Chapter 21: Masks Without Faces
The music had stopped.
The masquerade was over, but the game was only beginning.
Aaron walked slowly down the candlelit corridor of the royal palace. His mask—half-cracked from the heat of his silent kill—hung loosely in his hand. His breath was steady, but the fire beneath his skin hummed like a warning.
A voice emerged from the shadows.
> "Effective. Quiet. Almost merciful."
Aaron didn't flinch.
Lucien stepped into view, golden mask still in place. Only his mouth moved—calm, amused.
> "But mercy," he said, "was never your nature, was it?"
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⚔️ The Conversation That Wasn't a Fight
Aaron faced him.
> "You followed me here?"
Lucien smiled faintly. "No, Aaron. I arrived before you. Always."
Silence.
Lucien stepped closer.
> "You've learned to aim the flame. But not to direct it."
> "You burned a man for what he did. What will you do when you have to burn someone… for what they will do?"
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
> "You're not here to provoke me."
> "No. I'm here to remind you."
> "Every mask breaks, eventually."
Lucien turned and vanished into soot.
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🏛️ The Summons
The next morning, two royal guards stood at Aaron's door.
> "By order of the Crown Council, you are summoned to the throne chamber. Immediate compliance expected."
Aaron said nothing.
He followed.
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👑 The Interrogation
The throne room was vast, cold, filled with smiles that hid blades.
At its center: the Crown Council—unmasked this time, their faces unreadable.
A judge stepped forward.
> "Aaron Hotveil, son of no house, bearer of the Skyborn flame. A man died last night under unnatural circumstances. Do you deny involvement?"
Aaron looked up, calm.
> "No."
A stir. Gasps. Whispers.
> "And do you regret your action?"
A pause.
Aaron said:
> "Only that it was clean."
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⚖️ Verdict Deferred
The council conferred in low tones.
Then the eldest rose.
> "You will remain within the royal district until further notice."
> "Your flame is not yet condemned… but it is watched."
As Aaron turned to leave, a guard whispered:
> "They're not afraid of what you did. They fear what you'll make others believe they can do."
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🌫️ Final Scene
That night, Aaron stood on the palace balcony, flames flickering across his knuckles.
Ashen stood behind him, silent.
> "They fear you now," the boy said.
Aaron nodded.
> "Good."
> "But will you burn their world… or build it?"
Aaron said nothing.
Not yet.