The Flame Warrior 2: Primal Atonement

Chapter 7 Family Reunion

The layers of armor that dissolved off of the beast pulled back each layer of the truth until it stared right in front of me. It was difficult for me to see, but I captured a figure emerging out of the beast. I had no idea what was coming next.

I steadied myself and lowered my blade into a defensive position. There were so many things that could go wrong at this moment. My plan worked successfully, but how could I foresee this new threat.

Typhon was a spectator just like myself. There was a difference between us, however. While I had no clue what was going on, he showed no sign of confusion. In fact, he was sending me a slimy grin. My bones chilled from the look on his face.

“What’s going on?” I shouted.

“You just fell into my trap!” shouted Typhon.

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. My entire plan was flawless. Was it possible that the entire time I thought I was trapping them, they were really trapping me?

I squeezed the hilt of my blade even tighter, “You’re lying! The beast is dissolving!”

“No. The beast is arriving,” said Typhon wagging his finger at me, “The scariest monsters live inside of us.”

The adrenaline flowed through my veins. Part of me wanted to charge at the beast, but another part of me questioned if that’s what he wanted. I felt so helpless.

That’s when my soul left my body.

Inside of the dissolving beast was a person. The facial features, body type, and hair color looked so familiar to me. Then I realized, the person in that beast looked similar to me.

The last of the armor vanished, and the person stepped beyond the touch of the relic. His body was off balance as he wobbled with each step. His eyes were closed.

“Who are you?” I asked slightly, lowering my sword.

I needed to stay on the defensive, but there was something about this person that urged me to put my guard down. Why did he look like me? What type of sick trick was Typhon playing on me?

“Flame Warrior,” said Typhon, “How can you not recognize your own brother?!”

My jaw tightened as soon as the words left his mouth. More questions pummeled my brain. It felt like my eyes were racing over this stranger’s body at hyper speed searching for some identification.

“This man is your flesh and blood,” shouted Typhon, “Put a smile on your face! This is a family reunion.”

“You’ve already forgotten me?” asked the stranger. His eyes were still closed.

Nothing else in the world mattered. I stared at him as his eyes peeled open. Everything happened in slow motion.

“It’s me,” he said before finally opening his eyes, “Anthony.”

His eyes summoned a barrage of memories and flashbacks. I was overwhelmed by the memories that were buried so deep inside of my mind. My legs turned into straws, and it felt like a turbulent ocean was swirling around in my stomach.

I dropped to my knees at the same moment Phoenix arrived.