If you push something too hard, it will shatter and break. Those who are broken have nothing left to lose. Father never understood this; He believed it would make me stronger. He was wrong.
The last time the flames consumed me, my body immediately began to turn to ash. I blacked out and didn't wake up until I'd become something else entirely. But this time, it felt different. This time, the heat wasn't coming from outside—it was surging from within, starting in my heart and creeping through my veins, filling every inch of me. I could feel it, see it, this overwhelming warmth. But the pain...the pain wasn't from the heat. The pain that Father wanted me to feel seemed to be in the very air I breathed, scorching my skin and melting it. At some point, I heard my own ragged voice crying out for help, but never for mercy. I couldn't give up.
"Master, just hang on a little longer, almost done! I've nearly got it, just a bit more!"
It was hard to grasp what the voice meant, but with the last of my strength, I tried to open my eyes. Above me, I saw a whirlpool formed by simple water magic. I couldn't help but laugh, which only intensified the pain. Nothing good awaited me; after all, the Water Master loved to mock arrogant celestials with this trick at feasts. Where did this boy learn such a thing, and why hadn't the Prince taught him anything? Well, to him, the boy seemed utterly useless, otherwise he could have arranged a decent teacher at least.
I couldn't bear to watch any longer and closed my eyes. But then, I heard a joyful, boyish cry: "Master, everything's ready! It worked!"
And just then, a coolness began to envelop me. I slowly sank into the icy abyss, feeling relief wash over me.
Opening my eyes again, I saw a young face, brimming with pride in its achievement, staring at me. How young and naive he was. But I had no strength left to tell him that.
Despite the coolness on my skin, the warmth inside didn't fade; it spread even faster. Could it really end like this again? Maybe it would be for the best...everything had dragged on too long. No matter what they considered me now, I didn't belong in this world anyway.
"Master, please don't fall asleep, look at me! The Prince will return soon. He can save you, he can do anything! Just wait!"
Pleas, pleas...I'd heard so many that they no longer moved me; they only irritated me more.
"Let me get some lilies for you; their scent will help you calm down and distract you from unpleasant thoughts."
The boy's voice carried such sincere concern that I grew curious about what would follow and tried to keep my eyes open—Fate was clearly mocking me. A formation rose in the air, nothing like what the boy had promised. Apparently, no one had told him that the flower spell could create empty plants on one's wish and that exact lilies' formation was a soul trap used mostly by Demons like a prison. Or he did it on purpose?
How cruel could Fate be? Even my Father wasn't capable of such cruelty...
Will he find salvation, or will fate deal its final blow? Well, there is no such thing in the universe as a useless chapter - everything is connected to some point and has its meaning to uncover later.