Infraburst

Through the gigantic doors of the throne room, hidden behind a set of massive pillars was yet another sizable door, this one leading to a room with beautiful wooden furniture adorning its walls. In the room's center near the back was a stand, blue flames pulsing throughout its intricately carved veins, pumping as if it were the heart of the room.

Behind the eerie stand stood Nora, tapping idly as Kelsey dramatically described why Robyn should be banished and Brand should be executed.

Forcibly in the front row of the court-like meeting room, Robyn and Brand sat next to each other, their hands tightly squeezed together in utter terror of every word that came out of Kelsey's mouth, only half of them containing even a hint of truth.

On the other side of the front row was an elderly man Brand didn't yet know, accompanied by an older woman who he was also unfamiliar with. They both reeked of ancient power, especially the woman.

He did, however, know Elvina, who was seated in the back doing her best to not appear worried. Anyone with a brain could see right through her.

The only other guest was a surprise to Brand, Ernest, leaning in the corner watching the scene intimately. He seemed to have some special permission, making Brand curious about the true nature of his power to 'see everything.'

When Kelsey finally shut up, Nora heaved a sigh of shrouded relief, quickly instructing Kelsey to sit down. She did so uncomfortably close to Robyn, a mere chair separating the two of them. Brand wished he could trade places with her, so then he could stand between them, even if the thought terrified him.

Dutifully ignoring every word Kelsey said, Nora began to address her family. "It is the first time in our history that we have been presented with such a dilemma, that is an Infraburst that not only doesn't have blue fire, but instead possesses water magic," she stated, her eyes on Robyn.

"With this knowledge, the other three high blood families would no doubt mock us, effectively drowning our already mockingly low influence," she said while clenching her fist, a fist that was momentarily drenched in blue flames. "My first question to you before I make my verdict is, did you know that you had this power before today?" Nora asked, her stare piercing into Robyn's soul.

"No ma'am," Robyn stuttered, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. She had yet to fully recover from exhausting all of her magic in one sitting, much like how Brand did at first. She was just as new as he was, having been forbidden to interact with magic all her life.

"And Brand," Nora's daunting gaze altered, "Why was it you intervened in matters you were clearly not meant to be concerned with?"

"I heard," Brand's voice faltered, "screaming."

Seemingly unimpressed, Nora pressed on. "And?"

"I couldn't stop myself. She was hurting my friend," Brand managed, his auburn brown hair in a frenzied mess from drying untreated.

"Your friend who broke the rules, and deserved to be disciplined," Nora cut through his excuse, then peered back at Robyn.

After a moment of silence, she began to speak once more. "Now this is interesting," she hummed, unable to take her eyes off her great grand-daughter. Through them you could tell just how old and powerful she was, that is if you paid close enough attention. They were completely unlike the cloak of youth she covered herself with.

"Any propositions?" Nora finally offered for the rest of the family, a single glare silencing Kelsey, whose mouth was in the middle of opening.

"I believe she should be banished," the elderly woman answered without much thought.

"I second that," the man answered, obedient to his wife.

"I third Jade and Sal," Kelsey chimed in contently.

"I object," Elvina added swiftly, rising from her chair from the back of the room.

"Sit down, Elvina." Nora was adamant with her command, but Elvina didn't listen.

"Robyn has water magic, and strong magic at that. She managed to take down Kelsey, one of our strongest family members. If she is banished, she could become our greatest enemy. We should let her stay here," Elvina reasoned with fiery force backing up her words.

"This is not false, and I might consider your proposition had you taken a seat like you were previously instructed." Nora scorned her.

Blushing with embarrassment, Elvina finally obeyed.

"We should kill them both, then," Kelsey warped her niece's words.

With Kelsey's comment, Nora looked down at Robyn with a glint of pity in her eyes, almost as if she were actually considering it.

Rage once again clouded Brand's head, yet somehow Robyn's hand soothed him. It was like a stream of water washing away all negative thoughts.

"That won't be necessary," Jade silenced the room by slowly rising. "May I?" she looked up at her mother, Nora.

"You may," Nora granted her permission, then rested her hands on the stand. It was becoming evident that she simply wanted this whole thing to be over with.

"We should train her alongside the men we have collected. It would be optimal to fake her death to the public, and then give her a new body, perhaps something more permanent than your magic has to offer," Jade announced, then once again took a seat with the help of her husband. The room seemed to shake with her words, still vibrating inside their ears.

"It shall be so," Nora agreed, something off about her. Her form flickered, ominously revealing her true withered self for a split second.

She continued on, her voice getting older with every word. "Brand will be spared this time since it was a first offense. Jade, come with me. We will discuss Robyn's new body. Kelsey, take Robyn to be imprisoned until we are able to work out how to carry this out. Ernest, take Brand back to the den you share and watch him carefully."

With that, Nora's form strengthened once more. Her movements still seemed labored, and soon enough Jade was by her side, supporting her as they walked out of the room.

Ernest then quietly approached Brand.