The air was warm. Warmer than it had ever felt on Val's velvet skin. The sound of water rushing, flowing across the sand. The fragrant smell of berries mixed with the sweet scent of water made the youth feel at home. Their body lay upon the ground, peering up to the sky. 

Valode Medu had never liked silence. Though, they often thought what that truly meant. Even when there was no sound, when nothing could create noise, there was still a buzz, a peaceful hum. That was silence to Val, despite what silence truly meant. Val often leaned into the silence, always present, yet often forgotten or ignored. Yet- this silence wasn't a ring. Not that familial soft hum one hears in the darkness. In fact, Val could swear the noise was increasing. 

Just as the ringing continued, I could hear it more clearly; now I am sitting up from my comfort. When I think I have found the source, it stops. Now-not a single ringing. Not even my normal silence felt right. It was far too quiet. 

I stand, looking for my aids, or any sign of my mother. "-Medu," a faint voice calls out grabbing my attention. I immediately feel something I simply can't form into words. Panic? Worry? Fear? Loss? All of those feelings felt real, and without any other way of explaining it, I knew the voice was calling for me specifically. Asking for my help specifically. 

*DONG* Now the bell began to ring. No longer humming, but ticking, dinging. *DONG* With each ring I feel my body move on it's own. The beach I once enjoyed now set ablaze. *DONG* My head begins to spin. Pound to the frequencies of the ringing. All I could do was hold my head while my body guided me. *DONG* As I look up I see faint blurry visions of my family. My parents and sibling running from behind me towards a beautiful stone structure. It had intricate carvings of faces all round it, each face similar to the other yet distinct in identity. It feels safe. *DONG* In the distance I hear unfamiliar names, screams, cried in a language unfamiliar to me. It sounds like Ruvahni, my birth tongue, but simpler, poetic in it's delivery and cadence. *DONG* I look to the now pure foggy crimson sky. The ringing is coming from there, yet it's source of noise was that temple. "WATCH OUT!" I hear behind me. Before I can address the source, I find myself falling to the ground, showers of flame and ash scorch my shoulder. The pain is more hot that fire should ever be. 

Within an instant the gongs morphs into an alarm. "Ugh," groaned the purple haired ide¹. "Another nightmare again?" A tall armor clad woman stood at the foot of Val's bed. Val rolled their tired eyes. They never liked being so monitored. Even when sleeping someone had to watch the young ruler. Val often wondered what enemies were out there to cause such fear. "You should try a stronger dose. If your dreams get worse they say it can kill you. The dream drainers use our dreams to-" Val began to tune it out. This became a daily routine almost. Any time Val would get nightmares, Prim would go on and on about dream spirits stealing life essence and leaving ide dead. "It feels like these meds are only making them worse. Maybe the dream drainers are meant to take me," Val joked. "The royal heir must not-" Val interrupted, "poke fun of serious matters as it's poor display of power and disrespects the flame." As Val spoke their prepped up, an almost arrogant tone to it. Val didn't enjoy any of it. 

"Nevermind, your parents request your presence within the Crucible of Will. You will be to lead this discussion on the next negotiation," Prim announced. "You mean be present to look pretty? I plan of it Prim," Val added. "Great flame, Heir Valode." As Prim spoke they took their leave, leaving Val to get ready for whatever the day lies ahead.

The chamber was alive with heat; not just from the flickering golden sconces that starred the walls in waves, but from the way power settled in the bones of the room. The floor was made of obsidian glass, smoothed and polished like it had been burned in place. Chairs were not deserving of a space so pure, for thrones stood firm instead, each carved in the likeness of flame and pure light itself, pulsing faintly with an aura as their wielders entered. 

In the center of the chamber sat a single golden basin which held a slow-burning fire that never wavered, never crackled, and never dwindled. This flame was named the Heart of the Sun, and was forged as a symbol of the Council's power. Val stood in the center, staring at the flame in the room all alone. It was rare they had alone time, so it was important Val enjoyed it. 

Just then a creek could be heard as someone entered the chamber. "Tama²," Val called out, recognizing the figure. They bowing to the tall powerful ide before going in for a hug. "You know Council wouldn't enjoy that," their parent added. "Are both not correct? Besides, I've called you that since I was crawling. Why change it now?" Val rebutted. 

The ide laughed, bringing the other into his arms. "Selu³ can be for them. But Tama only us. We have an obligation to the flame. We're lucky we have this place to call home." Selon held them before themself, admiring the wise one. "Come, better not keep the Council waiting." 

Val hated the theatrics of it all. Standing and waiting for each "Very Important Ide" to be announced and greet the room. Each attempting to one up the other. 'Play the part and the flame will forgive you' Val thought to themself. 

"Now announcing the Vajrayihen⁴ of Khijan. Gwen Medu Tsunam." The sound of the announcers voice rang through the outside even with the walls sealed. It echoed through Val's head like a bell. A vaguely familiar bell. 

"Siɾas Medu," someone called out. An annoyed sigh escaped the young leader. The term meant "in stillness" or in becoming. It was used to mock Val in a strange way. It was like calling someone barely worthy enough of the flame, because Val wasn't of the true flameblood. It was the same reason Kym, their veji⁵ was of higher status than their selu. They were not of true flameblood. Despite their time served just before their Kym met Selon. 

"Right, coming," Val replied, entering the held obsidian door. They were ready, hands held before them. If they were meant to play a character, they would play it perfectly. Though they realized something peculiar. The order at which they were called in was completely off. Gwen, tamashi⁶ of Kym, should be announced after Val, as they are the direct line of the heir. Then Val, then Selon, then Kym. Yet seeing their selu already inside next to Gwen was disorienting. 

