Chapter XXXVII: The Birth Of A Phoenix 1

A cool breeze circulated inside the crumpled wooden room, where Khalid could be seen wearing a solemn expression on his face.

He was neither angry nor sad; he was not feeling anything or even having the freedom to show emotion. Khalid was like a dead person who was waiting for his existence to pass out of sight of the people. But still, some people believe that he was not completely rotten; alive as a blessed-born baby is what they believe he was.

"How long have you been here?"

Suddenly, his voice echoed in the room, where Akil was sitting beside him on the bed.

He stayed quiet, but Khalid was patient enough to wait for his answer.

"Well, about that..." 

Akil hesitated.

After a few minutes of having enough courage to talk about his past, he sighed as Khalid listened to every word he said.

"I've met a family." 

He was taken aback.

"No, I once had a family, right here in this world." 

His voice was calm, yet there was sadness coating it; he couldn't even look into Khalid's eyes as if he were worried that he might read all of the pain hidden in those feared crimson eyes.

"But then, I killed them."

His hands trembled when a sudden feeling of ease suddenly covered his body after Khalid held it with his little hand.

He knew Akil from the past as Lee Hyun, and he was already a family member to him, a little brother, and a person he could trust more than himself.

He was sure that he had done nothing wrong.

"Say it." 

He states, and as Akil told him about his existence in this world, a picture passes through his mind like a film still in the theater that only contains trauma and pain, a stuck projected picture deep in his mind.

....

"Madam, relax and take a deep breath!"

The midwife stated as the woman lying in the soft cushion bed cried in immense pain as if her body were being torn in halves, feeling a strong cramping on both of her thighs as she gave birth to a child that had hair as dark as a raven and a pair of bloody crimson eyes that made the midwife startled after noticing how it changed from the fiery color of the fire.

'No way! How could God do this to a child? !'

She immediately hides the baby's face and waits for it to change back before giving it to the noble women, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"You gave birth to a lovely boy, madam."

She affirmed as she handed him in the arms of the Marchioness, along with her husband sitting by her side, caressing the baby gently on their arms.

She knew that the baby was not normal from the start, seeing that he did not cry or show an expression on his face.

"He looks just like you, Loraine." 

Complemented by the Marquess.

"And he was brave, just like you." 

Added by the Marchioness.

The room was then so filled with warmth and laughter that the maid did not even dare to bother.

She knew the consequences she would face, but it was not enough to frighten her. Although she betrays and lies to the noble couple, she chooses that he will serve him until he grows up to be a kind and normal nobleman.

"Reyster Malchom Campbell. Our little warrior." 

He affirmed, giving a kiss to both of their foreheads.

Years quickly passed and a seven year old kid could be seen playing secretly alone in the field, caressing the fire with both of his hands.

"Young master!" 

The wrinkled lady has called, panicking as she runs towards him, holding the hem of his maid uniform.

"Belinda, look at this!" 

Before he could even boast about the power he possessed, she immediately held him on his shoulder, wearing a distressed expression on her face.

"How many times do I have to tell you?! You cannot play with the fire!"

Her sudden act of rage had left him with a clueless and solemn expression written on his face.

"Why not? I don't even get burned." 

He then replied.

"That's the point!"

She stated, taking a deep breath. 

"Young master, the way you play with the fire is not what a normal kid does."

Hearing it come out of her mouth made him realize that no one, not even his friends, had played with a fire created by their own hands.

Even though he was always reminded by his nanny, Belinda, that he was special, there was still doubt that his ability would soon overpower his body.

"I know. I know. I'll be careful from now on." 

He whimpered.

"You'll promise?"

Belinda lifts his chin and looks straight into his eyes as she waits for his response.

"Yes, I promise." 

Hearing him mumble those words, Belinda then patted his head as she called him to eat.

"Go on, now it's time for dinner."

Even though she was unsure of what fate he would have, she was still glad, knowing that she hoped he would grow up to be a nice and bright kid.

He was a kid who grew up full of nothing but love.

Well, that's how things are supposed to be. But then, later that night, the Campbell mansion was immensely devoured by the fire. Eating up all of the luxurious furniture inside, while a boy could be seen standing in the middle of his room with a blazing fire covering his body, having a fiery-colored eye instead of the blood-like eyes he always had.

Apart from that, his body was also covered with blood, while countless assassins could be seen lying on the ground with their flesh melting on the flaring fire, leaving the boy's flesh untouched.

His face was also rather calm while staring at the man in front of him.

The Marquess was left in surprised after seeing how he acted far different as if he was not his child.

"Re-reyster, my son?" 

He called, holding a sword in his trembling hand.