Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to FE except the sisters.

Chapter 8: The Secret of the Fire Sister

"What did you do to Staci, you witch!?" I yelled, getting to my feet.

"Is that any way to talk to your sister, Surcana?" the woman said with a sly voice.

"I keep hearing this Surcana name but I have no idea who or what it is," I answered back folding my arms.

The woman moved out from behind Staci as if she was gliding on clouds of fire. She slowly walked towards me with a questioning look in her eye. I stood my ground as the woman leaned over to inspect my face. As she scowled at me I gave her a slick smile, trying to intimidate her.

"Satisfied?" I said as her backed off.

"So you aren't Surcana. Then why have you come to me and who are you?" she asked with frustration in her eyes.

"Like I would ever give up information so easily, when you've obviously done something to Staci. If you hand her over now then I'll spare your life," I answered as my wind whirled around me with power.

The woman looked at me with curiosity watching the wind twirl around my body.

"Fine, I'll start the introductions," She said and bowed deeply. "I'm Pyra, formal Fire Sister of this land, your turn."

I hesitated to say any thing but Pyra had bowed so low. I looked up at Staci and knew that I was to get anywhere in this conversation I had to cooperate. I let the wind die down and Pyra looked up at me.

"I'm Brenna, the current wind sister of the triangle." Pyra stood and stared. "If you're expecting me to bow, forget it."

Pyra sneered at me and turned her attention back to Staci.

"Hey… What are you doing?" I asked.

"If you are not Surcana then I have no time for you," Pyra said shortly.

She raised her hands and a fiery magic descended from the sky. I watched in terror as the fire spun around Staci, making a swirl of marks. The fire's mark appeared around her wrists and a skinny backed of marks on her forehead. I saw her wince at the pain and instinct took over. I blinding ran at Pyra trying to stop her but she simply flicked her wrist and the next thing I knew I was sprawled on the floor coughing. I felt aching feelings all over as if I was hit with a sledge hammer, but I attempted to stand.

"You're so pathetic." I looked up to see a sword tip at my face and Pyra looming over me. "If you're this weak you don't deserve to introduce yourself as a sister."

I suddenly felt like I couldn't move. Pyra rose her palm up and my body involuntarily stood. Cuffs of fire wrapped themselves around my wrists and ankles, holding me in place. I tried to focus my wind on my wrists to separate the fire from my skin.

"I don't know what you want but you better give Staci back or else," I said fiercely.

Flames curled around my legs and grew up to my shoulders like vines. Pyra smiled at me as I struggled to keep the flames at bay.

"Why do you persist? She isn't worth anything to you," said Pyra, placing her hands on her hips.

"She's important to me. Does anything else matter?" I said frustrated.

Pyra almost looked annoyed but confused at my answer. The flames grew more intense and started to burn my skin. I yelped in pain and hung my head desperately trying to think of a way out.

"How dare you lie to me! She isn't supposed to be important to anyone, just like me," Pyra told herself. She turned on me and grabbed my chin in frustration. "She is supposed to give in to the fire within and join me!"

"What? What in the world are you talking about?" I asked, wrenching my chin away from her grasp.

"She's my descendent isn't she? The fire that flows through me, flow through her."

I looked at Staci who was surrounded in flames. She's the fire sister? I couldn't believe it but I was soon brought back to my senses when the flames around me broke through my wind and burned into my flesh. I screamed in pain as I felt defeated. I looked at Pyra and tried to form words.

"Why?" Pyra looked at me as I gasped for breath. "Why are you doing this Pyra?"

She didn't say anything but just turned around and walked to Staci's side.

"Why do you ask?" Pyra answered softly. "Revenge…that's why."

I was surprised at the tone of her voice. It sounded as if she was hurting inside, like she was a tortured soul.

"Pyra… what happened? I'm sure whatever it was we can help you," I said trying to comfort her.

Without warning the flames around me grew and I was enveloped in walls of flames. The fire released me but now I could barely move and Pyra had the advantage.

