreating carriage. He began to formulate the spell in his mind: a Ember Spark, a small fireball, aimed at the carriage wheels. A disabling shot, nothing more.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice in his mind. "Phoenix Flame System Execution Enhancement: Class I Ember Spark is upgraded to Class II."

"Wait, no!" Orion sputtered, the implications of the prompt dawning on him. But his cry echoed uselessly in the open air as he felt the surge of magic in his hand, growing stronger, more volatile. His spell was turning into something he hadn't intended. The realization was terrifying, but there was no turning back now.

Despite his fear, Orion steeled himself and released the spell. The Ember Spark that tore through the air was not the small ember he had hoped for, but a roaring inferno. It homed in on the carriage like a bird of prey, striking it with such force that the carriage exploded in a shower of splintered wood and flames.

"No!" Orion's scream echoed in the barren landscape as the flames consumed the carriage. His feet moved of their own accord, carrying him towards the wreckage even as the heat beat him back. Smoke clogged his lungs and tears blurred his vision.

Memories flooded back unbidden: Seraphim Manor aflame, his family lost, his home destroyed. His heart clenched at the thought of reliving such horror, of losing Lyra just as he had lost his family. Fear for his friend choked him, stronger and more terrifying than any flame.

He faltered at the edge of the inferno, the harsh light casting long, dancing shadows over his face. He called out for Lyra, his voice hoarse and choked with smoke, but there was no answer.

His heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the fiery remains, his mind racing. The heat was unbearable, the sight horrifying. In the desolate landscape bathed in the cruel light of the flames, the fate of Lyra was unknown. Orion could only stare at the burning carriage, his thoughts spiraling into darkness as fear threatened to consume him.