Flames and Frost

Chapter 1- Claude

In the town residing in the hot, tropical regions in the west, layed the town of our soft hearted, yet Hot headed character, Claude. He was born in a poor family in the main city of the west, which is Inferia. He was the strolling entertainer of the west as he grew up, Since he always had a natural talent of controlling fire. They had a reciprocal relationship, He loved fire, The fire loved him. Sometimes in life, whenever he cant sleep in the dirt of their dark hut, He goes out into the field and summons fire to put on a show for him, He does so in the hope of the fire chasing away his fear of the white women, ghosts, Goblins, Water elves, all the evil creatures of the night. 

One day, He went out of town toward the other towns of the west, He went to the town of Pyro in age 7, to collect coins as he wandered around the place and enchanted people with the charm of his lovely fire. His special trick was to make a giant flower out of flames and jump up and sit on the fiery middle and command the fiery petals to close up on him and trap him in its flames. It always got people curious and bedazzled everyone with the beauty of a flower with closed, en-wrapped petals, Springing out in reverse. Yes, the boy was very, very talented with fire. He certainly knows his trade well.....Remarkably well for a poor boy. He earned a lot of silver, bronze and gold coins that way. Once he even played for the king of Inferia's grandson's birthday party and he amazed even the king himself that He supplied his poor family. But sadly, the happiness did not last for long.

It was a rather rainy day, The face of gloom fell and loomed all over the city of Inferia. And Claude was giving a show in the main marketplace. As he was breathing fire, his fire suddenly went out as a cold wind drifted through and the clouds gave out the sound of the loud clap of thunder, As if the sky was trying to warn everyone, with a rigid face, filled to the brim with alarm, sadness and Death. Death was written in the face of the sky as the drizzle of rain calmed down for a moment as everyone was panicking back to their homes, Including claude's. 

"Mom, what do you think will happen? The fire doesn't like the looks of this. And the fire is cowering in fear, I-i'm scared!" Remarked Claude as he was petting the resting blue flame on his palm, Like a tamed dog seeking for affection. 

"Heavens, Claude! Don't be silly, I'm pretty sure it's nothing, Probably just a storm. Nothing more. Now stop with the fire! Save your energy, Rest. You just gave a remarkable show and supplied us yet again with enough coins to last us a month! I am proud of  you, Claude!" Claude glowed bright red as if a fire was getting lighted inside him. Ah, how the boy loved flattery! For a boy who has pale, white skin, Dark hair and Black eyes, Of course it would be obvious if he were to blush. 

"Thanks, Mom!" was all Claude had said. Although he noticed the sadness and worried expression on his mother's pale, old, face. As she pushed back her gray hair and sighed, Claude was worried about his mother, Leona. A pretty name for a widow, isn't it? Claude's father died just when he was just a 4 year old. Leona loved her husband's tanned, Scarred face and everyone knew how he got those scars. His father was a contracted thief. He was one of those unlucky people who didn't get powers or magical Inheritance. They are called as the "Low bread" or the Fugs. Although, Claude's Father was a talented thief. He'd steal you blind. He was as swift as the wind and silent and deceiving as the dark and sullen night. His name was Zidane. Commonly known as "The Black Flash" One night when the night was sprinkled with stars, He stole in to the Magnificent Castle of Pyro and tried to steal the King's Jewels. But the King's guarding Fairy woke him up and swarmed the alarmed chatter in the king's Head and immediately sent out 4 guards. Slasher, Crookback, Gunner and Snipe. Luckily, Zidane stole one of their swords and killed 2 of them. Crookback and Gunner. Though he got cornered by Slasher and Snipe and slashed his tanned face. But he was said to Escape with his life. 

Although, The next day, he was said to have gotten lured into a trap house at night and The king set out his army to ambush him. The king proclaimed he was dead but the folk said otherwise. All of them presumed he was hiding until the present. The scribes even wrote a song about him.

Back to Claude and his Mother, Claude asked "Mother, What's wrong?" with a worried expression as he looked at her with his dark eyes. His mother replied with an empty expression "I'm just thinking of your father. This day and the sky above looks exactly when i heard your father got killed by the Pyronian Guards." Then Claude whispered to his little blue flame in such a low voice. "2 scars pale as a spider's silk web on his slightly tanned face. In memory of the triumphant and sullen twilight that the Flash broke into the Pyron Castle" His mother chuckled as she overheard this. "Ah, Yes. I remember the old wandering prophet Elijah writing that for your father Zidane. He was your father's friend...Ah, well, Enough chit-chat. I best make Supper. I see the storm will cut us out from food supplies soon" Maybe it wasn't just a storm? Perhaps it was something more? No one could say.

Later that night, After Supper and Claude's mother was asleep, He went out into a nearby field and Embraced the light drizzle on the dark night. He, again, Summoned Fire, But this time it was More Yellow than Red.Then the fire was whispering it's Terrified words into Claude's Ears and Claude heard it whisper the warning that marked on his head. The fire said "The beast of legend is coming...Warn Everyone! This monster is feared by all and destroys all. The Pandora..." Claude then tried to calm the fire down but then a Gigantic and a nullifying, heavy road shook the west And the fire got alarmed and Grew up and accidentally burned Claude's Arm and left traces of ash and soot on it. And the fire whispered an apology. 

Claude went back to his house and tended his burn. And wrapped it. And then his mind kept repeating the fire's words....The Pandora. A name that Claude will not soon forget.