Fair.

The snake of panicked people pushed through the town, the evacuation led by guards who were just as fearful themselves. The fire lit up the night sky and it seemed every building was on fire.

“Timon, cover that bracelet.”

“Sorry Grandfather.”

The 12 year old pulled his sleeve down past his wrist, he didn’t know why he had to do it, but his grandfather always said it was important to keep it hidden.

“It’s ok, lets just concentrate on getting out of the town with everyone safely ok?”

The old man looked down to his grandchild with a warm smile, looking up at his grandfather Timon couldn’t help but be comforted, even when he could see the buildings on fire behind him.

There was a large explosion a few blocks away, and the fireball reached so high Timon thought it might burn the clouds.

“Come Timon, we must hurry now”

the old man ushered his grandson toward the evacuating crowd, but between the buildings Timon saw a man walking in a daze, towards the explosion.

“Sorry grandfather, but I think someone needs my help!”

at that Timon ran between the buildings just before the entrance to the passage was filled with burning rubble.

“TIMON!” the old man was suddenly very scared, “TIMON- J… JUST BE CAREFUL! STAY SAFE!”

Timon could barely hear the calls of his grandfather over the roaring of the flame, the whole town was on fire and it was screaming.

–

Timon fallowed the man through the maze of fire, just catching his silhouette as he came around a corner until it went over a hill and into a massive crater, probably formed by the huge explosion from before.

Timon climbed to the top of the mound at the edge of the crater but stopped himself when he saw into it, the man he was following, his hands were on fire, and he was throwing fire onto things as he went past, the man Timon chased after to save was the firestarter himself.

Timon decided it was best to leave, the firestarter was too big and clearly too dangerous a man to be around. But just as Timon turned away he heard a woman’s voice call out to the fire starter.

“Ignis! I always said you were crazy, I’m sad to realise just how right I was.”

There was a woman standing across the crater from the firestarter.

“Oh you would know wouldn’t you Cadence”.

“What happened Ignis, when did you become this way?”

“I wonder why you want to know, do you think all those years ago, it was me that did it?” Ignis ginned wickedly

“…well, did you?”

Cadence was clearly someone strong, but she was clearly close to tears.

“Well, I wish I could say I did, I always wanted to be in a battle for vengeance, but it was someone else. I’m not your sister’s killer Cadence.”

Cadence sighed and looked at the floor.

“It doesn’t change anything you know, you have still become a monster Ignis.”

“Of course I have, it was inevitable, and if you’re the one to walk away from this encounter, sooner or later madness will take you too, it’s our birthright Cadence! I just knew to give up resisting and enjoy it!”

“I’ll never become you Ignis, power…” Cadence took a flute from it’s holster.

“…doesn’t…” she changed her stance, readying herself for battle.

“…have to…” she pointed her flute at Ignis.

“…CORRUPT!”

the two warriors launched at each other, Ignis was like a ball of fire, shooting massive fireworks at Cadence constantly, she just seemed to dance with them, and rocks and rubble around the crater started to dance with her, as she swung her flute it’s tune seemed to command everything inside the crater.

The battle became furious, with fire and boulders flying far past the edges of the crater, Timon feared the two would kill each other and take the town with them, he fled in spite of the awe he felt at seeing their battle.

–

on a hill overlooking the town, an old man stood watching the display caused by the battle die out with a massive clap and burst of light.

The old man looked down the hill to see a 12 year old boy climbing up to him.

“Grandfather…”

“I know Timon, its time for me to tell you some things.”