Vero didn’t even try to sleep. He didn’t even think about it. His mind was too far away from the concept. Vero was too focused on so many other things; like his old life. Vero looked out the window, gazing out at the stars.
Maybe I can fix myself here. He thought. Maybe I don’t have to be a ticking time bomb everywhere I go. Vero looked down at his hands, pushing off of the desk and letting blue flames engulf his hands. He didn’t feel the scorching heat that people would normally feel. He just felt pure fire flowing through his body. He felt something flashing through his mind. Pictures, moving through his mind.
Vero gazed out the car window without a thought behind his eyes. He looked down at his seatbelt, not understanding why he ever needed it. He looked forward at his father’s seat. He saw that his father didn’t have the belt out. “Dad, do you have your belt on?” Vero asked.
“Of course I do, Vero.” His father chuckled as he answered.
It was good to hear his father’s voice again after so long.
Vero sighed, going back to looking out the window.
But Vero knew how this ended. He ripped his mind away from the memory, staring out the window again.
♤
Vero stepped out into the courtyard, his eyes drawn to the stars above. He clenched his fists, feeling fire envelop them.
“It’s different from what you’re used to, isn’t it?” A voice called from behind Vero. The boy looked over his shoulder, seeing Khana saunter over to him. “Seeing all the stars, I mean.”
“Yeah.” Vero’s attention was brought back to the stars. “Do you know why everyone calls me that?”
“Heaven’s Phoenix? Everyone here thinks that you’re here to save them.” Khana answered.
“What am I saving them from?” Vero turned back to face Khana.
“Nobody really knows. They all just believe in a collection of prophecies and tales about the holder of the Blue Fire Curse. They all say that Heaven’s Phoenix will save them, but it doesn’t say what from.” Khana noticed Vero’s confusion as she spoke. The boy turned away again.
“I always thought I’d have a chance to prove that I’m not what people say I am.” Vero spoke, facing the wind. “But this…” The boy shook his head. “It’s too much for a normal person.”
“Good thing you’re not normal, then.” Khana remarked. There was a bit of silence among them. Finally, Khana sighed. “I don’t know what goes on in your head, but… whatever it is, you can tell me. I know what it’s like, being the new sorcerer here. Heck, I’ve been here for most of my life, and I still can’t find my way through the Academy.” Khana took a half-step closer to him. “But you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Not here.”
YOU ARE READING
The Kiros Chronicles: Into Shadow
FantasyVero was always a troubled child. That was partially the reason he was sent to his older cousin's farmhouse. He wasn't deserving of the Kiros name, just like his older, slightly incestuous cousin. But what if he could become something better? Taken...
