Theo's PoV

Dahan dahan akong nagmulat ng mata para tignan kung nasa langit na ba ako ngunit purong apoy lamang ang makikita sa paligid. What the hell!? Bakit sa impyerno pa yata ako napunta? Alam kong may nagawa akong masama pero hindi naman ako makasalanan! Napatayo ako mula sa pagkakahiga sa...sa apoy? Now this is getting crazy! I closed my eyes again to adjust my sight dahil baka hallucinations na naman itong nakikita ko.

"You're just hallucinating again Theo."I breathed in and breathed out.

"No you're not hallucinating moron!"kumunot ang noo ko't unti-unting minulat ang aking mata and then I saw it again! The...the talking flame!

"Boo!"

"Ay tang-ina!"gulat ko sabi sa at napalayo ng kaunti sa kanya.

"Bakit parang takot na takot ka sa akin?"base on it's voice I think she's a girl. Oo nga bakit ba naman ako matatakot sa isang nagsasalitang apoy...then I realized! A talking flame! Theo a talking flame dapat lang na matakot ka!

"Sino namang hindi matatakot kung makakakita sila ng nagsasalitang apoy!?"sigaw ko sa kanya at tumawa ito. A while ago she's a talking flame and now a laughing flame? This us literally going weird! 'Yong itsura niya ay parang ewan, wala siyang eksaktong hugis para lan siyang typical na apoy habang mag humahampas na mahinang hangin.

"That's exactly my reaction noon."tumatawa parin niyang sabi sa akin.

"Want do you mean?"I said with a questioning look. Bigla tuloy akong na-curious..

"Nothing."tanging sagot nito. Bumuntong hininga ako at inilibot ang tingin sa buong lugar kung nasaan kami naroon nitong weird n nilalang sa harap kong paglutang lutang lang. I saw a lava pool surrounding us, also lava hound who are freely flying and deeping their selves on the lava pool. Ang mga pader naman ay gawa sa lupang may pagkapula at bawat edge nito ay may red stones na siyang kumikinang dahil sa reflection ng lava. Ang taas naman nito'y may makikita ang mamula-mulang kalangitan katulad ng araw tuwing sunset, ang aliwalas sa mata. Nilibot ko muli ang paningin then I frowned when I realized...

"Wait...nasa bulkan ba tayo?"ngumiti ito sa akin. Ang creepy lang dahil para siyang multo.

"What do you think?"ako itong unang magtanong tapos sasagutin niya ako ng tanong din? Tsk!

"I don't know." I replied then turn my gaze away from her. From my peripheral vision, I saw a red light coming from that talking flame. I looked at her and I saw a beautiful lady with a shining red hair match with her red set of obs and her red gown I think? I never thought the weird flame has a beauty like this.

"Close your mouth young man."I cleared my throat and looked away. I feel my cheeks getting hot. Bwisit para akong bakla!

"You're here at the Entrance of the Kingdom of Inferno,"Kingdom of what?

"Paano ako napunta dito?"naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya.

"You didn't remember?"ang naaalala ko lang ay nagkape kami ni Thyn sa veranda tapos natulog na ako tapos ginising ako ni Thea dahil...wait 'yong nangyaring sunog, 'yong pagkabagsak ko ng pader. Tumingin ako sa mga paa ko at nakakatayo na ako. Tumingin ulit ako sa kanya at nanlaki ang mata.

"Am I dead?"I asked then suddenly she burst into laughter. How can she laugh knowing that I'm curious if I'm already dead.

"You're so funny young man of course not!"she exclaimed but how?

"How..."mahinang usal ko. If I'm not dead then bakit wala ako sa dorm?

"You can't die Theo, I will not let that happen."she said seriously.

"By the way young man I'am Pyra Inferno."she extended her hand so I reached for it.

"Theo Flint Visca."I replied then he nooded.

"I know right."she said then I released her hand and still silent.

"Come follow me."naglakad siya palayo sa akin but I frowned. Paano kami makakatawid kung napapalibutan kami ng lava? I don't even take any single step, I'm just looking at her back waiting what she'll gonna do. Halos malaglag na yata ang panga ko when I saw her walking above the lava pool! As in above the lava pool! Nakarating siya sa isang patag na bahagi at liningon niya kung nasaan ako.

