"How about a fight?"

My fire instantly transforms into an inferno. Every lick of flame trying to empower me and burst free. But thankfully Lukas grips my shoulder, and I can push it down. Although even with Lukas's help, it's quite challenging. It's almost, almost, like trying to calm it down when in front of a demon.

"Petra, why do you think that's a good idea?"

"Well, it would be a good way for you to practice your fire- since you clearly need to. You'll also get to see that I'm perfectly fine, and I need to change my fighting style a bit to handle the acid spitters. Plus, what better way is there to blow off steam?"

I shake my head, perhaps Lukas has been rubbing off on me, but I'm pretty unstable at the moment. Even without my fire thing, I don't think my friends truly understand how my mind is so scattered at the moment. An unnecessary fight is just asking for trouble.

Petra sighs. "That's a shame, I really wanted to beat something after losing to the acid critters."

That certainly flipped a switch. I cock an eyebrow at Petra, just because I'm going through stuff doesn't mean I'm a weak target. Maybe she needs to be-

"No way Jesse, you can't be considering this. You could seriously hurt Petra."

That's right, I don't want to hurt Petra. As great it would be just to have a nice little fight, which I would win, I would never live with myself if I really did hurt her. I can't do it then, I just-

A bright flame explodes up, and before I can get a grip on it, bursts out. To my absolute horror, I stare as the blindly bright flame hits Petra. I instantly move to Petra, instincts kicking away any reasoning out the window.

"Petra! Are you okay? I swear I didn't mean to! Did I burn-"

She holds a hand up, blinking. "Jesse, I actually feel really good. Stronger even."

I open my mouth, but my flames swirl excitedly in me. Yet again trying to break free and perpare me for a fight. It does lack the craze when I'm confronted by demons or the yellow flames. Perhaps this could also serve as a learning opportunity.

"Jesse," Lukas grabs my shoulder, but I choose not to calm the fire. "Do you know what your doing?"

My flames spring around powerfully, but I don't feel concerned at all. I feel pumped, excited, confident. I have no idea why, and I only want to see one thing. Those flames reminded of something, and if I'm right, then I think Petra will get her wish.

"Petra, could you please hold out your hand?" I gather some of the flames in my hand, holding it there.

"Uh... sure?" She raises her hand out, and before Lukas realizes, I release my flames and swipe my hand under hers. The wisps hugging her hand as they travel by.

Petra pulls her hand back in the next moment, and opens her mouth to snap at me. But then closes it as her face crinkles in confusion. Petra looks at her hand, becoming wonderstruck. Which confirms my suspicions, that incredibly bright flame, at the very least, makes someone immune to my flames. Obviously something more happened to Lukas, but small steps. I'll figure that out eventually.

"Well then Petra," The fire in me rejoices, driving itself into my every fiber. I blink and shake my head, startled by the energy rush. I'm so caught up in it, I don't even think about why I light my hand up and hold it out for Petra to shake.

"I accept your challenge for a duel."

She chuckles slightly, but shakes my hand nonetheless. The fire spreads to her hand, glows brightly for a split second, and fades away. For a second, I get this sense that this might turn out really bad. But then it gets drowned our by a wave of pure energy and excitiment, every cell shaking anxiously waiting for this.

"Come on!" I grip her hand tighter and pull her out the doors. "There's enough room in the Treasure Hall!"

Oh golly gosh I feel great! It reminds of the times back in the treehouse. Excitedly chasing after Rueben through the woods, running faster and faster yet feeling lighter and lighter. Invincible almost, as if nothing could take away this joy.

She stumbles to keep up as I drag to the Treasure Hall, and chuckling when I hear Axel call for Ivor and say he's going to get Olivia. It looks like me and Petra will have an audience.

I let go of her hand when we enter the hall, walking to the center even though the fire in me wants to burst free. I watch Axel sprint by me, jumping excitedly.

"You better be fast Axel, it won't be long until Petra loses again in a fight."

His eyes widen and he dashes out the door, already bellowing for Olivia. Lukas and Ivor take a sit on the steps, making bets on the fight. Lukas sounds a bit grumpy, but completely confident in me. Ivor's going to owe Lukas a few cookies soon.

