CHAPTER 6: The Fire Beneath the Stone
Kael awoke the next morning in a cold stone room deep within the rebellion's hidden stronghold. Though his eyes opened, sleep had offered little peace—only nightmares. Seren's screams still flickered through his mind, but her face… it was gone. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't picture her. The price he paid for using his power. A few silent tears escaped.
Outside his door, the noise of clanking tools, soft voices, and the crackling of torch flames filled the air. The rebellion was already hard at work.
Kael pulled his black, tattered robe over his shoulders and stepped outside. He didn't get far before Thorne spotted him across the corridor. The rebellion leader offered a warm, familiar nod. Beside him stood Rowan, his second-in-command—tall, muscular, dark-skinned, with a broad scar stretching across his chest beneath his purposefully open collar. He eyed Kael with the same distrust as before.
"I hope you slept well," Thorne said.
Kael scratched his head, weary. "I got as much sleep as I could."
Thorne smiled. "Come. There's someone I want you to meet."
The three walked together to the war room—the same chamber where Kael had first met Thorne. Sitting at the table was a slender, sharp-featured man in his twenties, scribbling notes into a worn leather notebook. He had slick, jet-black hair and thin glasses perched on his nose. His eyes were observant—too observant.
Thorne greeted him, "Sylas. Hard at work, I see."
"You know me," Sylas said with a light grin. "No days off."
Thorne motioned between them. "Kael, this is Sylas Mere. Our intelligence analyst. Sylas, this is Kael."
Sylas stood and extended his hand, still smiling. "It's great to meet you."
Kael shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Thorne clapped his hands once. "Good. I want you two to spend some time together. Show Kael around, Sylas. Meet back here in an hour—we have a council meeting."
As they left, Rowan turned to Thorne. "You're really letting him sit in on a council meeting?"
Thorne raised an eyebrow. "I'll explain everything. When have I ever steered you wrong?"
Rowan huffed. "There was that one time."
"We don't talk about that one time," Thorne said, smirking.
Sylas led Kael through a corridor where stone rooms were stacked one atop another. Old prison cells turned into makeshift homes, workshops, and storerooms. Sylas even walked backwards to maintain eye contact.
"This place used to be a high-security prison," Sylas explained. "Buried underground to contain the worst of the worst."
Kael looked around. Members of the rebellion bustled with purpose, fixing broken equipment, reinforcing walls, and trading supplies.
He asked, "Wouldn't the Council know about this place? Maybe even use it?"
"Maybe once," Sylas said. "But after the Nine took power, most data from the capital was destroyed or sealed. They didn't want anyone knowing what the world used to be. They erased history, Kael."
Kael nodded. It made sense in a twisted way.
"There's not much to see here," Sylas added. "But I do have a question."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
"Why do you think Thorne trusted you so quickly?" Sylas asked. "It took months before I earned that kind of trust."
Kael thought for a moment. "Honestly? I think it has to do with Seren. She raised me."
Sylas blinked. "Seren? You're her son?"
"You're the second person to be surprised."
Sylas shook his head, clearly stunned. "I never knew her personally, but... she helped found this rebellion with Thorne. Rumors said she was dead. Others said she left to protect someone. Guess the second rumor was true."
Kael said nothing, but hearing it confirmed by someone else grounded it further in his reality.
Sylas continued, "But… why would she need to protect you?"
Kael hesitated, then spoke. "Because I'm a Whisperer."
Sylas's eyes lit up with fascination. "A Whisperer? Kael, do you understand what that means? You alone could turn the tide of this war."
His excitement was genuine. Unlike Lira's cautious acceptance or Thorne's silent burden, Sylas didn't look at Kael with fear or pity. For the first time in a long while, Kael felt like someone truly saw him.
Sylas leaned in. "Tell me everything. Your experiences—what it feels like."
Kael did. He talked about the prayer circle at the temple, about the officer who killed his own men near the ruins, about the pain of using his voice and what it cost him.
"It's a curse," Kael said quietly.
Sylas furrowed his brow. "Why do you say that?"
"Because I lose memories," Kael explained. "The good ones. I can't remember Seren's face anymore. Only the screams. Only the grief."
Sylas grew quiet. Then, with surprising grace, he said, "It seems to me you need to decide. You didn't choose this life or this power. But you can choose how to use it. Is changing the world worth losing your past? And if so... how far are you willing to go?"
Kael had no answer. The words settled deep in his chest.
Just then, Thorne's voice echoed from the hall. "Meeting begins in five minutes!"
Sylas smiled. "Come along, then."
The war room felt colder this time. Kael stood beside Sylas as four others gathered around the table. Thorne sat at the head with Rowan beside him. Two others—a rugged man with a mechanical arm and a woman with fierce green eyes—sat across from them.
Kael noticed Lira wasn't there. He realized he missed her presence. Maybe more than he should.
Thorne began. "I've welcomed Kael into our ranks. Many of you remember Seren. Some knew her. Some only heard stories. She changed my life. She convinced me to defect from the Council of Nine. When we fled, we saved a boy—a confirmed Whisperer—marked for execution. Seren raised him. That boy is Kael."
Kael stared at the floor, fighting tears. Hearing it aloud was different. Realer.
Rowan leaned forward. "You've brought a Whisperer into our midst? If the Nine find out, we're already dead. But now, we might suffer worse."
Thorne's voice was firm. "You trusted me once. Trust me again. Kael could be our only hope. Rebellion is built on risk. We need to do more than survive—we need to win."
Kael stood still for a moment, then turned and walked out.
Thorne looked to Sylas and gestured. Sylas nodded and followed.
"I need air," Kael muttered.
"Then let's step outside," Sylas replied.
They climbed the long staircase to the surface in silence. When they reached the fresh air, Kael dropped to his knees and sobbed.
"I feel like everyone is making choices for me," Kael said through tears. "I don't know what I want. I want to honor Seren, but if I do... I'll forget her. I can't see her face now, but what if I lose the sound of her voice too?"
Sylas knelt beside him, letting the silence breathe before he spoke.
"I know it's hard. But no matter what anyone says, you still have a choice."
Kael stood slowly, wiping his face. "I need a moment alone."
Sylas nodded and returned down the steps, disappearing into the prison.
Inside, Sylas walked briskly to his room. Once there, he closed the door, locked it, and pulled out a wooden box hidden beneath his bed. He opened it.
Inside was a false bottom and a softly glowing purple crystal.
He whispered, "Are you there?"
The crystal flared.
Brother Varn's voice answered, cold and sharp: "I am here. Report, Mere."
"Confirmed Whisperer," Sylas said. "Thorne still lives. Awaiting next orders."
"Three days," Varn replied. "Same time. Be ready."
The crystal faded to white.
Sylas replaced the false bottom and stood in silence. His smile was gone—replaced by a hardened, resentful glare.
He opened his door.
Waited.
Then took a deep breath.
By the time he stepped into the hallway, the mask had returned. The smile was back.
As if nothing had ever happened.