FATED FLAMES 🔥

Into The Abyss

As I was hunching over the dusty book, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the walls, I heard the creaking of wooden stairs beneath my mother's gentle footsteps.

Her calm presence was a comforting familiarity. I hastily shoved the book under the carpet, my heart was racing like a wild animal as Mother knocked on the door. I tried to sound calm, but my voice betrayed me, trembling slightly as I said, "Yes, come in."

Mother stepped into the room, a letter was clutched in her hand, her eyes were narrowing as she took in my disheveled appearance. I knew who sent it without even asking - Thane's letters always had a peculiar aura about them. I forced a bright smile, trying to deflect her scrutiny. "Thane sent this," she said, her voice was measured, her gaze lingering on me with a mix of concern and suspicion.

I snatched the letter from her hand, and my fingers brushed against hers, sending a shiver down my spine. The paper felt alive with secrets, and I couldn't help but wonder what Thane had written this time. And my mother's next words doused my excitement, her voice was firm and commanding. "Lyra, I notice the candles are lit. Again. Without matchsticks. You know the rules."

I felt a surge of frustration, my mind was racing with excuses, but I knew better than to argue. Instead, I nodded meekly, trying to appear contrite, all the while my thoughts racing with the mysterious message hidden within Thane's letter.

Mother's eyes were lingering on me, as if searching for any sign of defiance, before she turned to leave. "Remember, Lyra, control is key. We can't afford to draw attention to ourselves."

I shook my head again, feeling a familiar sense of resentment simmering beneath the surface. Why did I always have to be the one to control myself? Why couldn't I be free to explore my powers, to see what I was truly capable of?

As soon as Mother closed the door behind her, I unfolded the letter, my heart was running with anticipation. Thane's handwriting was messy, but I knew it like the back of my hand.

"Dear Lovely Woman,"
he wrote, his usual teasing tone was evident even in the written word.

"I hope this letter finds you well. I've returned from Kyrencia, but I have to stay at the Wysteria headquarters for two more months. I know, I know - it's frustrating. But I promise I'll be home for your birthday, and we'll celebrate in style."

I smiled, feeling a warmth that was spreading through my chest. Thane always knew how to make me feel better.

But then, my eyes landed on a strange symbol at the bottom of the page. It looked like a cross between a rune and a hieroglyph, and it seemed to pulse with a soft, blue light.

I felt a shiver running down my spine as I realized that this was definitely not an ordinary letter. Thane had hidden a message within the letter, and I was determined to uncover it.

I tilted the letter slightly, studying the symbol from different angles, trying to decipher its meaning. As I did it, the blue light grew brighter, illuminating a hidden message that seemed to be written in the margin.

"Elyrixi," I whispered, my heart was beating with excitement. It was an old word, one that Thane and I had discovered in a dusty book he brought which was hidden deep within the Wysteria library. It meant "to ignite" or "to spark," and I knew that Thane had used it for a reason.

I felt a surge of determination within me and I quickly scanned the rest of the letter, searching for any other hidden messages. And then, I saw it - a small, almost imperceptible mark was there, in the corner of the page. It looked like a tiny flame, and I knew that it was Thane's signal to meet him in secret at our place.

My heart was beating forcibly fast, I folded the letter and tucked it into my pocket, my mind already wandering with possibilities. I knew that I had to be careful, that Mother was always watching me but I couldn't resist the thrill of the unknown.

I made my way to the old oak tree in Raven's Glen, our place. Thane's and mine.

I sprinted through the forest, my feet were pounding out a rhythmic beat. The flame on my fingertips were casting eerie shadows on the trees, and I felt alive, free. Thane had trained me to control my powers, to wield them with precision. But tonight, I let it go, allowing the flame to dance across my skin.

As I climbed over the steep slope, my legs burning with a pleasant fatigue, I saw the old oak tree looming in front of me. Thane emerged from the shadows, his eyes were gleaming in the moonlight. He looked like a mirrored version of me, with the same piercing emerald eyes and red hair.

"You're getting stronger, Lyra," he said, his voice was low and husky. "But we need to be careful."

I shook my head, my chest was tightening and I gulped hardly. Both of us knew the risks of our secret training, of harnessing our flame, our element.

As we sat on the branch of the tree, I asked, "Thane, what exactly are the Supreme?"

His expression turned serious. "They're powerful beings, Lyra. Brave explorers, saviors."

I frowned, my mind was filled with questions. "And how can someone strong be an ally to Shadow when they're bound to an oath? It doesn't make sense."

Thane's grip tightened around mg hand, as if he can sense my unease. "Don't stress about these things, Lyra. Focus on your power. You must be strong this year. Try to get the powerful flame."

But I couldn't shake off the doubt hovering above me. "Am I... is it possible for me to be an ally to Shadow? I'm not like normal Wysterians."

Thane's expression get softened and he pulled me into a gentle embrace. "You're my sister, Lyra. You can't be an ally to Shadow. Never."

I snuggled into his chest, but the uncertainty lingered. Thane's words were meant to reassure me, but they only sparked more unanswered questions.
Suddenly a faint rustling sound came from underbush. The moonlight start fading away. It smelled like something burnt. The whole surrounding was turned from gentle, warm to trembling, cold. Thanes head snapped up his eyes were investigating the darkness.

"What was that" I whispered my thoughts were at various anticipation. We jumped down from the branch. As soon as we landed at the ground we saw an Ominous Shadow, in front of us, nothing much to observe something dark was there moving, it was like a dark mist. A cloud.

Thane and I stood beside each other, our eyes were scanning the darkness. We could sense the shadows moving toward us, trying to surround us.

"Ready?" Thane whispered.

I nodded, and we raised our hands. Small flames erupted on our fingertips, casting a warm glow over the clearing.

The shadows recoiled, and were hissing softly, but they didn't retreat at all. Thane and I took a step forward, our flames were growing stronger.

The shadows lunged, while trying to extinguish our flames. Thane and I manipulated the fire, shaping it into small blasts that repelled the darkness. But the shadows were relentless, and we stumbled backward, our flames were faltering.

Thane grunted, his arm was burning from a shadowy tendril. I spun around, my own flames were dying down as a dark shape slammed into me. I fell hard onto the forest ground, my head was spinning like a wheel.

As I struggled to stand, I saw Thane surrounded by shadows, his flames was dwindling. He was a Mild. It was hard for him. "Thane, no!" I screamed, but my voice was drowned out by the sound of rustling leaves.

And then, everything went black.

When I came to my senses, I was lying on the ground, my head was throbbing with pain. Thane was nowhere to be seen. But as I stumbled to my feet, I saw a figure in the distance - Thane, was being dragged away by the shadows.

"Thane!" I screamed, but my voice was too late. The shadows vanished into the trees, taking Thane with them.

I stumbled forward, my heart was tightening in the chest. I had to save Thane. But as I ran, the trees seemed to close in around me, the shadows were deepening into an abyss.

And then, I fell.

© the_19th_alphabet
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