The Inferno Ascending

Fire outbreak

***

Three days had gone by, and Zane and Liz were on the brink of having little or no clues about how to convince the clan members. The meeting with grand elders wasn't soft just as they had predicted, yet it was still hard for them to decide.

Zane and Liz walked to their car, escorted by guards. The car had complicated designs, the bonnet had a round edge like a cone. Immediately, someone approached them. He was close to the family, more like distant cousins of Zane.

“Lord Zane, a word with you?” the man asked, his face laced with a cunning demeanor.

“I have a little time left!” Zane snapped firmly, his face was tightened.

The man bowed his head a swiftly. “It's been a while since we heard from you. Are you fine, my lord?”

Zane scoffed in disbelief, “Are you also here to talk about my son?”

“If I may, please. I hate to be a part of these matters, but I have no choice. Little Jax is believed to be a threat to our clan, and our people are doing everything possible to annihilate the boy! Do you not have a plan?” the man asked. “I want to assist, my lord!”

“Borris, why does it matter to you now?” Zane asked, attempting to hit the man, but his wife placed a hand on his shoulder—patting him. He calmed. “A friend to my enemy is also my enemy!” Zane let out.

“I'm not your enemy, Lord Zane, I'll never be! I can help Jax, I can take him somewhere no one can find him—”

“How much did Lotham pay you to convince me? How many bags of cheap gold?” he asked, but Borris remained silent.

Like a gust of wind, Zane strangled Borris while the man grappled, yet it had no effect. “A lot, I guess. For the fact that I've lost the trust of my clan members doesn't mean that I've lost it all. Let Lotham know that his plans are void!” Zane’s voice erupted, sounding a thunderous warning.

“Honey, let it go!” Liz whispered under her breath as he instantly released the man.

Ki instantly turned to Zane and Liz, “There is a problem, Jax got into trouble!” he managed to say.

Zane exhaled, fisting his hands. He knew that the turn of events would be bad if not dire. They entered the car and drove away.

…

Meanwhile, Jax had been sitting in the garden alone, the memory of what had happened earlier at school played out effortlessly before him.

He was bullied by a boy five years older than he was. Initially, the boy had stolen Jaz’s lunch, and so she narrated the story to her brother. Jax was riled. Even if he had given Jaz his lunch, it didn't stop him from hurting the boy. He had beaten up the boy almost to death which posed as a threat when the news reached the school’s management.

Not even Jax could explain the sudden tenancy of power that he possessed.

As soon as he sighted his father’e towering figure, he knew that his father was enraged and perhaps his mother too. Instantly, Jax fell to his knees to plead for his father’s mercy.

Liz melted, her eyes crammed with tears. She figured that it wasn't his fault and that he didn't know how to control his powers just yet. Besides, Zane hasn't truly taught the boy the basics of such powers.

The clan members would not give them a breather to run a happy home.

Day by day, Lotham’s quest to overthrow his brother grew. Zane’s influence rapidly decreased because of the rationale that Lotham carried out.

“Please have mercy on the boy, commander!” Ki said under his breath, knowing that his master would hear—gicen that their sensitivity to hear was indomitable.

“Rise, my boy!” Zane softened. He, too, understood that it wasn't Jax’s fault. He turned to Ki and Liz. “I'd like to have a word with my son alone,” he added. They respectively steered away.

“Let's walk!” Zane said, taking the boy’s hand. It had been a while since Zane held his son this close, it had been a while since they bonded. The affairs of Kistan city outweighed their time together.

Sometimes, Jax felt like he was losing his father.

“I'm sorry Dad, I didn't mean to hurt him. He took Jaz’s lunch… I had to do something. I got out of control! I was trying to protect my sister…” Jax explained truthfully and tearfully. They both halted, planted on the spot. He looked up to his father's huge towering figure.

“I understand, but there are certain ways to approach bad kids like him.” Zane planted a hand on Jax’s shoulder.

“Forgive me,” Jax muttered.

