A Name Reclaimed

Chapter 24: "A Name Reclaimed"

Thrain let out a breath, his gaze steady as he finally admitted, "Yes, I met the Phoenix."

Daelan's eyes lit up, and a wide grin spread across his face. "I knew it!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. His sudden burst of joy caught Thrain off guard, leaving him both confused and annoyed.

Thrain frowned. "Why are you so... excited about this?"

Daelan leaned forward, his grin still plastered on his face. "Because you just confirmed one of the biggest mysteries in our history! Do you realize how insane this is? You've met the Phoenix. I mean, I suspected it, but hearing you say it? That's next-level."

Thrain tilted his head slightly, observing Daelan's sudden shift. Just moments ago, he had been calculated and composed, the embodiment of control. Now, he resembled an overzealous scholar who'd just discovered a hidden treasure.

"You're like five different people in one," Thrain muttered, shaking his head.

Daelan laughed, stepping back and spreading his arms. "Well, I am Daelan. I can be whatever the situation calls for: serious leader, playful genius, or even the world's most annoying pest. But you, my friend, are the first person in centuries to make contact with the Phoenix, and that makes you…" He paused dramatically, pointing at Thrain. "…a very big deal."

Thrain crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Great. Just what I wanted."

Daelan smirked. "Oh, don't act so coy. Deep down, you love being special."

Thrain rolled his eyes, but deep down, Daelan's words stirred something in him. Special or not, the weight of his connection to the Phoenix was something he couldn't ignore.

Daelan urged him, "Keep going, don't stop now."

"I don't want anyone to know about this, not even my father," Thrain said firmly, his striking eyes glowing faintly.

"Don't worry about that. No one will find out—you have my word," Daelan replied, his tone steady.

Thrain hesitated but found himself believing him. Daelan did seem to carry an ocean of secrets, and Thrain suspected he knew how to keep them well.

"It happened right here, at this very spot," Thrain continued, gesturing to the rock. "That's why I came back. I wanted to see the Phoenix again, but I don't know how. She never told me if—or how—I could reach her."

"Her?" Daelan thought, his curiosity piqued, though he remained silent for now.

"To everyone else, you were weak and pathetic," Daelan said, his voice steady but piercing. "Was it her who gave you your powers?"

Thrain met his gaze without hesitation. "No," he replied. "She told me I awakened after Ryker's death, in her energy. The dragons may have taught us fire, but they're not its true masters. She is. She claimed she is fire itself."

Daelan's eyes narrowed slightly, the weight of Thrain's words sinking in, though his expression betrayed little.

…

Thrain began recounting everything he could remember about his encounter with the Phoenix. His words were careful but vivid, painting the scene as if it had only just happened. He described the moment he met the Phoenix—the searing heat, the overwhelming presence that didn't just surround him but seemed to resonate deep within his soul.

He spoke of her appearance: majestic and otherworldly, with flames that danced not as mere fire but as something alive, purposeful. He described the sound of her voice, how it wasn't just heard but felt, like the hum of a power far older and more profound than anything he could fathom. And the way she looked at him, piercing yet strangely nurturing, as though she saw more in him than he did in himself.

"She wasn't just powerful," Thrain said, his voice steady but low. "She was power—raw, untamed, and yet... balanced. She didn't rage like fire should. It was... calm, like it was at peace with itself."

Daelan listened intently, his demeanor shifting from nonchalant to deeply focused. He didn't interrupt, though his sharp eyes seemed to absorb every detail. Occasionally, he asked pointed questions—how the air felt, whether the flames gave off heat, or if her presence had a weight to it. Thrain answered as best as he could, though some questions left him grasping for words.

"It's hard to explain," Thrain admitted after a particularly probing question. "Her presence was... overwhelming, but not crushing. Like... standing under a waterfall but still being able to breathe."

Daelan nodded, almost like he was taking mental notes, his expression unreadable. But then his next question came, cutting through the flow of conversation like a blade.

"She must've had a reason for showing herself to you," Daelan said, his tone sharp and serious now. "What is it?"

The question hung in the air like a challenge. For the first time, Thrain faltered.

He locked eyes with Daelan, then answered quietly, "She said the dragon, the one sealed long ago, is breaking free. The seal is weakening. I'm the one who has to stop it."

"History always repeats itself," Daelan muttered, his voice laced with frustration. "I can't believe you have this fate hanging over you, yet you never told anyone. How did you expect to grow stronger without help?"

Thrain didn't answer, but Daelan didn't stop.

"You just awakened—it's only been a short time. I heard about the war, how you turned the tide with your powers, but do you really think that will be enough against the dragons? Than the sealed one. And he's one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful."

Daelan's tone softened as he leaned back slightly, the intensity in his eyes easing. "I do believe you'll grow stronger on your own," he began, his voice steady and calm. "The last wielder of the blue flames also forged his path through his own strength. But it took him time—time you might not have. You need help, Thrain."

He paused, then added, almost as an afterthought, "I've been watching you, you know. Back at school, when you were figuring things out. And you were right—fire shouldn't be fueled by anger alone. It's not about forcing it out with brute strength. True mastery lies in your breath, your calmness. Anger can be a tool, yes, but it must be controlled, not abused. The last wielder taught us that—how to balance anger with the flames—but over time, that wisdom was lost. Now, it's you. You've been chosen, and it's your destiny to reclaim that knowledge and fulfill this purpose. I'll help you as much as I can, but the rest is up to you."

Daelan stood, brushing imaginary dust from his coat. "We'll meet again soon and talk more, but for now, you should rest. You have a lot to think about."

Thrain frowned as Daelan turned to leave. "You keep talking about the last flame wielder," he said, his voice laced with curiosity. "But you've never said his name. Who was he?"

Daelan stopped mid-step, turning his head just enough for his piercing eyes to meet Thrain's. A small, enigmatic smile played on his lips.

"His name," Daelan said quietly, "was Thrain."

And with that, with a blast of lightning, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Thrain frozen in stunned silence, his thoughts spiraling.