Uncrowned

Ch 3: Fires, The Bane of My Existance

Even with my newly acquired abilities, I am still unable to fend off the cold.

I scurry along the stands, purchasing nearly every inexpensive product in sight. Once relinquishing her powers, the Champion had vanished; leaving me clueless, and wandering the streets with incredible strength I have yet to test out.

An odd woman indeed, but it does not matter. I intend to exploit my abilites to better provide for my family.

As I continue to create new methods of securing more riches, an explosion sounds out in the distance.

Most people scream, several start to pray. Smoke rises, coating the sky in a blanket of shadows, turning our peaceful afternoon into a dark nightmare.

My first thought is my family, I hope they are not close to the explosion.

A stout man covered in soot comes running into the marketplace, his face in complete astonishment as sweat mars his clothing.

"The pier," he breathes, "Our ships are on fire!"

Panic laces the crowd, tangling and suffocating them into a frenzy.

"We won't have any food or supplies!"

"Are we going to starve?"

But I could not care less.

My body becomes numb and my actions automatic, as I shove the groceries into the arms of an unsuspecting stranger.

I have to go to them.

With the same unnatural, superhuman speed as the prior Champion, I find myself leaving the market behind; descending the road to my home. A flood of emotions washes over my body, drowning me under the cruel wave of grief and anguish.

They can't die.

They mustn't die.

Herds of frantic people run towards me; fearful, distressed. The detonation has caught the entire wharf on fire. As the man had promised, large cargo ships are being buried beneath story high flames, but I pay no mind.

My only thoughts are just ahead of me; burning among flames of our rundown home.

I barge through the door; smoke immediately consumes my senses, it is blinding and suffocating.

I make my way through the smoldering soot, careful not to breathe in the toxic fumes.

"Father! Mother! Ben!" I call out, covering my face with the loose fabric of my cloak.

There are no answers and a sickening feeling shoots down my spine, a racecar of anxiety on its way to the finish line. My body begins to shake, hands trembling in fear.

No, I can't panic.

Not now.

I continue to search my home; the black smog has transformed our small house into a cruelly vast mansion, causing me to become increasingly frustrated. After what seems like hours, I spot a body among the rubble.

My heart shatters.

The second floor had collapsed from the blistering flames, taking my father down with it. Even without approaching the body I know he is dead, there is nothing but a sharp pain in my chest.

I want to run to him, to shake his shoulders vigorously until he wakes. I want him to continue standing by my side, to teach me his ways of virtue and morality, however pointless it may seem to me.

Most of all, I want to him to be alive.

Somehow, I am able to turn away, though each step feels like stepping on broken glass and pins. I must find Mother and Ben, if I stop now I could never forgive myself.