The Inferno Ascending

Kraus’s Manor>

(Some time before the fire outbreak)

The City of Kistan smelt like crusty wood and the sky was clear enough for normal businesses to carry on. The warmth of the humid weather engrossed the entire city, but the weather could change into an arid one—depending on the weather reports.

Nine-year-old Jax sprinted from corner to corner of the manor alongside his elder sister, Jaz.

The constant giggles of the children comforted the hearts of their parents. Zane and Liz stood abreast of each other on the patio leading to the edifice’s main entrance.

“Pass the ball, Jaz, pass it now!” Jax ordered Jaz furiously, but she laughed at his cute angry face—pulling a comical face.

“Bla Bla, Jax, you're nothing but a…”

He began to breathe hard with his petite hands, his face wrenched with rage and then a thump directed at her head followed before she could complete her sentence.

Jaz lost it, her face squeezed with rage, the one time that she tried to hit Jax back was negated. Liz, their mother, called out her name, giving Jax the ample opportunity to rebuild the pun that she had started. Jaz couldn't put behind the thought of her mother constantly defending Jax. She groaned angrily, kicking away the ball in front of her.

“Play time is over. Inside, NOW!”

Zane instructed the ten and nine-year—old youngsters respectively.

Liz called on the maid to escort the kids to their respective room to shower, since the dinner rooms had been prepared.

Liz watched one of the guards approach her husband. She studied them carefully. It seemed like they didn't want their subtle conversation to escalate.

A thousand and one thousand thoughts spiraling in her pretty head, but there's one that she can't get a hold of—who Jax was.

She did see the way Jax reacted when his sister taunted him.

She breathed heavily, hugging her chest against her exquisite dress. Zane started in her way as soon as he had concluded his discussion with the guard—one of his most trusted guards. Ki.

“Tell me, was it about Jax again? Who sent word this time?” Liz asked the perturbed man in front of her. He didn't know how to break the news to her and, of course, it was about Jax. “Tell me, Zane?” she asked again, holding his arms firmly with her quivering strength.

Zane cleared his throat, “It's Lotham, he’ll be here in the next thirty minutes!” he sighed.

“Why? Didn't you explain to him that Jax is just a kid?”

“Look here sweetheart,” he held her arms instead of gazing into her frail eyes. “My hands are tied, but it doesn't mean that I won't stop trying to dissuade them. I won't let them take our son, that's a promise!”

“But Zane,” her eyes watered. The one thing that she feared the most was about to happen. She could feel it.

“Li- Liz, your strength would help me function, do you understand? I married a fearless woman. Come here!” he embraced her tightly.

***

Jax had been staring at his parents through the window, from a short distance. For some reason that he could not figure out, he got worried.

His parents had been cold and ineffective for the past one-month now and the thought of seeing them constantly having a hearty conversation didn't seem adorable anymore.

Yes, he was only nine years old, but he could also tell when emotions are positively or negatively ousted.

“Jax?”

He heard his name from behind, he turned away from the window abruptly.

The maid was standing over him with a broad grin on her face. She rubbed his cheek slightly, but before she could take off her hand, he took it away.

“Are we fighting? Anyway, it is time for dinner. Your parents are waiting downstairs, come now!” she offered a hand, but he gave an askant stare.

“I can help myself, Nina, thanks!” he icily blurted, strutting away. She heaved a deep sigh, at least he didn't smash an entire apple pie in her face.

Jax descended the stairs as fast as he could.

Jax’s stomach growled which contributed to the earlier activity that turned ugly in the end. Not that he hated his sister, it was just that sometimes he couldn't control his temper when things didn't go the way he wanted.

The chair was dragged for him to sit on, splitting his gaze between the three of them.

“Before we start eating, I believe that there is something that you both would like to say to each other. Jax?” Zane said, his deep voice blitzed across the place. His eyes settled on his son, but the cute little boy didn't move an inch, neither did his taut face loose.

“Jax, apologize to your sister. Now!” Zane gave the table a swift punch. The little boy got startled.

“I'm… I'm sorry. Jaz.” Jax blurted out.

“I'm sorry too, Jax!” Jaz returned the apology.

“Good!” Zane snapped.

They began to eat from the assorted delicacies prepared by one of the best chefs in the city.

“But Jax, you didn't have to hit your sister that hard! Look at her head, it's partly swollen. Ugh!” Liz began, shifting her gaze in the direction of her son—he was sitting next to her.

“It was an accident, I just… couldn't control it,” Jax turned away slowly from his mother’s gaze.

“Control what?” Jaz looked confused, she was curious to know what had gotten into her brother.

“Let's all forget about what happened, it's not much of a problem you see, I'll invite the physician to overlook the swell.” Zane interrupted, forcing a smile. Liz joined too.

“I'll be in my room!” Jax‘s face fell, his voice dropping. He scurried towards the stairway, Zane motioned at the maid with his eyes to catch on.

Jaz tried to decipher the sudden cold atmosphere. Her father rubbed her face lightly as they continued eating.

Ki, the guard, moved toward Zane and whispered in his master’s ear. Zane's face squeezed with a tight frown. He dismissed the guard, turning to his wife. She had figured out his appearance.

“Take Jaz to her room. Make sure that Jax is fine too,” he instructed.

“Yes, of course!” Liz nodded, taking Jaz’s hand, followed by another guard.

Zane tossed the napkin next to him, he headed out of the dining room.

“How many are they?” Zane asked Ki.

“Quite a handful, commander! The Khai’s Clan elders,” said Ki.

He hated what he heard, but he foresaw the coming of these people.

He headed to the terrace of the Manor, his eyes met with the person he resented. Lotham. His only brother.

“Hi brother, long time no see!” Lotham let out a vicious grin while Zane suppressed the urge to hit his brother. “Let's talk about Jax, my beloved nephew!”