"What are doing there young man? Come over here!"she shouted from our distance. I slowly walked towards the edge of the land from where I am and look on the pool of lava. Isang maling galaw ko lang at tustadong gwapong Theo na ako dito!

"Com'on young man, time is gold!"I let out a deep sigh and then gulped. I step my right foot followed by the left and I'm very impressed! Hindi ako lumubog ni nasubog man lang. Nagsimula na akong maglakad palapit kay Pyra hanggang sa makarating ako sa kanya.

"This is crazy!"I exclaimed.

"No it is not young man it very usual to a man like you."I wonder what she means. Hindi naman kasi ako ganoon katalino. Tsk! Naglakad kami ulit at tumigil sa harap ng isang pader.

"Pader?"tanong ko sa kanya pero hindi siya sumagot.

"Înférnô lüçtàña..."

Wala akong naintindihan sa mga inusal niya kaya't hindi na ako nag-abalang magtanong pa. Hindi nagtagal ang mga bato sa bawat gilid nito'y nagdugtong dugtong at nakabuo ng isang pintuan. Lumiliwanag ang loob nito na parang apoy. Namangha man ako sa nangyari ay hindi na ako nagpahalata pa kay Pyra. Nauna siyang maglakad papasok sa lagusan at sumunod naman ako sa kanya.

Pagpasok ko sa lagusan ay parang may pwerasang humihila sa akin papunta sa isang dimension. Nakalabas ako doon at ngayon naman ay may nakatirik na kastilyo sa gitna ng lava pool na tatlong beses na mas malawak kaysa sa pinanggalingan namin. Mas marami ring nagliliparan at naglalanguyang lava hound sa paligid. Ang talagang nakakuha ng atensyon ko ay ang kastilyo sa harapan ko ngayon.

Nasa pinakagitna ito ng lava pool na may isang mahabang daang kumukonekta mula sa amin. Sa bawat gilid nitoy may mga naglalakihang pulang dyamante na nagsisilbing pader nito. May naglulutangan ding batong nagliliyab sa itaas ba bahagi ng kastilyo na lalo pang kumikintab dahil sa lava pool. Sa daan naman ay may limang poste sa magkabilang gilid nitong gawa sa red bricks at sa itaas nito'y may mga bolang apoy na napapalibutan ng magkaharap na batong arko. The place screams fire to be exact.

"Cam we?"napatingin ako kay Pyra, tumango ako sa kanya bago magsimula muling maglakad papasok sa kastilyo. Nakarating kami sa pintuan at kusang bumukas ito. Bumungad sa akin ang pulang carpet na kumukonekta sa pinto hanggang s isang trono na gawa sa pulang dyamante. Ang loob nito'y may mga naglukutangang bolang apoy na siyang nagsisilbing ilaw sa buong lugar. May mga gamit din rito na kung hindi gawa sa apoy o may kinalaman sa apay ay mga kulay pula.

"Nasaan na tayo?"tanong kay Pyra na umakyat sa trono.

"We're here at my kingdom, the Kingdom of Inferno young man."she said as she sat down on  the throne. Don't tell me she's the queen?

"Are you the queen?"bakit hindi man lang pumasok sa isip ko iyon! Stupid Theo, as always.

"Yes I am young man."tugon naman nito sa akin. If she's the quern then bakit niya ako dinala sa kaharian niya?

"If you're the queen, then why you bring me here?"dahil kung tutuusin pwede naman na niya akong iwan doon or she can even let me die. But she didn't.

"You can't die yet young man as what I said."I can't die yet?

"What do you mean?"ito na naman, naguguluhan na naman ako. Kanina lang nag-aalala ako para sa kapatid at kaibigan ko and now iba na naman? Ang weird na nga at ang gulo ng isip naman ng mapasok kami sa mundong ito at mas may ikagugulo pa pala.

"Because I can't let my inheritor die young man."and that really made my mind like a crumpled thread.

"Hindi ko maintindihan!"inis kong sabi. Tumayo ito mula sa strong  inuupuan niya at naglakad-lakad.

