Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 6

-Flamecaster Fortress, in the heart of the city of Abril-

#Michael Firedrake#

Captain Klein Skyhigh of the Air Kingdom was on the other side of the rainbow message. He was reporting the assault on their Queen last night.

"They were out of their minds?" I asked. He said the soldiers were not themselves.. Like they became savages.

"Perhaps," he replied.

This isn't good. Captain Skyhigh hates being uncertain. This isn't good for any of us.

"The Queen testifies that they have their senses with them..just that...they lost their conscience.. And their worst qualities are intensified."

"A sort of sickness then? How can we save them?"

"No clue," he said as he scowled. "But they seem to be afraid of fire. Do you know anything about them?"

They're afraid of fire?

"Not a clue. And besides, that's hardly a lead to get by. Generally, beasts are afraid of fire," I replied.

There was a knock  on my door. "Captain! There's an emergency!" Carter shouted from the other side.

I looked at Captain Skyhigh apologetically. "I'm afraid I'm called by duty."

The Aero captain nodded. "Just message when you get more information."

The message flickered off. I stood and opened the door. "What is it?" I asked, rather sharply.

I saw Carter gulp before replying. "It's Gaston.."

"What is it this time?" I groaned. Gaston seemed to be a good citizen but he is a cunning coward.
"I'm tired of cleaning up his messes."

Carter's eyes glinted in agreement. He hates Gaston too. Every good citizen does.

"It will be the last cleaning up you'll do captain...because he's dead."

Gaston de Coal's mansion, city of Abril.

"I demand to see the body." I said to the soldier at the gate.

He didn't budge.

"This is a command from a fellow soldier. Move."

The soldier shakily opened the gate. I went inside with Carter in my heels. The de Coal's centuries old mansion is luxurious, with its hanging gardens and green fields. I would have admired it if I didn't know that their gardens are made from the bones of their enemies. I knew better.

We were greeted by Van de Coal, head of the household.

"My apologies Sir... We need to investigate the death of your son. If you don't mind," I started, not caring for small  talk.

I noticed his face was as white as a sheet. "We burned him already," he said.

I started to protest. He opened the door. "Let's talk inside. This is confidential."

He led us to his huge home. When we entered his study, he sat near the fireplace. I closed the door, leaving Carter to guard the door.

I sat on the seat opposite him. "Why did you burn him?"

He didn't look at me. Staring at the flames, he started to talk. "He was whole when we saw him. I wouldn't even believe he's dead."

I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"But he's dead alright. His insides was burned captain. Burned from the inside."

"But that's impossible!" No fire is strong enough to burn inside. Even if he swallowed some flames, he will not die. Pyro folk cannot be burned by fire.