Chapter 6: Flames in the dark

Chapter 6: Flames in the dark

Back at Kyratth...

King Zarreth and his family were seated in the grand dining hall for dinner.

Alicia, the king's second wife, sat beside him. Darain, his second son from Alicia, and Lyra, his only daughter also from Alicia, were present.

Zarreth had Lucian, his firstborn son, from his late first wife, who had passed away many years ago.

“Dad, I’d like to say something,” Darain said, setting his cutlery down.

Everyone turned to him.

“What is it?” Zarreth asked, his voice calm but commanding.

“Father, as you know, I have the Sight… I can see things from far away. Last night, as I was heading to bed, I saw a vision.”

His voice trembled slightly. “A man… running like he was being chased. I couldn’t see his face—it was blurry. But he had iron chains all over him. And then, under the full moon… I saw him transform. Into a wolf.”

Silence.

All eyes were locked on Darain, especially Lucian’s.

Sweat gathered on Lucian’s brow. His hands trembled under the table.

Darain had never mentioned anything like this before.

Zarreth’s gaze hardened. One brow arched.

“So what are you saying?” he asked coldly. “That there are still werewolves in this kingdom?”

Darain swallowed. “I… I know it sounds crazy. But I swear I saw it. It was terrifying. Maybe… maybe some of them still exist.”

He dropped his head, the courage it took to speak now buried under his father's glare.

Across the table, Alicia quickly tried to ease the tension.

“Oh, shut up, Darain,” she said with a forced laugh, rubbing the king’s shoulder. “Werewolves no longer exist. They were wiped out before you or your siblings were even born. Don’t upset your father with such nonsense.”

Lucian stayed quiet.

His fingers curled tight beneath the chair.

He had hidden this truth for years.

And he couldn’t afford for it to come out now.

.

“But Mom, I—” Darain started to defend himself when Lucian slammed the table and yelled.

“Enough! You heard your mother. Werewolves don’t exist!”

His voice was sharp, eyes filled with both rage and fear.

Everyone at the table froze, shocked by his sudden outburst.

Darain scoffed.

“Why are you yelling? Does the mention of werewolves disturb you that much?” he asked, pushing further.

“And by the way, you weren’t in your chambers last night. I came to get your help with a council matter. Where were you, Lucian?”

Lucian’s fists clenched tightly.

“What the hell are you insinuating?” he growled.

“Enough, both of you!” Zarreth thundered across the table.

“You two have no respect for me at all! And you, Darain—drop the werewolf nonsense! Lucian, apologize to your brother right now. You shouldn’t have yelled at him.”

Lucian turned to his father, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Apologize? Are you serious? He’s the one provoking me!”

“I said apologize. This instant!” Zarreth roared.

“Oh honey, leave it be,” Alicia cut in quickly, rubbing Zarreth’s back. “It’s just a little argument. No need to get worked up.”

But Lucian had had enough.

He stood up, anger burning in his voice.

“Ever since Mom died, you’ve treated me like I’m nothing! Like I’m stupid and useless. You blame me for everything, even when it’s not my fault. I’m so done with this bullshit!”

He stormed out of the hall and slammed the door behind him.

Zarreth stood slowly.

“I’ve lost my appetite,” he muttered and walked out as well.

Alicia turned sharply to Darain and smacked him lightly on the back.

“You see what you caused? Now your father is upset.”

“Ugh, Mom, I was just saying what I saw,” Darain mumbled.

“You provoked Lucian, not the other way around,” Lyra said as she rose from her seat.

“So much for family dinner,” she added and left the hall.

Alicia leaned in close to Darain.

“Listen to me, son. If you want your father’s favor, you’d better behave. You can’t let Lucian look like the victim. Understand?”

Darain sighed. “Yes, Mom. I’ve heard you.”

He looked away, voice dropping to a whisper.

“I’m going to find out who that man in my vision really is…”

BACK AT BLACKRIDGE

After tossing and turning for hours, I finally drifted off.

And then the nightmare came, again. This time, it was different. More confusing.

I was standing in a creepy forest, the kind that made your skin crawl. In front of me was a huge wolf. But its eyes—blue and humanlike stared into mine.

“Please, Kyra, help me. My father’s going to kill me... please,” it whimpered, tears rolling down its face.

I froze. My chest ached watching it cry. I’d never seen a wolf cry before, but this one felt... familiar. Dear. I looked around, the place was Kyratth.

“Kyra, help me. I don’t have much time. They’re coming.”

I didn’t know how to help. I just stood there, confused, helpless.

“That’s him! Get him!”

Soldiers' voices echoed nearby.

“Kyra, please!” the wolf begged.

“I—I don’t know what to do,” I stammered.

A soldier burst through the trees, sword drawn.

“You think you can hide forever?” he growled at the wolf.

“No!” I screamed.

Flames shot out from my hands, engulfing the soldier in fire.

I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, still trembling.

I looked outside and noticed it was already morning.

“Who was that wolf? And how did he know my name? Why did he look so... human?”

Questions swarmed my mind.

I wiped my face with a napkin and got up.

I walked to Serah’s room. She was asleep on her bed, peaceful. I sat beside her and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face then paused.

Her skin was burning hot. She had a fever.

"Oh no, Serah, you have a fever." I quickly grabbed a bucket of cold water, soaked a towel, and placed it on her head.

"Dear, don’t worry. I’ll be fine… I’m just tired and weak from all the stress," her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Don’t worry, Serah. I’ll take care of you. I don’t like seeing you this way. Should I get you some herbs to reduce the fever?" I asked, dabbing the towel on her forehead.

"No, dear. Even if I sell herbs, I don’t like taking them. I’ll be alright. And… oh dear, I really wish I could go to the market today. I need to sell my new herbs."

"Don’t worry. I’ll go and sell them for you but promise me you won’t do any work, because I know you, Serah."

"Okay, my dear," she smiled faintly. "Thank you." She held my arm lightly.

"Anything for you, Serah."

I got up, arranged the herbs neatly on the rack, waved her goodbye, and set off for the market. I hoped her fever would ease by nightfall.

At the market, I set up our stand. Customers began to arrive one after another. But as I worked, scenes from my nightmare kept replaying in my head. I buried my face in my hands, feeling drained.

"Good morning. I’d like to get some curry."

I looked up and froze. It was the old man who once begged me for money when I first arrived in Blackridge. Only now, he wasn’t dressed like a beggar. He looked like a wealthy merchant.

My head spun in confusion.

"Ma’am, I’d like some curry."

"Oh—yes, sorry." I quickly handed him some. I wondered if he would recognize me.

He smiled, then leaned closer.

"If I were you, I’d stop wasting time here and head back to Kyratth as soon as possible. Time is ticking, you know. How eager are you to take revenge?"

He looked me straight in the eyes.

Fear gripped me. I didn’t even notice when he left. I wanted to ask how he knew about me… maybe he was also from Kyratth?

I ran my hands through my hair. I couldn’t keep wasting time.

The nightmares, this man, my powers—they were all connected.