Chapter 7 – Echoes of Betrayal
The city's skyline glittered under the night sky, but Kiran saw nothing but shadows. Every corner, every alley, felt like a trap. The Syndicate's attack had left scars—not on his body, but on his trust.
Orin walked beside him, cloak blending with the darkness. "You did well tonight," he said quietly. "But mark my words, Kiran… the Syndicate rarely acts without inside knowledge. Someone, somewhere, is guiding them."
Kiran's fists tightened. "Someone close to me?" he asked, voice low.
Orin's eyes were steady. "Perhaps. You must watch and listen carefully. The strongest enemies are not always the ones in front of you."
---
Back in their temporary camp at the edge of the mountains, Kiran's thoughts churned. Memories of the slums, of his family, of Miren… Could it be him? No. Miren had been by his side since childhood. And yet… the Syndicate had found them so quickly, so precisely.
A rustle of movement caught Kiran's attention. He turned, fire instinctively flaring along his arms, but relaxed when he saw Miren approaching with two cups of water.
"Night's chilly," Miren said, handing him one. "You handled those Syndicate thugs like a pro tonight. I… I've never seen anything like it."
Kiran took the cup, letting the warmth seep into his hands. But the unease didn't leave him. "Yeah… I fought well. But someone told them where to find us. Someone knew exactly what we were doing."
Miren shrugged. "Could be luck."
Kiran stared at him, searching for any hint of deception. But Miren's eyes were sincere—or at least, they seemed to be.
---
Later that night, as Kiran sat by the dying embers of their campfire, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every rustle of leaves, every shadow cast by the moonlight made him flinch. The fire within him pulsed, more awareness than heat now, responding to danger he couldn't yet see.
Orin noticed. "You feel it too, don't you?"
Kiran nodded. "Someone's close. Someone's… betraying us."
Orin's face darkened. "Then we must be vigilant. Flameborn are not just warriors of fire—they are seekers of truth. Trust, once broken, can destroy more than any sword."
The words echoed in Kiran's mind. He clenched his fists. I'll find them. Whoever it is, I'll find them.
---
Meanwhile, deep within the city, the Syndicate's council convened once more. The scar-faced leader leaned forward, a sinister grin on his face.
"He suspects nothing," a voice said, smooth and cold. "He trusts those around him. The fire grows, but so does our advantage. Soon, his world will crumble from the inside."
The scar-faced leader's grin widened. "Excellent. Let him play the hero. Let him trust. The moment he falters… we strike."
And somewhere far above the city, Kiran's fire pulsed in response to unseen threats.
The path of fire was no longer just about strength—it was about trust, deception, and surviving the shadows that crept closer with every heartbeat.