“You are forgiven. One thing that you must learn is the art of time, self-control, and discipline. Don't forget, give it time. Don't rush, and you'll understand that you're on the right path.” Zane advised. “Let me tell you something,” Jax's saddened face loosened into a curious one. “My father usually sparred with your uncle and I— we just sometimes do…”

They chuckled.

“I was skilled with swords, but Lotham wasn't much of a swordsman than me. One day, we encountered a little trouble and, just like you did, I also fought to protect my brother. We used to love each other so very much…” Zane paused for a momentwith pensive gaze.

“Not anymore, right?” Jax asked. Zane was stunned by his little son, who was smart enough to understand that certain things weren't the same anymore. “I heard your argument last night, Uncle Lotham thinks I’m cursed, an archenemy of the Khai Clan. Do you think that I'm a curse? I’ve has been acting strange recently—”

“Don’t say that, Jax, you are my son, my only son. You're not a curse, you're a Kraus! Don't take your Uncle’s filthy words to heart!” Zane countered softly.

Jax scoffed lightly, “I'll never destroy my people. You taught me to protect them, so don't worry Dad, I'll fight for them until the very end. I'll carry on your legacy. It's a promise!” said Jax, his gaze radiating.

Zane’s heart thawed like a melted ice cube. The words of his son sank deep into his mind. He couldn't have been less happy.

Zane got on a knee and embraced Jax and the boy reciprocated too.

“You are a great boy, Jax, a time will come that I will not be there to protect you. You have to figure things out yourself. They think that you're a curse, but I know that you are going to become the man that Khai and Kistan have never seen. Your abilities are unique and so do not be vulnerable. Be strong like your father, better than he is!”

“Yes, Dad!”

…

It was past midnight when Liz and Zane were prepared for bed, they talked about Jax as well as the things that the little boy had said to him.

“You shouldn't have admitted Lotham’s words to him, he's just a child!” Liz flared with a shaky voice.

“And so do you think that I didn't think about it? Liz, I'm trying all I can to set the right paces…”

“You have done nothing at all.” her voice raised. “You have the power to destroy, why not do it?” she yelled angrily, breaking down into tears.

“I may not be the best father, but Jax knows everything now, and he's very smart, he's a strong boy!” he firmly added. He hated to admit to his wife how weakly he's handled the matter because he didn't want bloodshed.

“I'd rather he knew nothing, Zane, you are endangering his life…” she managed to say, her eyes widened yet soggy.

“Well, I’d rather he knew because I'm not sure if I have the next moment to live. What if there isn't time to explain? Do I let the boy grow in oblivion? No, that's not how it's done, Liz! Whether or not I kill Lotham, I'd have to wipe out the entire clan and city. Is that what you want?” he stopped, his gaze deepening into hers.

Her thoughts aligned with his, she understood his point, weighing a notable sigh.

“He took after you Zane, he's a strong boy, I know!” she hugged tightly.

It didn't take too long, the smell of burning wood abd linen covered in the air which became unbearable.

They looked around, smoke shaking its way into their chamber.

“Jax? The kids?” Liz exclaimed fearfully as Zane left, heading to his children’s room.

By the time he got to Jaz’s room, the fire had escalated. He could see nothing but ruined wood, the roof falling.

“Ki? Ki? Guards?” Zane yelled at the top of his voice, but there was nothing but silence, cracking, and crashing of properties.

Turning to Jax’s room which was directly opposite, Lotham cleared his throatcatching Zane’s attention.

“Hello brother, didn't I tell you before? Well, I'm afraid the boy’s dead—everyone is except you,” Lotham laughed hysterically and wickedly.

You could see the look of disgust and defeat on Zane’s face. Zane groaned angrily as they began to get physical, using both their physical and estranged strength to fight.

Mid combat, Zane heard the wavering screams of Liz until he heard nothing—before he could attempt to move an inch, Lotham had gotten a hold of him as well as getting through to him in his vulnerable state.

“Oh I forgot to mention, sexy Liz is dead too. They have you to blame, Zane, but you wouldn't listen! So, good riddance. Brother!”