Chapter 36: Fire versus Fire

The atmosphere in the Orange Haven remains tense. The gravity of the terror of an entire realm of the Fire fairies under the spell of Alirion is disturbingly alarming to its people.
The Fire fairies are a proud and brave race. Never have they imagined to be invaded by a single fairy and lose their control over their realm. What is worse is that the intruder is one of their own. It is scary but mostly insulting for their kind. 
 
King Hakan sits on his Granite throne with both hands blazing with fire. Not a single fire fairy dares to utter a word. The whole throne room is filled with all the fire fairies in the Orange Haven. After being freed by the Princess of the Earth Haven and their other kin, they are all waiting for their King's command.
 
At the moment, the King spins the fireballs on each of his palms like tops. All eyes are focused on the blazing fireballs.
 
"My people, I would have to apologize to all of you for the cruelty of the Dark fairy. It is my fault because despite of being aware of my son's affinity to Alirion, I did not take any steps to be more vigilant in guiding our Prince better."
 
The Fire Lord's voice seems to break. He carries on playing with the fireballs on his palms. This gives him something to focus on instead of his brewing emotions.
 
"If not for Prince Hagan's blind friendship with Alirion, the Dark fairy would not have the opportunity to even enter our realm. Our Prince made a terrible choice. And for that I take the blame. He is my son and I should know better."
 
He admits with bitterness.
 
As proud as he is of being the strong leader of this realm, he feels guilty that he was not able to pass on the same strength to his son Prince Hagan. He has been soft with him and now it is too late. His son is dead.
 
The twin fireballs shoot straight to the ceiling of the throne room. The King's bottled up anger finally unleashed upon his recollection of the manner in which his son died.
 
The fire fairies instinctively raise their arms above their heads like a shield anticipating the effect of the fireballs.
 
The King does not even notice the reactions of his people. It appears that his anger is directed to himself.
 
"Prince Hagan is dead and Alirion has escaped after he made us all look like fools!"
 
The King stands shouting these words to all of his people. His eyes are of bright orange like burning flames ready to bore a hole into his enemy.
 
"We shall not take this peacefully! That coward fairy shall pay for his insolence!"
 
"I shall pursue him in the Dark Mountains and wherever else he will try to run to for cover! Even if he runs to the ends of the world, I will not stop until I have avenged my son."
 
King Hakan ends his monologue.
 
"My Lord, I will follow you anywhere to bring justice for our Prince and our realm."
 
Haco, the leader of the rangers, steps forward as he professed his support. He bows with fealty while he valiantly volunteers to join his King.
 
The rest of the rangers step forward as well and bow reverently to their King.
 
"I am thankful for your unwavering loyalty and respect for my leadership despite the weakness I have displayed in the past."
 
"My King, let me lead a few of our rangers on a scouting mission to pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the Dark fairy. We shall also try to scavenge at the Ogre's lair for Prince Hagan's remains. The Dark fairy might just be exaggerating what he has done with our Prince."
 
Haco proudly voices out his well laid plans.
 
"We shall allow you the solace to grieve for your loss."
 
He adds with sadness in his tone.
 
"My brave Haco, I give you my permission to execute your ingenious plan."
 
"I am grateful for your consideration."
 
"Prepare for whatever provisions you might need."
 
The Fire Lord returns to his throne.
 
Haco and a dozen of rangers bow then exit soon after.
 
"My people search our fortress. Check each and every area of our Haven. Find out if the Dark fairy has left any clues as well as magical traps. Be careful. We shall fortify the security of our realm."
 
All the fire fairies depart in silence from the throne room.
 
The Fire Lord sits on his granite throne once more.
 
Now that he is all alone, he slackens off his posture as he covers his face with both hands.
 
The silence in the throne room is deafening. The King seems to have fallen asleep. Then suddenly, a certain sound can be heard coming from the King.
 
At first it is just short sniffles, then the sniffles progress to sobs.
 
The exhausted Fire Lord finally breaks down. His façade of strength crumbles down.
 
He cannot still reconcile in his mind that his son is dead. He regrets not being able to share his time with him. Maybe that is the reason for his son's blind devotion to Alirion.
 
The Dark fairy used the Prince's yearning for attention from his King Father. The Fire Lord is the kind of father who is rigid on his feelings and is afraid to show any weaknesses.
 
"Romina, my love, I am sorry I have failed you."
 
The King laments to himself.
 
"Why do you have to leave us so soon? I have no idea how to be a good father. I only know how to be a strong King."
 
The Fire Lord resumes talking out loud as if in a conversation with his Queen.
 
Queen Romina died when Prince Hagan was still very young. She fell ill of an unexplained cause.
 
"Our son needed a father not a King. I have not realized that when you died, Hagan was left on his own with his grief for his Mother's death. I was caught in my own grief. We should have mourned for you together as father and son."
 
The King continues to talk to himself in between his sobs.
 
King Hakan turns silent abruptly.
 
"I will avenge you my son even if it means the death of me."
 
He whispers to himself, sending several fireballs flying across the throne room.
 
Haco enters the throne room without any warning.
 
He glances around the room catching a glimpse of the slowly fading flames of the fireballs.
 
Haco returns his attention to his King on his throne.
 
"King Hakan, we are now ready to depart. I would just like to send you word that Princess Ava has left with Aramir, the injured Earth ranger. She is escorted by Ailsa and Cleon."
 
"They will bring Aramir back to the Earth Haven. Nurse Zella will be able to care for Aramir better than any of our healers."
 
Haco waits for the King to respond.
 
"Haco, I entrust to you our rangers. Return as soon as you have the coward's whereabouts."
 
The King nods to his ranger.
 
"I give you my word, King Hakan."
 
Haco bows then turns to leave.
 
The Fire Lord remains silent once more. He has said out loud everything that he has in his mind.
 
He is now trying to make peace with himself. He breathes deeply with a resolute feeling. He knows that he can surely protect his people if he puts an end to the Dark fairy with his own hands.
 
The Orange Haven is a strong castle that Alirion has been coveting for a long, long time. The fires of this mountain fortress shall remain ablaze by fighting a fire fairy like Alirion with fire as well.
 
King Hakan intends to show this Dark fairy the greatest fire that will end his evil plans once and for all.
 
The Fire Lord is done mourning as a father. He is now ready for battle as a King.