Petra unsheathes Miss Butter. "So are you gonna get a sword or anything...?"

I momentarily panic, it would be embarrassing to leave to go grab my sword. But to my surprise, the whirling flames in me jump out of my hand. It just looks like big fireball until it takes shape, a flickering sword of green flames in my hand.

I'll pretend this was the plan all along. "I have a new weapon I want to try out."

Petra rolls her eyes. "Someone's gotten cocky since he's gotten some magical flames. Just know, you won't be able to win without them."

"You know what? I won't use them then." The fire absolutely rages, seething inside me, yet doesn't break free. "But I still get to use the sword, and since I would explode without some release, and one last thing to make things a little more interesting."

A ring, I release the flames to create a ring around Petra and I. It's not big at all, staying in between the treasures. But that just makes it harder to retreat, more skill.

"You won't actually get burned by these if you fall in, but it's a win for me if you cross the line."

"Very well," Petra smirks. "Let your defeat begin."

We both crouch into fighting positions, circling each other. This is generally when you would read someone, but we're both grinning like fools. All I learn from Petra is that she's going all out, and might play just a wee bit dirty. Wouldn't have it any other way.

She charges, yelling a battle cry. I duck and roll out of the way, quickly spinning to kick Petra of balance. Her cry turn into a yelp as she dances away from the ring.

I grin at her. "Want to try that again?"

Petra glares at me, flexing her fingers gripping Miss Butter. I smile wider, the flames in me going absolutely berserk. I normally wait to tire out my opponent before I strike myself, but how can I don't that when there's a flaming inferno in me begging for action?

I howl and charge, the sword burning brightly. Too late, I realize that fire isn't actually something solid. Petra's sword will just go straight through mine. Oh well, I'm still not going down without a fight.

Working on instincts, I swing powerfully at Petra's sword. It's not a fight to the death or anything, just until someone gets pinned. And fights with Petra are never that long.

She raises her sword to block, and the next surprise reveals itself. My sword explodes, like a fireball, when it hits Miss Butter. The blasts pushes me back, causing me to stumble a bit and take a knee. I feel the ring flicker, Petra was knocked past it.

A fleeting sliver of victory runs through me, until it gets smashed by my flames. They spread and seethe with more energy, overwhelming me. It's even beginning to hurt me... harder to think when there's only a pounding passion burning stronger every moment to continue.

That's right, Petra challenged me to a duel not just the fight. That was only a scuffle, a warm up. It's time to really play.

My flames burst out and swirl around me, as I stand up. I look at the standing challenger, who's was blown back past the pedestals during the blast. Completely fine, no reason to call off the duel.

Thoughts burn to ashes, feelings wither away, my peripheral visions blurs as my challenger sharpens. A few beads of sweat on her face, cheeks lightly flushed, and an abnormal slight twitch in right shoulder as she puts away her sword.

Something grabs my shoulder, pulling me away from my challenger. I shriek and fling them to the side, no one is allowed to interrupt a duel. Don't these humans know anything?

I run forward, my fire charging by my side like flaming wolfs. I jump up on a pedestal and leap off, thrusting spears of flame at my opponent.

She rolls to the side and redraws her sword. I miss her, landing right where she was a few seconds ago. I whip to her, Petra's yelling something that isn't loud enough to pass my crackling fire.

The green inferno swirling me grows larger as I give it new commands. My challenger starts to backpedal from me, strange for the one to initiate to retreat. But my fury pushes my flames higher as I watch her getting receive help from the audience! That is forbidden during a duel!

Claws of rage spring in my mind and then burst forth out of my flames, clawing at my challenger. All of the humans scatter, shouting at one another... or perhaps me. But I really don't care seeing how many rules they just decided to shatter!

I advance towards them, my flames scurrying across the ground towards them all. Since they have decided to join in on the duel, then they'll just be part of it. I'm still not breaking any rules, I'm in the clear.

But then my bonded one stands up to me! He's also breaking the rules! I call the flames back, only having them shrouding me and protecting me in case the cheating little humans decide to stab at me while I'm distracted.

