The Boy Who Burned.

The night sky, draped in inky depths, presided over the world with an ominous silence. Thunder roared, a symphony of fury, as rain plummeted with an unprecedented intensity. Sparks crackled in the firmament, heralding a celestial anomaly.

This was no ordinary night; it was the night destined to be etched into the annals of history by a boy fated to change the world.

Within the walls of a looming castle, a young lady sprinted through its echoing corridors, panic leaving chaos in her wake.

"Huff, huff," she gasped for breath, the urgency etched across her face.

"Your Highness!" Her voice echoed a desperate plea.

Colliding with a man in her haste, she urgently exclaimed, "I must speak with the king immediately!"

"He receives only nobles." he retorted.

"The great fire spirit, Ogien, has been reborn!"

Legends say the boy born that night came out of the womb on fire.

Chapter 1: The Boy Who Burned

My name is Soukou Shuosai, and today is my Tenth birthday!

My first major step to adulthood. I'm no longer a baby anymore.

I can finally learn magic!

My parents have been planning for this day relentlessly for the past eight months.

I barely got any sleep last night. I've been so eager for this day how could I? 

Hearing the running of water, I walk into the kitchen to see my mom cleaning the dishes.

The water looked browner than usual today.

"Good morning dear! Happy birthday." She spoke these words to me with a warm smile on her face.

"Morning, Mom! Where's dad?"

"Oh! He was just running some errands in town, he should be back any moment now."

I watched my mom do dishes for a bit, patiently waiting for my father to return.

The door creaked.

The birds chirped.

The anticipation rose.

"I'm home!" 

"Dad!" I came running into his arms. He picked me up and spun me around.

"Hey there buddy! Happy birthday Son."

I let out a cheeky laugh. We didn't have much but it was enough.

Dad looked very beaten up and exhausted. 

"Dad, are you okay?" I worriedly asked.

He flexed his arms proudly while stating; "Of course I am!"

"Honey, your home!" My mom came running into his arms.

She let out a few tears.

"I was so worried.."

He hugged her tightly. My dad was a knight for our town, so I was used to seeing this. I wonder why she was like this after a few errands though. Jeez, such a worrywort.

"Hey Son, why don't you go wake up your brother?"

"Yes sir!"

Knock, knock.

"Mizu! Time to wake up!"

...

Nothing.

Sigh. I guess I'll go in.

As I walked into my little brother's room I took sight of his fishtank. 

The blue walls, the paintings, they all screamed his love of the ocean. 

It never failed to amaze me. 

I wish I had a passion like that.

"Mizu! Wake up!"

"I don't wanna.." He mumbled half awake.

Very well then, if we're going to play that game...

I took the water cup that he left on his desk, filled it with water from the fish tank, then I struck.

Splash!

"Ah!"

"What the heck Soukou?!"

"Heheheh"

After he had dried, he gave me happy birthday wishes.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Dad greeted Mizu.

"Good morning sweetheart!" Mom warmly greeted Mizu.

"Morning guys!"

"Soukou, Mizu, will you two be a dear and head to town for some last-minute groceries?"

"Of course Mom!" We both said in unison.

"Maybe you can say hi to your little girlfriend haha!" Dad loved to tease me.

"Ewww! Girls have cuties!"

We both walked out of our small cottage, stomachs grumbling.

"Hey! On the bright side we get to have a good dinner tonight!" Mizu tried to cheer me up.

"That's true!" 

We walked into town. Instantly I was bombarded with happy birthdays.

Not that it was a bad thing per se. It made me feel a little special.

The birds were scattered throughout the air. Chirping away. Like something big was happening. 

A raven.

A single, purple-haired raven.

Stairing daggers into my eyes.

I felt very uneasy about this.

Thump!

As I was looking away, I bumped into my best friend; Mia.

"I'm so sorry! Oh, it's you. Nevermind."

Ouch.

"What's that supposed to mean!" I retorted.

"Haha! Nothing. Happy birthday Soukou."

"Thank you, Mia!"

We walked into the fruit store to pick up some apples.

"Hi there Mr. Greg!"

"Hey, kids! Happy birthday Soukou." The old man walked out with his cane.

"Take whatever you want, free of charge. Consider it a birthday present."

"Thanks, Mr. Greg!"

We took the few apples we needed and some bread to make pie.

Me and Mizu headed back home, to hear our parents in a scuffle.

"The inflation is going out of control!" Mom complained. 

"Damn cursed country." Dad replied.

