Smoke filled his lungs making him splutter and cough. All around him, the fire burned. Pale oranges and bright white. He was curled up on the floor, tears streaming down his face. His throat was raw from screaming. He had given up hope a long time ago that someone would come to rescue him. He closed his eyes and whimpered as the flames drew closer. He lay there waiting for the flames to lick at his body, consuming him in seconds. But when the pain didn't come he opened his eyes. There was a boy standing there. Standing in the fire, flames touching him, but leaving no marks. The boy knelt down to touch him, now he could see the other boy better. The boy seemed to be made of fire, but that was impossible. He took the other boy's outstretched hand. He was pulled up and through the fire, and as much as the fire tried to damage him, he was immune to its effects. The boy in front of him quickened his pace and suddenly he was thrown outside. Cold night air washed into his lungs and he looked around surveying the damage around him. The other boy let go of his hand and fell to the ground. The other boy rolled over onto his back and smiled at him. He…smiled at him. So he smiled back at the other boy, collapsing next to him to stare up into the starry heavens above them. Laughing filled the air as the sun rose slowly.
Seto looked up at Brice, smiling at the memory. They had only been young when Seto's magic had gone haywire. They had only been young when Seto had destroyed the entire village. They had only been young when Brice had run in to save the sorcerer. After that night, Seto had felt pride and happiness. Brice had saved him, and with a spell that Seto had taught him.
Brice looked up from his sketchbook. He could tell Seto was reminiscing when he saw that look in Seto's eyes.
"So", he started, "what are we thinking about this time?"
Seto was startled though it was unnoticeable to an untrained eye. But Brice smiled lightly when he saw this.
"Uh, just thinking about the time you saved me", Seto said, lifting his hand and feeling his magic run up to his palm.
"Which time? There were so many", Brice teased.
"You're such an idiot sometimes", Seto murmured, 'But you're our idiot. And for that I'm glad.'
"I was thinking about the fire", Seto sad voice dropping slightly.
"Oh, but you were smiling?", Brice said, light confusion lacing his voice.
Seto let out a 'Hmph' and let out a small breath.
"After you rescued me", Seto said.
"Hm, that was a good night", Brice murmured, returning to his sketch.
Seto laughed lightly. He stopped when he saw Brice's hand had stopped.
"Something wrong?", he asked.
"No", Brice said, a small smile decorating his face.
"Let's go out and get something to eat. I'm famished", Brice said as he stood, grabbing a scarf to wrap around his neck.
Seto didn't smile, he stood up and grabbed his robe. Pulling the hood up as he walked past where Brice had been sitting. He glanced at the sketch and felt his heart plummet. He swallowed as he stared at the drawing.
"You coming!", Brice yelled from the front door.
"Yeah! Just give me a second!", he yelled back.
Seto swiftly grabbed the book and, checking that no one was around, tore the sheet out of the book. He folded it and shut the book, the image still fresh in his mind.
Later that night he took the sheet out again and looked at it. It was still the same. He sighed and rolled over on his back. He felt one of his arms as he draped it across his eyes, while the other fell to the side of his bed, dropping the sheet. He knew he would have to talk to Brice about it tomorrow, the man was probably wondering where the drawing was. But Seto knew that this would only be the beginning. He had seen this sort of thing before and it never ended well. Tomorrow he would ask Brice where he got his inspiration from, but for now, he would get some sleep.
The sketch fluttered, the wind from the open window catching its edges. Then the figure appeared. Bending down to take the sketch, it smiled. To it, it looked more like a picture. Looking over to a mirror and holding the sketch up it smiled wider. That Brice boy certainly had an eye for detail. He got all of its teeth perfectly pointed, its eyes glowed like the real thing. In truth, the drawing was a little scary to the figure, with how accurate it was. Its large smile replaced with a small one as it put the picture on Seto's bedside table. It sighed lightly and faded into the darkness. A lone flower sat by the drawing, keeping it from blowing on the floor. Its petals slightly wilted, but that was the life of a flower. Being picked for its beauty, only to die at the hands of those who had loved it not that long ago.