The diminishing glow of the flame (2)

Starfania jolted awake, overwhelmed by a primal horror that surged through every fiber of her being. Drenched in sweat and trembled with every breath. Grasping for breath, she struggled to fill her lungs with air, each inhaling constricting her chest. She placed her hand on her chest and started rubbing it. In the depth of the nights, she faced an uninvited guest- a panic attack. Her heart pounding relentlessly, echoing the turmoil consuming her mind. Starfania's senses were enveloped by a suffocating tapestry of fear and anguish, reminiscent of the profound sorrow that had shattered her world when her mother left this world. While sleeping, the profound sorrow that she had attempted to suppress was resurfacing with greater intensity, pulling her into a torrent of tears. In that fragile moment, she was overwhelmed by memories of the excruciating pain that filled her mother's death.

As she grappled with the overwhelming sorrow, nearly consumed by grief, the door softly creaked open. A woman with silver hair and milk chocolate skin, wearing reading glasses. Her face was etched with genuine concern and her calm and gentle voice broke the silence. " Miss Starfania, are you alright? I heard tears when I was passing by your door and came in as fast as I could. "" Thank you for your concern, Ren. It was just a nightmare. " Starfania replied, her voice still carrying a trace of tension. Ren's eyes softened as she could see Starfania's inner demon clawing at her. She gave Starfania a reassuring smile before tenderly wrapping her in a comforting embrace." Everything will be fine. Just know you don't have to go through this alone, " she whispered gently, her voice filled with empathy." No, Ren, no " Starfania whispered, the exhaustion and frustration evident in her voice." It feels like I'm haunted by a never-ending loop of painful memories: my mother's death, my brother's disappearance, and my father's pain, It is overwhelming, almost unbearable. " Her voice faltered under the weight, threatening to consume her once again. Ren seemed to recognize that Starfania was criticizing herself for all this misfortune that had happened in the past. So she spoke with a gentle tone " My dear, I know the past can hurt. But remember, it is how one deals with it that can truly move forward. "Her profound insight pierced the darkness of Starfani's despair, as a flicker of hope managed to reach the deep of her soul. The word she spewed held the promise of a future illuminated by hope, where her ceaseless agony could hopefully find some peace. Their eyes met, and Starfania was met with her understanding gaze. She smiled offering reassurance. A comforting worth spread through her chest that finally eased the pain in her chest. Allowing her to finally stop rubbing it when she assured her that everything would be alright. Starfania pulled away from the hug, sensing something odd about Ren's story. Why had Ren been passing by her door in the first place? Curiosity got the better of her and she asked, " Was it my dad who sent you here? "Ren's nod confirmed Starfania's suspicions. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude for Ren's presence, though Ren simply brushed it off as her duty and gave her one last hug goodbye before leaving. Before she left the room, she mentioned that Starfania's father wanted her to come to the battle arena. With that, she left to fulfill the rest of her duties at the palace. After Ren left, her words lingered in Starfania's mind, offering a sense of clarity amid the chaos. Her thoughts shifted to her father's request. The mention of the battle arena sparked a mixture of curiosity and apprehension within her. Starfania knew she couldn't delay; it was time to confront her father and discover his true intention. With resolve, she rose from her bed as she prepared to face him.She let out a sigh as she slipped on her white boots, understanding the significance of the day ahead. Taking a deep breath, she opened her bedroom doors. Clad in a sleek black leather jacket over a crisp white T-shirt and stylish long blue jeans, securing her midnight hair in a black-and-white striped headband in a ponytail. The palace's sides were lined with towering pillars adorned with intricate dragon designs, adding a magical touch. As she approached the grand staircase, she felt nostalgic, reminding her of the time when her mother warned her against it. Despite the caution, she couldn't resist launching herself onto the railing, gliding downwards. Performing a graceful backflip as she jumped off the railing, making a stylish landing.Once Starfania was outside, she stepped into the palace yard, finding herself standing in front of a grand red door. She gestured to the stationary guard, commanding them to let her pass. The guard moved with purpose, unveiling the entry to the kingdom, she called home- Vulcanfire. As she stepped forward, she took everything in, reminding her how everything changed. In the distance, a powerful volcano stood proudly, casting a shadow over the surrounding terrain. Rivulets of molten lava gracefully slowed down the hill, it cast an enchanting glow on the abyss beneath. The very ground was surrounded by a display of fire, a powerful reminder of our nation's resilience and relentless power. The architect's scenery perfectly reflected the volcanic environment. Imposing structures, meticulously designed, rose gracefully from the ground, creating a stunning combination of vibrant black and firey red. A few of these structures showcased subtle hints of the passage of time, revealing traces of withering.Observing the dragons subjected to such appalling treatment was one of the most painful things she had ever witnessed. Once worshipped in this land and living in harmony with the people, now condemned to a life of servitude, enduring severe mistreatment. This abuse caused the land of Vulcanfire to become a land of ash. The dragon's power was immense, once bringing life to the land. Now their hope began to diminish along with the land around them. Dragons were beaten, almost to the point of death, as their captors asserted dominance. Their palpable fear and broken spirits mirrored the tragic state of the land they once nurtured. Watching them cower from the relentless abuse that had extinguished their proud souls was a deeply harrowing experience.Reconciling the brutal treatment of dragons with the knowledge that not all of them were inherently malicious was difficult for Starfania. She remembered the dragon that had taken her mother, leaving her questioning why it allowed her to say farewell. The judgment of an entire species, because that dragon's action seems entirely unjustified, is the same as if you blame a human for the wrongdoing of a selected few. That incident occurred many years ago and why yes it still plagues Starfania's mind. She also remembered her mother's words to protect those in need. While her father took a different approach to the situation as his attitude shifted to the dragons. Once kind to them, their involvement in his wife's death made his heart turn cold. He could no longer see the dragon beyond the single devastating event. Starfania found the situation mirrored the complex and often painful relationship between different groups of people. There was a simple misunderstanding between them. Starfania wanted to heal the pain on both sides of the coin.As she approached the edifice, its sheer scale and splendor of the colossal domed structure still took Starfania's breath away. Encircling the Grand Arena stood a strong metal pole, a symbol of both protection and devotion, represented in striking hues of red and black. With each step down the dimly lit ramp, the smooth gray surface beneath her feet. Guiding her toward the heart of the arena. Her eyes adjusted to the low light, and an imposing figure came into view. His presence was commanding, and his dark-styled to perfection, excluding sophistication and authority. Clad in an impressive suit of crimson and ebony armor, he chose to forgo a helmet, emphasizing his skill and confidence in battle.