I narrow my eyes at him, surely he understands what they are doing? Why would he stop me? The duel isn't over, he must feel that. And yet, he isn't moving! My fire crackles with bitterness, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

It's entirely possible he's just having an off day and is having trouble. That's pretty common. Or maybe there is an urgent message he must give me that is so important that the duel must be called a draw.

Although I'm unable to hear him when I'm cloaked with my fire. I send a glare to the humans, there better be no funny business. I suck the flames back in, opening my ears up to sounds other than crackles and snaps.

"Jesse?" My bonded one looks so unsure, I'm not scaring him am I?

"Yes Gebunden?"

His face expands into shock, recoiling back slightly. He isn't... Did I do that? What did I do? I'm only trying to finish the duel the right way, even though my opponent is cheating. What does he want me to do?

"Uh..." He shakes his head, calming down to my relief. "Stop attacking Petra. The fight's over."

Now it's my turn to recoil in shock. My fire swells back up, the duel must finish! It is not over yet! I'll have to tend my bonded one afterwards, something clearly must be causing him confusion.

"No no bonded, the duel doesn't end until a fighter surrenders or their fire cannot burn any longer. My opponent is human, so just wait until she surrenders please."

I was going to continue my attack, until I saw how panicked my bonded one became. This must be worse than I thought, he would have told me if he hit is head, right? I guess I need to finish this quickly, I must tend to him as fast as possible.

"Don't worry, I'll be quick." I run my fingers through his hair, trying to sooth him and his wide eyes. "It'll only be moment."

I release my raging inferno again, becoming more determined to end this quickly when fear spreads across my bonded one's face. He shouts something, but he's probably still confused. My flames flicker higher in worry, I really hate to see him like this.

Pushing heat and energy and fire into my hand, I prepare to fire at the cheating challenger. I'm just about to release when she throws her hands in the air and shouts, the words piercing through the flames.

"I SURRENDER!"

I cough and stagger back, as if her words sent a strong blow to my chest. My vision sways and I really feel like throwing up. Why am I reacting negatively to winning? I should be feeling a strength boost, even against a human.

Wait, human? That's Petra, she's a human yes, but so am I. My thoughts spin wildly and my legs buckle beneath me. Cool, my throat is now really cool. Wasn't my fire just burning strongly? Where is it-

Anything in my stomach forces it's way out, my own puke pooling around my hands that are trying to steady me. And just before another round comes up, a gentle wave of strength flows into me. Soothing my nausea and relaxing trembling muscles.

"Jesse?"

I look up, still really confused and disjointed. "Yes Geben-"

I blink, what am I trying to say? That's Lukas, not a geben-whatever. At least Petra does qualify as a human. What's wrong with me? Did my head get hit while we were fighting?

"No!" My back snaps ridged as what just happened repeats in my head. I was attacking Petra with my fire! My own green flames! And I was going to attack the others! How could I do this? Something's wrong with me!

"Jesse calm down... calm down..." Lukas crouches down next to me, repeating calm down over and over again.

But... I can't. How- what... that isn't... I attacked Petra. I probably would've killed her, and then the others. Totally by will. That's- That's horrible! It's sick and wrong to turn on my best friends like that! They- I would never dream of that.

"I'm sorry..." My hands shake, there are tremors going up and down my arms. Even my body realizes what a terrible and immoral sin I was about to commit! That's... wrong, so every wrong of me.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I whisper, I don't deserve to actually speak to my friends, my friends I just tried to killed. How... What kind of person does that? What kind of hero does that? What kind of leader does that? What kind of friend does that?

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I bring my arms to my chest, pathetically trying to defend my heart from my own actions. I did this... I was the only one who made the decision to attack. The attempt to hurt my best friends, I need to take this pain caused by that. No one else should have this pain but me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I curl up, shutting out the world hoping that will keep me out of it. Rocking back and forth to my constant whispers, tears running when I know that no matter how many times I say it I'm still the one who tried to murder my friends.

"I'm sorry." But I can't stop, my lips convinced that every time I utter it a little more guilt washes away. When only the opposite is true. It's only a bitter reminder of what I've done, of what I tired to do. I would never have to apologize if I never tried to commit such... evilness.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

But no matter times I utter those words, what I did was unforgivable.