"You're friend Brent the inheritor of wind finally received his blessing from Aira Winderforth, the goddess of wind element,"and so?

"And I'am Pyra Inferno goddess of Fire and you're my inheritor Theo Flint Visca."I'm stunned by what she just said. I am her inheritor? Ito na ba iyong sinabi ni tanda na kailangan naming hanapin through our inner self? Ito na kaya iyon? So paano nga kung ito na iyon? Ibig sabihin ba tinanggap ni Brent ang blessing niya kaya may kapangyarihan nito?

"I know your wondering but it's the truth Theo, you're  my inheritor and you can't do anything about it."I shivered when I said his cold voice. She's the goddess of fire but her voice is cold this time.

"What if I don't want to accept it? What if I wanted a normal life?"para akong baliw kung iisipin o tatangkain ko pang takasan ang mundong ito at mamuhay ng normal kahit sa una pa lang sinabi na sa amin na hindi normal.

"You can't run from your destiny Theo and you're not normal and you know it."I knew it! Bigla kong naalala iyong mga pangako naming magkakaibigan. Na kahit magulo at mahirap basta't magkakasama kami lahat malalapagpasan namin. I smiled of that thought na kahit papaano magkaroon ng direksyon iyong desisyong gagawin ko.

"Then I will gladly accept it."I said with finalization. She smirked.

"I already knew it young man,"she step down from where she is going towards me.

"Your eager to protect someone and I can see it on your eyes." All I want to protect is my friends, all of them specially my twin sister. I don't want her to be in trouble or to be hurt again.

"Your eagerness to protect will be your key to be strong, you risk yoir life just save someone that is very precious to you,"hindi ako makakapayag na mapahamak isa man sa amin kung alam kong may magagawa ako para protektahan, pangalagaan o iligatas sila gagawin ko dahil mga kaibigan ko sila and they're all precious to me.

"I am proud and I never regret in choosing you young man."she patted my shoulder and plastered a genuin smile in her face.

"And I'm very honored to be your inheritor."the jolly and weird vibes vanished and change into a serious atmosphere.

"So let's start?"I sighed heavily and nodded. This is the time and after this a new world is waiting me, a new responsibility and there's no turning back. Goddess Pyra walked five feet away from me then he raised her hands pointing on me.

"I, Pyra Inferno of Inferno Kingdom, the 99th inheritor of fire element giving my blessing to my inheritor, Theo Flint Visca,"her hands are glowing in red while her aura is changing also. I felt a intense power coming from her.

"As a fire elementalist, a heart full of eagerness to protect, full of perseverance and warm desire, may the fire in your heart never fade but glows brighter, hotter and wilder as the time passed by,"little by little I felt something strange on my body. I feel warm as if there is someone embracing me.

"Înférnô çæîàmô..."

She opened her eyes and it is blazing as red as fire. I suddenly felt a hoy sensation inside my body, flowing in veins and its I feel like my body is burning but its not painful at all. The heat of my body suddenly burst out and now my body is on fire. Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magulat pa because it gives me the feeling of relaxation and relief. Humupa ang pag-apoy ng aking katawan kasaybay ng pagkawala ng liwanag sa mata, kamay at buong katawan ni Pyra. Binaba nito ang kamay niya at ngumiti sa akin, ngingiti na dapat ako pabalik when I feel a burning sensation at the side of my stomach. Mabilis kong hinigit pataas ang suot kong damit and I saw a unfamiliar seal that is red in color. It is very bizarre for me because I never seen this kind if seal or tattoo before. Hindi ko mailarawan ang hitsura nito dahil kakaiba ang pagkagawa nito pero ang angas tignan.

"And that completes the ritual young man."binaba ko ang damit ko at tinignan siyang nakatayo sa harap ko.

"That seal is for those Mythical Fire Users and you're one of them young man,"she gladly said, even though I'm wondering I just smiled at her.

"That is the proof that you already posses the power of fire."she added.

"How can I able to use this?"I said curiously. Baka kasi makasunog na lang ako dahil dito, iyong sinasabi kong proprotekta baka ang maging dahilan ng kapahamakan.

