Vale

The Fire Lord's lasso is used for those convicted of treason against the throne. It inhibits all magic inside anyone wrapped in it. I am already convicted, and so is my father. No trials needed. It speaks volume about the injustice of the Supreme Immortal's ruling. Granted, he was not wrong about father and I. But he was wrong about my uncle. He was wrong about Diggie and the bird tribe. He burned them with Hellfire without proof and mercy. And I do not regret dying today, knowing I tried my best to avenge those that were wronged.

I was a spy for the rebellion that my father started in the shadows. After years of pretending to be the good adopted son I was able to gather intel about the Fire Lord. His power, his army, his trusted people. Most importantly, his weakness.

The Fire Lord's first love is the princess of the Water Tribe. She was strong in magical prowess, so strong that her water magic would materialize into ice without effort. By nature their powers do not match, but their hearts did. When the princess ascended into an Immortal, she started to see the corrupt nature of the Fire Lord. It broke her heart to learn his true nature, but not enough to defy him. She surrendered her Immortality back to the Elementium and fled into the Land of Dawn, into the northernmost kingdom of Nost Gal, where she liberated the snow lands and protected the people, becoming Aurora, the Ice Queen. However, before she surrendered her Immortality she used the power to create a weapon she forged by turning her own arm into ice, then changing it into a dagger that can freeze the Fire Lord's heart. She meant to kill him in his sleep, but not having the heart to do so and fearing repercussions, she discarded the dagger and disappeared into the night. He ought to destroy the dagger when he found it in his bed the next day, but it reminded him of Aurora, so he kept it hidden. I found out where it was, but it was too late.

Last night the Fire Lord called me into his chamber. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing his battle armor. He urged me to move closer to him and we met eye to eye.

"Your father betrayed me," he muttered. "He tried to take the throne and the Elementium. A rebellion is to break out tomorrow, and if I didn't sneak out tonight to burn all his army while they slept, the palace will be bathed in blood and fire. Tomorrow, the Wind Sultan will face divine justice."

"My father deserves to die for treason, My Lord. I am sure you will see to it," I said without breaking eye contact. Before my father taught me wind magic, I was sent to the Land of Dawn to learn the game of faces. I've learned to lie as if it's the truth, to keep a straight face and a relaxed stature, even though my heart is beating out of my chest.

Father was caught. Our army was burned to the crisp.

I knelt. "Take my life, too, My Lord. I am a traitor's flesh and blood. Show no mercy and teach the realm how treason is punished."

I felt the Fire Lord's hand in my shoulder as he forced me to stand. He knelt in front me and gently placed his hand on my face. The Supreme King, Protector of the Realm, Guardian of the Elementium, kneeling to the traitor's son.

"You are my child. Your wisdom and loyalty is incomparable, given your age. Had your father not betrayed me, I would rest in peace to see you someday beside your brother Valir, ruling the realm as his Hand."

He reached for an amulet hanging around his neck and took it off, then placed it over my head.

"My Phoenix resides inside this amulet. An hour before the Moon Elves slumbers, the guards will rotate. I need you to awaken the Phoenix then, ride it and fly towards the west as fast as you can, onto the Portal to the Everworlds. Outside the Realm lies a kingdom called Land of Dawn. It's a dangerous place, but with your magic and mind, I believe you'll survive."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The Phoenix is one of the Fire Lord's greatest weapon, why is he giving it to me?

"Thank you, Father," I said. This is the first time I called him so. I do not want to know if I meant it.

o0o

The throne room opened and I saw my father kneeling in front of the King. The Wind Supreme is one of the most respected and powerful Immortal in the Realm, and yet here he is, facing death like the next criminal. The Earth and Water Immortals are also sitting next to the throne. The rest of the council are seated on opposite sides of the room. All of them are guilty of treason for they have all conspired against the King, but we also agreed that if the plan failed, only my father will be convicted as he was the mind behind it all.

I was thrown to kneel beside my father. When I looked up the Fire Lord was looking at me inquisitively. The amulet hangs loosely in my neck.

"Father!" I heard Valir exclaim by the throne room door. He walked forward to the throne and looked at me worriedly. "What is the meaning of this? Why is my brother being treated like a treasonist?"