"Announce yourself child," a strong, powerful voice commanded. The voice itself held weight, as if you could envision who produced it. Val adjusted their posture, hand's folded behind them. "I am Valode Medu, siras of the sacred flame, I come before you humbly in your presence," as they finished, they bowed, perfectly aligned in the direction of the voice, power vibrated from them. They commanded the room with grace and nobility. 

"Taveyi⁷ Medu, You surely are wondering why we have your Tama waiting outside these walls yes?" Kassaj⁸ spoke, stepping into the golden light of the crucible to reveal themself. 

Their appearance was a weapon forged in reverence; sharp, deliberate, and blinding. Each word, each syllable intentional. The vassan or councilor's paraded in robes layered in shimmering gold-threaded scales, each overlapping like feathers of flame, reflecting the firelight with every step. Their ashen complexion with glowing veins of ember bore a wide smirk, one that could cut the fine obsidian they stood on. This glow reminded sublty of how long the flame had kept them alive; far longer than any ide should naturally be. Their flashy jewels made it hard to focus on them. 

"I am quite curious, sovajori¹⁰," Val replied, tone low but sharp, matching heat with composure. That sharp grin soon faded naturally. "We vassan want you to lead this discussion. We've heard rumor of your advancement in negotiation and feel your skills may prove useful." Val began to form their next move, but they were swiftly cut off. The denuva took their throne and left Val in their place. "Now presenting, Kym Medu-Tsunam, Taveyi and keeper to the throne of the Divine Light of the Sacred Flame. May the flame burn brightly." As the announcer finished Kym entered the crucible. Their presence made everyone stand. Everyone held their breaths awaiting her next move. Kym loved suspense, and she knew how to command a space. "Pleasure to grace your presence. You may be seated." As she walked to her throne right next to the kassaj, her shoes clicked, each step redirecting focus back to her. As she took her seat Val stood in front, awaiting for what was to come.

"As we begin this Accord, I want to begin by saying how honored it is. Recently the light of the Sacred Flame granted us permission to settle within the forsaken lands. They have fell silent, and it is up to us to reclaim it." Sovajori Zhayul spoke with vitriol. Val couldn't put it to words, but it never settled right within them. In fact, the entire place felt all wrong. 

"Yet which one of us will claim the settlement? Jefue was ours, Fire burns purest within the volca- cough vol- cough" Vajava Neval struggled to get the last parts out. Vajava Neval ruled over Tsujan alongside Sovajori Lojmon. Neval was ill, and growing ever so sicker as each passing sun came. Many doctors tried diagnosing, and rumors of weave doctors who failed to diagnose are prominant as well. Yet it was clear few knew what was causing the issnes, and none knew how to cure it. 

"It should rightfully go to us. We have no land's outside of our capitals. We haven't even a ruler. It's only right in the divine name of the sacred flame." Sovajori Mirukai, solo ruler of Ousujan, spoke with disdain. Mirukai was the newest edition to the Kassaj. After gaining control over Ousujan, Mirukai was recruited to tame the baren lands. Mirukai felt it was only right for them to claim rajas. Mmirabe and Ramide were incapable of rehabilitation, so there was no opportunity for it. Yet now, a new land was ripe for the taking, and it was only right. "The more reason it should be assigned to a team more... fitting," Lojmon rebuttled. 

They continued to bicker, raging back and forth about who was more willing, all the while Val, like usual, was meant to stand by and simply, watch. There was never a good opportunity to but in, even if there were would Val even feel comfortable taking it? It was as if their presence was merely a display, and it showed clearly. But something within Val shifted, maybe it was the arguing, maybe the delicate flame that illuminated their warm face. 

"If I may..." Val said, stepping forward, fully glazed in the fires light. "I believe the answer lies in Rajas itself."

The room fell quiet, the arguing fell to nothingness. The chamber that was once bustling, sounded as though not a soul was home. Yet- just for a moment. Just for a moment no sound moved within the chamber, not a shifting robe, not a whispering breath; yet the weight of the silence hung thicker than molasses.

Val continued, "Each of you speak with the Divine Light and the Sacred Flame from Legacy." Everyone looked on edge, eager to hear what was next. No one dared speak out during such an egagement, this was new for everyone and Val had them all in the palm of their hand. "But the flame speaks in the present," Val went on, relishing in the pause they learned from their veji, "We can debate, or... we can witness. See for yourselves, and maybe the land will make it's will known."

A soft murur rose among the kassaj. Some exchanged glances, others shifted in their thrones, measuring the words like embers. Strange, but not unreasonable; and somehow - it felt right.

"Well, I don't see why not..." Sovajori Lojmon added. And soon, the arguing turned to murmurs, discussions on the event. It began to seem that today's meeting would not end early as usual. 

Val stood outside the airship, staring deep within the flaming exhaust. They began to relive the meeting within the Crucible. A sudden shift in energies behind them brought them out of their daze. 

"Some show you put on," the voice called out. It was rare to see Kym, yet here she was. "Hey veji," Val spoke softly, a tinge of something off in their tone. "What's wrong kishira¹¹?" Kym spoke, planting a soft hand on the crown of Val's head, stroking in comfort. "Nothing really. When I suggested go to Rajas I didn't expect that meant now," Val finished. Kym chuckled, the pair finally facing. "You know the Kassaj wait for nothing but the flame. Cheer up. Your first ruling came with no objections. This is a big honor. You've made the flame happy!" Kym added. Val frowned, considering that thought. 

The rovaj¹² Medu-Tsunam family boarded their aircraft.