The Inferno Ascending

His destiny

***

They were seated around the hall where Zane held meetings. Being the commander in chief of the Khai clan, the welfare of the city rested on his shoulders. The people depended on him.

Zane stared at their emotionless faces, and did not talk to his annoying brother.

“You were having dinner but never invited the best uncle in the whole world. Rude, Zane.” Lotham blurted sarcastically.

“Why have you come? You interrupted my family time," he started firmly.

Lotham huffed. “I knew you’d say that, brother, constantly reminding me that I have to get married in the next second!” he snapped, “You know why we are here. Chief!” Lotham said.

“Lord Zane, we are here for a specific reason. It's about your son, Jax.” the first elder said.

“His unique ability and strength baffles us. Lord Zane, we understand that he's your only son but you are also aware of the aftermath of such abilities. It is the sign of evil—a curse—”

“Silence!” Zane yelled, “You know nothing about evil. My son is not evil and has no questionable powers!” he defended firmly.

“Lord Zane—”

“I said, enough!” Zane yelled again, attempts to speak halted. The five grand elders of the clan remained silent. “Leave now, we'll discuss some other time.” Zane dismissed, heading into his Manor.

Ki fell in step next to him. He didn't know what to say, but then he awaited the orders of his master.

“Make sure that my wife and children are okay, go ahead!” Zane instructed. Ki slightly bowed his head, scurrying away.

Zane was disoriented, it felt like history was repeating itself. Zane was in the hall, it smelled like fresh-brewed coffee. A mix of silence and chaos swamped in each angle. Zane stood in front of the portrait of his father, who passed his position onto him.

“Father, they are here to take my son! History is repeating itself, and why Jax?”

Zane whispered to himself.

Lotham cleared his throat lightly, just like the wind, Zane veered to Lotham with a dagger pointing at his brother’s neck. “Easy brother, it's just me!” Lotham said, not that he wasn't scared, but he didn't have to show it. Lotham was swift. His powers were just like his brother’s.

Meanwhile, he heard the words of his brother, the ability to read a vulnerable mind.

They both possessed this power. Lotham wouldn't have known what Zane said if Zane wasn't in a vulnerable state that was centered around his son’s safety.

Zane released his brother, bracing up, he tried not to be vulnerable or else Lotham would know and Lotham couldn't be trusted either.

“I heard that!”

“I know that you did, critter!” Zane flared.

“Easy! Are we now supposed to use our powers in the house? Didn't you… forbid that? Just asking!”

“Lotham, I am a second away from hurting you except that I've promised my father to take care of you, but circumstances can change. Be rest assured!” Zane warned.

“I won't forget!” Lotham snapped. “Well, I am here to talk about Jax, the sooner you annihilate him, the better for all of us!” he added. Zane groaned angrily.

“Lotham, be warned!”

“I. Am. Warned.” Lotham stated sarcastically, “Jax is a curse to this clan, to the entire city. The moment we let him live, he’d do something treacherous to his people! Why should we pretend to be soft about this, Zane? Jax has the power to destroy us. He is not one of us—he’s our archenemy! It's his destiny!” Lotham flared up as well, his brow knitted tightly.

“You lie, Lotham, my son might have strange powers, but we should be happy that he's one of us! He's our heritage—”

“Your bloody heritage, not mine!” Lotham interrupted.

Zane lifted a hand in the air, squeezing his fist, the more he did, the more his brother gasped for air.

He watched his brother’s life slowly begin to leave his body, and then he retracted, keeping in mind that his father would not appreciate his decision to kill his brother. He set him free by loosening his grip. His hand slowly fell while Lotham gained his composure.

“Your luck will run out soon, Lotham!”

Lotham massaged his neck, staring at Zane with hate and rage. All he wanted to do was hurt Zane back, but he was bent on the fact that Zane was able to kill him. He knew about the promise that Zane had sworn to their father.

At some point, Lotham could take the pain that his brother inflicted on him because he was certain that death was far from it.

Lotham had the power to manipulate and read minds, strength, speed, fight battles, shift shapes… just like his brother, and so he felt equal.

Zane turned to leave, and Lotham’s words halted him.

“You see, the problem with you is that you speak highly of yourself—too much!” Lotham’s face squeezed.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that you'd feel what it feels like to take everything from me! I've been living in your shadows for the past 20 years… How is that fair? Father gave you everything and all he gave me was a bloody army to train. I don't want an army you should know by now!” Lotham pocketed his hands.

“This is not about Jax having strange powers, now is it?” Zane questioned, turning fully to his furious brother. “You are jealous and thirsty to rule, aren't you?!”

“Oh I will, Zane, watch me take everything you own. You'd have to live the next 20 years behind my shadow!”

“You talk as if it had been a competition, it would be lowly of me to compete with my little brother. I'm the rightful heir—the true heir of this clan!” Zane said to him with a tighter face.

“ I'm coming for Jax!” Lotham snapped, frustrated. He needed to feed on Zane’s vulnerability.

“You wouldn't dare,” Zane clenched his teeth.

“That's a promise that I'm making to you! Lord Zane!”

Lotham smiled faintly, walking away, he swiftly disappeared into the dark.

Zane pressed his anger. His biggest weakness was hurting his brother. He couldn't bring himself to do so just yet, besides it was against their ordinances.

On the other hand, Liz had been standing by the stairway. She had witnessed what had transpired between the two of them. She moved closer, as if she was the wind itself.

“You know that you could end his life,” her voice carried disgust and contempt.

“Liz!” coldly, Zane called.

“I know. He's your brother. I get it. So you'd rather they'd take Jax away all in the name of a promise you are keeping?” Liz firmly asked.

“I'll find a way—”

“You are from the Khai Clan, you are the master, you are a commander—a chief… act like it!” she said, turning to live.

“You mean that I should harness—”

She swiftly moved closer, placing her index across his lips, “Whatever it is, my love, do it for the sake of our son! He's our only son, the true heir!” she placed a kiss on his lips and headed away. Zane was left to his thoughts. It was a life for a life.

“Liz, im doing all I can...” Zane charged, frustration etched across his face.

“It's simple, kill Lotham or I will…”