Page 7 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
If I was going to have to ‘eliminate’ someone, I should probably know who they are first.
His eyes darkened. “The god who killed you. The god who has attempted to amass enough power that he poses an immense threat to the realm—many are guilty of doing so, but he is not only hoarding magic to fight the coming danger, but also eliminating a source of power after he steals it. It’s why he’s been after you.”
I exhaled in realization of the god he was referring to. “The other dragon? I can’t eliminate him, he’s—”
“You can.” The man smiled. “When you’re reborn, you will be very powerful, Maya. More than you’ll know what to do with. You will need to train with it, but to defeat Ry, the raw magic you have will be enough.”
His confidence in me was completely misplaced.
I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. “And then you want me to rule? I…I just want to be with my mates. I’m not a ruler. I wasn’t raised by my mom, I have no idea how to rule—”
“You’re a natural leader, Maya. You may not be a battle-worn one, but you lead people with compassion. I’ve watched it from afar again and again—you will fall right into it.”
Frustration bubbled up, feeling like I was being backed into a corner. “And what if I don’t want to do this?”
“Everyone has a choice,” the man admitted, his eyes shading with sadness, “but the danger is coming no matter what. Your family will be threatened no matter what, and in a few decades or so, maybe sooner, your children will face a threat as well. It’s unavoidable. So you can either sit idly by or decide to help.”
I inhaled and looked down at the ground, processing his words.My children? Our family?I had no idea if I was even alive, and this man was asking me to think about a threat to my future family. Of course I would do anything to keep them safe, but how did I know I could even trust this complete, obviously very powerful, stranger?
Somehow I didn’t think he was lying, though. I didn’t know him, and I had no reason to believe him, but my instincts were telling me he was being truthful. I just felt unsure, and for the first time since meeting them, I didn’t have my mates to turn to. I couldn’t ask their opinion or have them aid in me deciding. I was all on my own.
“How do I even defeat someone like Ry?”
“Ry has removed part of his heart so that even if he dies in battle, he can come back. You have to destroy that part of his heart, and then your phoenix fire will be able to destroy him.”
“He’s not immortal?”
The man’s eyes lit up. “Oh, he is. Blue phoenix fire can kill immortal beings. It can also heal the worst deaths—you simply have to learn how to use both aspects.”
That was a lot to unpack at once.
“I don’t know if I have the ability to kill him,” I whispered, trying to focus on the task at hand. “I have never killed anyone.”
The man nodded in understanding. “I know.”
My eyes suddenly widened, realizing that he probably had the answer to a question that was ringing in my brain. “My other mates—are they okay?!”
“For the moment,” he assured, his gaze going distant momentarily before refocusing on me. “I can’t get involved, but I have temporarily delayed Ry.”
“I need to get back!” I jumped to my feet, panic fluttering in my chest. “How do I do that?”
“You have to find the strength to leave this place and go to your mates—to be reborn again.”
Then he stood and he motioned to the realm around him that was hidden from me. “Go to the highest peak and fly, Maya. You will find your way back to Earth.”
I could tell he was telling the truth, but somehow it felt more complicated than that. I examined his face as he waited patiently for an answer from me regarding the other element.
“I’ll do it. I’ll kill him.”
His eyes warmed, and he squeezed my shoulder while standing. “Your help in this is invaluable.”
“Wait!” I called out as he began to walk away. “Why are you doing this?”
His eyes darkened with a soft sadness as he turned towards me. “Because I don’t want to see another creation of mine destroyed by the universe’s darkness.”
Then he was gone, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.Did that mean he was the…creator? The Maker?
I fell to my knees in awe, wondering how I had gotten through an entire conversation with him without even knowing who he was. My eyes snapped shut as the world started to rumble underneath me. I felt weak, the magic from his presence being sucked out of the space violently.
Something cracked around me.
I distinctly heard my name being called, but all too soon the fog wrapped around me. I let out a gasp as my body went limp, completely blacking out once again. This time, though, I knew I would wake up.
