Flame sits impatiently on the carriage. His father is talking, probably threatening, the driver. Flame’s fear and excitement getting the best of him. It’s been three years since Ivan’s death and Flame couldn’t wait to get away from his tortuous father. He has a blurred memory of what happened that day, though everyone told him otherwise. He had been told Ivan died in enemy territory, defending the border of Pheaxaira, yet Flame always feels guilt pulling at him. What ever the case, after Ivan’s death, Flame got the hell that was once brought on his brother. Weeks forced into the cellar, his room was burnt to a crisp, and hours of physical torture from the other guards.
He winces at the thought of the scars on his back, some just now healing. He is snapped out of his head when the carriage starts moving. His excitement returning, he’ll finally get away from this, and maybe he can find a way to never return.
The rocks on the road toss the carriage around. His luggage creating a muted thud with every bump. Flame watches the terrain change as the portal to the school opens.
The roads are surrounded with shops and apartments. Crowds of people walk down the sidewalks and streets. Some carry bags and clothes, while others just seem to be idling around the city.
“This is going to be fun.” Flame smiles, watching as buildings pass and the school slowly rises over the tall buildings.
As the carriage pulls into the school’s pathway, Flame gets a better look at the glimmering castle. It towers over the city, covered in gems and jewels. It’s guards approach the carriage, with what seems to be the headmaster.
The carriage driver opens the door and he jumps out excitedly. Flame grabs all his stuff from the trunk as the headmaster taps him.
“Hello! Welcome to Realm High! Mister…” She checks her list, “Ivan?”
“Oh no, that’s my brother, guess my dad never switched the enrollment..” Flame smiles awkwardly, “ Sorry about that, my name is Flame Phoenix!”
“Would you mind coming to the office with me to fix it then? We can get you situated afterwards.” She smiles.
“Okay! Whatever it takes.” Flame looks at the guards, they are gripping their weapons tightly, something finally clicks. His family’s reputation is going to ruin this for him.
The head master offers a hand to him, he takes it, hiding his realization.
She guides him into the building, students stop and stare. Some of them start whispering and giggling, Flame keeps his head high and eyes forward.
She opens and holds the door for him, he walks in and thanks her.
“Now, Mr. Phoenix, we want to make you as comfortable as possible, but our fire facilities are still in the making, we are just now accepting students with such power, you and the Valentine boys might even get along!”
“Valentine? As in the the royal Hell family?”
The headmaster nods
“I’ve never met them, but I’m sure they’ll be interesting! Are they here?”
“Yes, they got settled in last week, we hope you get the same time to get comfortable.” She motions for him to sit down.
“That’s alright, I look forward to making a new impression.” He sits in a chair across from hers.
She pulls out a few papers and looks them over, putting them in Flame’s name.
“Do you mind me asking why your brother wasn’t sent?” She looks up at him.
Flame lowers his head, blurry images of a bloodied sword swirl through his head.
“I….. He passed a few years back… my father didn’t say much about him.” He twiddles his thumbs, trying to clear the images, but failing horribly.
“I’m sorry for your loss, if you need help, please let one of us know.” She puts a hand over his balled up hands and smiles softly.
“Thanks..” Flame smiles back briefly, “What can I do to fix the name issue?”
“Let me handle that, I’ll just assign you to a dorm and send you your schedule.” She lets go of his hands and summons a key, handing it to him, “This should open room A40, and here’s a map of the school. Settle in, your first class starts next week.”
Flame nods, grabs the key and map, then stands.
“Thank you, I look forward to it.” Flame walks out the door.
He stands there, surrounded by people. They start whispering again. He smiles and walks forward, they split the crowd to let him through.
“For a Phoenix he’s pathetic.” A voice raises in the crowd, others start laughing, “Are we sure this guy isn’t faking it just to be here, look at the loser.”
Flame keeps walking, putting his key in his pocket, and following the map to the dorms. His eyes flashing red.
“Breathe, it’ll be alright.” A voice echoes in his head, making his smile and his eyes return to normal.
“Yeah. It will be.” Flame whispers to himself, as he spots the library, “After I find my dorm, I think I’ll check out a few books.”
YOU ARE READING
The Realm
FantasyI have decided to spilt up stories I think could be longer and are in the works.
