Flames and Frost

Chapter 3- Gemini

Inferia is destroyed. Nothing but the remains of the city in form of rubble, stones and carcasses as their faces were expression of how they felt during their death. Their faces fixed on terror upon laying eyes on a monster of terrible form. Claude was alone. Only fire gave him comfort and the flames of hatred burned his heart ablaze. The hatred for the monster who took everything else he had except for the flames that protected him very well. Everything was taken by the white women of death on that day the monster showed. His friends, his fellow performers, the one who adored him, and especially, His own mother. They were the only people who gave him support and loving just as as much and sometimes more than the fire could. The only comfort he could remember at the moment were their applause.

Hatred flowed on Claude's heart. As well as pain for losing everything  he had. Everything he loved...He travelled to Metanoia to profit from fire dancing and fire eating again. As monsters of all sorts attacked him during his journey, such as earth elves, Evil gnomes, trolls, ogres and dancing shadows. Luckily, the fire he wielded was strong. And it got more powerful as his hatred and pain grew as well as his experience of killing monsters. "You're as powerful and crafty as your father was" A little voice from his head always said that to him as he always killed a monster with ease. 

"I'm finally here..." Claude said,perspiring all over his tanned skin that was once pale before the Pandora's assault. He was under the sun the whole journey as he rested and made a camp an tent made out of fire. As for food, He hunts down pigs, chicken and all other good sources of food and roast them with fire. He was always satisfied about the taste since it was cooked tenderly by the fire for him. 

Metanoia...the city of silver. It would be good to profit here, people always said since the people here craved excitement to make their lives more cheerful for in the city where silver prevails and the shimmering walls and gates of the city shine in the sunlight because almost every house and building is made out of metal and silver. Claude had no other place to turn to, since his own hometown has been burnt to ashes, Ashes full of beloved memories, memories of the people who lived there to adore him, not to mention the ones who always took care of him. And the soot of those burned by fire themselves. Yes, Fire was always a wild animal. Unpredictable, Unruly and devours those it is not known to. 

Claude didn't find it particularly hard to squeeze through the hustling and bustling of the crowd. He was used to it at the old, run-down marketplace back in inferia. He was only having the discomfort of having people gazing upon him like he was a filthy animal. Yes, the gazes were hostile, Mainly because the people there were royalty and soldiers.  There, even the plaza was filled to the brim with silver. Claude gazed around in awe as he entered the main center circle of the silver plaza. Where they housed the shops and this is where merchants did their business. The difference was that even the merchants were filthy rich. It was obvious by what they sold. Claude brought out his little blue flame pet and whispered to it gladly "Don't worry, I'm sure we're gonna be comfortable here, and we'll give them a show they'll never forget." Then as he was about to enter the gates of the center circle, Two guards showed up. They were in gray cloth, standing erect and with their blue eyes, they scrutinized Claude's slightly tanned face and stared at him incredulously. One of them spoke "State your business" he said with a deep and dark voice. Unfit for a young solier. Theother one was still looking at Claude. Claude said "I'm a fire eater. A fire dancer. I'm here to give a show." Claude said as he tried to mohis squeeky voice that shook from nervousness. The soldier who was just looking at Claude finally answered with a lighter voice than his companion. "Child, I'm afraid we can't allow it."  Claude let out a grunt as his blue flamed pet came out of his palm and grew bright red and hissed at the soldiers. The soldiers staggered back in alarm. Then they both were terrified and had their sabers ready. With their sweaty hands as Claude tried to tame the fire. 

An old looking man appeared behind them, wearing all black. He was wearing a hood and had sunglasses on. His face looking like a tortoise, approached them and said "I'm afraid this is enough!" With a loud dignified voice. He managed to tame the fire better than Claude could. And turned abruptly at the soldiers and the soldiers abruptly stood upright at the sight of the toroise faced old man. "Ho-how?" Claude stared at the old man with a mixture of bewilderement and fright. Since he can better calm fire down rather than he, himself could. "What seems to be the problem?" The old man asked the soldiers. "S-Sir Gemini! What a surprise to see you here!" The soldiers said with their voices shaking from fear as Claude watched from the sidelines. Gemini. A compelling name. Claude wondered why such a name was bestowed upon him. 

"I'm out for a little shopping as i came back gathering data. Now, Answer my question!" The old man snapped at the soldiers as Claude was giggling at the back. "This kid wanted to give a show on the plaza, you know we cant allow that without any permission." The deep voiced soldier said. The old man, Gemini looked at Claude at the back and smiled. Then turned his gaze back at the soldiers. but this time with a smile. "A show? a fire dancing show? Well, why not let the boy do it? I sense he knows his trade better than you do at guarding, that im sure. You have my permission to let this boy in. I'll even take care of the boy." Then the soldiers just nodded and the light voiced one bellowed above "Open the gates!" He said. Then they waved Gemini and Claude through. 

When they entered and Claude looked back, He saw the soldier's pass a hand over their foreheads as a sign of relief. Claude chuckled as Gemini hauled him over and took off his hood, revealing his young, hazel eyes that beautified his old, totroise like face. "When will you perform?" Gemini said, looking intrigued. "This very afternoon at best. by  the way,Thank you for persuading the guards to let me in, And i apologize fot the trouble." Said Claude with a smile over his lips. "It's nothing, What's your name, my boy?" Said Gemini with a happy expression. "My name is Claude, how about you?" Gemini looked at him, as if he was trying to find something, then he said "I prefer if people reffer to meas Gemini. Since that is my Star sign." Gemini said with an empty expressionr.  "What's your real name?" Claude asked as they were strolling by Smith's alley. "I dont let anyone find out my real name, I dont tell it no matter what. No more questions." Gemini said with a rising voice. Then Claude fell silent.

Gemini brought them into an inn to rest and told Claude  "Claude, I'll be out for groceries. Dont start the show without me!" Claude just nodded as he went off and waved goodbye.. Gemini. An intriguing man. But it seems there's more to him than just an old man.