Chapter 2: The Birthmark

A disturbing noise woke me up in the middle of the night. I thought it was only a dream, but when I realized I was having difficulty in breathing, I moved my heavy eyelids at once to open my eyes.

Smoke. I could smell smoke. And the noise outside... it seemed like people were shouting, panicking.

It didn't take long before I realized what was happening. The smoke was suffocating. There must be a fire outbreak in the palace!

My eyes widened in horror, terrified for myself and for everyone else inside the palace. It’s just a few days after the royal occasion. How could this happen?

I hurried down my bed and went straight to the door, never minding what I was wearing. I don't think I have the luxury of time to change my long nightdress with something more decent.

My legs shuddered to a stop when I saw how thick the smoke in the hallway was. For a moment, I was afraid of going further. I could feel it. I could feel the heat from the fire. I could feel the burning. It was near.

Sure, it was a good way to die. No one would notice my absence. No one would wonder. No one would mourn for my death. No one would cry the way I did when I lost Mother. And I wouldn't have to deal with living in this prison anymore.

I walked through the long hallway. Not running, just walking with a calm pace as if it wasn't a crucial time.

If death is the only solution to free myself from the life fate had given me, I would push myself to the pit no matter how grave the consequences are.

I opened the old double doors connecting to the next hallway before I reach the stairs. I was at the second lowest part of the palace—where the chambers of the slaves were located. If the fire broke upstairs, and judging how the smoke was getting thicker by the minute, I don't think I have anywhere else to go.

Heat swept through me when I reached the base of the stairs. There was fire everywhere, and my chest was tightening due to lack of breathable air. I guess before fire could toast me alive, I would likely die in suffocation first.

In any case, I'd prefer the latter. Being burned alive is like being tortured. I don't think anyone would wish to go through that kind of pain. If there is, that person is a crazy masochist.

I didn't step further, waiting for suffocation to kill me on that spot. But if it won't do the job before fire comes, I was thinking about some alternatives. For example, slamming my head to the wall. Sure it would hurt, but not as much as being burned alive.

A minute passed and I was still conscious. The smoke wasn't enough to kill me yet for some reasons I didn't know. I felt suffocated, right. But as for an average person, I should have passed out by now considering how thick the smoke had become. And here I was, still standing like a statue waiting for her doom.

Ophelia.

Wait. Was that a voice?

Move, Ophelia. Escape.

My lips parted when the voice became clearer. It was velvety, strange and so low. It wasn't like a man's or woman's voice. It was something... inhuman. A kind of voice I never heard before.

You must take the chance to escape now.

“Who are you?" I asked loudly, scanning the whole place but saw no one.

Or maybe I was just hallucinating? Is this because I'm facing a life and death situation? But the voice sounded so real.

You don't have much time. The palace is in chaos now and you should take the opportunity to leave.

"May I ask who are you first? And do you see my situation? I'd wish to escape but I don't think I can. I'm trapped here. There's no way out for me."

No way out? Why don't you try proceeding to the stairs so you would see?

I tried to look at anywhere I can but there was really no one. If it knows I'm near the stairs, then it should be watching me in proximity.

"Are you suggesting to let myself get toasted alive?"

An animalistic growl echoed.

I was suggesting an escape plan for you. You should cooperate if you don't want to be buried alive when this palace collapses.

“With that escape plan of yours, I definitely won't be buried to death, but I'd definitely get burned before I make it out."

I don't know if I'm making some sense talking to someone unknown, or maybe I'm simply going insane.

Why don't you try it first instead of standing there as if you're anticipating a warm bath rather than death?

"Why would I follow your instructions, huh? Either way, I'd still die. It's useless to exert effort when it's impossible to change the situation."

I'm not instructing you, Ophelia. I'm suggesting the best way you can do.

“Best way? You mean to die painfully?" I fired sarcastically. It's just, I don't see it as anything but an unreasonable action.

A growl again.

You won't die.

"How? Everyone dies in the fire, you know. I mean, that's the element that could kill any mage. It's our number one enemy in case you're not informed."

I shrieked at a sudden explosion. The next second, a part of the ceiling near the stairs collapsed, and fire was suddenly in front of me.

It's the best time to move, Ophelia. Go!

"But... I-I can't..."

It's now or never, Ophelia. You must go!

"But I can do nothing about the fire!" I shouted, my voice trembling.

I said you try. See for yourself if the fire could kill you.

“Are you suggesting an experiment?" I asked angrily.

It is the best for the both of us.

"Best for the both of us? I don't even know who you are. Your business is not mine, so just leave me alone!"

You will know me when the time comes. For now, just do what I say. Run through the stairs and seek for a way out.

"Run through the fire, you mean? That's not escaping. That's suicide at its worst!"

I stepped back when the fire started to scatter around. Judging how the things are going on, I guess I don't have choice but to let the fire torture me till death.

Another explosion and the ceiling behind me collapsed. I was caught in the middle of the fire, waiting for the blazing element to turn my fragile body into ashes. What's the point of fighting for this life, anyway? What's the point of surviving when there's no reason to?

There's a reason, Ophelia. Don't you want to know your father?

That caught my attention.

"What do you know about him? Who really are you? Show yourself!"

If you want to know the answers, survive then.

“How can I survive when I don't know how? Why don't you just help me?"

I can do nothing about your situation. Only you can help yourself, Ophelia.

"I-I can't..." my voice broke. Tears trickled down my cheeks. The fire in both sides were nearing. I could feel its heat, and I could imagine how painful being burned by it would be.

Shutting my eyes tight, I uttered a silent prayer, hoping that the deities would hear me out even just for once.

I was very ready to die a while ago because I saw no reason for my existence to continue. But now, after what that unknown creature told me, it felt as though a different light suddenly shone before me, leading me to a different path. There's suddenly a goal I want to accomplish. There's suddenly a reason for everything.

A different kind of heat enveloped my whole system. I guess the fire finally reached me. But it was supposed to hurt, right? It was supposed to be excruciating, but why I felt completely fine?

Or it could be I was already burning but I went numb, or it could be my brain was protecting me from feeling any physical pain.

Open your eyes, Ophelia... Here it goes again. I wonder what kind of creature that thing is.

I didn't want to follow its instructions actually, but I was curious so I opened my eyes. Horrified as I was, my mouth fell open when I saw how I was able to stand in the fire—which means, my feet were literally stepping on the fire!

And it wasn't just that. There's something glowing in me. My wrist. What's more peculiar is that, the light is coming from a birthmark I've never seen before. In my seventeen years of existence, there's nothing in my body I didn't discover yet. So why do I have this strange birthmark all of a sudden? And why am I still alive until now?

Look at yourself, Ophelia. You're still alive because fire isn't your enemy. In fact, it's the other way around.

"What do you mean by that?"

Every element knows how to recognize their masters, and so does fire.