"It's for you to find out young man."seriously? I will train by my self then para walang mapahamak. Tinignan ko ang kamay ko and I can't feel any strange feeling.

"Try to do this,"I looked at her and he lift het hands then suddenly a fire ball is formed on her hands pero bigla ding nawala.

"Do it!"excited niyang sabi sa akin.

"How?"kamit ulo kong sabi dahil hindi ko naman alam.

"Just focus at ipunin mo amg enerhiya mo sa palad mo the imagine a ball of fire in your hands."I tried what she said and I'm happy with the outcome.

"You are really a Mythical Fire User,"I heard her said while I'm doing it again and again.

"For normal fire users it will last weeks or months for them to for and use it but look at you,"turo niya sa kamay ko.

"You are just playing it now."napatawa niyang sabi sa akin kaya't tumigil na din ako.

"It's time for you to go back young man."upon hearimg that from her I suddenly remember Thyn and Kiara. Kamusta na kaya sila? Sana maayos lamg sila.

"Always remember what I said, that your eagerness to protect them will be your greatest strength."I gave her a smile.

"Thank you goddess Pyra."she reached me and enclose me with her arms so I hugged her back.

"I believed in you my inheritor."and I don't know what happened next.

****

"Kuya please gumising ka na..."rinig ko ang hikbi ng kapatid ko sa aking tabi habang ramdam ko ang kamay nitong nakahawak sa kamay ko. Nakaramdam ako ng isang patak ng luhang bumagsak sa balat ko at bigla akong nakaramdam ng awa sa kanya.
I slowly opened my eyes and I met a white ceiling.

"Kuya!"Thyn suddenly exclaimed at nagsilapitan na silang lahat.

"Izzy..."I uttered then she hugged me with her tightest hug she can ever made.

"Thyn I can't breath."sabi ko sa kanya dahilan para humiwalay siya sa akin.

"Finally I'am able to see their ugly faces again."I muttered at sinamaan naman nila ako ng tingin. I miss those stares, parang ang tagal kong nawala dahil  nanibago akong makita silang muli.

"Sana pala di ka na nagising bwisit ka!"nakatanggap naman ako ng kutos kay Thea.

"Batukan kaya kita!?"segunda naman ni Kiara. Umayos ako ng higa sa kama ko...kama ko? How did I get here?

"Ang ganda naman ng bungad niyo sa akin."sabi ko sabay inat.

"Bakit kasi ang tagal mong natulog Kuya!"humihikbi parin si Thyn. I reached her hand and hug her.

"I'm glad you're okay," I said. Masaya ako na maayos sila.

"Umiiyak ka ba Theo?"simaan ko ng tingin si Brent dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Gago!"sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Buti naman at gising ka na."Ayesha said with concern. I just smiled at her.

"Sapat naman na siguro iyong limang araw na tulog mo diba?"nangunot ang noo ko.

"The hell! Anong limang araw?"akala ko kahapon lang nagyari ang lahat!

"Iyon ang akala mo ulol!"sabi naman ni Zike. Kailan pa siya nagtatagalog?

"After what happened we saw just saw you walking toward us then you passed out so we carry you here."sabi pa niya.

"Which is very weird, idagdag pa na you don't have any burn or wounds."Thea manage to say. That is because of Goddess Pyra.

"But we're happy that you're with us Kuya,"sabi ni Thyn sa akin.

"Then I will spend my another life with you again." I smiled at them.

"Group hug!"maligalig na sabi ni Brent at nagyakapan kami. I'am very lucky to have all of them as my best friend. Masaya ako na makakasama ko pa sila sa mga susunod pang araw and thanks to Goddess Pyra I owe her a lot for this.

Hindi rin nagtagal sabay sabay kaming kumain ng lunch sa hapag. Si Ayesha at Kiara ang nagluto dahil sila lang naman ang marunong. Matagal tagal na rin simula noong nagluto sila para sa tropa. Napuno ng tawanan at kasiyahan ang buong hapag dahil sa amin lalong lalo na kay Brent at sa kapatid ko. I'm very glad that I'm witnessed the genuine smile of my sister without faking it. Actually all of them I'm very happy to see their smiles again and I will never get tired seeing them as happy like this.