"Wasn't that 'Human princess.' meant to save this country?"

"I still want to believe." My Dad optimistically chimed in.

"Hey, at least I can finally stop the extra hours in the forest haha!" My Dad exclaimed.

"I'm not too sure about that honey."

"What do you mean?"

"Money is really tight right now. We can't even afford breakfast for goodness sake. I might have to pick up a job."

"Who's going to watch our kids if you do that?" 

"What about your parents?"

"They can barely make it here today let alone every day."

"Ugh! Dammnit. We can't afford a babysitter either."

"My dear, all will be alright if we put our faith in Indra. I'll work extra hours so we can stay afloat."

"No! You can't..."

"We're home! I shouted."

It seemed as though my mom was almost in tears.

"Hey, kids!" My dad shouted, running to me and Mizu to lead us outside.

"Is everything okay Dad?" Mizu addressed the elephant in the room.

"Haha! Of course it is!"

Mizu's face looked uncontent.

"Hey buddy, why don't you help your mom with getting prepared for dinner? Make sure to give her a big hug." My Dad suggested to Mizu.

Mizu timidly nodded. It was just me and Dad now. Being older than Mizu, I understood the situation a bit better.

"Hey, Dad... you guys don't have to do all this for me. There's always the next birthday ya know!"

My Dad's face looked grimaced. 

"Buddy, don't worry about that stuff. Leave it all to your pops." He gave me a tight hug.

"You see Soukou, a man oughta provide for his family, protect them. Not just his family but, all that he holds dear. Remember that Soukou. You're gonna grow up to be a strong man one day, use that strength to protect others. Never use it to hurt someone. Okay?"

I nodded to this. I didn't quite understand at that time, but one day, I would learn firsthand the lesson my dad was trying to teach me that day.

A couple hours had passed, my grandparents on my father's side arrived. 

"Hi, Papa! Hi Grandma!" Me and Mizu both greeted our grandparents.

"Hey there birthday boy!" My Grandma greeted me pulling on my cheek. "You're so big now!" She exclaimed.

It was dinner time, on my fifth birthday. For the first time in months, I was given a cup of fresh water and a slice of a fresh deer. I looked at the deer and the water quizically. 

"Is it no good?" My Mother asked with a worried tone.

"No, it's great! But how did you get this Dad? Isn't the water and the animals in the forest spoiled?"

"Don't worry about it! Your Dad is just that cool!"

They all gathered around me and sang me a happy birthday.

"Go on, make a wish son." My dad prompted me.

A wish huh?

"I wish..."

My parents were teary-eyed after hearing my wish. They give me a big hug.

I offered everyone some of the freshwater, but they all declined, except Mizu, which he was promptly scolded for. 

My parents gave me a red pendant as a present.

After our dinner, my grandparents proceeded to play a round of cards with me, then they cleaned up and made the journey home. 

My mom was cleaning up in the kitchen. 

"Thanks for today Mom." 

"You are so welcome Soukou. Don't forget to thank your father as well."

I hugged my mom, and she squeezed me tightly.

"Mom? Is it okay if me and Mizu play tag?"

"Of course dear. Just be back before the sun's down."

"Yes ma'am!"

Me and Mizu ran out, getting ready to play.

I was it to start. Mizu was a year younger than me, but he was much quicker even though he had much shorter legs. 

1... 2... 3! 

I began to chase after him.

Running as fast as my little legs could take me. 

Feeling the evening zephyrs against my skin.

The sky started to become painted with an orange tint, as the firey sun began to lay down for the day.

It was hot.

My skin was burning.

My brother stopped and turned around.

I ran up to him and tagged him. "Tag your it!"

He didn't move an inch. 

"What's wrong?"

He could do nothing more than point behind him.

I looked back, to see our town engulfed in flames.

Our home. Our family.

It was all

Burning.

I fell to my knees.

Tears streaming down out of my eyes.

Mizu, began to run to the flame.

"Mizu! Don't!" 

...

He disappeared.

Into the firey blaze.

Everything was gone.

I couldnt move a muscle.

I was a coward.

I saw a man, with red hair, holding a spear.

He was the one who killed my family.

I was sad, angry, but most of all; afraid.

I ran.

I ran as fast as I could. 

Until I ran into an old man.

He held me tight as I cried my eyes out.

"They're all gone." I cried out.

"You must be a boy from that village that sent out a distress call. Those dammed Polkatons."

And thus, began my new life.

Full of love, revenge, and justice.

END.