Cold Flames

Chapter 35 : Control

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A beauty in motion is what she's always been. Her transformation always fascinated me... But today... Today it frightened me. Her hair had straightened, as well as her nails growing longer into black talons. While I've only witnessed her spotting scales here and there, they traveled down the canvas of her skin much more, covering the length of her left arm, traveling all the way up just beneath her left eye. Her right arm was covered only along her bicep, and along her collarbone. It was like a dragon being woken up from slumber who had not expected to be awaken any time soon. This wasn't Firen. The anger emitting from her scarlet red eyes expressed the infuriation in the irascible temperament she now possessed. This is what we came for... This very thing. But now I had my doubts staring into the depths of what she had became. It was as if this divide didn't matter, because I knew she was staring directly at me. Our intense stare down was broken off when she looked away to observed her surroundings. We noticed the sharp intake of air she took, and then the fire she released from her mouth was the greatest amount I've ever seen her muster. Her thrashing around had commenced, and she was none too happy of her constraints. Even though her appearance, and most likely strength, had dramatically changed, the constraints held their purpose surprisingly.

But we knew they'd only last for so long, so are next move would have to be quick. Leo muttered something to Fiona that had her respond in action. She continued to type endlessly, and gaseous smoke poured into the room in a heavy undulate. As the gas surrounded her, her movements became much more languid. "Alrighty, so now that her inner beast is at a more tolerable state, perhaps we can bring Firen to a point of recognition, so she can have more control. Or maybe she can become more one with this side of her instead of locking it away and continuing its untamed nature." Fiona reasoned. We all nodded in agreement, but fell silent, as we all had no idea how we were going to get through to Firen while she was in this state. "What should we do first?" I reluctantly asked. Leo turned towards the direction of Firen, and had the look of contemplation marred on his features. "Perhaps it's simpler than we're imagining." He said softly. He looked towards me. "Have you ever tried to communicate with this side of her?" He said in a tone that implied he already knew the answer. I shook my head no, considering physical interaction doesn't really count for communication in the sense he may be referring too.

"Maybe you should familiarize yourself with the side of her... She obviously recognizes you for how much she's drawn to you. Understand the demons that make her." Leo stated in a matter-of-fact like manner. He looked back at Firen, and had a nostalgic look in his eye. "Sometimes it's the demons inside us we don't acknowledge that understand us better than ourselves." He finished in a wistful tone. I knew he was referring to something far beyond this room. But I thought it better not to speak on it for now. I looked back at Firen, as she lazily eyed me through the apparent mirrored glass wall, wondering how on earth she could see me through it. "I'm ready." I lied effortlessly, knowing damn well I didn't know what I was exactly ready for. I switched my attention to Fiona to ask if my condition improved in the time it took for the past event to take place. Once she confirmed that I was good to go, I forced myself towards that dreadful room that had me weak not too long ago. I slowly opened the door, and stepped in the blazing hot warmth. I figured since she blew fire around, even though it dissipated, the temperature was unable to be filtered out. Firen turned her head towards me, but her expression did not change in the slightest. As if she expected me to come.

After shutting the door, I moved slowly towards her, careful not too make any sudden movements. I remember slightly transformed Firen rivaled my ability of defense, I don't think I could handle her in this advanced form. "Hi-" I was about to utter her name, until I remembered I was familiarizing myself with the new her. Her face twists in a confused motion, scrutinizing my words. Her mouth opened slightly, and she pushed her air out, imitating the word I had just uttered. That same weird voice I remembered came out with a slight rumble in her throat. Ok this is good. She can still talk. "What's your name? I'm Vice..." I said slowly, and as I inched closer ever so carefully. Her mouth moved as if imitating me once again, testing out the words. Last time I remembered her being unable to speak, but I guess we've moved deeper into her transformation, causing speech to be a bit more complex for her. "My name..." She said slowly. "Kelekona" she said more to herself than me. Perhaps she was just realizing this answer herself. Wait... Kelekona? I've heard that word before. But where? No time to think on that, I must focus at the situation at hand. "Kelekona? Very nice... Vice... And Kelekona." I tried to keep my vocabulary simple so she could understand me. Her gaze traveled from the floor to stare back at me. "You don't know..." She began. "You don't know what I am...?" She began slowly. I furrowed my eyebrows confused about what she was saying. How am I supposed to know her if this is my first time meeting her? Well... At least like this.

"I'm afraid this is our first time meeting... Officially." I said slowly, keeping my tone as even as possible. Her eyes pierced through my very soul. Seemingly detecting a lie in the words I spoke. "You're right... How could you when you only remember her?" She said, as if making the conclusion to herself instead of confirming with me. We continued to stare for the longest until she spoke again. "You know who I am. You just didn't know.... that I resided in her." Her? Firen? So does she know about Firen? "Are you referring to Firen?" I asked slightly astounded that she knew that she wasn't just sleeping in a dormant carcass. Kelekona nodded her head slowly, I suppose still effected by the gaseous smoke. "But... She doesn't know... About me." She said answering my undying question in my head. She looked around, then stared at the mirror that had Fiona and Leo behind it. "Your friends... Can stop this smoke now. I won't attack... I understand... your intentions." She pushed out impatiently. I wasn't sure if I could trust her... But she had already granted me with this much information, so it had to be a step in the right direction... Right? I turned towards the wall they were behind, swiping my hand over my neck signaling them to stop the smoke. The gaseous smoke slowly deteriorated, as I walked closer to Fir-I mean Kelekona, I could feel my heart beating fast as I maintained eye contact and kept a cool exterior. Focus, Vice, focus.

"Calm down. Your heartbeat is annoying me from how loud it is." She muttered in my ear when I was close enough. My eyes widened at her statement, shocked that she could even hear it. Embarrassingly, I was slightly aroused by her breath tickling my neck. She chuckled deeply, which further my embarrassment, because I knew in my heart of hearts what she was chuckling about. Yeah yeah, I know... Vice with a heart. Who'd would've guessed it? Once I unlocked the clamps on her wrists, her hands glided gracefully back to her side, as if her arms weren't tired from being in that position so long. Her movements were so calculated... So thought out. Nothing she did could be perceived as clumsy or an unnecessary movement. Her conscious and subconscious actions had seemingly become one, and it was truly a sight to see. I didn't know if I should be weary of the creature next to me, but I had to force myself to be for Firen. Before I realized what she was doing, she had already sauntered toward the door throwing a "Are you coming to see the show?" Over her shoulder without turning. And I of course, like the fool, followed her obediently without uttering another word.