Fire

Chapter 9

You got to be kidding me, I thought. I stared in disbelief at the scene, slowly waiting for the shock to wear off. I shook myself out of it and began to listen. 

"Yes, I understand the situation," Isean stated irritated. "This Protector is going to ruin my kingdom and your master's plan. So why don't you tell your master that he needs to take care of this now."

The Darkon replied, "Watch your tone. Dravos is your master too. He will come when the time is right." And with that the Darkon dissipated into shadows and disappeared. Isean is working for Dravos? Does that mean Mel... oh no, not him too. My breath quickened and I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Come on Anthony, calm down. Just calm down. I regained focus and began listening again. 

Isean turned to Mel. "I are not letting those Dark Savages order me around. I am the True King of Pyron. That fake Protector is preventing me from achieving my full power," Isean spat. After a brief moment of hesitation Isean spoke again. "Mel, gather the Jancor."

"Yes sir. If I may ask, what do you require of us?" Mel asked with uncertainty.

"I need you go get me the Protectors Sword. And if order for that to happen you need to separate it from its owner."

"Sir, the only was to separate the Protector from his Sword is to kill him."

"Exactly. Kill the false Protector," Isean ordered. My heart sank as I heard him say state. Isean wants me dead? And he wants Mel to do it? No. No. Hey! Snap out of it! 

Right. Alright, what are my options? Run? Fight? I don't know. I ran from the door in confusion. Turning left and right randomly whenever I came to an intersection of these hallways lined with stone. Anything to hide me from Isean and Mel. It didn't take long for me to hit a dead end. In my panic I ran into the nearest door. Apparently I decided to run into a supply closet. Cleaning products and tools lined the shelves. I found a bucket and sat down on it. 

What am I to do? I thought. I'm a Protector! But what happens when the Protector needs protection. Ironic, isn't it. Shouldn't a Protector be able to take care of themselves? I did scare those recruiters and I did neutralize Dravos. What do I have to fear. I'm sure I can fight my way out of here. All of that bravado disappeared when the door handle began to shake. Fear took over my body as instinct took over. I drew the Sword and produced a fire in my right hand, ready to fight. The door creaked open and my body tensed up. Weird, I can fight Dravos to the death no problem, but not these guys, I thought. Once that door opened fully I relaxed. The Ranaw should me the fire of someone who didn't want to fight... and that fire belonged to Mel. 

"Anthony," Mel whispered, "we need to get out of here."

"What, but why?" I asked dazed.

Mel gazed at me with guilty eyes. "I know you were listening to us upstairs. I want you to know that I would never want to kill you."

My stomach churned. "You knew that I was there..." I said meekly. 

"Don't worry, Isean didn't notice you," Mel stated quickly. "Now we need to get out of here. Now." Mel grabbed my arm and pulled me out. Without question I followed him. Mel is the person I've spent the most time with since I lost Alice. That time plus the Ranaw is enough to convince that he's one of the good guys. We run as fast as we can past confused guards and staff towards the exit.

Mel and I turned a corner and came to the entrance hall. This was different from the rest of the areas I had been in. The white floor was covered by a beautifully colored rug with columns at the edges of it. Standing in front of the bronze entrance doors was King Isean. 

"Well, well, well," Isean started, "what do we have here. Mel, my most loyal and trustworthy officer, betraying me and helping this false Protector."

Mel's face filled with dread. "How... how did you know?" Mel asked concerned. 

"Oh, it was easy. I knew you didn't want to kill our little 'Savior,' so I had you followed. And what I come to find out is that you not only disobeyed your orders, but you have gone against me," Isean rumbled. He slashed his sword towards Mel. "You know what the punishment is for treason, right?"

"Death of the betrayer and their family," Mel muttered.

"Yes! That's right!" Isean bellowed. "I have already dispatched a few Jancor to deal with your family. All that's left is you. So I thought why not kill both you and the Protector in one go." Isean's expression turned stone cold. 

I walked out to Isean. "You are not laying a hand on Mel," I said drawing my sword. 

"Oh, is that a challenge? You stupid boy, I will crush you."

All of my fear had disappeared. I know what to do. First things first, I save Mel. Then his family. I charged Isean. His sword and mine met in a fury of sparks. I jumped back and tried again and again. Each strike I attempted was blocked. Isean only looked amused at my futile attempts to hit him. He parried my next strike and blasted me with fire. For the first since I arrived in Elementrias, the fire actually hurt. I knelled over trying to recover from the blast. 

"How pitiful," Isean laughed. "The Protector already on his knees." He kicked me onto my back. I could see Mel about to come save me. No! I mouthed. I looked back up to see Isean's admittedly perfect face peering down at me. He hovered his sword over my chest. "Do me a favor and stay dead this time."

As Isean raised his sword, mine grew hot. But it was a different kind of hot, it felt powerful. I let the Sword take over. I swung it at Isean and everything went white. I feel someone picking me up, but the ringing in my ears was too loud for me to concentrate. My vision returned for me to see Mel grabbing me. I looked around, still dazed. The entrance hall was destoryed and a huge hole replaced the doors that had been there.

"What, what happened?" I question Mel. 

"You blew Isean up," Mel stated. He pulled me to my feet. "Come on, it will only be a matter of time before the guards arrive." He pulled me towards the exit.

"Did I kill Isean?"

"No. You only knocked him out. He's a lot stronger than you think."

"But how did you survive?"

"Maybe it's because I'm your friend. I don't know. Just come on, let's go!" Mel began running. Guess I don't really have any other option. I ran after him, and entered the city of Igno.