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Screams. Sirens. Smell of burning flesh.
Everyone was rushing out of the building. The building that fire has engulfed in its flames.
The sky was covered in the shades of grey, thick with smoke and ash as the flames devoured the building. It hissed and roared, gnawing at steel, stone and air. Sirens blared as the ambulances screeched to a halt while fire trucks lined the palace ground.
The building that was mix of old and new, in the centre was a wide arched doorway, surrounded by tall columns and two lanterns. Above the centre the craved royal crest of Alyssum's bloodline, burned to crisp. The doors that were once tall, dark and craved with care were nothing but ash now.
Glass windows, that once reflected sunlight, which were clean and open are shattered. Rich curtains and golden fixtures were burning with flames.
Police and royal guards were casting a protective shield to prevent the fire spreading out any further.
Firefighters shouted, their helmets glinting with shadow of flames. The attack crew moved fast, running into the building. The air was suffocating, making it harder to breath even with masks on.
Doctors and paramedics were set up and were supporting to work on the injured.
"Separate them! I need a clean line between the dead, injured and severely wounded."
"This one's coding!"
"He needs airway support, NOW!"
Stretchers were pulled from ambulances. Nurses shouted for more healers. Green mist like air coming out of their hands as healers provide the support. Another explosion from inside a sent a hot wave of air over the teams.
Magic flickered between their fingers as they scanned the bodies, casting different spells.
Fire fighters were spraying water by enchanting spells, to subdue the fire. Attack crews were rushing in to rescue the survivors. Ambulances were present to treat the injured patients that needs internal examinations or those that were too severe to simply use healing magic and to take them to nearby hospital, the ones with severe burns.
In amidst of all chaos, there stood a small child, at least 9 years old, frozen. His huge eyes were staring at the burning fire. His small hands that were holding a book, trembled with anxiety.
"M-mom… mom's inside"
Silent voice barely left his throat as he stood their waiting for his mother to come out the building. And give him a hug, telling how she had made his favourite Samgyeopsal. He kept waiting. But she never came out.
His big eyes that were holding hope moved down and landed on the sketch book. Every hope shattered, when he read the big alphabets written. Surprise. The word ringed in his ears.
Tears finally left his eyes, as he screamed for his mother. Before anyone could stop him, he sprinted towards the burning building but was stopped by one of the firefighters.
"You can't go in there, kid. We're doing everything we can." Firefighter shouted at him, holding him tightly.
"No… Let me go! Let me go! My mom's in there!" He struggled throwing legs and punching the man.
"Calm down for a second, kid. Our men will rescue your mother. Don't worry." Firefighter tried to calm him down, but he kept struggling.
"No! I want my mom! M-mom." Firefighter looked at the miserable condition of the child. He patted at his back to comfort him. Flames rose higher with time, but his mother was nowhere in his sight.
Last batch of attack crew came out with injured people. He quickly, with every bit of his strength pushed the firefighter and ran to see his mother. He searched. But his other wasn't there.
"My mom. My mom isn't here." He screamed, punching the man. The man grabbed his hand to hold him down.
"Hey! Everyone that was in the building, we have rescue them." But he didn't listen. He kept shouting that his mother was in there.
"Are you sure? Did you check properly?" Firefighter from before came. The man nodded.
"Oh, there's still someone coming."
Out of the thickest part of fire emerged a figure, holding a woman in his warms. His steps staggering as he struggled to walk out. The woman was limp, and her dress half burned away.
The second his boot hit the ground, the building exploded. The fire was getting haywire.
A pressure sent debris flying. Glass shattered. People screamed. Dust rose, thick and suffocating. For a moment, everyone was silent, watching with the horror in their eyes.
The child was first to move. He tore from firefighter's hold with every last ounce of strength. Stumbling until he dropped beside the limp body of a woman.
"Mom!" he sobbed, falling to his knees. "Mom!"
Firefighter came running behind the kid. Breathing heavily as he asked the crew. "What's her status."
The boy looked at his mother. Her chest didn't rise. Her skin was cold. He looked up at the crew who nodded in negative.
"I'm sorry, kid. But we could not save your mother."
The child trembled. His eyes cried as he screamed.
"No…" he whispered. "No! you can't leave me like this. Mom!"
Firefighter closed his eyes and exhaled, placing his gloved hand on his shoulder.
The healer behind them lowered her staff, murmuring a prayer to the stars. The boy bowed his head.
Then something flickered—soft and golden.
Her locket. It blinked once, then faded forever. He took the locket, clenched in his hands as he sobbed.
He knelt beside her, tears craving his chubby cheeks. The medics moved away, feeling sorrowful.
A sudden stir in the air and everyone got alert. The ground shifted with the arrival of Queen Kang Mina, flanked by her guards in their polished obsidian armour. She was wearing her long indigo cloak trailing behind her.
Beside her, seventeen-year-old daughter, Princess Kang Yuna, walked with her usual elegance. Her sharp eyes gleaming with nothing but arrogance.
Gasps rippled as the queen approached the sight of tragedy. Her gaze scanned the destruction. Reporters were already flooding the palace, reporting the incidence and queen's arrival.
"What in the name of elders happened here?" She demanded, her voice cold and sharp.
Seeing the situation, a woman, the head servant, stumbled. Limping and bloodied, and part of white dress burned with ash craving it.
"Your Highness," she croaked, bowing weekly. "The fire… it started suddenly. We didn't see it coming."
Queen Minah's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean it suddenly started?" she snapped. "Fires don't simply appear."
The servant flinched. Her eyes shone with fear.
Behind the Queen, Princess Yuna took a step forward. Her eyes bored at the conversation of her mother and the head servant. Her blue eyes scanned the survivors, searching for the familiar face.
Her blonde hair fluttered with air as another thunderclap of explosion is heard. She didn't flinch. She rolled her eyes at the screams. As she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers lingered for a moment, brushing lightly against the small mole nestled at the curve of her neck.
When her eyes landed on the boy, her eyes gleamed. She tilted her head to the side, acting cute when the boy took notice of her. His teary eyes wide opened.
She smiled evilly, loving how he looked so miserable. She opened her mouth to whispered something. 'Surprise.'
He saw it.
The child's heart froze. Then thundered. His breath hitched. His hands trembled, but not from sorrow this time. From something colder. Something darker.
Rage.
He knew.
She did this.
The fire. The screams. The explosion. His mother's death.
It had all been her doing.
He stared at her, doe eyes wide, but no longer with fear. They now burned with something dangerous. His fists clenched around the locket until it bit into his palm.
He wanted to scream. To run at her. To make her hurt the way he hurt.
But she was the princess. Untouchable. Powerful. Cloaked in wealth, magic, and bloodlines. He was just a boy. A servant's son. Worth less than a shadow in the royal halls.
And yet…
As the Queen turned her back, barking orders to investigate the cause, and as Yuna followed with that smug smile still curling her lips, the boy made a silent vow.
You took everything from me. My mother. My world. My light.
I did everything you said. You made my life a hell. I didn't do anything. I let you destroy me. But, my mom. What my momhave ever done to you.
Why her? Why?
I will take everything from you.
One day, Kang Yuna, you'll feel what it's like to burn.
He did not cry again. He simply watched them go, the locket in his hand, the fire reflecting in his eyes. Kim Suho's heart was burning with fire of vengeance.