Ash And Dust

When they opened the door, the room was simpler than they had expected. The walls were covered with books, and heavy leather-bound volumes filled the wooden shelves. A small writing desk, a few chairs, and a fireplace in the corner completed the setting. The coals inside the fireplace had nearly burned out, but it still added a faint warmth to the room.

Behind the desk sat a tall man with a slight hunch. His hair had grayed in spots, and the deep lines on his face bore the marks of a life lived. On one side of his face and on his exposed arm, there were old scars. His gaze was soft, but at the same time, it was watchful. This man was Edric, the headmaster of the orphanage.

Edric looked up at Lyra and Kaelen standing at the door and slightly nodded. "So, you've come," he said, his voice tired but authoritative. He fixed his eyes on Kaelen and furrowed his brow slightly. "How do you feel, child?"

Kaelen paused for a moment. He didn't really know how he felt. He felt foreign even in his own body. He wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, Lyra stepped forward slightly.

"He's still a bit weak, Headmaster Edric," Lyra said, casting a quick glance at Kaelen. "He was very confused when he woke up. Honestly... he doesn't remember some things."

Edric furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, he doesn't remember?"

"It seems like memory loss," Lyra explained. "When he woke up, he didn't know many things. He didn't even know his name."

Edric sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair. His eyes grew serious for a moment. "Your name… is Kaelen. You know that, don't you?"

Kaelen slowly nodded. Edric's gaze deepened.

"You were named after Kaelen, one of the most powerful fire mages of his time. That name symbolizes great power and responsibility. Unfortunately, he died 100 years ago in a battle with an abyssal creature."

Kaelen stayed silent for a few seconds, processing this information. For a moment, he felt the emptiness inside him—the realization that the power, the greatness his name represented, was no longer his... or perhaps never was.

Edric studied Kaelen for a moment before turning to Lyra.

"Could this memory loss be linked to something else? Is it just the illness?"

Lyra shrugged. "I don't know. But when he was sick, he was really bad off. He was burning with fever, muttering for days. He would sometimes wake up but couldn't speak. Then suddenly—" Lyra looked at Kaelen. "He woke up. And everything was different."

Edric slowly closed one of the books on his desk and brought his hand to his chin. "This is strange... But at least him recovering is a good sign. His body may be weak, but at least he's alive, child. Right now, some parts of his memory may be missing, but don't worry, over time that will lessen."

Kaelen lowered his head. If the memory loss matter were pushed further, he might be forced to reveal who he truly was. That's why he preferred to stay silent. Who would believe that he was the famous fire mage Kaelen, especially without any fire magic?

Edric leaned slightly forward in his chair. "Kaelen, don't overexert yourself until your body fully recovers. But if you feel anything strange, tell me or Lyra immediately. It's important that you fully heal."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "I won't leave him alone, Headmaster Edric."

Kaelen glanced at the eager girl beside him. Her actions are starting to scare me, he thought to himself.

Edric smiled slightly. "I know, Lyra. You've always looked out for the other children. But Kaelen's situation is a little different. We don't fully understand what's happening right now."

Lyra sighed softly. "So, what happens now? I mean, Kaelen... should he rest more?"

"First, this weekend, the nun from the Fallen Church, Lady Lumiaria, will come. I can ask for her help, she's an old battle companion of mine. We can seek her aid for Kaelen's condition."

"A-a nun?"

Lyra's mouth hung open in surprise.

Edric thought for a few seconds, smiled, then nodded. "Yes, he should rest a little more. But at the same time, he should get familiar with his surroundings. Kaelen, you've been ill for a long time, it's like you've been cut off from the outside world. You need to readjust to life in the orphanage."

Kaelen nodded slightly, but still had many questions in his mind. Especially one thing...

Where are my flames?

He felt no warmth inside. Those flames had been a part of him. Without them, he felt incomplete.

However, it wasn't the time to talk about this. He needed to understand the world around him first.