Fireheart

Chapter 1

A long time ago, in a Kingdom whose name is long forgotten, there were three brothers. Yong'in had a fire burning in his heart and was gifted with the ability to control fire and raise the dead. Muz was a cold man and gifted the ability to make and control ice and tame the wilderness. Shamol was a free spirit and was gifted the ability to control wind and tame dragons. Special humans have also gifted these abilities, but not as strong as the original brothers, and were therefore adopted into Clans, where the brothers lead. As documented as the beginnings of the Clans were, whoever gifted the boys with their powers is still unknown.

- Excerpt from The Great Book

I dreamed of brimstone. Brimstone and death. Blood covered the ground, covered me. I was running away from something. Something that smelled of fire. How many legs did I have? There was no way for me to know. Every night I had these dreams, I woke thinking I was falling into a great hole that would take me straight to hell if I looked down. However, some voice begged me to trust the smell.

"Fyre!" screamed a voice at the edge of my consciousness. I thrashed awake and sat up, panting. I could feel the Wolf pressing against my head. Shift she said. Shift and run to safety. I ran my hand through my hair and shook my head. Not today. I needed to be human today. Wolf whined and eased the pressure in my head.

"Are you okay, Fyre?" the voice asked. I nodded and looked towards it. A beautiful face fanned by blonde hair looked back. Her blue eyes searched mine, and I could see the amber that made up my eyes reflected in hers slowly fading back to a dark red.

"I'm sorry, Rebecca." I panted. She smiled and sat on my bed next to me.

"Don't worry about it, Fyre," she said, taking my hand. "Even if you weren't Shifting in your sleep, I needed to wake you up anyway." She rubbed the back of my hand as she spoke. The touch helped to calm me.

"It's time to get ready for Specialization. I'm very nervous."

I took a deep breath in through my nose and could smell just how nervous she was.

"What are you nervous about?" I asked as I threw the blanket off of me. It was covered in sweat. I could smell it all over me.

"I don't have any special powers. There's a very good chance I'll just end up in Villa tonight." she said, standing so that I could get out of the bed.

"I've got nothing on you, Fyre."

As I stood, I felt my brow bunch and looked to her to explain.

"Well you can shift into an animal form, you keep some of those characteristics from that form as a human. Even if you don't have any magic in your blood, a Clan would be very happy to take you. A Shifter is rare on its own, Fyre."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Let's not fail to mention how I'll likely be pulled into Muz." I began pulling my white robes out of my closet before looking back at Rebecca.

Rebecca nodded and pierced her lips.

"It's still a Clan. I'll be reduced to the maid at best. Imagine that. Me waiting for the Clan leaders and their concubines when they come to the Neutral City."

"At least you get to see the Neutral City. You know it's said to be the most beautiful city is Mysida."
Rebecca smiled at me as I began to strip down. A shower would have to wait.

"Not as spectacular as the Frozen Palace I'm willing to bet."

I scoffed and pulled the robes over my head. As I began to pull my white hair into a braid, I began telling her how lucky she'd be to serve the Clan Leaders. Maybe one would take her as his wife and give her a portion of their powers.

She laughed it off and grabbed my hand when I was finished.

"Whatever happens today, Fyre," she began. "I love you. You're easily my best friend here."

I smiled and said that I loved her. Somewhere, deep in my heart, I knew that after today I would never see her again. Wolf wanted to keep her close, to protect her. Stop it I told her. Rebecca can't stay forever.

I splashed a little perfume on my neck then grabbed Rebecca's hand. She may not be able to stay forever, but here in the now I needed her to keep me human.

We had Specialization to go through.