NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: House Arrest
Chapter 14: "House Arrest"
The flames had died down, leaving only the faint glow of twilight filtering through the castle's scorched windows. The thick, smoky air hung like a shroud over the eastern wing, where ruins and rubble marked the fierce struggle that had just unfolded. In the center of it all, Thrain stood alone, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders. The blue flames that had once wrapped around him like a shield were gone, replaced by a strange silence that echoed through the devastated throne room.
For a moment, Thrain struggled to steady his breath. He glanced down at his hands, still marked by the faint residue of blood, and then back to the rubble around him. The throne room, the symbolic heart of the kingdom, lay in ruins—cracked walls, shattered relics, and fallen banners scattered across the floor. Yet, in the stillness, an odd clarity settled over him.
Beyond the crumbling walls, figures began to emerge from the hazy light, five ebony-clad guards with eyes that glowed a fierce, pyrope red. They moved as one, silent and purposeful, their presence unnerving yet undeniably powerful. They halted a few paces away, forming a perimeter around Thrain.
The tension in the air thickened as footsteps echoed from behind him. King Arin stepped forward, the Legendary Dadao resting in his hand, its blade still gleaming with the power it had unleashed. His expression was unreadable, a mix of suppressed fury and something Thrain couldn't quite name.
"Father," Thrain began, his voice barely steady, "what just happened?"
King Arin's gaze held Thrain's, unblinking and intense. "You unleashed a force you barely understand," he said, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic edge. "Tell me, did you feel it? The power? The weight of it?"
Thrain's mind raced, his thoughts a chaotic blend of confusion and intrigue. "I didn't summon it intentionally," he replied, struggling to keep his tone even. "The flames—they just appeared. I had no control."
The king studied him for a moment before nodding toward the assembled guards. "These men," he said, his voice lowering, "are the Onyx Sentinels. They have served this kingdom for generations, guarding secrets known only to our line. And they have come here today because of you."
The leader of the Onyx Sentinels, the one with lightning coursing faintly over his armor, stepped forward. "We do not typically answer the king's summons, as our loyalty is not to the crown but to the kingdom itself. Yet, upon hearing of the chaos here, we decided to investigate. You are strong indeed—if merely your Pyrope Mode alone can create such devastation."
….
The king and the Onyx Sentinel leader walked away, their voices fading into a low murmur, Thrain watched them disappear down the ruined corridor. He could feel the piercing gazes of the other Sentinels still fixed on him, a silent reminder of their scrutiny.
But his attention shifted as he caught sight of Lynx, lying sprawled among the debris, his face pale and his breathing shallow. Thrain's heart clenched as he hurried to his friend's side, dropping to his knees. Lynx's injuries were worse than he'd realized—a deep gash across his side, and bruises that painted his skin in harsh shades of red and purple.
As Thrain gently held him, Lynx's eyes fluttered open, weak but determined. "Is there even a way to heal from this?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
Desperation gripped Thrain. The blue flames—the legendary flames of revival—had healed him once before. He didn't fully understand how he had summoned them, but he focused on the feeling he had experienced, a surge of warmth and power unlike any other. Closing his eyes, he willed the flames to return, feeling their familiar heat build from somewhere deep within him.
Slowly, a faint, ethereal blue light emerged from his hands, wrapping around Lynx's wounds. The flames moved gently, their warmth seeping into Lynx's skin, knitting the torn flesh and soothing the bruises. As Thrain channeled the flames, he felt his own strength ebbing away, as if the power was drawing directly from his own energy. A sharp headache pulsed through him, and his hands began to tremble.
After a few moments, the flames faded, leaving Lynx breathing easier, his face no longer etched with pain. Though he was still weak, Thrain could see that the worst of the injuries had been mended.
Lynx looked up at him, a faint smile of gratitude in his eyes. "Guess I'll make it," he said softly, before his eyes drifted shut in relief.
Thrain slumped back, exhaustion crashing over him. The headache throbbed, and his vision blurred at the edges, but a feeling of relief settled within him. Though he'd paid a price, he had given his friend a chance to heal.
….
The Onyx Sentinel leader walked alongside the king, his voice carrying an edge of disbelief.
"When the raven arrived with the message, I came expecting the worst. By the time we reached the castle, people were shouting 'monster,' and when I saw the flames, I thought it must be a dragon," he said, glancing sideways at King Arin. "But it was only a boy… somehow wielding abilities disturbingly similar to HIM."
He hesitated, his gaze intense. "And yes—I witnessed him call forth the blue flames."
The king nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "I didn't believe it either at first. He was the weakest, known as the outcast. But now… things are different."
"I believe his powers are overwhelming him," the Onyx Sentinel leader replied, his voice steady. "He's struggling for control, which is likely why he went on a rampage."
"We need to take him away, Your Majesty," the leader continued, "if only to keep others safe."
"No, Daelan," the king said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "My son stays here."
Their conversation ended, and Daelan and the king returned to their duties.
That night, Thrain and Lynx quietly made their way back to Thrain's room, though Thrain could feel the watchful eyes of the Onyx Sentinels following his every move.
The next day, a large group was summoned to begin the construction of a new throne room. Rumors spread quickly. Some people speculated about the destruction, while others, who had witnessed Thrain's power firsthand, called him a monster. His brothers, though finding it hard to believe, remained silent, feeling an unsettling truth in the whispers.
Thrain was closely monitored, guards shadowing his every step. Even Lynx, unable to leave, found himself confined, now bound to Thrain's side.
"So what now?" Lynx asked, his voice light as he swung himself back and forth on the wooden beam above, his energy restored. True to his name, he moved with the easy grace of a wildcat, his agility unrestrained. "Are we just gonna be trapped in here forever? Under house arrest?"
Thrain didn't answer. He sat focused, his gaze fixed on the small flames flickering in and out of existence in his hands. He practiced the cycle, catching the flames, extinguishing them, and then reigniting them. Inwardly, he felt a spark of triumph. "Finally" he thought, "I know how to activate it."
Time passed, and Lynx, now seated nearby, watched Thrain as he manipulated the flames, which had grown larger and steadier in his hands.
"Impressive," Lynx remarked, his tone a mix of awe and approval. "You're a quick learner—already controlling that much flame without a flicker or even a flinch."
Eventually, Lynx's patience wore thin. Frustrated by Thrain's silence and restless from being cooped up, he jumped to his feet.
"I'm going out," he declared, heading for the door.
"Don't— they'll punish you," Thrain warned, but Lynx was already reaching for the handle.
Just as his hand touched the door, it swung open. Both of them felt a surge of hope—finally, they thought, we're free.
But standing in the doorway were not guards or a messenger with new orders. Instead, they saw the three Bijins—Akane, Hikari, and Emiri—each with a knowing look and an unreadable smile.