Heir Of The Fallen Flame

Chapter 7: The Tyrant

The silence that followed was deafening.

The mage behind him tightened his grip on the reins, and the horse came to a full stop. One by one, the rest followed until the entire procession stood still along the narrow path.

Robes swept the ground as they faced Kael, their eyes hidden behind cloth and shadow, yet Keal felt the intensity of their gaze.

“What did you say?” one of them asked.

Kael’s throat felt dry. He could feel his pulse rising again, beating fast though his face remained neutral.

“Nothing,” he said.

The silence that followed told him they did not believe him.

Another council member stepped forward, his voice colder. “You spoke. We heard you.”

Kael stared ahead, refusing to meet their eyes. He knew he was loud enough for all to hear, there was not a single chance no one heard his voice.

“Ypu hear them.” The voice in his head came again.

His grip on the saddle tightened, now isn't the time! They were deliberating on whether or not to end his life and whatever is speaking to him is about to be the reason he dies for sure!

“Answer the question,” the mage behind him said.

Kael shook his head once. “I was talking to myself.”

“That is not what we heard.”

Kael swallowed. “Then you heard wrong.”

Pelson's gaze narrowed on Kael in suspicion.

“For someone in your position,” Pelson said, “you speak far too freely.”

Kael met his gaze without saying a word. He had nothing to say, not when he was so close to shaking with fear.

“Bind him properly.” Pelson ordered.

Kael barely had time to react before hands grabbed him. The mage behind him pulled him back while another reached for his arms. The cuff at his wrist flared as additional bands of magic wrapped around him, tightening across his shoulders and chest.

Kael winced, eyes going shit in pain. “Urgh!”

A strip of enchanted cloth was forced across his mouth, tightening at the back of his head. It pressed against his lips, sealing them shut before he could protest again.

His breath came faster through his nose as he glared at Pelson.

The mages secured him in place and when they were done, Kael sat rigid on the horse.

“Move.”

The ride resumed.

The journey felt longer after that and so did Kael's frustration. His arms ached from the tightness of the bindings, his shoulders stiff from being forced upright. The cuff at his wrist pulsed, draining something from him with every passing moment.

He felt weaker by the mile and soon, his entire body was covered in sweat and his throat felt dry.

By the time they reached Astra, the sun had begun to sink behind the mountains.

The gates of the academy swung open, welcoming Kael to the very places he'd been rejected and berated through good times.

His gaze remained on the gates as they rode in, made of gold and beautiful stones, this was the place he'd dreamed of every night.

Kael looked away, his dream of becoming a mage is as good as gone now. He might as well kiss that silly hope of his good bye.

As they rode deeper into the academy, the trainees lined the courtyard, whispering as they passed. Some stared directly at him while others looked away quickly.

Kael kept his head forward. The horse came to a stop at the center of the courtyard.

Hands grabbed him again, pulling him down roughly. His feet barely touched the ground before he was dragged forward, the bindings still tight around his body.

The gag was removed. Kael sucked in a breath, air rushing into his lungs. Before he could speak, he was shoved forward again.

The men dragged in down to a dark tunnel, a place he didn't know existed before and ahead of him sat a cage made of light.

The cage hummed faintly, moving like it was alive. Something about this cage made him weak in the knees, draining him even before he got closer.

Kael hesitated.

“Inside,” a mage ordered.

He did not move. The men shoved him forward and before he could pull himself together, the cage wrapped around him,pulsing with a flame that made him scream.

Kael gasped, dropping to one knee, his hands hit the ground as his vision blurred.

The cage pulsed again and his head ached badly, threatening to split open. His eyes turned gold, his breath coming out hard and harsh.

“What… is this…” Kael managed.

No one answered. They mages turned on their heels and walked away.

Kael forced himself to look up. Pelson stood just outside the cage, watching him.

Kael swallowed hard. “You promised,” he said, his voice rough. “You said…”

Pelson nodded, “That I have questions. And that Ronan will give you the answers you need.”

His eyes met Kael's, “You thought we came all this way to bargain with you?” Pelson asked.

Kael stared at him and Pelson’s gaze hardened.

“You are not in a position to demand anything, boy.”

Kael’s hands clenched against the ground. Never has he disrespected the mage but lord did he want to do it so bad now.

“Mages are not to lie.”

Pelson chuckled, “Omission isn't a lie, boy.”

He stepped closer, just enough that the glow of the cage reflected in his eyes.

“You carry something that does not belong in this world,” he said. “Do you truly think we would risk letting you walk free over a servant girl?”

Kael’s chest tightened. “Where is she?” he asked again, his voice shaking despite himself.

Pelson arched a questioning eyebrow, Kael was not in the position to worry about someone else right now.

“You ask the wrong questions,” Pelson said.

Kael’s gaze snapped to his. “What does that mean?”

Pelson tilted his head slightly.

“You do not even know what you are,” he said. “Yet you concern yourself with others.”

Kael pushed himself up, ignoring the way the cage burned against him.

“Answer me.”

Pelson’s eyes narrowed even further. “You have your mother’s stubbornness,” he said quietly.

Kael froze. “My… what?”

Pelson straightened. “Ypu should have stayed dead.”

The old man turned on his heels.

“Wait!” Kael stepped forward, pain shooting through him as the cage flared brighter. “What do you know about my parents?!”

Pelson walked away without saying a word.

“Wait!” Kael screamed again but the cage grew brighter, forcing him down on his knees again as he screamed.

“Ypu sure are something..”

Kael looked up to see Ronan right outside his cage. Father and son must love tormenting him at this point.

Kael forced himself to stand again, wincing in pain as he did.

“Where is she?” Kael asked.

Ronan frowned, "You don't give up do you?”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “Answer me.”

Ronan stepped closer. “She is in a better place,” he said.

Something in his tone made Kael’s stomach twist.

“What does that mean?” Kael demanded.

Ronan's eyes darkened on him, “You humiliated me and my father and you really think I am going to give you the answers you need because of some pathetic maid?!”

He chuckled, a wicked smile crossing his lips, “Keep hoping! You're going to die here and I'll make sure your body is fed to the wild beasts!”

The cage flared violently and Kael fell on his knees again, an inhumane scream tearing through him. His body is now covered in red and white dragon scales.

He dropped to the ground on all fours, screaming as he felt hot flames deep in his bones.

Ronan turned away, “Endure. This is just the beginning. “ he left.

Kael remained on the ground. His body trembled like something deep inside him was breaking. His chest felt hollow and his thoughts scattered.

Alia’s face flashed in his mind; her voice, her laugh, it all faded like old memories.

An inhumane sound escaped him again as tears blurred his vision before he could stop them. He pressed his hands against the ground, his shoulders shaking.

Why was fate so cruel to him? He's done nothing but hope for the best, he worked hard, damn, he worked hard and it's all going to end like this? Like he was some peck of dust to be wiped off?!

“WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?!” He screamed.

A horn echoed throughout the academy and mere seconds later, the silent ground came alive with hurried footsteps and screams.

Kael's eyes fluttered shut as he fell to the ground, gasping for air. The noise around him got louder and soon, the growls of a monster echoed through the entire floor.

Flesh cutting open, frantic screams cut short and the sound of flames swooshing through the air. It sounded like a distant echo to him as his breath faltered.

“Kael!”

He turned his head slowly, vision blurring as he stared at dark fabric rushing towards him. His eyes swung shut and his hands went still.

“KAEL!”