Ignis Amare

Ignipotence

Upon entering the base, I'm embarrassingly enthralled. The size and structure of this place must be familiar to Aiden and Beatrix because they don't seem taken aback at all.

As we cross the threshold of a short corridor that houses the door, a sense of nervousness builds. The revolutionaries all freeze upon noticing us. The hault of those closest to us draws the attention of everyone in the base eventually.

People come out of rooms and down stairs slowly, all stopping at the sight of Aiden. Silence reigns over everyone.

I didn't know what to expect by coming here, and I can't get a read on anyone. As I start to get worried, the people closest to us fold their hands in front of them while standing straight with their legs in a slight V.

They slightly bow their heads without making a single noise. Everyone else begins to mimic this pose as four people come walking from the back. They part for someone to approach us.

Dante. There's not a soul in this country that doesn't know what he looks like. But seeing him in person...his presence is overwhelming.

He stops a couple of feet in front of us and flicks his head to the left.

Aiden's let's out a sigh and begins walking in the direction. Beatrix motions for me to follow. All eyes are on us as we make our way across the room and down a hallway.

We approach a big metal door that Aiden opens by spinning a wheel on it. It looks like we've exited the base, but something feels off.

Aiden leads us inside, and Beatrix directs me off to the to a walk away on the other side of the door. I look at her questioningly, but she shakes her head.

I notice Aiden and his father have continued walking out into the vast desert. The others from the first room have joined in various postions on the wall. I realize that Aiden and Dante are about to fight and step forward, but Beatrix stops me.

I snap my head to her, my eyes glowing silver as a warning. Beatrix holds firm with no fear. She dares me to take another step with her eyes.

I step back worried. If Beatrix is this intent on stopping me, this must be important. I just don't understand why their meeting after years has to start with a fight.

My gaze shifts back to Aiden and Dante. They've stopped walking and are facing each other now. For the first time, I look at Dante's face and see a twinkle in his eyes.

He looks at Aiden with pride and excitement. The realization dawns that this fight isn't negative. This meeting isn't a fight. This fight is the meeting. To see how far he's come. It's something Aiden needs to do alone.

I relax, cross my arms, and look at Aiden with unshakeable confidence and love. There is no way he'll lose. The rest of the audience sees my reaction and the excitement among them shows in their body language.

They've been waiting for this fight. They've been waiting for Aiden to win, to believe that he could.

Dante ignites in a blinding yellow blaze hurling multiple fire spears at Aiden. He dodges then effortlessly, white lightning crackling around his limbs.

The instant Aiden dodges the last one his father teleports behind him, throwing a yellow-red fist to his ear from behind.

Aiden ducks and teleports to Dante's previous position holding his gaze.

His father beams at him and speaks for the first time.

"Can you use it now? Will you use it now? Have you finally accepted and embraced who you are?"

Aiden gives a half smile.

"You don't know who I am."

"Yes, I do, son. I always have. I've just been waiting for you to show me."