Heir Of The Fallen Flame

Chapter 13: The Bounty Hunter

The forest seemed awfully quiet after Lafey stepped out of it.

Even the wind seemed to hesitate, caught somewhere between moving forward and turning back. His boots pressed into damp earth with deliberate weight, as though he wanted the ground to remember him. Silver hair tied loosely behind his head moved as he tilted his head, studying Kael with an expression that was almost amused.

“Well,” Lafey said again, voice calmer this time, “you’re even easier to find than the posters said.”

Kael didn’t answer.

His body had already reacted before his thoughts caught up, shoulders tensing, feet moving slightly backward toward Lyra.

The stranger’s blade rested lazily across his shoulder, but Kael didn’t miss the way his grip never loosened on the hilt.

Lyra stepped forward first. “Move,” she said flatly.

Lafey glanced at her like she was something mildly inconvenient. “And you are?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “It usually does right before people die.”

The forest behind them stayed silent; no birds, no creaking insects. Even the river sound felt distant now, as if the world had decided not to watch.

Lyra drew her sword. The metal rang, a sound that cut through the quiet night.

Kael moved again, unsure where to place himself. His heart pounded loud in his chest as his eyes took the height of the huge man in. He was twice their size and Kael knew for a fact that they were no fit for this man.

Well, now would be the best time for the freaking dragon to misbehave! But it didn't. Kael didn't feel anything.

Lafey's eyes narrowed on Lyra's blade.

“Oh,” he said. “You’re one of those.”

She frowned. “One of what?”

“Broken miracles.” Lafey’s smile widened slightly. “I was haunting one of yours once. Quite the fight if I am being honest.”

Lyra’s frown deepened, the audacity of this bastard to rob that in her face!

She didn’t wait for another word. Her body snapped forward as she leaped in the air, blade aimed for Lafey’s throat.

He moved just as quickly, raising his sword to clash with hers, the sharp sound echoing through the trees.

Lyra pressed forward relentlessly, swinging her sword at his weak point only for him to block and step out of the way before she could make her cut on his flesh.

Lafey chuckled, swinging his heavy sword between his hands.

“You all fight the same.” he said as though bored.

Lyra was covered in sweat, her nearly styled hair had fallen out of place and over her face as she stared daggers at this stranger.

Lafey was heavier, stronger. Taking him on would be a hassle, she knew that but people from her bloodline were no coward and she's not about to let that start with her.

Each time their blades met, Lyra’s arms absorbed more of the impact. The ground beneath Lafey barely shifted. Under her, roots cracked slightly with every forced step backward.

Kael watched, frozen. He had no combat skills. Astra refused to train the ungifted like him and now, all he could do was watch while trying to get his…flame….powers…runes, whatever, to respond to him but he still felt nothing.

Lyra twisted, aiming low. Lafey blocked, then shoved her away with brute force. She slid across the forest floor, boots digging into wet soil to stop herself.

“Not bad,” Lafey admitted, rolling his shoulder once. “For someone who still believes technique matters more than strength.”

Lyra wiped her lip with the back of her hand.

“Shut up.”

She attacked again, this time faster.

Kael flinched as the sound of steel rang more violent. Lyra moved like water around him but Lafey wasn’t reacting like a normal opponent.

He was redirecting, pushing her back step by step like she was being erased from the space between them.

Kael stepped forward without thinking.

“I…stop….”

Lafey’s gaze flicked to him for half a second. That was all it took. Kael didn’t even see the strike coming.

Something hit him hard across the chest, throwing him sideways into a tree. The impact knocked the air out of him instantly. Bark splintered behind his back as he slid down, stunned.

Lyra turned sharply. “Kael!”

Lafey sighed. “Don’t lose focus.”

Lyra rushed him again, but now there was anger in her movement. It made her faster and sloppier.

Lafey noticed that too. He waited, letting her come closer before he caught her wrist mid-swing.

Lyra froze for half a second amd Lafey twisted her wrist. Pain snapped through her arm as her blade dropped. He struck her shoulder next, with his elbow, the force lifted her off her feet.

She hit the ground hard. Kael pushed himself up, coughing.

“Lyra!”

She tried to rise, but Lafey was already there. A boot pressed into her shoulder, pinning her down.

“Stay still,” he said mildly. “You’ll only make it worse.”

Lyra grabbed at his leg, trying to twist free. Lafey didn’t even react, he simply pressed harder until she winced.

Kael’s breathing became shallow, something inside him stirred. That familiar heat beneath his skin flickered faintly.

He looked down at his hands. “Come on…” he whispered. “Please…”

But the warmth faded as quickly as it came.

Lafey glanced at him again. “You keep looking at your hands like they owe you something.”

Kael clenched them into fists. “Let her go.”

Lafey tilted his head slightly. “Or what?”

Kael didn’t answer. What wpuld he do if this man doesn’t let her go? Absolutely nothing!

Lyra spat blood onto the forest floor. “Kael… don’t…”

Lafey pressed harder and Lyra’s breath hitched. She groaned in pain as blood coated her teeth.

Kael charged at Layfel without thinking. Lafey didn’t even fully turn. A single backhand strike caught Kael mid-motion and sent him crashing again into the ground.

Kael blinked up at the sky through blurred vision, groaning as every part of his body ached at the impact, knocking the breath out of him.

Lyra struggled harder now, but her movements were slowing. Lafey crouched beside her, expression unreadable.

“You’re strong,” he said almost conversationally. “But not strong enough for what’s coming after him.”

Lyra glared up at him. “You don’t know anything about him.”

Lafey finally laughed. “I know enough to get paid.”

He grabbed her wrist amd twisted it put of its place. Lyra shrieked in pain, her eyes tearing up at the pain.

Kael forced himself up again, swaying.

“Stop!”

Lafey didn’t look at him this time.

“Sit down.”

The air around Kael moved violently. He froze mid-step as something slammed into his chest again; not a physical strike this time, but something invisible dragged his body backwards, forcing him to drop to one knee.

His breath stuttered. Lafey stood, eyes watching Kael.

“Interesting,” he said quietly, watching Kael struggle. “So it doesn’t answer you unless it wants to.”

Kael shook his head slightly, trying to fight through it. “I can… use it…”

“You’re trying too hard.”

Kael’s vision blurred as the force kept h8m down on his knees. Thos wasnt Lafey’s doing, that much was clear so whose was it?

Lyra forced herself upright, staggering. “Kael… run.”

But there was nowhere to run. Lafey walked toward him slowly now.

“You should thank me,” he said. “I could’ve killed you already.”

Kael tried to stand again but the firce held him down there still. Lafey crouched in front of him.

“People like you don’t survive long,” he said quietly. “Not with something like that inside you.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “I’m not going with you.”

Lafey studied him for a moment amd smirked.. “Pity.”

He turned toward Lyra.

Kael’s eyes widened. “No!”

Lyra tried to raise her sword again, but her body betrayed her this time. Layfel grabbed her by the neck, tossing her across the feild like a rag doll. Kael heard a sickening crack and then a thud and then, total silence.

Kael’s heart dropped.“Lyra!”

Lafey exhaled slowly, as if disappointed by how easy it had become.He looked back at Kael.

“You’re coming with me,” he said simply.

Kael tried to move but his body refused. The pressure pinned him again, heavier this time. Lafey approached and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground with ease.

Kael struggled weakly but nothing worked.

“Let go!” Kael snapped as the man mounted a hideous looking creature with four legs and a freakishly long tongue.

“Lyra!” Kael cried again as the creature rode into darkness.

Behind them, the forest stayed silent and Lyra didn’t move.