Nagpaalam muna ako sa kanila na lalabas ako para magpahangin. Tumungo ako sa mapunong bahagi ng Academy para tahimik lang at payapa dahil gusto kong mag-concentrate para makapag-isip. Gusto ko rin kasing mag try ng ibang bagay gamit itong kapangyarihang binigay sa akin ni Pyra. But I know my limits, my stamina is the fuel of my power kaya hindi dapat ako lumamapas sa limitasyon ko. Nakarating ako sa isang hindi kalawakang bahagi ng lugar sakto lamang para sa akin. I stand and lift my right hand while my left is in my pocket. I concentrated my energy on my palm and a ball of fire formed, I looked at it and still can't believed that I can control fire. It's blazing brightly with a highlight of blue on the top flame of it.

"So a fire user,"I immediately close my fist and find where that voice came from. Then a girl jumped down from a tree landed a distance from where I'am.

"I don't know you, all fire users here in the academy is familiar to except you."she sounds like a boy when she spoke.

"I-I'am a newbie together with my friends."I said. I'am very intimidated to her I don't know why but her presence is just powerful idagdag pa ang serious personality niya. Parang si Zike lang.

"Don't be afraid I don't bite."she smiled then I sighed. Her features and movements is opposite of her attitude.

"So I assume your from House of Lavanites,"house of what?

"I don't know what you're talking about --"

"Zara, my name is Zara a third year Class SS+ Fire user."pakilala niya sa sarili.

"Theo,"I replied.

"House of Lavanites is for those fire users and it's sub types, so when I saw you with that fire ball I assumed you one of us."I frowned.

"Yes I'm a fire user too."sabi ko nga!

"Baguhan lang ako kaya hindi ko pa alam gamitin itong kapangyarihan ko,"and now she's the one who frowned. What's wrong?

"Kailan mo nalaman ang ability mo?"she asked at napaisip naman ako.

"Five days ago I think?"dahil sabi nila Ayesha, I've been asleep for five days so yeah.

"And you're able to make that fire ball in an instant?"she walked towards me  while her hands on her back.

"Yes?"sabay kibit balikat.

"Usually a normal fire user might take a months just to make a fire ball flawlessly but you,"he pointed her index finger to me.

"You made it flawlessly."she added.

"I don't even know,"I said truthfully.

"If you want I can teach you, besides free time ko naman."hindi ko naman inaasahan na sasabihin niya iyon kaya't sino ba naman ako para tumanggi diba?

"It's my pleasure sabi ko sa kanya."the whole day she teached me on how to make shapes using my fire and I did enjoy what we did. I have so many things learned because of her. I leaned how to make, fire blades, fire shirukens and many more.

"I didn't expect that you're a fast learner."she said while we're resting below a tree.

"I didn't expect it also." I said truthfully, I thought the stamina is the fuel of my power but how can I endure learning those techniques without even getting tired?

"I know you're different," I looked at her.

"Yes your a newbie but you posses great stamina and perform what I teached flawlessly,"she breathed heavily and I keep on listening.

"You can also make your own techniques that is more stronger."tumayo siya at pinagpag ang suot.

"Where are you going?"it's to late when I realized what I said.

"Why are you asking? Do you have a crush on me?"he smiled teasingly. I looked away because I feel my ears are getting hotter.

"I-I...I'm just asking Zara."why I'm being too defensive! Argh!

"I do have important things to do,"she said and she walked away. I saw her stop a few meters from me and she turned her gaze to me.

"See you around Fire boy!"she shouted and I smiled.

"See you around Fire girl!"sigaw ko pabalik bago siya mawala sa paningin ko. Hindi nagtagal ay tumayo na rin ako. I never expect na dahil sa pagpunta ko dito'y makikilala ko si Zara at matututo ng sa kanya. I'm very lucky then.

To be continued...

****

The Mythical Fire User is no other than Theo Flint Visca!!

Înférnô çæîàmô-ancient ritual spell only use by Fire God or Goddesses to finally give their blessing to their inheritor. 

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©Sage_Xrachen