Hikaru

Chapter Three: Amongst the Flames

How proud father would be, he thought, sitting in his chair. He had grown much wiser than he used to be. Now, he was reaching nearer to his teenage years. Though with no interest in girls at all, he knew that this would be what father would have wanted. A secured marriage in the near future. He looked at the painted portrait that he had been given of the girl he was to marry once he reached the age suitable for matrimony. She was quite pretty, yet not nearly as pretty as he could remember his mother, Marlene. Oh, how she used to grace court with her presence, her gorgeous curls which would dance wonderfully in whatever light, early dusk or break of day, late morning or in the deep of the night. Yet, mother would be happy he had found such a catch nevertheless. The proposed lady in waiting was a brunette, one year his senior, and the daughter of a very rich noble family. They were distant cousins of Dryden, and were landlords in the Kingdom of Zuriel. This would surely prove to be a very strategic marriage because it would improve relations in their trade across the Calldern River.

Hitomi Kanzaki was absolutely wiped out. Her energy was completely wasted and she was so ready to jump on her bed and drown in her covers. She made her way up the stairs, pulling her body up with each rigid step.

She moaned as her hand kept slipping off the handrail.

She almost reached the final step, but suddenly, a headache hit her in the midst of a breath. Such a familiar feeling, Hitomi felt her pulse racing as she clamped her hands around her head. She felt hot… flimsy… as she felt a strong yet murky air choking her from the inside. She smelt ashes… fire… a silhouette stood before her, burning in callous flames.

She had not had a vision for years! Mind boggled, shocked, her eyes opened as the silhouette emerged from the enraging infernos of her mind… was it Van? No… he was far too small. She recognised a ring on his finger. An older Prince Chid, crying… but why?

Her vision dispersed from her mind, but left an undeniable mark, as pain pulsated in her mind, she heard the swing of the pendant that her grandmother once gave her.

"What…" she could barely say, "What is… going… on?"

She fell from the stairs and landed, lifeless.