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

Chapter 5.1: The Path of Fire

"You saved my life," he responded. "If there's anything I can do for you, just ask." He went to bow and the sharp pain in his chest made him immediately regret the decision.

That was compounded as Alaina ran to him and hugged him tightly. "You're okay!"

"Of course," he replied, wincing. As he looked at her more closely, he noticed that the white streaks in her brown hair. Odd. "Are you doing okay?"

"I'm fine," she replied, still hugging him.

Kianna looked at Alaina, shaking her head. "Please let him go before you break his ribs again."

Alaina let go, blushing in the process.

Kianna walked over and ruffled Alaina's hair. "Sorry, she's never seen a guy before the two of you."

"Yes, I have," Alaina interrupted, shifting from embarrassment to defiance with lightning speed. "I've seen Prince Sakima."

"You've seen pictures of him," Kianna corrected.

"You remind me of my husband," Lila told Sabin as Kianna and Alaina went to delivering playful taps between one another. "Thank you for saving my Alaina."

"Your Alaina?" Sabin asked curiously, "I thought you were all communal mothers and daughters?"

"Some of us do not believe in the Punishment of Rianna," Lila started, "Alaina and Kianna are both my daughters and they know that."

That makes sense.  They do have a strong connection.

"I have to ask, how did you guys defeat Valice?" Sabin looked around the room. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything more to him." He clenched his fist in anger. "I swear next time I will not be so useless."

He was met with blank stares and silence.

"Are you kidding?" Alaina blurted out. "You were great, with the flames and the punching and kicking." She mimicked the actions with mock determination. "That what Kianna and Leena said anyway."

"Yeah," Leena added, nudging Kianna then placing her hands on her hips. "How did you do all of that?"

All of what? The last thing I did was take a punch in the chest and pass out.

They were all looking at him expectantly, so he closed his eyes and tried to remember. Flashes entered his mind. Flames. An uppercut. Valice lying prone in front of him.

"Wade," Sabin said. "I think it was Wade."

"Wade can possess your body? Leena turned her nose upwards. "You sure that's a good thing? I mean, I'm glad he saved you and all, but I don't know how I'd feel about a sword taking my body for a stroll."

"It was a bit more than a stroll," Sabin said. "He saved my life."

"Thank you," Sabin said to Wade.

No response.

"Wade?"

Still silence.

"Wade isn't answering me." Sabin shook his head. Did everything have to be so confusing! "But I'm sure that's what happened."

"He's not answering you either?" Turrent said.

Sabin turned to the voice, noticing that Turrent leaned against the wall near the doorway like some sort of gate guard.

Did the Feral set some alarm to let everyone know when I awoke?

Turrent folded his arms and continued. "I tried to speak with him earlier and got nothing. I assumed he was waiting for you."

"Whatever he did must have took something out of him," Lila said. "All accounts state that Wade needs rest occasionally. This likely drained him, but I have confidence he will be back. However, it will take time."

"What should we do until then?" Sabin said. "I've been using him as a guide to find other the Seriens."

"Do not engage the Guan for any reason," Lila said. "You must learn to control your Path without such desperate measures."

"Easy for you to say," Leena said. "You've grown up around this magic crap you whole life. Can you teach us?"

Lila pursed her lips. "No, a Talent and a Path are too different things. There are similarities, but controlling a Path is something that cannot be taught."

"Is that all you have lady? Cryptic messages?"

Lila shook her head. "There is a way, but it is dangerous. I would like you to find the last Serien before I offer it. Trust me when I say this: it would be best if you can do so without this method."

Sabin nodded. They would head to Covica to find the fifth Serien. Maybe between the five of them they could unlock whatever it was they needed.

Hopefully by the time they arrived Wade will have recovered. If not, he would find a way to find the Serien without the sword.

Sabin smiled. Two good things had come from this trip. First, they'd found the fourth Serien in Alaina. Secondly, he knew his Path.

The Path of Fire.