THE NOBLES OF NEWLAND (BLOODLINER AND THE TALES OF THE NEW SAGA BOOK 1)

Chapter 5: Renan

"The Soulter."

Sadeva's House,

Celebesia, The Republic.

For life, Renan knew himself as a teenager who preferred to tell stories in front of his amateur radio microphone, rather than spend time making trouble, using fake IDs to break into nightclubs, hang out with crowds, or even targeting half-drunk beautiful girls with glasses of alcohol in his hands. Not because Renan does not have any friends besides his two adopted siblings, but because he does not like it. He was raised to be an obedient and simple young man. And he likes himself that way.

Renan knows himself as a young man who would clean his room by himself when it was messy, folding and tidying his bed when he woke up in the morning, even though he had a maid. Or do not forget to drink milk and brush teeth before going to bed at night, because all that should be done. Order is part of his life. Renan will defend a girl who was disturbed by thugs, help an old grandmother to cross the street, or get a child's balloon stuck in a tree, because it's the right things to do. Justice and heroic nature have become a part of him, the quality of a Sadeva, the Peacocks of Bataveron.

But it's different when Renan has to save everyone at the expense of himself. Dying for the sake of protecting their own family, all good people would probably do it. But sacrificing yourself or almost being called an act of suicide by scorching yourself into ashes for the benefit of mankind? It feels too much. Renan has always rejected that crazy idea. Renan was also quite sure, as long as he remembered it, he was afraid of fire. Renan would retreat or run away when a fire broke out, or refuse to play traditional fireworks, or become an herbal smoker, or decide not to attending most festivals in the Republic, particularly the ancient Bataveron tradition that featuring fire dancer attractions. Until the moment he burned the Pendopo and nearly grilled half of his family members, Renan realized he didn't fully know himself. Renan never knew that he might be immune to fire. Moreover, the fire in question here, came from himself. His hands. It's obviously a problem.

And in the confusion and excitement when the incident happened, Navisa, Guru, and Jack, behaved like they already knew. While Renan himself was in shock instead of playing. Always, there was something they hid from Renan. If it wasn't for Kiyo, back then Renan might have inadvertently succeeded in making the three of them into honorable ashes. Horrified, right?

Burn! Burn! Burn!

The mysterious voice again filled Renan's head, along with a picture of the entire city swallowed by flames. Navisa and Jack have been scorched. Then there was Mother, with her arms outstretch trying to ask for help, slowly devoured by the fire, while Kiyo who was trying to save her, lunged along into the fire, roaring as they finally burned together.

And the sudden feeling of horror felt like it was five times bigger, making Renan scream awake from his dream with his trembling body drenched in sweat.

"Renan, calm down... Everything is fine." Navisa who was sitting beside the bed hugged Renan. Hugged her little brother softly. Calms him down.

***

"You just activated your power. Accidentally. Awakening, that's the term people in the Academy use. And, it seems like anger is the source of your ability." Navisa explained, when it was almost evening and Renan demanded an explanation. Kiyo just stood with a concerned look right in front of Renan, letting Navisa answer him. "Good," Navisa continued, "At least now I know where to start your training."