? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 38: The Path of Light

"What is this?" Sabin took the pants, a pair of black leggings with a creature embossed in silver on each side. The hooded cloak had the inverted color scheme, silver with the creature in black.

"It is a dragon," Ira said to him. "I thought you might look good marked with it. It will show all of Yua that you renounce your claim. Your father will not be happy with this, but he will accept it with time."

"Thank you, Ira." Sabin held his feelings inside. The outfit glittered in such a way that its wearer would be hard to miss. While the black was subdued, the silver shone in a fashion that was not Sabin's style. However, it was a gift from his karamogo. He would wear it with pride.

Ira's cheeks reddened slightly. "I would very much like to see you in them."

If I didn't know Ira better, I'd swear she was embarrassed.

"I will be sure to model it before I leave."

That produced an awkward smile from Ira and he grimaced.

"What is it child?" Ira asked.

"It is odd to see you smile."

Ira shook her head. "I am proud of you. I know you did not have a mother growing up since Aegis, the bumbling fool that he is, ruined his chance at happiness with Rea. If you are still in need of one, I would be honored to assume that role."

Sabin gave the woman a hug. It must have caught her unaware, for it took a moment for her arms to reach his back.

After their embrace, which unsurprisingly did not produce any emotion from Ira, she took the outfit from Sabin. "I will have these sent to your room. Look inside the box."

Sabin opened it, revealing a pair of silver plated god-spears.

"You have earned them." She said.

He attached them to his wrist, grabbing the handles. They were as light as a feather as he thrust both forward in quick succession. "Thank you for this as well. I have not mastered kele-bolo, but I will continue to train."

She nodded. "Child, it is time I stop thinking of you as the Yuan I wish you were and accept the man I know you are."

"Ira-"

"You do not offend me Yu... You do not offend me, Sabin. I understand that you are caught between two worlds, the one you know, but who does not accept you and the one that accepts you, but you do not know. These are not normal god-spears; they are made precisely for you. Twist the handles."

Sabin responded to Ira's request, flicking his wrists to turn the handle. The spear base opened and blades sprung forward, becoming two katanas.

This is the weapon I was born for.

A counter twist returned it to a set of god-spears. He looked them over once more, before removing the weapons and placing them back in the box.

"I will have those taken to your room as well. I would like you to do two things before you leave."

"Yes, mother?"

Ira smiled less awkwardly this time. "Djènèba would not be pleased if you call me such a thing," she chided, but her tone did not hold any real admonishment. "Two final things I would have of you. One: I would like you to place the mark of the dragon on your person. No one would be able to deny your renunciation then. And secondly," Ira said, placing the folded outfit on top of the box, "I would like you to come with me."

**

This was the building that Sabin lighted to by accident. The stone cabin with a brightly painted red exterior and a dark green door. Sabin stopped. "Why are we here?"