Flames of Liberation

Chapter 9

The sun was warm, an unusual thing since the cold seasons were fast approaching. Other than that, it was a typical day. Anya and Hiro were catching up on lost time, conversing about what life on the streets was like and how Kael found Hiro. Laughter filled the air and smiles were often exchanged. Things were good.

Which naturally meant it was time for things to go downhill.

Silas barged into the metal-cluttered room, breathless and alarmed. "Anya! It's.... It's Kael! He's... He was..." he panted, unable to get more than a few words out. Anya ran to and guided the freaked-out blonde to the bed she and her cousin were sitting on.

"Slow down. Catch your breath. It's okay." Anya rested her hand on her friend's back, helping him calm himself.

"But it's not! Kael is... he's... he's..." Silas sounded alarmed and in emotional pain. This stark contrast to his usual happy-go-lucky demeanor made Anya worry.

Hiro was the first to speak up, her voice calm. "Silas? What happened to Kael?"

Silas froze before looking at the other two, wide-eyed. "It's the Guard. They took him."

"What?!" Anya shouted, unable to believe what she was hearing. "What do you mean? How did that happen? Weren't you visiting the Westfield base with him?"

"I was," Silas nodded. "But they came out of nowhere! They jumped out from an alley near Star and Sky Brewery and grabbed him and me at the same time! We put up a good fight, but... I don't know! One knocked me out, and by the time I woke up, he was gone!"

"Do you know where they might've taken him?" Anya asked, standing up and scanning the contents of Hiro's shelves.

"One of them mentioned an old Mage's home in Greenhaven. An apothecary shop of some kind? Which is wierd, because I always thought that was owned by an Alchemist, not a Mage." Silas's words struck a chord in Anya's heart and Hiro's eyes widened.

The dots connected like constellations to form an image that made Anya's heart pound in her chest. Marcus, her mother's killer, kidnapped Kael and took him to the same place where he ruined her life. Anger clouded her mind and she whirled around. "That bastard!"

As if sensing Anya's growing rage, Hiro stood up and walked to their cousin. "Anya wait. Something doesn't add up. They kidnap the leader of the rebellion and leave his friend to tell us? Then they take him to your old home of all places? It feels like a trap."

"Hiro's right. I understand your anger, but we need to come up with a plan," Silas added, joining Hiro by Anya's side. He looked at them and they smiled, their glasses glinting in the light.

"We don't have time for a plan! Who knows what they'll do to him if we wait?!" Anya shot back, turnign back to the labeled inventions.

Hiro and Silas exchange a glance. "I don't see why you feel like you need to do this," Hiro asks, concern etched in their face.

"Because Marcus knows me!" Anya exclaimed. "He recognized me while we were running from the Armory! He must regret not finishing the job, and took Kael to get to me! If I hadn't gone with you guys, this nevrt would've happened!"

Hiro steps in front of Anya. "There's no way we're talking you out of this, is there?"

Anya shakes her head, determination burning in her eyes. "Of course not! Kael is my friend and the leader of the Ember's Heart! The longer we wait, the less chance we have of saving him in time! I have to do this."

"But you don't have to do it alone," Silas responded, his hand resting on Hiro's shoulder. "We're coming with you."

"What? No! This is something I have to do myself!" Anya protested. "Marcus wants me, so there's no need for you to get mixed up in this."

"Exactly! Marcus is trying to get to you!" Hiro retorted, taking Anya's haind in theirs. "I just got my cousin back, and I'm sure as hell not gonna lose her again!"

Hiro's words doused the flames of Anya's anger for a moment. The pain in Hiro's eyes was reflected in hers. She sighed and replied, "Fine. You guys can come."

Hiro and Silas smiled at Anya and each other. Hiro threw their arms around Anya. "You won't regret it!" They then looked at the inventions on the shelf and chuckled. "If we want to save Kael, we shouldn't use these. These ones never worked."

They then brought Anya and Silas to a large wardrobe against the opposite wall. They opened it, revealing a plethora of inventions, each with its own unique name. Silas smiled and wrapped his arm around Hiro's shoulder. "Nice work, Hiro!"

Hiro looked down and smiled. Anya thought she saw a blush forming on her cousin's cheeks, but shrugged it off as a trick of the light. Instead, she grabbed some promising-looking devices. Silas and Hiro followed suit, although Hiro's choices were made more carefully.

After Hiro explained what each chosen device does, the three of them set off to rescue their friend. Silas and Hiro chatted and built up a plan as they walked.

Little did the other two know, Anya had plans to get back at Marcus for killing her only remaining family member.