"Do you truly think you can help me? That anyone can change what happened. You can't possible understand what happened and you certainly can't do anything about it!" she yelled in anger.

Needles of fire flew at me and cut my arms. I winced at the pain but I focused on Pyra.

"Please… Pyra listen to me. I know that I can't possible understand what happened back then but please… please help me understand you now. If you want revenge, why take it out on Staci, Jess and I?" I asked.

I felt the fire subside a little and Pyra appeared before me. I looked as though she was crying but instead of cool tears, hot liquid streamed down her cheeks.

"You really want to know why?" Pyra asked with a calm voice.

As I nodded my head, most of the fire retreated into Pyra. The only fire that was left was the border of the chambers, keeping anyone from going out or coming in, and the fire shield Pyra had for herself.

"I do this because this is the curse of the fire sister, our secret. Anyone who is born with the power of fire is doomed to know no love or compassion. It is because of the evil and strength that is passed on through the fire." Pyra stopped and looked over her shoulder towards Staci. "It is her fate also to be neglected. So I not only do this for revenge but to save her from the same heart break I had."

"You think that taking her by force and putting a bunch of marks on her is going to save her. No, the only way to save her is having someone who lovers and accepts her," I answered back.

Pyra hung her head low and looked lost in thought. Part of me felt sorry for her but know, whatever it took, I wasn't going to let her have her way with Staci.

"I felt loved once," Pyra said in a soft tone. "My whole life I grew up with loving sisters. Sure my parents neglected me because of my power but Surcana and Shella didn't seem to mind. Even in adulthood I found a man who said he would love me and never leave my side." Pyra stopped and her face hardened. "What a joke!"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's none of your business. If you'll excuse me I have a ceremony to perform," she said floating over to Staci.

"No! Pyra, whoever that man was he loved you. Why would you want revenge from someone who loved you? It doesn't make nay sense!" I yelled trying to gather what strength I had.

Pyra rose into the air with fire surrounding her. She looked almost nonhuman standing in the fire but for some reason she still had that same look of sadness on her face. I ran over to Staci and tried to grab her but when I touched her, my fingers felt like they were going to burn of. I heard Pyra's evil laughter as if she was possessed by the flame.

"Look how strong your love is now. You can't even touch your own sister, let alone save her. Give it up!" She yelled, as the flames grew more intense.

I looked in terror as a flame danced over to Staci. I quickly summoned all my strength and made a wind barrier between the fire and Staci. Then I bit my lip and grabbed Staci. The heat was so intense I could feel my hands melt. I surrounded myself with my wind barrier and looked up at Pyra. I could tell that she was furious but all I did was grin. With that she started to send wave after wave of fire streams. I focused all my energy on the barrier, then struggled to even stand.

"Brenna… is that you? Why is it so warm?" Staci asked with a soft voice.

"Staci! Are you alright? I'll explain everything in a little bit," I said.

She smiled at me and I thought there was hope but Pyra's fire found a weak spot in my barrier and flowed into Staci. She let out a weak cry and I panicked. I quickly patched up the barrier and then looked at Staci. The marks on her arms and forehead were pulsing red. I was lost in panic and didn't notice Pyra advancing.

"Brenna! I'll handle this," The lady said.

Then I realized she was the one using wind to protect Staci and me. Her wind also was responsible for making the break in the fire. I urged my legs to run and I held onto Staci with all my might as I ran to the break.

I burst out of the flames and everyone stared at me. Of course I was running so fast that I just sped by them into the woods. All I could think about was getting Staci to the castle. Jess ran after me and everyone followed suit but I didn't care. Nothing was going to stop me from getting away from the flames.

Thank everyone for reading. I know that this one didn't have much humor but I needed to explain a few things. I promise to have some humor in the next one. Oh yeah, I won't be able to respond to messages because of school. I will try to answer back but right now I can barely have time to post anything. - Anywho please R&R and enjoy chapters to come.