Chapter 171: Until the Flame Dies

Life seemed to regain its dullness mere hours after Mona left. Her cheerful attitude and bright smile had lightened up my monotonous days more than I had realised.

Of course, Fetheion didn't seem to care too much about that. He was as distant and kind as always. Still refusing to unlock my powers, still refusing to let me leave. I slowly began noticing something as I insisted to get my powers back.

He dreaded the day I would leave.

Why? Why would he care so much?

None of his actions made sense to me – sure, I occupied the body of his friend, someone he cared deeply about. He saw his face every time he looked at me, heard his voice every time I spoke. 

I did feel awful about that. But I also felt like I was being wronged as well. It wasn't my choice to end up in this body. I hadn't chosen this face or this voice.

"It's almost midnight." Fetheion's voice sounded. I flinched; I hadn't noticed him at all. Laying on the grass outside, I didn't move at all. Watching the night sky was strangely soothing, despite the alien stars and constellations. "You'll catch a cold if you stay out here. The nights are growing colder."

I sighed. "I'd be just fine if I had my flames, you know." I desperately wanted my powers back. "I could keep myself warm then."

I heard his footsteps approach. "You really can't just be patient, can you?" I heard his clothes rustle as he sat on the grass. Surprised, I pushed myself up to a sitting position. 

"Would you be?" I asked, somewhat annoyed. "In a world filled with demons and Ereth and incredibly powerful creatures, I'm as powerless as a little kid. Maybe even more!"

He shook his head. "You have a tendency to get yourself killed. More so when you have more power."

"You-" I exclaimed as he chuckled. "But," He said cutting me off. "I know you need your powers back. You need to train in them as well – relearn many things." He sighed and looked up to the starry sky. "You need to learn to control your powers."

I hesitated. What did this even mean? Was he going to unlock my powers? Let me use them again?

"So, how about that spar?" He had a weird smile on his face as he spoke. My eyes shot open as soon as I heard his words.

"Wait, really?" I asked. I could hardly believe his words.

"Yes. If you can last against me until this flame disappears, then I'll give your powers back." He rose to his feet and created a flame. "You lose when I draw blood or threaten your vitals. What do you say?"

His smile was almost intimidating. I got up and took my sword from the ground. "And what happens if I win?" I asked, a grin on my face. 

"You don't win, Kai." He extended his hand. Darkness gathered around his arm, then formed the shape of a familiar sword. "You only survive." My eyes widened as the very sword that pierced my heart and killed me, threatened me once again.

"Ready?" He asked as he slightly lowered his body. His posture reminded me of something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on in.

I gulped as I stared down the black blade of his sword.

"Sure," I said, not feeling ready at all. 

A moment passed as we watched each other. He, ready to attack at any moment, and I, waiting in a defensive posture.

Then, he struck.

I only noticed his movement because his expression changed moments before. He dashed towards me at an incredible speed. I was perhaps a hair's length away from death as I barely deflected his sword, changing its direction. As it passed by my throat, I quickly stepped back, trying to put some distance between us.

I needed a moment to adjust to his ridiculous speed and incredible strength. Yet, Fetheion clearly had no intention of letting me have that moment. He followed me, not letting me increase the distance. 

He had no smile, not a hint of excitement on his face. Nothing. Just this weird glow in his eyes. That probably threw me off more than his speed and strength did. I blocked his next attack just barely as he aimed for my throat again. I couldn't keep up with his speed and my arms already felt numb from blocking two strikes.

He didn't give me any time to figure him out though. Before I could even recover from his second strike, he swung his sword towards my stomach. I backstepped and deflected him, but it wasn't over yet. He continued to push me back with every strike. Every single one of his actions were planned and intentional. 

It didn't take me long to figure out – I stood no chance against him. And not just because of his strength and speed, his swordsmanship was leagues above mine. He knew exactly what I was going to do before even I did.

I tightened my grip around the hilt of my sword and gritted my teeth. Glancing at the flame he created before, I felt nothing but despair. How was I going to even last that long? It hadn't dimmed even slightly yet!

While all these thoughts stormed in my mind, Fetheion's relentless assault continued. Every strike that I blocked sent a jolt of pain through my body. If I wanted to survive, I had to do something, take a chance. Surprise him and throw him off.

I blocked his overhead strike, then ducked under his next swing. I knew I was taking a chance; I knew how risky something like this was, but I had to try. Instead of using this split second to put some distance between us, I used it to close the distance.

As soon as I stepped forward, I could see the confusion in his eyes. His sword hanged in the air for just a fraction of a second as I swung my sword towards his throat.

Had I done it? Had I won?

The sound of metal hitting metal echoed in the dark night. My eyes wide, I stared at the blade that had blocked mine. 

"Nice try," He almost smiled as he spoke. Almost. We remained like that for a moment – our blade locked, trapped in a battle of will. Then, he pushed me back. I stumbled, but then fell on my back.

"But you lost." He stopped just before the tip of the black blade touched my throat. "Hm."

I hesitated. I was scared to move at all. Right now, he seemed no less intimidating than the Divine who killed me. "Lucky you – you survived." Somewhat confused, I followed his gaze, only to see the disappearing flame.

He distanced the sword from my throat, then let it dissipate into a dark miasma.

"Well then," He said with his usual smile. "I guess I have a promise to keep." 

I blinked a couple of times. "Wait, really?" I asked as I slowly got back up on my feet. My whole body hurt from our match.

"Of course," He said as if we were talking about something completely ordinary. "I said I'd unlock your powers if you didn't lose, didn't I?" He glanced at me. "Though you did just prove my point." He reached forward and touched my forehead with the tip of his finger. I could feel his magic slowly seep into my body.

"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat annoyed. 

"Well, you did basically risk your life to try and kill me." He shrugged. "If your opponent hadn't been as surprised as I was, you'd get yourself killed with that move." 

I gritted my teeth. "Well, I had to at least try!" 

He flicked his fingers at my forehead, then stepped away. I was about to protest, but his dark expression made me hesitate.

"Like I said – a promise is a promise. I do not go back on my word. Your powers are yours to use, Kai Friseal." His words resonated with power. I felt something break – like a dam had just opened. I gasped for air as my power, that incredible amount of magic flooded my mind.

But… something felt off. If my power were a lake, then I could only describe it as muddy. Tainted.

"You noticed it, didn't you?" He asked with a bitter voice. 

"What did you do to me?" What was this? Why was I different? Why was my power different?

"Nothing. You did this when you fought the divine and the two who betrayed you." He ran his hand through his hair. "Do you remember?"

I hesitated. "No…?" I mumbled. What had happened during that fight? I clearly remembered Joshua teleporting around, I remembered Alina killing me… 

"Why don't you try summoning your flames?" He asked, taking a few steps back. I hesitated, why did he want that now of all times? Despite my hesitation, I did as he asked. I raised my hand, palm facing up, and summoned a small flame.

My eyes widened as the warm flame flickered.

The warm, purple flame.